The global alloy tubes market is expected to witness substantial growth over the forecast period on account of the multiple applications of alloy tubes in various industries. Alloy tubes are made up of copper alloys such as brass, zinc, and bronze, aluminum alloys and nickel alloys. Nickel tubes are excellent corrosion resistant in both aqueous and high-temperature conditions. Furthermore, nickel tubes are highly ductile and easy to use. Copper Alloys are used extensively in medical industries, fire safety, and domestic industry. Alloy tubes play a key role in the choice of material for the wide range of application including transmission of various fluids. An exceptional combination of properties such as corrosion resistance, adequate strength, heat exchangeable capacity, ductility and ease of fabrication has made alloy tubes indispensable for various applications.
Material selection in making tubes for different application is an important decision to make as various metals corrode in different weather and atmospheric conditions making them unsuitable for use. Corrosion poses a huge threat in sectors with extreme atmospheric conditions such as moist conditions, extremely dry conditions, conditions with alternating dry and moist conditions. Alloys and alloy tubes prove suitable for utilization with changing weather conditions and extreme temperatures. Alloys are formed by mixing two metals or mixing metal with an element to overcome the shortcomings of that metal.
Alloy tubes are classified on the basis of the metals into aluminum alloys tubes; copper alloys tubes, nickel alloy tubes, and stainless steel tubes. Nickel tubes are used in the manufacturing of high-quality tubing products owing to its corrosion resistance quality. Nickel alloys have the higher ability to accept different elements in solid solution than any other stainless steel or iron based alloys maintaining high metallurgical stability. The combination of alloys with elements helps in increasing the corrosion resistance capacity in various environments while still maintaining a good welding and forming abilities. Nickel alloys are excellent in nuclear industries and for heat exchangers in the chemical processes. They are used in steam generators in nuclear power plants, in high-temperature aircraft and in oil and gas extraction.
Aluminum tubes are also corrosion resistant; however they have less strength on account of which they are used in outdoor structural applications such as trims and railings. Although aluminum tube type 2024 is high strength and used in aerospace industry. Copper alloy tubes are manufactured on the basis of application and are bifurcated into seamless copper pipe, seamless red brass pipe, seamless copper tube, bright annealed, seamless copper tube, seamless copper water tube, seamless brass tube, wrought seamless copper & copper alloy tube, air conditioning & refrigeration alloy tube threadless copper pipe, copper drainage tube, copper welded tube, welded brass tube, medical gas tube and fuel gas tube. The seamless copper pipe is used for plumbing, boiler feed lines and similar purposes. Seamless red brass pipes are corrosion resistant and usually used for water supply. Copper alloy tubes are mainly used for domestic water distribution and water service as they deliver clean and safe water owing to its corrosion resistive ability against water. The high thermal strength of copper alloys makes them formidable in utilizing for heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) and refrigeration. Copper alloy tubes are long lasting and corrosion resistant owing to which they are used in various other sectors such as medical, fire safety and crude oil.
The market of North America is expected to grow over the forecast period owing to the increasing demand for heat exchangers in various industries such as petrochemical, oil & gas and chemicals where alloy tubes are used extensively as the medium for the exchange of heat. The market of Latin America is expected to grow eventually owing to the developing infrastructure and electrical products and use of copper alloy, stainless steel and nickel alloy tubes in these two sectors. The demand for the alloy tubes is anticipated to grow with the developing economies of Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Columbia. Asia Pacific market is expected to grow substantially over the forecast period on account of alloy tubes application in the industries with growing demand in the region such as the chemical, food & beverage, HVAC and power generation industry. The market is expected to grow in the Middle East & Africa owing to the application of alloy tubes in oil & gas industry, and new refinery projects established in this region.
Prominent manufacturers of alloy tubes in the market are Jiangsu Chengde Steel Tube Share Co. Ltd., Salzgitter Mannesmann Stainless Tubes, Plymouth Tube Company, ISMT Limited, Continental Steel & Tubes Company and Aesteiron Steels Private Limited.
