In highly sensitive industries where even microscopic contaminants can have far-reaching consequences, choosing the right piping systems is of critical importance. Interalloy offers you excellent sterile tubes that have been specially developed for the safe transport of sterile and high-purity media. As an experienced partner, we guarantee seamless precision tubes that impress with extreme dimensional accuracy, uncompromising corrosion resistance, and flawless surface finishes. Rely on the highest quality for applications where absolute purity and safety are paramount.
Manufacturing Processes and Materials for Uncompromising Quality
To meet the extreme demands of sensitive production environments, we rely on established and highly precise manufacturing processes.
Our seamless precision tubes are produced through hot forming without any weld seams and are subsequently cold-drawn. This process guarantees exceptionally uniform wall thickness and completely eliminates critical weld zones. This makes them the ideal choice for demanding media and the highest pressure loads. In addition, we offer welded-drawn tubes, which are longitudinally seam-welded from a stainless steel strip and then cold-drawn. In this way, we combine the highest dimensional accuracy and dimensional stability with excellent cost-effectiveness.
Stainless steel capillary tubes for micrometer-precise applications
For projects requiring the highest level of miniaturization and absolute precision, we offer the finest stainless steel capillary tubes. Our exceptionally broad range covers dimensions with extremely small diameters, starting as low as 0.05 mm. Thanks to wall thicknesses of up to 0.03 mm, these special tubes are the perfect solution when excellent thermal conductivity or an extremely compact design is essential in your systems. With our micrometer-precise manufacturing and strict tolerances of up to ±0.05 mm, we guarantee absolute reliability for your most delicate systems.
This quality is based on first-class materials. We use exclusively stainless, acid- and heat-resistant stainless steels for your piping systems:
- 1.4404 (AISI 316L): The highly corrosion-resistant standard austenitic steel for universal applications.
- 1.4435 (AISI 316L): A special alloy with an exceptionally low sulfur content for the most demanding biocompatibility requirements.
Thanks to this targeted and high-purity material composition, this material is the safest choice for your highly sensitive processes and ensures maximum durability.
Certified safety according to DIN 11866, ASME BPE, and ISO 1127
Uncompromising compliance with standards is essential for use in sensitive production environments. Our piping systems therefore meet the most stringent international standards. DIN 11866 forms the most important basis for your aseptic, chemical, and pharmaceutical applications. This standard defines precise requirements for hygiene classes and is divided into three main series: Series A (based on DIN dimensions), Series B (based on ISO dimensions), and Series C.
For facilities operating in the international biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, we manufacture your piping systems exactly in accordance with ASME BPE (Bioprocessing Equipment) specifications. Furthermore, we ensure that you always receive strictly standardized dimensions, lengths, and the tightest tolerances in accordance with ISO 1127.
To ensure you are on the safe side with every project, we provide comprehensive quality documentation with our deliveries. This includes 3.1 material certificates in accordance with EN 10204 as well as comprehensive confirmations of FDA, RoHS, and REACH compliance. Our ISO 9001-certified processes guarantee you the highest level of security and transparency with every order.
The European Standard DIN EN 10357 at a Glance
In addition to seamless designs, welded variants also play an important role in industrial applications. DIN EN 10357 is the central European standard for longitudinally welded stainless steel pipes. It is specifically designed to meet the high requirements of the food and chemical industries. Piping systems manufactured in accordance with this standard guarantee reliable quality for applications requiring excellent cleanability and high corrosion resistance. Often, the dimensions defined in DIN EN 10357 also form the practical basis for dimension series A of the overarching hygiene standard DIN 11866.
Surface Finish: Electropolished Tubes for Optimal Hygiene
The condition of the inner surface is the absolute core criterion for any safe ultra-pure media system. Only a flawless and precisely defined topography reliably prevents dangerous biofilm formation, particle adhesion, and any contamination in your systems.
To meet these highest hygienic standards, we offer electropolished tubes that feature a mirror-like, extremely non-porous, and ultra-clean surface. While mechanically finished variants already achieve very good results, electropolished surfaces offer an unmatched level of safety. These internally polished stainless steel tubes effortlessly meet the strictest requirements of the hygiene classes according to DIN 11866.
Depending on your specific requirements, we can provide you with custom surface finishes:
- Class H4/HE4: Ra values of ≤ 0.40 µm for the highest standard requirements.
- Class H5/HE5: Extremely smooth Ra values of ≤ 0.25 µm for the highest standards of residue-free transport.
By strictly adhering to these specifications, we guarantee absolutely residue-free and safe media transport in your systems for every selected design.
Industry Focus: From Tubes for Medical Technology to Stainless Steel Tubes for the Pharmaceutical and Food Industries
Our high-purity piping systems are used across industries wherever even the smallest contaminants are unacceptable. To guarantee absolute process reliability, we have precisely tailored our pipes to the specific requirements of each industry:
- Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology: For the safe transport of ultrapure water (WFI), sterile gases, and liquid pharmaceuticals through our pharmaceutical and aseptic tubing.
- Medical technology: As a precise foundation for endoscopes, catheters, cannulas, and secure sensor housings.
- Food industry: For 100% residue-free CIP/SIP (Clean/Sterilize in Place) cleaning during the processing of sensitive foods.
Our portfolio is rounded out by components for the semiconductor and chemical industries, where our systems consistently deliver in the demanding fields of ultrapure media supply and vacuum technology, ensuring the highest level of operational reliability.
Custom fabrication of your ultra-pure media tubing
To make your processes as efficient as possible, we offer precise fabrication of your ultrapure media pipes. Whether you need standard production lengths of around six meters, practical coiled stock, or fixed lengths tailored exactly to your project—we fully align with your specific requirements. We guarantee the highest quality in end processing: The pipe ends are cut absolutely burr-free, executed with strict angular accuracy, and finely turned. This ensures they are directly ready for orbital welding during installation in your system.
For more complex piping systems, we are happy to handle the demanding assembly process. Using high-precision CNC bending, we create smooth media pathways for you that are completely free of disruptive bends, thereby maintaining optimal flow characteristics and minimizing the risk of deposits.
Thanks to our extensive inventory in Switzerland and the EU, you benefit from outstanding material availability, attractive framework agreements, and reliable just-in-time deliveries. Seamless traceability of your components is guaranteed for every order through our Swiss-TS re-stamping certification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Sterile Tubes
What is the difference between sterile tubes and conventional stainless steel tubes?
Sterile tubes are subject to significantly stricter requirements regarding the quality of their inner surface to reliably prevent deposits, contamination, and biofilm formation. They are manufactured according to strict standards such as DIN 11866, feature extremely tight tolerances, and are often electropolished to achieve the highest hygiene classes.
What surface roughness (Ra value) is required for aseptic tubing?
The required roughness depends on the specific application and hygiene class. For standard applications in sterile process engineering, Ra values of ≤ 0.40 µm (Class H4/HE4) are typically specified. For the highest-quality requirements, such as in WFI systems, extremely smooth surfaces with Ra ≤ 0.25 µm (Class H5/HE5) are necessary.
Why is the material 1.4435 (AISI 316L) frequently used for pharmaceutical tubes?
This special austenitic alloy is characterized by a particularly low sulfur content and an increased molybdenum content. This makes the material exceptionally corrosion-resistant, highly weldable, and guarantees the biocompatibility required for highly sensitive biotech and pharmaceutical processes.
Do you supply the tubes ready for orbital welding?
Yes, we fully adapt to your production needs. If you require custom fixed lengths, we cut the tube ends completely burr-free, ensure strict angular accuracy, and precision-turn them so that they can be orbitally welded directly on-site at your facility.
How are the tubes packaged to maintain cleanliness during transport?
To protect the flawless quality of the inner surface, our tubes are delivered after final inspection and cleaning in a metallically bright finish and free of residues. The tube ends are securely sealed with caps, and the tubes themselves are often individually packaged in plastic sleeves to prevent any external contamination from entering.
