What is Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing

Corrugated stainless
steel tubing is a form of
pipe or conduit used to
distribute natural gas
throughout a building.
This flexible piping, often
referred to as CSST,
serves as an alternative
to traditional black steel
gas pipes. CSST
transports natural gas
and propane from
storage tanks to
furnaces, water heaters,
or even cooking
appliances. Corrugated
stainless steel tubing
may also be found in
laboratory and research
settings, as well as
industrial and
manufacturing facilities.
This material shares many
properties with PEX
piping, but consists of
stainless steel rather than
thermoplastic
components. Instead of
running corrugated
stainless steel tubing like
traditional hard piping,
installers run it like
electrical wiring. This
means it can easily be
passed around obstacles
or obstructions within
walls or ceiling cavities.
Contractors typically rely
on special clips and tube
supports to fasten the
tubing to the building
structure.
One of the primary
advantages to using
corrugated stainless steel
tubing is the ease and speed
at which it can be installed.
Rather than cutting apart
walls and ceilings to add
piping, installers simply
snake the tubing through
available openings as
needed. It naturally curves
to fit around corners or over
beams, which minimizes the
number of fittings and
connections needed to join
the tubing together. This
allows projects to be
completed quickly, and also
helps to keep labor and
material costs low.
Since its introduction, some municipalities have banned the use of corrugated stainless steel
tubing or placed restrictions upon its use. This is due to the risk of fire associated with this tubing. If
the tubing is exposed to a lightning strike or other electrical surge, electrical energy can easily blow
a hole in the wall of the pipe. This allows gas to leak out and can lead to fires or explosions. To
reduce this risk, electricians and plumbers use special bonding or grounding techniques when
installing corrugated stainless steel tubing.
When choosing corrugated gas line materials, buyers must consider many factors to find the right
product for each application. The diameter of the tubing should allow gas to travel at the required
velocity, and should also take into account pressure and temperature conditions. Installers must
choose tubing with the right type of fittings or fasteners to enable easy and efficient connections
with gas supply lines and appliances. Some applications may also require the use of tubing with a
special chemical coating, which enhances the strength and durability of the tubing.