#Austenitic stainless steel

[integratedndesolution]

Integrated NDE Solution in Pune: Precision in Ferrite Testing for Austenitic and Duplex Stainless Steels

In the realm of industrial manufacturing and engineering, the integrity and quality of materials are crucial. Non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, such as ferrite testing, play a significant role in ensuring the reliability of materials, especially in critical applications involving austenitic stainless steel and duplex stainless steels. Integrated NDE Solution in Pune excels in providing comprehensive NDT services, with a specialized focus on ferrite testing. This article delves into the intricacies of ferrite testing, highlights its benefits, and explores the cutting-edge services and equipment offered by Integrated NDE Solution.

Understanding Ferrite Testing

Ferrite testing is a non-destructive method used to measure the ferrite content in austenitic and duplex stainless steels. Ferrite content is a critical parameter in determining the mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and weldability of these materials. The presence of an appropriate amount of ferrite ensures the material’s optimal performance in service environments, particularly in applications involving high temperatures and corrosive media.

Importance of Ferrite Content

Corrosion Resistance: Correct ferrite content enhances the corrosion resistance of stainless steels.

Mechanical Properties: Ferrite influences the toughness and strength of the material.

Weldability: Optimal ferrite levels prevent issues such as hot cracking during welding.

Thermal Stability: Ferrite content affects the material’s behavior under high temperatures.

How Ferrite Testing Works

Ferrite testing typically involves using a ferrite meter or a magnetic induction device to measure the ferrite content in stainless steel materials. The process is straightforward and involves the following steps:

Surface Preparation: The surface of the sample is cleaned to ensure accurate readings.

Calibration: The ferrite meter is calibrated using standard reference materials with known ferrite content.

Measurement: The probe of the ferrite meter is placed on the surface of the sample, and the ferrite content is read directly from the device.

Analysis: The results are analyzed to determine if the ferrite content is within the acceptable range for the specific application.

Benefits of Ferrite Testing

Non-Destructive: Does not damage or alter the sample being tested.

Quick and Accurate: Provides immediate and precise measurements of ferrite content.

Versatile: Applicable to both austenitic and duplex stainless steels.

Portable: Ferrite meters are portable, allowing for on-site testing.

Cost-Effective: Relatively low cost compared to other analytical techniques.

Integrated NDE Solution in Pune: Pioneers in Non-Destructive Testing

Integrated NDE Solution in Pune is a leader in the field of non-destructive testing, offering a broad spectrum of NDT services, including ferrite testing. Their expertise, state-of-the-art equipment, and commitment to quality make them a trusted partner for industries requiring reliable inspection services.

Comprehensive NDT Services Offered

Ferrite Testing

Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI)

Ultrasonic Testing (UT)

Radiographic Testing (RT)

Liquid Penetrant Testing (LPT)

Eddy Current Testing (ECT)

Visual Inspection (VI)

Industries Served

Integrated NDE Solution in Pune caters to a diverse array of industries, including:

Aerospace: Ensuring the safety and reliability of critical components.

Automotive: Inspecting critical parts to prevent failures.

Construction: Verifying the integrity of structural components.

Oil and Gas: Ensuring the reliability of pipelines and equipment.

Power Generation: Maintaining the integrity of infrastructure components.

Chemical Processing: Ensuring the material integrity in corrosive environments.

Ferrite Testing in Action

Case Study: Power Generation Component Inspection

In the power generation industry, the integrity of components such as pressure vessels and heat exchangers is paramount. Integrated NDE Solution was approached by a leading power plant operator to conduct ferrite testing on critical components made of austenitic stainless steel. The ferrite content was measured to ensure it met the required specifications, preventing issues related to thermal fatigue and corrosion.

Case Study: Duplex Stainless Steel Pipeline Inspection

A major oil and gas company required ferrite testing for duplex stainless steel pipelines to ensure they could withstand the harsh conditions of subsea environments. Integrated NDE Solution employed their advanced ferrite meters to measure the ferrite content accurately. The results confirmed that the pipelines had the optimal ferrite content, ensuring their durability and resistance to stress corrosion cracking.

Advanced Ferrite Testing Equipment

Integrated NDE Solution in Pune utilizes the latest ferrite testing equipment to ensure the highest level of accuracy and reliability in their inspections. Some of the advanced equipment includes:

Ferrite Meters: State-of-the-art devices that provide accurate and repeatable measurements of ferrite content.

Calibration Standards: Reference materials with certified ferrite content used to calibrate ferrite meters for precise readings.

Portable Ferrite Meters: Lightweight and portable meters that allow for convenient on-site testing.

The Role of Certified Technicians

The effectiveness of ferrite testing largely depends on the expertise of the technicians conducting the tests. Integrated NDE Solution in Pune employs certified technicians who undergo rigorous training and continuous professional development. Their skills and knowledge ensure that clients receive the highest quality of service.

Commitment to Quality and Safety

Integrated NDE Solution in Pune is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety. They adhere to international standards and best practices, ensuring that all inspections are performed with utmost precision and reliability. This commitment to excellence has earned them a stellar reputation in the industry.

Customer-Centric Approach

At Integrated NDE Solution in Pune, customer satisfaction is a top priority. They work closely with clients to understand their specific needs and tailor their services accordingly. Whether it’s a small-scale inspection or a large industrial project, they provide personalized solutions that meet the highest standards of quality and reliability.

Why Choose Integrated NDE Solution in Pune?

Expertise: Extensive experience and technical know-how in NDT services.

Technology: Utilization of the latest and most advanced testing equipment.

Quality: Commitment to providing accurate and reliable results.

Customer Service: Focus on building long-term relationships through excellent service.

Compliance: Adherence to all relevant industry standards and regulations.

Conclusion

In industries where precision and reliability are non-negotiable, Integrated NDE Solution in Pune stands out as a leader in non-destructive testing, particularly in ferrite testing for austenitic and duplex stainless steels. Their dedication to quality, use of advanced technology, and customer-centric approach make them the go-to choice for businesses across various sectors. By partnering with Integrated NDE Solution, companies can ensure the integrity and safety of their materials and components, safeguarding their operations and reputation.

Integrated NDE Solution in Pune continues to set the standard for excellence in non-destructive inspection. Their expertise in ferrite testing and other NDT services is pivotal in industries where safety and reliability are crucial. As technology advances and industries evolve, Integrated NDE Solution remains at the forefront, offering unparalleled service and support to their clients.

In conclusion, for businesses seeking the highest standards in ferrite testing, non-destructive inspection, and comprehensive NDT services, Integrated NDE Solution in Pune is the trusted partner that delivers results. Their innovative approach, advanced technology, and unwavering commitment to quality ensure that every inspection meets the stringent requirements of today’s demanding industrial environments.

[omsteel]

Om Steel is a leading stainless steel manufacturer, specializing in the production of high-quality stainless steel grades such as austenitic, ferritic, and duplex. Our expertise lies in providing customized solutions for diverse applications, offering exceptional corrosion resistance and hygienic properties. With a focus on strength, durability, and precision, we supply stainless steel for industrial sectors including defense, aerospace, oil/gas, and specialty valves. Explore our range of stainless steel products, including sheets, plates, pipes, tubes, round bars, and forged fittings, delivering reliable performance across various industries worldwide.

[rock-aureoleuhp-alloktube]

300 series of seamless stainless steel pipes

[dingshangs]

Austenitic stainless steel welded pipe/tube ASTMA 249 TP304/TP304L/TP316L/904L OD 16mm

Brands:HUZHOU DINGSHANG Certificate:TS,ISO9001-2015, PED， AD2000 SIZE:OD：6.0mm-114.3mm, W.T：0.4mm-6.0mm Finishing:Bright and Annealing, Pickling and annealing, Polishing, As welded,etc. Inspection method:The physical and chemical properties,Hydrostatic test,Air-underwater pressure test,ET. Packing:Plywood case, Seaworthy packing,According to customer requirements.

Company Name:Huzhou Dingshang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd. Web:https://www.dsssco.com/product/austenitic-stainless-steel-welded-pipe-tube/astma-249-tp304-tp304l-tp316l-904l-od-16mm.html ADD:"No. 19, Rongle Road, Economic Development Zone, Changxing County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China" Phone:572-6972982 Email:sales@dsssco.com Profile:Some special requirements from clients can al so be met.Due to excellent technicians, advanced production equipment, satisfactory inspection and testing equipment and perfect quality as surance system, DINGSHANG has got quality management system ISO9001, EU pressure equipment directive PED and AD2000 all issued by th e Lloyd's, and also Chinese national special equipment manufacturing license (TS certificate).DINGSHANG upholds the business philosophy of improvement, trustworthiness and co-win.

[dingshangss]

Austenitic stainless steel welded pipe/tube ASTMA 269 TP304/TP304L/TP316L/TP316Ti OD 38.1mm

Brands:HUZHOU DINGSHANG Certificate:TS,ISO9001-2015, PED， AD2000 SIZE:OD：6.0mm-114.3mm, W.T：0.4mm-6.0mm Standard:GB/T12771-19,GB/T24593-18,ASTMA249-16,ASTMA269-16,ASTMA312-16,EN10217-7-15,EN10312,etc. Welding type:GTAW(TIG) Finishing:Bright and Annealing, Pickling and annealing, Polishing, As welded,etc. Inspection method:The physical and chemical properties,Hydrostatic test,Air-underwater pressure test,ET. Packing:Plywood case, Seaworthy packing,According to customer requirements. Applications:Heat exchanger, Condenser,Pressure vesse,Chemical equipment,Food industry,Drinking water project，Desalination plants，etc.

Company Name:Huzhou Dingshang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd. Web:https://www.dsssco.com/product/austenitic-stainless-steel-welded-pipe-tube/astma-269-tp304-tp304l-tp316l-tp316ti-od-38-1mm.html ADD:"No. 19, Rongle Road, Economic Development Zone, Changxing County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China" Phone:572-6972982 Email:sales@dsssco.com Profile:Huzhou Dingshang stainless steel Co., Ltd. is located in Huzhou city Zhejiang province, about one hour to Jiangsu, Shanghai and Hangzhou. DINGSHANG is specializing in industrial stainless steel welded tube and special alloys tube, with annual production capacity up to 7,000 tons. The tubes are produced to conform to GB, ASTM/ASME, JIS, DIN, EN, GOST and ISO standards. Some special requirements from clients can al so be met.

[houstonindia]

The remarkable qualities and unparalleled performance of the manganese steel casting make them an important part of many industries. In deep discussion of the properties, uses, benefits, and production procedure of the manganese steel casting will be discussed.

[tumblermixer]

Austenitic stainless steels are tougher and more ductile than other ferritic alloys due to their F.C.C. structure. They are challenging to machine since they harden quickly.

[sandhyarani1999]

https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/market-report/global-austenitic-stainless-steel-market/78352/

[customn08825incoloytube]

We all love to wear jewelry.

One piece of jewelry a lot of people opt to get in this material is stainless steel pipe earrings. For example you can get a pair of surgical seamless steel pipe earrings in black for only $13 on Amazon. After all, you will not keep your first piece in after your piercing as healed, more then likely you will want to change it to something less generic; something that is more your own style. They will last you a lifetime and will suit any clothing style that you have. Stainless steel pipe earrings and jewelry are affordable. Nice looking jewelry will enhance any outfit. So how can we get the most fashionable jewelry while not spending all our money? That&UNS N04400 Monel tube39;s where jewelry items like stainless steel earrings and chains e in. Others have gone on to say that the look of the steel was perfect for their ear and was very fortable to wear.

Seamless steel pipe and Stainless steel pipe supplier: Seamless stainless steel, Stainless steel bar, Stainless steel pipe, Stainless Steel Elbow, Stainless ingots for cheap with discount.! These earrings are usually unisex unless you are going for something that is clearly feminine such as heart studs. They will only cost you a fraction of the cost of other metals. Jewelry isn't cheap. Generally you can also choose a different earring piece, but the piercer generally will tell you to choose stainless steel as your first piece because it cuts down on the risk of infection and is more cost effective. If you're still not convinced that seamless steel pipe is the way to go when it es to purchasing beautiful jewelry at a cheap cost, think of some of these customer ments. Stainless steel pipe will give you the same slick look that silver will for hardly a fraction of the cost of silver. stainless steel capillary pipe earrings will e in any size of earring you need and you can get them in studs or loops.. Most jewelry manufacturers make a lot of their jewelry # in stainless steel capillary pipe so you have a wide variety of stainless steel pipe jewelry to choose from. For your first piece of ear jewelry however, you will more than likely be getting stainless steel capillary pipe earrings for the cost benefits and the protection against infection after your piercing.

We all love to wear jewelry. We all pride ourselves on having a collection of the most fashionable and up to date jewelry. You will have endless options in various styles that will suit any age group or social scene. When you first get your ears pierced, stainless steel pipe earrings are generally what the piercer will use as your first ear jewelry. The issue of course is the cost. Customers of stainless steel pipe products have said that for the over all quality and look of the product they received, the price was unbelievable; another customer states they would purchase several more sets of stainless steel pipe earrings in the future just because of the affordability. As well, your earrings do not need to e in a silver color! You can get them in black as well

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Metastable Phases

In materials science, metastable phases are phases that have a low energy state - but not the lowest possible at those conditions. There are many examples of these phases; often, metastable phases are formed under certain conditions and then maintained even when the environment changes. This is because any transition from a metastable phase to a stable phase requires an activation energy.

One example of this can be found with diamonds and graphite. Carbon forms into the diamond structure at high pressures. At standard pressure, however, diamond is metastable - but it will never spontaneously form into graphite and instead requires an activation energy to do so. Glass/amorphous structures are also often considered metastable. The processing of a material affects the formation of metastable phases; high cooling rates in some stainless steels can create metastable austenite at room temperature instead of stable ferrite.

Sources/Further Reading: (Wikipedia) (2003 article) (Book chapter)

Image source.

[ice-cap-k]

Pan-Pan

I, uh, really got carried away on this one...

Cross-posted on AO3 here: Pan-Pan

_______________________________________

“Pan-pan, pan-pan, pan-pan.”

No answer. Tango twisted the dial on the CB radio.

“Pan-pan, pan-pan, pan-pan. Is anyone out there? This is an urgent distress call from Engineer and Supplementary Technician Tango Tek, calling from the underground testing Bunker 2. Two days ago, warnings went out for a total reactor collapse at Bunker 3. The event led me to the decision to cut power to Bunker 2. Presumably, all other facilities are down. Our major operating systems are barely running and the event inflicted severe damage to many minor systems. Emergency operating systems have kicked in, including the safety back-ups put in place to lock down the compound in case of a leak. Unlocking mechanisms are unresponsive when a manual override is attempted. Total damage assessment is impossible…” 

Tango trailed off. 

He should throw decorum to the wind. He was getting sick of this. Two days alone trapped in the basement of a bunker would do that to a man. Two days of sending distress call after distress call over the radio, never to get a response back. Two days of flipping back and forth over forty channels, waiting for a response that never came. Two days of not knowing what had happened out there.

An entire reactor had supposedly gone down. The fallout had to have been immense above ground. He should consider himself lucky, but he didn’t feel very lucky. The reinforced concrete walls that encased Bunker 2 were just as capable of keeping unwanted radiation out as it was of keeping radiation contained. But that also meant he was trapped down here alone with an inactive reactor. 

It had been days. There may not be anyone left to care about proper call signs. 

“Well, I’m requesting an immediate response. Bunker 3 operational status compromised. Bunker 2 operational status is critical. Please respond. Please…” There was no answer. Just the muted buzz of radio static in his ears. “Pan-pan, pan-pan- oh just forget it.” In a flare of anger, Tango grabbed the microphone hanging off the headset and ripped the whole thing off. The padding on the speaker pulled painfully at his ears as they came off at an awkward angle. “I’m still doomed,” he huffed, dropping his head onto the desk. His forehead thumped against a keyboard, rendered useless without power to run the computer it was attached to. “Doomed with a capital D and extra death sauce.”

The radio only hissed unhelpfully in reply. Tango bumped his head against the desk a second time for good measure. The wood surface didn’t feel fantastic, but he let his head rest there for a while, not quite focusing on the curve of the grain. 

Get a grip, Tango. You’re not dead yet. Deep breath in. Deep breath out. Focus on what you can hear. The static of the radio. He should probably turn that off to conserve battery, but he can’t be bothered to reach out and flip the switch just yet. Behind that is the hum of massive amounts of water being piped into the coolant systems. The steady drip drip drip of water droplets falling somewhere in the background. He let out another deep breath.

The situation could be a whole lot better right now. There was no getting past the door and getting out of here. Not unless he had a way of getting through the steel plating on the walls or clearing out the hallway leading to the maintenance hatch. The one that had collapsed when the building started shaking. He wanted the number of the fool who did the math on that side of the structure’s factor of safety. Austenitic stainless steel was supposed to be able to withstand entire explosions. Clearly, their stress calculations were off for something that was supposed to be designed for seismic activity. That, or someone had cut corners during construction.

He had been working on the hallway when he could. It was a mess of concrete and twisted metal. Clearing it out on his own would take a stupid amount of time, but if he could just see what had gone wrong then he might be able to repair it. 

Still… He could hold out down here until then. Nobody knew how this place ran better than him. He had managed to switch off his bunker’s reactor on his own and didn’t come across any issues. You know, besides the obvious ones.

The remaining dregs of power in the bunker could be diverted to dropping the control rods, effectively cutting off the power output. He still had the generator too. Most of its power output was reserved for the radiation detectors, water-level monitors, and pumps. A very small amount of power went to the red emergency lighting, but even that had to be carefully monitored. Even a downed reactor took a lot of power. 

Especially when it came to keeping the fuel rods cooled. That’s the thing about radioactive substances. They’re always emitting neutrons. And sure, you can catch those neutrons with control rods before they blast other particles to bits, but you’re not going to catch all the heat that comes with ‘em. You use water for that instead. 

Water was his most precious resource down here. Yeah, it’s great for drinking and as long as the faucet ran he had plenty of that. But running water also works great for catching excess heat. And that water had to keep moving in order to do that. That’s why reactors had entire networks of pipelines and water pumps in place, shunting massive amounts of the stuff to be superheated and then brought back to the cooling tower.   

Keeping up with the pipe maintenance for this place was taking most of his time. It was probably the only thing keeping him from dying a very horrible death. 

All of this just to justify that he had barely started clearing the way to the maintenance hatch and instead chose to prioritize calling for help. Both of which were starting to feel like fruitless endeavors.

 It was all fine and dandy for now until he ran out of food, the generator gave out, or the water shut off. 

Wait a minute. Tango blinked, pulling himself from his thoughts, only just now noticing the large knot in the oak wood beneath his face. Hadn’t he heard…

Drip.

Drop.

Drip.

Oh no! Something was dripping!!!!

Tango flung himself back out of his seat so quickly, that the chair went clattering to the floor. In an instant, he had snatched his toolbox off the floor and a mask off the hook on the wall. He threw open one door and barreled through another, desperately looking for the noise coming through the cracked open windows. Then he took the perforated stairs two at a time. They groaned in protest with every step of his steel-toes.

Panicked thoughts raced through his head. If one of the Inconel pipes were leaking, there wouldn’t be much he could do. He could weld- scratch that. No, he couldn’t. There wasn’t enough power to run welding equipment down here. Switch off the valve, maybe? Depending on the location there might not be a valve he could shut to keep water out.  Not if it was in an important location. He could always seal off the room and hope for the best.

Drip.

Drop. 

The spent fuel pools lit the room with their own greenish-blue light at the bottom of the steps. The dripping was a little louder here, though, which made Tango’s already racing heart tighten anxiously. The fuel rods at the bottom of the pool cast a ghostly underglow on the piping running across the ceiling. There was no telltale glimmer of radioactive droplets falling from above. Nor were there growing wet spots on the floor. The surface of the pool was as clear and flat as a sheet of glass. All was still and empty and cold.

Where could the sound be coming from? 

He followed the noise through a pair of double doors he had left propped open. They lead out of the pool room to a prep locker room and emergency wash station. 

The place was empty, save for a few protective suits left lying on a nearby bench. The angry red glow of the emergency lights made the spare sets of gloves and boots stick out like shining red beacons in a sea of matte paint and cement flooring. 

He caught a dark spot on the floor in the corner of his eye. When he whirled around, he saw a slow red trickle coming from the base of the chemical shower, drip-dropping into a gradually growing puddle beneath it. His own eyes stared back at him from its surface, glowing crimson in the emergency lights. 

Oh. False alarm. It was just a little tap water. 

The wave of relief that washed over him at the sight was immediate and immense. It made his knees shake. He couldn’t help but laugh at his own panic. “HahaHA! I’m so dumb! Hehe.” 

Sound sure could travel in this place. Best he gets this fixed up before he could forget about it. With a thud, he dropped his toolbox onto the floor. The Teflon tape had worked its way to the bottom, but the wrench he needed was near the top. He fished them both out and went to work sealing up the leaky threading on the pipe. 

Despite the easy work, he couldn’t seem to calm down. He’s wound so tight, it felt like he might come unraveled. The flickering red lights weren’t helping either. Here he was, terrified by a few water droplets, struggling to fix a pipe he could barely see.  

Somewhere deeper in the plant, there’s a loud thunk as one of the pumps switched off and another one whirred to life to pick up the slack, and he nearly dropped his wrench at the sound. 

“There. All fixed.” The pipe was no longer leaking. He didn’t bother to clean up the puddle beneath it. Doesn't dare make eye contact with his reflection again. Instead, he tossed the Teflon and the wrench back into his toolbox and brushed his hands against the legs of his pants. 

"I should go for a walk. Do something else to take my mind off things. Get back to work in that hallway or something…" With a sigh, Tango picked back up his toolbox and went back up to the office.

The radio is still where he left it on the desk. The headphones are still hissing away dutifully, waiting for someone to send something worth hearing over the airwaves. He must have forgotten to shut it off before he ran out. "Any luck," he asks, not even bothering with the receiver. "Anyone out there?" A response would have been nice, but he doesn’t expect one. There's no one to respond. Just white noise. Too tired and anxious to be angry about it anymore, he grabbed the CB radio and tucked it under his arm so he could carry it with him to the ruined hallway.

Who knows. Maybe someone will start calling while he's working?

____________

Four days down here and Tango has barely made a dent in the hallway’s wreckage. There’s a few places he can stand on the cracked tile now, though. A few piles of dirt and chunks of concrete had been moved deeper into the bunker where they wouldn't be in the way to make that happen. 

At least he’s managed to devote more time each day to clearing out as much of the mess as possible. Huh. Wait… Was it actually day? There was no way to keep track of time right now. The clocks didn’t work down here anymore. For all he knew, he might be sleeping during the day and working by night now. Not that it really mattered.

He had settled further into a rhythm that he had started on day two. When he was too tired to keep his eyes open any longer, he passed out in the chair he had hauled up from one of the break rooms. It was small enough to fit in the space he cleared, but not cramped enough that he woke up feeling worse than you would expect from a long day. Then he would send out a distress call over each channel on the radio. Usually, he would move some of the smaller bits of plaster and wires as he called. Then he would run his daily check on the pumps and essential pipelines. Something that had gotten surprisingly easier over time. Not easy, per se, but the pipelines needed less babysitting now that the reactor has been stable and inactive for a while. That and Tango was now used to attending to the areas that regularly needed overseeing by what normally would take a team of people. Sometimes there were pressing issues that required rerouting water lines. Once he was certain there were no more major issues for the day, he would tap into what was left of the food supply in the break room, have lunch, and then haul up enough packaged foodstuffs to get him through dinner after a couple of hours of hauling building bits. 

Right now, he was ignoring the rumbling in his stomach as he reached into the wreckage and pulled out something that appeared to be on the lighter side. His hands came in contact with something smooth and elastic. With a yank, he pulled free stretches of hosing and brass fittings. Redstone wires were knotted at one end where they had been soldered to a loose sensor. 

“Aww. That’s such a waste.” He felt like a little piece of himself was dying on the inside. He recognized the scraps of the pneumatic hook-up for a vault door he designed. Most likely meant for a high-clearance lab or pressurized combustion chamber. Considering how high he was above most of the steam generators, he would put money on the former over the latter. It would have been built into the wall before the collapse, which meant the pistons and doors would be buried somewhere beneath everything as well. Now it was all useless. 

Careful not to let the corrosive redstone drip from their rubber casings, he untangled the rest of the pneumatic tubing from a bent aluminum frame and tossed it into the mess of scrap that would have to be hauled away later. 

It always made him feel bad to see good circuitry go to waste. Electronics didn’t often behave as predicted. There were always opportunities for unforeseen events. Sometimes it took a bit of trial and error to get right, which took time, thought, and plenty of resources. He had put a lot of time into that design to make sure it would hold up in extreme scenarios. Made sure that the steel would give out before the pressurized air in the compressors would leak. Done extra research to find materials that would be both nuclear and redstone grade….

His stomach growled again.

Yeah, he couldn’t keep working like this on an empty stomach. Not now that he was thinking about wasted redstone. So he crawled out from the edge of the wreckage and brushed some of the grease off his hands onto the hem of his shirt. By the time he made it to the little pile of junk food he had stolen from a broken vending machine, he was sure the rumbling in his stomach could be heard from the very bottom of the bunker.

He sat down in the little chair he considered his bed and ripped into a granola bar. He had just sunk his teeth into his first bite when a soft TINK made him flinch.

It was the sound of one of the emergency lights burning out. He knew it pretty well after a few previous scares. The red lights weren’t made to burn consistently for such a long time, and who knew how old they were before the bunker was sealed? He could count on both hands the number of lights that had already burnt out. It was hard not to let the sudden noise take him by surprise, though.

It was quiet down here. Not the kind of quiet you feel under a blanket when the fabric eats up the sound. The hollow kind where you can hear a leaky pipe from the floor above, or the steady hum of the generator several floors below. The noisy kind of quiet where you can hear every little thing as if it were right next to you, echoing through empty walls like the ghosts of something that refused to go forgotten. 

Still chewing, Tango reached for the CB radio next to his chair. He hung the headphones around his neck and flipped the power switch. The familiar hiss of static flared to life in his ears. It was surprisingly soothing just to have that little bit of background noise. The food went down much easier now that he had it. 

Since he was already on the radio, he might as well use it. The needle turned in between bites, switching between channels. “Pan-pan, pan-pan, pan-pan. Anyone out there? This is Tango of the Tech variety-” he stopped just long enough to break into a candy bar. He was well past caring about protocol by now. “Used to be an engineer here in good ol’ Bunker 2.  If anyone’s out there, I’m still here. Still trapped.” 

He let himself chew into the sugary sweetness of the candy bar. Nothing like a bunch of junk food to make you wish desperately for a nice, warm, homemade meal. 

“You know, it’s kinda silly that they make us say these lengthy distress calls. The pan-pan call sign is meant for international transport vehicles. Not testing facilities that fall outside of single government-regulated territories. Besides, it’s not like I’m skadoodling anywhere anytime soon...” He breaks into a heavy sigh. Maybe if they had completed the testing phase he would have been shipped out with the equipment, but there was no way that was going to happen now. “Anyway, if you can hear this, I could really use some help. Tango out.” He knew better than to hold his breath and hope, but he allowed himself a brief pause to listen for something. Anything. 

Nothing. Just static.

One more bite and his candy bar was gone. His stomach didn’t feel like it was going on strike anymore, so that was his cue to get back to work. He reached down to flip the switch on the radio.

“T…go…”

His finger froze over the power switch. Had he imagined that? One hand still hovering over the button on the radio, he reached up with the other hand to lift one of the headphones off his ear. The rush of white noise lessened to be replaced with the echoing hum of pumps, water moving through pipes, and not much else.

“..... you st… …ere Tan….” 

It was a voice! Tango dropped the side of his headphone as the words filtered through. It snapped back against his head painfully. “Ow! YES! Yes, I’m here, can you hear me?!” he practically shouted into the receiver. The other hand felt along the face of the radio for the nob and twisted it back and forth ever so slightly, hoping to get a clearer signal. 

He could have wept tears of joy as the voice replied with crystalline clarity. “Tango! It is you! I can’t believe it. We can hear you loud and clear. I’m so glad you’re still alive, buddy!!”

Wait a minute. He knew that voice! “Zedaph!??”

“The one and only!”

“Oh my gosh!” Tango gripped at the wire of the receiver like the lifeline it had become. He didn’t even notice that his fingernails were digging into his palm. “Oh my gosh, you have no clue how happy I am to hear your voice, Zed. HaHA! Where are you? Is everything ok? What’s going on up there? ” 

“Whoah, slow down there for a second,” another voice cut in. “I can’t keep up with all that.”

“IMPULSE!?” The receiver probably couldn’t pick up his voice as his pitch and volume skyrocketed in equal proportion to the rush of relief and excitement that came with hearing another achingly familiar voice. At least he had enough sense to move the receiver back away from his face. 

Of all the people it could have been, he was glad their voices were the first signs of the outside world he could hear. They were some of his closest friends, his coworkers, and people who knew this plant as well as he did. Maybe even better. It may have been presumptuous, but he could already picture the three of them going back home together to their families. Of playing video games, of him dragging them along to watch his favorite hockey team, and of chatting for hours about anything other than work like they had already done countless times before. 

It was really them!

Zed was the one to answer. “Didn’t catch that, Tango. You’re voice cut out. What did you say?”

“Nothing important. I just… Impulse, you’re there too?”

“There he is again. Yeah! I’m here too. Are you okay? Where are you?”

“I’m stuck down in Bunker 2! Where are you guys?”

The line crackled for a moment. He could hear Zedaph and Impulse’s voice fade slightly as they began to talk to each other. It was a little harder to make out, but their words still came through on his end.

“2!? I thought 2 went down when 3 collapsed?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t stop to make sure before I slammed the door shut.”

“That’s a good sign then. It means it was only 3 that we had to worry about. Thank the heavens he’s still alive.”

“Yeah, but that also means he didn’t get out-.”

‘Uh,” Tango cut in. He could hear the sharp intake of breath from both of them as they realized he was still on the line. “You know I can still hear you, right?”

“...either. Right…” Zedaph finished. He sounded a little guilty, even through the distortion over the airwaves. “Sorry. We’re in Bunker 1. I’m going to be honest, when we heard you over the radio we thought you might be the rescue crew coming back for us.”

“Oh.” Tango’s heart skipped a beat. His stomach dropped so deep it felt like it was gone completely, leaving him a hollow shell. If the receiver wasn’t already attached to the headset, he would have dropped it.  He let out an empty laugh, more for the sake of filling space as his brain came to terms with what that meant. “You guys are trapped too.” It wasn’t meant as a question. It was a statement because he knew it was true. Still, Zedaph answered honestly.

“Yeah…”

_______________

Tango was, admittedly, just as disappointed they weren’t part of some rescue party coming back for him as they were when they realized the same about him. Once the initial disappointment gave way, though, he was honestly really happy just to hear from them. If they were all stuck, then at least now they were stuck together. He wasn’t alone anymore. There were other voices alongside his echoing through these empty rooms. 

They talked for what must have been hours sharing information about their situation. There was a lot to go over between the two different bunkers and the matter of their circumstances.

Zedaph and Impulse told him that they had locked themselves in Bunker 1. Impulse had been planning on going inside to check on a few parts that were scheduled for pre-emptive maintenance and replacement. Zed had only tagged along to keep him company and tell the other man about his latest plan for game night. The two of them had been taking a casual stroll across the grounds when the reactor in Bunker 3 blew. They were looking in the other direction when the portion of the building above ground started to collapse, but there was no missing the way the ground heaved beneath them. And when they looked up it was impossible to miss the massive cloud rising in the not-so-far distance.

The door to Bunker 1 was unlocked. It was nearby and built to block radiation. Zedaph was the first to realize what they were witnessing. He put two and two together first and realized it equaled, ‘We need to get to safety.’ So he dragged Impulse into the closest concrete building and locked the door behind him. The two of them weren’t sure what had happened above ground after that. 

Both of them had been down there ever since. Impulse had been juggling the mechanical systems pretty well, and Zed was charged with keeping an eye on the reactor. Between the two of them, they’ve had a pretty good handle on the situation. As good as two people can manage on their own, at least. 

Zed in particular explained that they were hoping to wait for a rescue team to come in. According to him, a nuclear fallout is most dangerous for 48 hours after a blast, but there’s still some risk of radiation and other unforeseen hazards. Technically, they weren’t actually trapped. Not in the sense that Tango was trapped. They were playing it safe by sheltering in place.

In return, Tango told them everything that he could about what had happened at Bunker 2 since the incident. 

 He told them about how he had been checking in on the new control unit he had designed for the spent fuel pool, killing some time until the rest of the crew showed up. At some point everything had started shaking. The alarms went off and he saw the warnings flash across the announcement screens mounted in the hallways. He told them how he only knew that something had gone wrong at Bunker 3 because of those warnings on the screen. Other than that, he didn’t know what happened.

He told them about how he was trapped underground. That the hallway collapsed and he had been trying to clear a path. That he hadn’t even gotten halfway to the maintenance hatch. He wasn’t sure how long it would take him to make it through all the mess, let alone fix whatever damage had been done that was keeping the way out so tightly sealed. 

He told them about how he had deactivated the reactor to reduce the risk of another incident. How he had been trying to take care of the coolant systems on his own. 

“That’s crazy. You’re crazy. I’m friends with a crazy person.” A small smile spread across Tango’s lips. His chest swelled with pride at the awe in Impulse’s voice. “You’re telling me you managed all that on your own? Even lowering the control rods? I let Zedaph take care of that over here. I never would have risked it on my own. I don’t think I would have risked it even if I wasn’t on my own and it had been anyone other than Zed.”

“Aw, Impulse, how sweet of you. Good to see you think so highly of me.” 

“It’s not like I wanted to,” Tango said. He shrugged as well, but they couldn’t see that. “It’s not like I could just leave it running and risk explodificating my face off. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a Zedaph on hand.”

“You too, Tango!? Oh my gosh, you guys are so sweet. I think I might cry.”

“Besides. I’ve got the gist of a little of everything down here. Just because I’d never done it on my own before doesn’t mean I have no clue how it’s supposed to work.” 

“Still, I’d consider you pretty darn lucky so far. I know you’re not very familiar with the heat transfer system.”

“I'd say I’m getting pretty darn familiar now,” he shot back with a chuckle.

“Fair enough.”

Something new crackled through the headset of the radio. It took Tango a second to realize the sound was Zedaph yawning in the background. His own exhaustion came crashing down on him all at once. He had been so caught up in talking that he hadn’t even realized that he was tired until now. They had been at it for a while after all. Who knew how many hours he had let pass, neglecting the debris in the hallway to chatter with his friends like it was another night in the group chat. He couldn’t help letting out a little yawn of his own. 

“You too, eh Tango,” Zed mumbled, sounding every bit as tired as Tango felt. 

“Sorry guys. I must be getting tired. It’s hard to keep track of time down here.”

“Same,” Zed mumbled around another yawn. “I don’t think we’ve got a single clock working down here.”

Tango was about to say something about not having any clocks in his bunker either but decided against it when he heard Impulse break into a yawn as well. “Hmph. Impulse here looks like he’s half asleep already.”

“I’m fiiiine,” Impulse drawled. “I think the time just finally hit me. Give me a second and I’ll get a second wind. I can stay up all night if you want.” The lazy lilt to his voice said otherwise. 

“Nah,” Tango says with a chuckle. “I think it might be time to call it a night. I feel like I’m going to pass out too.” 

“Go ahead and get some rest. We’ll get a little shut-eye ourselves. Will you still be available on this frequency if we try to get a hold of you tomorrow?”

“You kidding me? You guys are the only thing I’ve heard on this thing. I’m keeping it on this frequency for good as far as I’m concerned. The others might as well be dead to me.”

That got a laugh out of Zed. It almost drowned out a much fainter noise in the background. Something Tango couldn’t place at first. Something rhythmic and slow, like breathing. Like… “Uh… Is that Impulse snoring?”

“Yeah. He’s already out like a light. Lasted all of ten seconds.”

That was shockingly fast. 

“Welp! We’ll keep our radio on this frequency as well. I think I’m going to join Impulse off in dreamland. Have a good night, Tango.”

“Night Zed…” The speakers in the headset remained silent when Zedaph didn’t reply. The silence hung for a heartbeat as his friend most likely reached for the switch to shut off the equipment, and then the familiar buzz of empty static filtered through. They were gone.

The sounds of the bunker came rushing back into focus with the silence. The hum of motors the buzz of the emergency lights and the subtle sound of his own breathing making themselves loud and clear.

 Tango found himself curling up deeper into his chair. It was getting harder to keep his eyes open. He let the headset rest in his lap, the bulk of the radio left on the floor within arm’s reach. He had a feeling that tonight would be filled with good dreams.

____________________

The next two days were better. A lot better. It was nice to have Zed and Impulse to keep him company. It was a bit cumbersome to haul the old CB radio around the bunker with him when he went on his rounds, but it was worth it to have them one quick call away. He finally had someone he could bounce his thoughts off of. Impulse was always quick with advice when he was worried about the pipes. Zed was even quicker to make him smile with a joke and wash his worries away when he started panicking about all the wrong things. Weird stuff dripping from a pipe? No worries. It’s just condensation, not a leak. Another light went out? Good thing there’s a whole box full of replacements on the second floor. Tango was even able to help them with some things, like overriding the electronic locks on one of the labs. 

 Then, as if the world was out to spite him, things started spiraling out of his control.

One of the pumps was losing head pressure, and it was causing a slower flow rate. 

In other words, the water in the pipeline was slowing down. Slower pipe-flow meant the water flowing through the reactor would be coming out hotter than it should be. If the pump degraded anymore, the water would stop moving and whatever was in the pipe inside of the reactor would keep heating up. It would eventually become so hot it would try to expand and become steam. The pressure inside the pipe would be immense, and the pipe would probably burst. Tango really didn’t want that to happen. 

The thing is, though, Tango wasn’t sure how to fix that. He knew the basics of how to work a pump, but that was about it. He was an engineer first and a technician second. He never had to know the workarounds for keeping a pump running while also improving head pressure that really had no apparent reason to be dropping. If he could reduce the sheer amount of pipe length the water had to go through, that could help. If he could introduce a new pump into the system, that could help. But he didn’t have spare piping or a replacement pump that could keep up with that sort of power. He couldn’t risk shutting down the water for the time it would take to play around with pipe lengths. None of those were possible options right now. He wished someone had left a manual lying around, although it probably wouldn’t be much help.

He thought it might be possible that air was getting into the system. He risked shutting down the pump for less than a minute to check the inlet, but didn’t see any leaks. If air was getting in, there had to be a leak somewhere.

He really hoped that wasn’t the case. He could even partially convince himself that wasn’t the case since he had been monitoring the pipelines so closely. Still, he couldn’t account for leaks occurring in the underground pipes. 

So he explained his predicament to Zedaph and Impulse. Mostly to Impulse, since he was the one with more experience on the matter. 

“You didn’t happen to add any piping to the system,” Zed asked half teasingly. 

“No,” Tango snapped, entirely serious. “I’m not about to go making things worse. I haven’t even tried rerouting the water flow. That will just make the path it travels longer too.”

“How’d the motor look,” Impulse asked over a snickering Zed. “Any signs of it burning out?”

“The motor was fine too, as far as I can tell. There was a weird clanking noise earlier that I couldn’t pinpoint, but that stopped a while ago.”

“Oooh, I bet you the impeller broke.” Tango could practically hear his friend nodding to himself. “One of the fins probably broke off and is floating around in the system.”

Zed snorted on the other side of the line. “That’s a thing that can happen?!?”

“Sure. All parts are made to break eventually. You’re just supposed to replace it before it reaches the end of its cycle life. Sometimes a part has an internal defect that speeds up that process.”

“What am I supposed to do about that then?” Tango asked. 

“That depends. Do you have an extra impeller lying around?”

Tango thought back to every storage room he had gone through during his rounds. He had gone through plenty of supply closets while he was stuck down there, looking for spare parts and tools. He would have noticed if there had been a loose impeller just lying around. “No. I mean, I don’t think so. I haven’t seen one down here.”

“What about another pump?” 

That was something he had seen. There had been a small pump hanging out of a box. “Yeah actually. A small one. Like, really small. Will that work as a replacement? I thought smaller ones didn’t have as much oomph?”

“Normally they don’t, but if we can hook that one up in succession with the other it can give things a boost.”

“That’s a thing?!?”

“Will the two of you stop that?” Impulse snorted. “Yes, it’s a thing. It will help with the head pressure, and keep the water flowing.”

“That’s all I need.”

“Good. Now go grab that pump. I’ll walk you through the installation.”

“Thanks, buddy. You’re a lifesaver!”

Before he could grab the CB radio and rush off to the nearest supply closet, though, Zed spoke up. “Hey, uh, I don’t mean to be that guy that questions everything…”

“But…?”

“But what about the broken impeller?”

Tango froze. “What about it?”

“Well, it’s still broken. Aren’t there still the broken bits floating around somewhere? I might be wrong, but wouldn’t that cause issues at some point?”

“Well…”

Tango’s heart skipped a beat. “I don’t like the sound of that ‘well.’”

“Ok, yes that is true. If the impeller really did give out, then yeah. There are pieces of it floating around in the pipes. Best case scenario, the water is moving slow enough that it doesn’t carry them very far and they settle at the bottom of some pipe.”

“And worst case scenario…” Tango asks tentatively.

“That’s a bit harder to say, but it is possible it keeps floating around and gets caught in something important. Like the pumps. There’s a non-zero chance it might end up back in there and bust it up even more.”

“Okay…” Tango’s brain started racing. He was already kicking back into ‘problem-solving’ mode. More damage to the pump would mean a bigger drop in pressure. It might even take the pump out of commission completely. “That would be all sorts of bad with extra bad sauce. Is there a filter or something where they might get caught?” 

For a moment, Impulse doesn’t answer. Tango assumed the other man is simply taking his time to answer. Likely trying to run through the map of the coolant system in his head. Then Zedaph spoke up. “Use your words Impulse,” Zed says after a pause. “He can’t see you shaking your head.”

“Sorry. I forgot for a second there. I don’t think so. I know they wouldn’t have used a sediment trap, but I’m not sure if they would have added a strainer anywhere.”

Tango could work with that. “Then I’ll look for one. I only have one extra pump. I can’t let one of the ones keeping the water scooting go caput on me. You can describe what it’s supposed to look like and I can check for it after we finish with the other pipe.” 

At least there was still a chance that he wouldn’t have to worry about the impeller causing more problems. He was already on the move. The CB radio was tucked uncomfortably under one arm as he walked. He would have to grab his toolbox from the office after the pump, but there was no way he was going to be able to carry everything down at once. He would have to make a few trips, leaving either the radio or the pump downstairs when he went to get his tools. 

“And I take it that if there isn’t one, Tango’s still running the risk of more damage,” Zed asked.

“More or less.”

“I see. In that case, I’m going to go crunch some numbers.” A high-pitched squeak like a chair scraping across tile filtered through the radio. The noise was so awful Tango had to shift the ear pads of the headset to hang around his neck. 

“Zed, where are you going, man?” Impulse’s surprised shout sounded a little less clear now that the speakers weren’t pressed to Tango’s ears. 

Tango silently wished for the umpteenth time that he could see them instead of just hearing them. “What’s happening,” he asked. “Don’t leave me in the dark guessing.”

“I don’t know. He just ran out.”

“Should you go check on him?”

“I… You know what? Nah. He’ll be fine for now. Let’s get you squared away first and then I’ll check in on him after.”

Impulse was probably right. All three of them had a tendency to get lost in their own thoughts and sucked into personal projects. Something they said had given Zed an idea, and he was probably off to go puzzle over it until he could come to his own answers. Besides, he had more pressing matters to attend to.

“If you say so. I’m already at the supply closet anyway. Let’s figure this out.”

________________

“Ok Tango, remember when I said you were crazy? I take it back,” Impulse said. Even over the radio, Tango could hear the sheer disbelief in his friend’s voice. “You’re not that crazy after all. Clearly Zed has you beat.”

“Excuse me, I take offense to that.”

“No Zed,” Tango chimed in. “He’s right. That sounds like a surefire way to get killed. Or lost. Or any number of terrible, horrible things.”

“But not from radiation poisoning!”

“It still sounds dumb.”

“Thank you for agreeing with me on this, Tango.” Impulse sounded really tired. It made Tango wonder how long they were discussing this before calling him.

“But Tango needs help and he’s going to need it soon. I heard about your little ‘I spy’ trip through the bunker. You never found a filter, did you.”

Tango flinched. “No…” 

“Nor does he have another pump in case anything else goes wrong. And, might I add that Tango can’t leave whenever he wants like we can. But if we just go and get help-”

“You’re talking about trekking through a nuclear detonation site!”

“It’s been days,” Zedaph insisted a little more firmly. “A week, even. By now the bulk of the nuclear fallout will have passed. The smaller airborne particles will have settled, the radionuclides will have mostly decayed away, and the leftover radiation levels will be fairly low. We shouldn’t go, you know, ingesting anything while we’re out there. Just in case. But  I can jimmy together some sealed suits if it makes you feel better. We can pack some food and bottle some water to find help without too much worry.”

“I don’t think we should be jumping to such risky conclusions, Zed. Even without the radiation risks, what about if one of us gets hurt? We’re miles from civilization.”

“If you’re that worried about it, you don’t have to come along, Impulse. It’s alright if you want to stay here. I can just go on my own-”

“Nuh-uh. No way. Don’t even bother finishing that sentence. That’s even worse. Of course, you’re not going alone out there.”

“Good! Then it’s decided. The two of us are going to go find help.”

Impulse made a strangled noise. Tango could just imagine the myriad of emotions flashing across his face. They couldn’t be much different from the clashing emotions he was experiencing.

Personally, he doesn’t like this idea one bit. If they went in search of help, that meant traveling through a stretch of land that could technically be considered survivable but was still recovering from massive nuclear destruction. Who knew how the surrounding area had been affected? And Zed was suggesting they do it for the sake of helping Tango. Tango, who couldn’t go after them. Tango, who would be helpless and unable to do anything if something went wrong. Tango, who would absolutely blame himself for anything bad that might happen, and was already in the process of feeling extremely guilty for making them think they needed to take this risk for him. 

If they did this, he would be on his own again. Left alone to live on a prayer. 

“You don’t have to do that.” Tango’s voice is shaking. He hopes the static of the radio helps to cover that up on their end. “The pressure is stable for now. I’ve been holding down the fort for this long. I can hold out a bit longer while I clear this hall.”

“It’s not like we can stick around here forever anyway. They’re not coming back for us. ” 

Tango can hear Impulse’s breath hitch. He had to suppress a shudder of his own at Zedaph’s bluntness. It wasn’t like the thought hadn’t crossed his mind that they had been left for dead. He had just about resigned himself to the fact before he first heard Zed’s voice through the radio speakers. But it was a thought he had pushed to the back of his mind when he found out his friends were there as well. 

“I’m sorry…” Zed’s voice startled Tango out of his own thoughts. His friend sounded sad. Almost remorseful. It made him wonder if it was because of whatever reaction Impulse might have had. “But it’s been too long. The largest risk occurs during the first 48 hours. If they didn’t come looking for survivors after that, then it must be because they assumed there were none left to save. And if they HAD come looking, then they missed us. It’s not like any of us were supposed to be in these bunkers at the time anyway. We were all here early.”

Impulse sighed on the other end of the line. “I guess you do have a point.”

“You’re not actually considering this, Impulse,” Tango asked nervously. He could feel his chest tighten at the thought of them going up there, leaving him behind in his dark hole while they ran into… he didn’t even know what. Danger. Definitely some sort of danger. 

“Oh, to be clear, I still think this is a bad idea. But…” Of course, there was a ‘but.’ Why did there always have to be a ‘but?’ “He’s making some good points. He IS the expert on the subject, and I can’t just let him go alone.”

“But if you guys leave, then I’ll be alone. Again.” 

There’s a loaded silence where none of them spoke. They don’t have to. Tango could practically hear the thoughts in their head. He just knows them that well. ‘You’re already alone,’ they’re thinking to themselves. ‘We’re not really there. And we couldn’t get to you if we needed to.’ That was the problem with this entire situation after all.

He tries again. “What if something goes wrong with the pump after you leave? I won’t be able to ask you about it, Impulse.”

“We’re going to bring the radio with us,” Zed assured him quickly. “Sure, we’ll be more focused on finding civilization, but if it’s an emergency we’ll be able to stop and answer the call.”

“I’m starting to think he’s right, Tango. I think we should go. Especially if you end up having more trouble. There’s only so much I can do to help you over the radio. And as much as I hate to think about it, me and Zed are going to have to leave the bunker at some point.”

“The sooner we leave, the sooner we can get you out of there,” Zed says, and he says it with confidence. Tango gripped at the wire connecting the headset to his radio. There was logic in their words. It was fairly sound logic too, or Impulse wouldn’t have given in so easily. They were good at logic and had already made up their minds. But that didn’t mean he had to like it.

_________________

“I suppose there’s no way for me to talk you out of this, huh?”

“You still have a mountain of trash in front of that maintenance hatch?”

Tango lets out a defeated sigh. He’s standing in front of said ‘mountain,’ getting ready to start working at it for the day. He still has a long way to go. But his friends were preparing to leave. They had spent a full day preparing water and packing away whatever food they could scrounge up from a break room. Zed even told Tango about the sealed suits he had put together with duct tape and plastic cover-alls. They were ready.

There wouldn’t be much more for Tango to do other than get back to work once the radio went silent. It would give him something else to focus on, at least. Something other than worrying about their safety. Something other than the fear that they might not come back. 

“Yeah. Yeah, I do.”

“Then you focus on that, buddy,” Impulse soothes. “Try to clear out as much as you can for when we come back. With any luck, we’ll have an army of people with us to help dig you out.”

“Yeah. Sure. Just you wait. By the time you guys come back, I’ll have this whole place spotless,” he tries to joke. They don’t laugh, but he hopes that maybe there’s a growing smile or two that he can’t see.

“Alright Tango,” Zed says. His voice sounds odd and distorted through the respirator mask he is pulling over his face. “As you know, we’re bringing the radio. The main problem is that we’re going to be mobile and the suits will make it hard to hear and respond. Try to only call us if it’s an emergency, ok? If we’re stopped for any reason and can get to the radio, we’ll call you and keep you updated.”

“Is that thing even going to work out there with all the scary radiation rays bouncing around?”

“Oh yeah. An initial blast might mess with radio waves, but we’re long past that. It should work the same up there as it does down here. All set Impulse?”

“Ready!” The other man’s voice also sounds like a muffled mess behind a mask. “I’ve got the radio and the food. You’ve got the water and the first aid kit. That’s everything. Man, I’m nervous. Look at my hands shaking.”

“Just some pre-journey jitters. It will probably get better once we get outside and see what we have to work with. Come help me with the door.”

Tango can hear the loud clunk of the sealing mechanism sliding out of place for their door. “Stay safe out there, alright guys?” His voice cracks a little. “You better check in at least once a day. Promise me.” Both of them answer him instantly.

“Promise.”

“We promise.”

The sound of pneumatic hissing blends a little into the background static of the radio as pistons pull their door open.

 “Okay, Tango. This is it. We’re going now. You stay safe down there.”

“Don’t have too much fun without us.”

“Bye.” Tango hates how small his voice sounds. He’s not even sure if they could hear him on the other side, but it’s all he can manage. He’s afraid that, if he tries to say anything else, he’d fall apart into tiny little pieces. Whether they heard him or not, their end of the radio cuts out. The speakers switch back to buzzing with that familiar, empty white noise. 

They’re gone. They’ll be okay. They’ll be back. They’ll get him out of here and then they can all go home.

He starts reaching towards one broken half of a door when one of the emergency lights goes out in the hall. It pops with a sudden tink. There are still other lights in the hall, but with one less to brighten the space the shapes in front of him are harsher. Bright red edges and curves are made stark in contrast to hard-lined black shadows. Somewhere from further down in the bunker, he can hear the hum of the pump. The steady drip, drop, drip of water. He didn’t need to run to check for a leak this time, though. He wanted to, but he didn’t. Now he knew from experience that it was coming from water condensing on the cooler end of the bunker wall where the pipe went into the soil outside. Something that Impulse had kindly explained to him. The place wasn’t in any immediate danger of leaking toxic fluids, as Zedaph had made clear. But old superstitions were easy to let creep back in when you could hear everything and there was nothing to be heard.

So Tango put the headset of the radio back on before he dug into the pile. With one hand, he hit the dial to switch frequencies while he pulled away the wreckage with the other. 

He had a lot of frequencies to get through before he would end up back on the one his friends would be using. It wouldn’t be too hard to go through all of them and make the most of his time while he waited. And if he could help Zedaph and Impulse in some way, it would be worth it.

“Pan-pan, pan-pan, pan-pan. Is anyone out there? This is an urgent distress call from Tango Tek, calling from the underground testing Bunker 2. I… uh… I know this isn't protocol, but if anyone is out there, then you should know that there are two amazing people out there right now looking for help. They go by Zedaph and Impulse, they just went topside of Bunker 1, and they’re carrying a radio of their own. You should know that they are some of the smartest, bravest people I have ever met and their safety means everything to me. You might not know them, and you probably don’t know me, but if there is any way you can help them, then please, do whatever you can to make sure they make it home.”

[ameliashalco]

Exploring the Benefits and Applications of Austenitic Stainless Steel 347 in Various Industries

Stainless steel innovation! Have you ever wondered how a particular type of steel can revolutionize various industries? Today, we dive into the realm of Austenitic Stainless Steel 347, a versatile and durable material that is making waves across different sectors. Join us as we explore the wide-ranging benefits and applications of SS 347 in chemical processing, aerospace, automotive, food processing, medical equipment, and construction projects. Let's unravel the endless possibilities this unique stainless steel variant has to offer!

Properties and Composition of Austenitic Stainless Steel 347

Austenitic Stainless Steel 347 is a versatile material that offers exceptional corrosion resistance, making it ideal for various industrial applications. Composed of elements like nickel, chromium, and columbium, SS 347 exhibits excellent mechanical properties such as high tensile strength and durability. This composition also provides superior resistance to oxidation at high temperatures. With its stable chemical structure, Austenitic Stainless Steel 347 remains non-magnetic even after extensive fabrication processes. This characteristic makes it suitable for use in environments where magnetic interference is a concern. The alloy's ability to withstand extreme temperatures without losing its structural integrity makes it a preferred choice for industries requiring heat-resistant materials. Additionally, the presence of niobium enhances its creep resistance, further expanding its range of applications in demanding conditions.

Applications in Chemical Processing Industry

Austenitic Stainless Steel 347 is highly versatile and finds extensive applications in the chemical processing industry. Its composition, with additions of niobium and tantalum, enhances its resistance to intergranular corrosion at high temperatures, making it ideal for use in aggressive chemical environments. In chemical plants where corrosive substances are handled, SS 347 is a reliable choice due to its excellent oxidation resistance up to 870°C. It maintains its strength and durability even under extreme conditions, ensuring long-term performance without compromising on safety. The material's ability to withstand acidic solutions containing chlorides makes it suitable for equipment like reactors, heat exchangers, and piping systems in chemical processing facilities. Additionally, its ease of fabrication allows for customized designs that meet specific industry requirements. Whether it's handling acids, alkalis, or organic solvents, Austenitic Stainless Steel 347 stands out as a robust solution that ensures operational efficiency and longevity in the demanding environment of the chemical processing sector.

Usage in Aerospace and Automotive Industries

Austenitic Stainless Steel 347, also known as SS 347, finds valuable applications in both the aerospace and automotive industries. In aerospace, where high temperatures and corrosive environments are common, this stainless steel variant excels due to its excellent resistance to oxidation up to 816°C (1500°F). This makes it ideal for components like exhaust systems and afterburners in aircraft engines. In the automotive sector, Austenitic Stainless Steel 347 is favored for its durability and resistance to heat and corrosion. It is often used in exhaust manifolds, catalytic converters, and other parts exposed to extreme conditions. Its ability to withstand elevated temperatures without losing strength or forming carbide precipitation ensures longevity in demanding automotive applications. By leveraging the unique properties of Austenitic Stainless Steel 347, both aerospace and automotive industries benefit from enhanced performance and prolonged component lifespan.

Benefits in Food Processing and Medical Equipment

When it comes to the food processing and medical equipment industries, the use of Austenitic Stainless Steel 347 (SS 347) offers a wide array of benefits. In food processing, SS 347 is highly resistant to corrosion from acidic foods and beverages, making it ideal for manufacturing equipment like tanks, piping systems, and storage containers. Its high temperature resistance also ensures durability in heat-intensive processes such as cooking or sterilization. For medical equipment applications, the non-reactive nature of SS 347 makes it suitable for surgical instruments, implants, and pharmaceutical manufacturing tools. Its biocompatibility with human tissues minimizes the risk of adverse reactions during medical procedures. Additionally, the easy cleanability and low maintenance requirements of SS 347 contribute to enhanced hygiene standards in both food processing facilities and medical settings. This not only ensures product purity but also promotes patient safety in healthcare environments.

Advantages of Using Austenitic Stainless Steel 347 in Construction Projects

When it comes to construction projects, the choice of materials is crucial for ensuring durability and longevity. Austenitic Stainless Steel 347 stands out as a top-notch option due to its exceptional corrosion resistance properties. This type of stainless steel offers high strength and toughness, making it ideal for withstanding harsh environmental conditions that buildings may face over time. Moreover, Austenitic Stainless Steel 347 can withstand extreme temperatures without losing its structural integrity, which is essential in construction applications where heat resistance is paramount. Its weldability also makes it a popular choice in construction projects, allowing for ease of fabrication and installation on-site. In addition to its mechanical properties, Austenitic Stainless Steel 347 provides an aesthetically pleasing finish that adds a touch of sophistication to architectural designs. Its versatility allows architects and engineers to explore creative possibilities while ensuring structural stability in their constructions.

Conclusion

Austenitic Stainless Steel 347 is a versatile and highly valuable material that finds extensive applications across various industries. With its exceptional properties, including corrosion resistance, high temperature performance, and excellent weldability, SS 347 proves to be an ideal choice for chemical processing plants, aerospace components, food processing equipment, medical devices, and construction projects. The unique composition of Austenitic Stainless Steel 347 makes it a preferred material where elevated temperatures and corrosive environments are prevalent. Its widespread use in critical applications highlights the trust and reliability that industries place in this grade of stainless steel. As technology advances and industrial requirements evolve, the demand for materials like Austenitic Stainless Steel 347 will continue to grow. Its exceptional characteristics make it indispensable in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and longevity of various products and structures. Whether it's enhancing product performance or improving operational durability, SS 347 stands out as a top choice for engineers and manufacturers alike. With its remarkable benefits across different sectors ranging from chemical processing to construction projects, Austenitic Stainless Steel 347 remains at the forefront of innovation in material science. As industries strive for excellence in their operations and products' quality standards rise higher than ever before - SS 347 emerges as a reliable solution that meets these stringent demands with ease.

[little-pondhead]

Fenton Family on Vacation (part 3)

Original Post

Part One⬅️➡️Part Two

(This is kind of a filler cause I’m trying to get an AO3 account set up, but Elle fighting a rat just got stuck in my head and I couldn’t get it out.)

Lights come on in a studio. Two people sit behind a glass desk, expressions neutral. 

"Good evening, and welcome to C3TV. It's 6:45 p.m. central time on August 4th, 20XX. I'm Kimberly Anderson."

"And I'm Frank Meyers. For today's Fifteen Minutes of Heroes, we'll focus on one man in particular; The Flash."

A screen turns on behind the news anchors. 'Fifteen Minutes of Heroes' is written in bold letters. The screen cuts to a close-up picture of the Flash.

"That's right, Frank. Our city's protector is not often in the spotlight, so let's get down to business."

"Right you are, Kim. To start with, Captain Cold was spotted outside the Flash Museum earlier today. It is still unknown why he was there first, but Flash was quick on the scene and chased the rogue through the downtown shopping district."

A blurry photo of Captain Cold is shown.

"What stopped Flash from arresting him immediately?"

"Well, Kim, according to CCPD reports, a recent delivery of high-alloy austenitic stainless steel was stolen at a checkpoint before it could make its way to S.T.A.R. Labs. It's now known Captain Cold was the culprit and used the metal to produce new weapons. These new weapons gave both Flash and civilians alike a scare, as the rate at which they generate ice is astounding."

An image of S.T.A.R. Labs comes up. It switches to the silhouette of a crate with a question mark, and then a silent video appears. The video is of the recent destruction in the downtown area and captures crowds of people milling around. Some are cleaning up debris, and some are trying to evacuate their families and neighbors. Several emergency service trucks are lighting up the whole street. One man has a flamethrower and is trying to thaw out his car. 

"Yes, traffic was horrible on the way to work. This new ice has a particularly high melting point, so its removal is still ongoing. Flash was spotted chasing the captain but frequently had to sidetrack for quick evacuation. Captain Cold was shooting to hurt today. There was no regard for civilian safety or public property. It seemed like he wanted to cripple the city. A few neighboring counties will pitch in for relief efforts; more at eight."

Snippets of their fight all over the area are edited together. Pictures of the destruction show up.

"Reports say their path took them west through the district before making a sharp turn on Roanoke Parkway and doubling back to Central City Plaza. There, Flash cornered the rogue. You can see the two arguing through nearby store cameras, but no audio can be provided. Captain Cold is visibly angered and takes a hostage at one point. The hostage, one Lacey James, was under threat for less than a minute before the Flash stole her away and returned her to waiting police officers. Cold is upset by this and douses the whole plaza in a thick ice sheet."

A virtual map follows the path taken with a red line—the screen changes to an out-of-focus storefront video. Captain Cold has a blonde woman at gunpoint, but Flash disappears with the woman too fast for the cameras to follow. Flash returns a few seconds later. Captain Cold seems angered, and the cameras short out soon after. 

"Uh oh, we all know how hard it is to walk on ice. Captain Cold obviously wanted to slow down the Flash, but why?"

"We're still not sure, Kim. I mean, it's his thing. But does anyone know why villains do what they do?"

"You have a point, Frank. But that's not why we're here today."

"No, it is not. While the Flash did his best, bless his heart, a few civilians were stuck inside the plaza with the two supers. No deaths have been reported citywide, and only a single person has been admitted to the ICU due to a case of hypothermia. More about this young soul can be found on our website and the link to their family's GOFUNDME. But aside from that, one of the civilians managed to get an interesting part of the fight on video. None of the stores in the area had working cameras at this point, so let's look at the video now. Please be warned, viewers' discretion is advised."

The video opens showing the face of a young teen. The video is obviously from the point of view of their phone. The teen is swearing, and viewers at home can hear a long string of beeps. 

A voice from off-screen: "Yo! Are you getting this??"

The teen swears one last time, but the video's perspective is changed. The camera is peeking out into the plaza between a car tire and a chunk of ice. "[beep], it's so cold, man. It's [beep]ing August. I hope that kid is okay."

"It was nice of you to give that family your flannel."

"It was that or let that kid freeze, man. Now shut up. I'm tryin' to hear what they're saying!"

The two teens pipe down. The camera is adjusted a few times, but eventually, the audio is picked up. Flash can be heard arguing with Captain Cold, although the dialogue is spotty due to the range.

"-can't do that!"

"The-[beep]ing [beeeeeeep] upstairs--hospital-----"

"-new procedure-----s West--gone clean---"

"NEVER! THOSE---[beep] this, GG---home--too sick---"

"-can help! S.T.A.R. Labs---new meds--won't------"

Flash is cut off by a scream of frustration from Captain Cold. The rogue begins to point and shoot at Flash, who has to zoom out of the way. Viewers can tell there are many close calls, as Flash stumbles more than once due to the slick ice.

Suddenly, a swirling green portal appears and spits out a figure right into the Flash's path. A loud smack is heard when they hit the ground face-first. One teen behind the camera sucks in a sharp breath, and the other whispers, "Ouch, that had to hurt."  Flash has no room to stop and trips over the body.

"[BEEP]!" Flash face-plants and doesn't get back up. Captain Cold pauses, staring at the two on the ground. A loud groan is heard a second later, and the figure raises its head. The camera zooms in. 

The figure was a glowing little girl with white hair and unnaturally green eyes. Glowing green blobs circle her head like cartoon birds. Bits of asphalt are stuck to her face, drawing green blood, but her skin heals as viewers watch.

The girl seemed disoriented, staring blankly at Flash and then at Captain Cold. The teen holding the phone can be heard scooting closer. The video shakes violently for a few seconds, but now viewers can listen to the conversation more clearly. 

"Uh...hi?" Small animal noises are heard, and viewers realize it's coming from the blobs, whipping around faster than before. 

"Where the [BEEP] did you come from?"

Whispers of astonishment come from the teens as the girl pushes herself off the ground and into the air, visibly struggling to stay afloat. "Hey, watch your [beep]ing language, dude. Children are present."

Captain Cold spluttered. "Wha-??"

The girl ignored the villain and turned towards the Flash. She bends over him, placing two fingers on his neck, presumably to check his pulse. Viewers see the girl wearing a big, black backpack in the shape of a ghost. From the camera's distance, it was difficult to determine what else she was wearing, but one of the teens said, "That's a sick outfit. I love the boots. Big 'Prometheus' vibes."

A scoff. "Yeah, no. I'm thinking 'Star Wars,' for sure." 

An argument begins behind the camera, and the view tilts a bit since their attention is no longer on it. 

A thin whine draws back the attention of the teens and the audience. Captain Cold is pointing a gun at the girl, who has a bemused expression on her face. Over the sound of the weapon, their quiet conversation cannot be heard. 

(Later, a famous child psychologist would do a ten-minute interview for Beefood's new show, 'Cohabiting with Cryptids.' Analysis shows the child was actually terrified at Captain Cold's actions and more confused than she let on. Some comments point out that the girl attempted to put herself between the Flash and the rogue, proving that she hadn't meant the Flash any harm.)

Suddenly, the girl scoops up Flash into a fireman's carry and dodges an ice blast. The teen filming the event swears and drops their phone. Shuffling and more gunshots can be heard. 

"You gotta chill out, man!"

"Ah, [beep], the screen cracked-"

"What?!"

"I can't-"

"Maybe a little shock therapy will get your Christmas spirit going!"

The shooting pauses. "It's Aug-AAAAAUGH!"

A scream startles the teens. It's coming from Captain Cold, and viewers can tell he's in pain. 

The screen is still black. 

"What the [beep], what the [beep]-"

"Is that lightning??"

"She's electrocuting him. How-"

"It's pink!"

"That's not what you should be focusing on right now!"

"But it's PINK LIGHTNING."

"She is literally burning holes into his parka, what the [beep]."

"Do you think Flash can make pink lightning? Should I ask him?"

"I don't [beep]ing know! She's going to kill him!"

"No, she isn't; look!"

A quiet moment. Captain Cold has stopped screaming, but small groans can be heard instead. 

"She stopped, see?"

"How much electricity was that??"

"I dunno, but obviously not enough to kill him."

"You're very calm about this."

"Don't worry. I'll freak out later."

"Oh, Jesus-"

"Look!"

A clatter. "Sorry about that." The camera finally refocused, although it was shakier than before. The girl was hovering over the prone form of Captain Cold, still holding onto the Flash. Viewers could hear her voice tremble. "On the plus side, a few of your screws may have been knocked back into place from the electricity. Anyways, see you later, [beeeeep] Ice Prince!"

The camera swings around to face the second teen. Their eyes were lit up in fascination. "New life goal: Pull a Zarina from 'The Pirate Fairy' and figure out how to make pink lightning."

"Oh, my [beep], Lynne! Why-"

The video ends abruptly, and the news anchors fade back into view. 

"Well, that was...interesting." 

"I'd say so. We have seven minutes left; let's discuss the theories."

-----

Dani stared at the tv. A quick re-run of the video from Fifteen Minutes of Heroes was playing. It was well past ten now, but she'd managed to hole up in someone's party shack on top of some apartments. And while she refused to touch the poorly-hidden weed, Dani had no qualms about raiding the stash of (packaged) food and flipping on the old tube tv. She'd turned on the local news channel to learn more about this new world since wandering around for a few hours didn't tell her much. 

And she'd learned a lot. 

This was a world of superheroes. Dani didn't know how to feel about that. On the one hand, she thought it would be easier to care for herself. She wouldn't have to try as hard to hide her powers-hell, she was being featured on the news! And these people weren't discussing her imminent capture. No public warnings about reporting her, nothing about being a danger to society. These news reporters were doing their job, relaying the facts and throwing out theories about her identity and powers. Was she a super? A rookie? An alien? A meta? What was her name? The people on the screen flashed a phone number below and asked if anyone spotted her please call their hotline. Not to hunt her down but because she was a kid. A superpowered kid whom no one knew the identity of and seemed to be very much alone. And yeah, Dani knew there were people out there with malicious intentions. But the fact that she was on the news and not in a bad way was baffling. 

(On the other hand, Dani knew her dad. A world full of superheroes meant a world full of supervillains that normal humans couldn't fight back against. Dani hoped with all her core that he'd stay away from the fighting. His Obsession wasn't protecting people, thank the Ancients, or they might never find each other.) 

At the very least, Dani expected one or two comments about her 'horrible intentions' to hurt their city hero. Still, Flash himself came on in an interview earlier that night and said while he woke up in a really weird place, he did not have any injuries besides the ones he caused himself. Flash noted that "The kid even tried to make me comfortable. She made a cardboard nest for me to lay on and tried hiding me in a private location. Sure, that location was a dumpster, but it obviously worked because no one found me until I'd already woken up."

"In this picture, you're seen with a pair of-heh-handcuffs. Any idea why the girl might've attached you to that pipe?"

"If I had to hazard a guess, the kid is scared. I saw the footage. I know I got knocked out pretty quickly. But that girl did her best to defend me from my enemy and get me to safety. However, it's obvious that knocking out two men twice her size has her spooked. Those handcuffs were probably an attempt to restrain me so she could get a head start. Probably thought I was mad at her. She even left an apology note. But don't worry, Spooky. I'm not mad. Thank you for saving my hide, and I'm sorry I tripped over you."

Dani's eyes were glued to the screen. Those last words, Flash had addressed towards the camera. They were for her. But she told him her name, her human name. Why use Spooky? 

Fuck it. I'm too tired for this. 

-----

Whether she liked it or not, it was too easy for Elle to get used to life on the streets again. She'd done it before; stealing food, sleeping in alleys, squatting in abandoned buildings, always looking over her shoulder a second time.

She knew her family wasn't happy about her time on the streets-Danny especially. When they first separated, she could feel the pain from his core. He hated sending her away. But it was that or risk worse from the potential backlash. At least this time, she had an extra pair of eyes. Or five. 

Blob ghosts were a common thing, especially around Amity. The more ecto-contaminated you were, the more blob ghosts tended to hang around. They weren't the weakened souls of the dead but more like collections of intense emotions imprinted on ectoplasm. Elle usually got a whole hoard following her back home, but in this new universe, only five managed to find the strength to follow her. Elle thought it was only appropriate to claim them as Hers and give them names. 

So now, Noodle, Buffy, Preston, Shaniac, and Boogara were a part of her little fright. And as such, they became extremely handy in her city exploration. They were her scouts, her lookouts, her moral support. They could not, however, help out much when she was in a big fight, like yesterday. They just had to hide in her hair. 

But with the smaller enemies, they really came through. For example, she was having a nasty brawl with a particularly ugly rat over a breakfast sandwich at the moment, and her blob buddies were being a huge help. 

Yes, you heard right. 

Elle was hungry. She'd been hungry before, and it was nothing new. But the fight and panic attack yesterday took a lot out of her. She'd barely touched the food at that weed shack, too afraid it was laced with something. So after picking an alley and transforming back into a human, Elle started looking around for something to eat. Her search led her to a small café, where she used the last of her allowance to buy an egg and ham breakfast sandwich. Which she promptly dropped onto the ground after face-planting for the second time in the past twelve hours. She was close to another alley, and Elle could only watch with wide eyes as a giant rat darted out into the sunlight, snatched the corner of the wrapper, and dragged it away. Why'd she fall? Elle tripped over a chunk of ice from the café doorway. ICE. 

I should have kicked that man in the dick. Elle thought, scrambling up to chase after the rat. Her blob buddies led the way, harassing the rat as best they could to slow it down. They cornered it in a box. Buffy was chittering especially loud, leading the others. 

Elle knelt and reached in blindly, grasping for anything. One of her knees was bleeding, and bits of broken glass were getting into the cut. "Where are y-ouch! Motherfucker! Did you just bite me??" The rat screamed and bit her again. "Oh fuck no! Get your ass out here, you little-"

The rat ran out, still dragging the wrapped sandwich. Elle tried stomping on it but missed. Noodle was handing around the rat's neck like a rope, trying to restrain it. Shaniac and Boogara were tugging at the sandwich, and Elle managed to snatch it up a second before the rat escaped into a shoe. Without hesitating, Elle punted the shoe into the street like a football. 

She snorted in satisfaction when the shoe and its passenger were lost in the crowd. 

"I can't believe that just happened." Elle whirled around but didn't see anyone. "Up here!"

Above her head, watching the whole thing with an amused expression, was a woman sticking her head out of a window from the second floor. The woman had tight brown curls and an equally tight face that looked strained when she smiled. 

"You're that Spooky kid from the news, right?" The woman called. How did she-? Elle scrunched up her face. Right, blob ghosts. 

"No!" Yeah, that was believable. "Anyways, mind your own business!" She stalked out of the alley, hard-won sandwich in hand, and did her best to ignore the woman's stifled giggles she could still hear two blocks away. 

Okay, maybe staying as a ghost will be easier in this big new city.  

-----

@passivedecept @lehana37 @kobol1 @cat-in-a-fedora @starkcravingmad

[manilaxmiindustrial]

Exporters of Stainless Steel 304 Pipes & Tubes: Global Supply

@manilaxmiindustrial : Manilaxmi Industrial

Explore the features, applications of Stainless Steel 304 Pipes & Tubes. This guide highlights their importance in various industries, emphasizing durability and corrosion resistance. Stainless Steel 304 Pipes, Stainless Steel 304 Tubes, SS 304 Pipes, SS 304 Tubes, Stainless Steel, Pipes, Tubes, Industrial Materials

Stainless Steel 304 is one of the most widely used and versatile types of stainless steel in the industry. Known for its exceptional corrosion resistance, durability, and aesthetic appeal, Stainless Steel 304 Pipes and Tubes are vital components in a variety of applications, spanning across multiple industries.

What is Stainless Steel 304?

Stainless Steel 304 belongs to the austenitic family of stainless steel, which is composed of 18-20% chromium and 8-10.5% nickel, along with other elements such as carbon, manganese, and silicon.

The high chromium content provides excellent corrosion resistance, while the nickel enhances its strength and toughness.

This combination makes Stainless Steel 304 a popular choice for pipes and tubes, particularly in environments where corrosion resistance is a critical factor.

Applications of Stainless Steel 304 Pipes & Tubes

Stainless Steel 304 Pipes and Tubes are used in a wide array of industries due to their adaptability. Some of the most common applications include:

Food and Beverage Industry: The hygienic properties of Stainless Steel 304 make it ideal for food processing, storage, and transportation. It is resistant to corrosion from food products, cleaning agents, and the wide range of temperatures involved in food production.

Chemical and Petrochemical Industries: Stainless Steel 304 can withstand harsh chemicals, making it a preferred material for chemical processing equipment and pipelines. Its resistance to acidic and alkaline solutions ensures longevity in these demanding environments.

Construction Industry: Stainless Steel 304 Pipes and Tubes are frequently used in architectural structures, particularly in areas where aesthetics and durability are important. Its resistance to weathering and corrosion makes it a suitable material for both interior and exterior applications.

Automotive Industry: The durability and strength of Stainless Steel 304 make it an excellent choice for automotive exhaust systems, fuel lines, and other components that require resistance to high temperatures and corrosion.

Pharmaceutical Industry: In environments where cleanliness is paramount, Stainless Steel 304 shines. Its non-reactive properties and ease of cleaning make it ideal for the pharmaceutical industry, especially in the manufacturing of medicines and medical equipment.

[faux-phallus]

Safe Sex Toy Materials

Why Silicone…

There are a lot of things that go into making a quality product. 

But first and foremost it starts with quality ingredients/materials. That is why we at Faux Phallus will only ever use bodysafe Platinum Cured Silicone and we'll explain why...

Unfortunately the industry to date is still unregulated. This is never more apparent than in the case of adult toys. Not worried yet? You should be, as long as sex toys are labeled as 'novelty items' big corporate companies can get around using questionable materials.

There are a long list of materials in sex toys that are a cause for medical and safety concern, even if your favorite toys are made of materials known to be safe. Some of these products can contain chemicals or oils that soften the material to make them more pliable.

There are still sex toys being produced that contain phthalates even though these have been known for years to cause issues, but phthalates aren’t the only harmful chemical being used. 

There are sex toy materials that have never been proven toxic yet are still softened with oil (grades and types unknown), these materials can still break down and become unstable, and can still be porous enough to harbor bacteria, mold and transmittable viruses. 

Even if the material is non-toxic when you first buy it, that may change over time as the material breaks down. Chemical changes can occur, oils can be released along with new odors, and more. 

If your toy is not made of the materials listed below, then it can be potentially unsafe or downright toxic. Although some people may not notice any issue with using them, the larger majority can notice burning, stinging or other medical issues.

The list of the safest materials for adult toys would be...

Silicone Toys These come in two categories that refer to the curing agents used. they are either...

Platinum Cured Silicone “compatible for skin contact”

Tin Cured Silicone “is not compliant with food or skin”

If a company tries to call their silicone a “Blend or Mix”, be very cautious and ask yourself what its blended with?

Some of the other benefits of silicone are that it's allergy-friendly, nonporous, hydrophobic, phthalate free, durable, easy to clean and sterilize. It's odorless and doesn't suffer from shrinkage.

I myself have bought toys in the past that have shrunk in size (I'm talking inches in length and girth have been lost) when you buy a 9" toy and a couple of years down the track it is 7½" you know its deteriorating.

Wooden Toys can be very safe, if the finish is medical grade. 

Stainless Steel Toys as long as they are medical grade stainless they're very safe. 

Austenitic 304 and 316 stainless steels are considered surgical or medical-grade stainless steels

Glass Toys as a material is safe, but be aware of cheap brands that don't anneal, annealing is a long process that makes the glass extremely tough. Un-annealed glass won’t be overly fragile, but it needs to be handled with care. Cheaper brands may also paint glass which needs to be avoided unless you can verify the paint is safe.

Ceramic Toys are safe, so long as they are glazed and kiln-fired. The glaze keeps the toy non-porous. Although it is worth noting if the surface has a crack it can be porous and harbor bacteria so care needs to be taken with use and storage.

Out of all these materials silicone is the only one that is flexible, making inserting into the body the most comfortable experience, but by all means the other materials have their place in the industry. It'll all come down to your personal preference.

Casting…

It is defiantly worth noting... Silicone is a 2-part mix that needs to be well combined, after mixing a lot of air bubbles are trapped within the viscous material. To this end a reputable toy maker will use a vacuum chamber to draw all the air out of the silicone before it is poured into their respective molds.

In days past some makers would cure their silicone in a pressure pot, under 60psi of pressure to make these bubbles shrink down in size. Some have and still do unfortunately, let their toys cure without either of these precautions. But without these basic procedures, these air bubble pockets are somewhere bacteria and mold can be trapped and grow.

It’s worth doing your research to make sure your toy has been degassed.