FAQs on Steel and Stainless Steel Tubes
Q： What is the proper name for “Stainless”?
A： Stainless Steel. It literally means, “steel with no stain”.
Q： Does stainless steel rust?
A： Yes. It can rust under certain harsh environmental conditions. However, Stainless Steel will generally have a much higher resistance
to rust than steel in normal environmental conditions.
Q： What does the acronym SUS mean?
A： SUS stands for Steel Use Stainless.
Q： What is the chemical symbol for Stainless Steel?
A： There is no chemical symbol for Stainless Steel.
Q： What does SUS with an “L” stand for?
A： The L indicates “low carbon” SUS. The lower carbon content improves the corrosion resistance of the material especially after welding.
Q： Can Stainless Steel be magnetized?
A： Yes. Ferritic and martensitic stainless steel materials are magnetic. Austenitic stainless steel is not. Please refer to Qualities of Stainless and Steel Pipe section for more information.
Q： How does stainless steel compare to steel in weight?
A： The specific gravity of stainless steel is 7.93 (for SUS 304) and for steel is 7.87. Therefore, they weigh nearly the same.
Q： Can stainless steel be heat treated to increase hardness?
A： Martensitic stainless steel can be hardened using quenching and tempering. Ferritic and austenitic stainless steel cannot.
Q： Is there a difference in thermal conductivity between stainless steel and steel?
A： Yes. Stainless steel has a lower thermal conductivity rate than steel; approximately 1/3 to 1/5 depending on the material.
Q： Is there a difference in electrical conductivity between stainless steel and steel?
A： Yes. Steel is generally more conductive than stainless steel. Steel has resistivity in the range of 10~20 Ωm, while stainless steel has a
resistivity of approximately 60~72 Ωm.
Q： What is the market price or price indicator of stainless steel materials?
A： The price for stainless steel materials fluctuate with the price of other raw materials such as steel, chrome, nickel and others.
The general market price indicator is LME(London Metal Exchange).
FAQ On Quality Policy
■Regarding Quality
Q： How is the quality standard for acceptable product determined?
A： Quality standard can be determined by suggesting inspection procedures, discussing and agreeing them with clients. The standard should be documented and samples should be used as a visual tool when necessary.
Q： How is the appearance standard determined?
A： By exchanging documents of standard using text and pictures and criteria samples for products appearance which is unmeasurable or
difficult to measure.
Q： Can the delivery specification be prepared?
A： The local manufacturers in China prepare the original documents and Dynaox translates and submits it to the clients seeking approval.
Same process is repeated when there is a revision of specifications.
Q： Are the quality related documents such as inspection report and QC process flowchart issued?
A： Dynaox makes and issues these documents.
Q： Is there delivery packaging specifications?
A： Packaging specifications for delivery is made and issued by Dynaox as well.
Q： Can special requests on packaging specification be arranged?
A： Dynaox can listen to the customer’s requests and offer our solution. Unless special requests are necessary, standard packaging is offered.
We are also capable of offering fumigation of wooden pallets.
■Regarding Inspection
Q： Is it possible to visit the factory before delivery and perform auditing and participate in the inspection?
A： Yes, it is. Visits can be arranged with prior notice.
Q： Do clients need to arrange for an interpreter for auditing and participating in an inspection?
A： No. Our staff will accompany clients as an interpreter.
Q： In case the client cannot participate in an inspection, can Dynaox act as a stand-in?
A： Performing the first inspection on behalf of the client is free-of-charge unless special arrangements have to be made. For special
arrangements or performing subsequent inspections, Dynaox will provide price quotation in advance. Dynaox will report on the inspection
result prior to delivery.
Q： If defects are found at incoming inspection, how soon should it be informed?
A： Dynaox requests that performing incoming inspection and notification of defects are within 10 business days after arrival of products at
destination.
■Regarding Defective Products
Q： What if defective products are found after incoming inspection at client’s location?
A： Replacement products are delivered as early as possible. Investigation on the cause of the defects is carried out and its result and countermeasures are provided in writing to the client. Countermeasures need to be approved by the client before implementation.
Q： How long does it take for the replacement parts to be delivered?
A： In case defects are found at the incoming inspection and the whole delivery lot is considered defective, the quantity equaling client’s
usage for the upcoming month is replaced in 2 weeks. If the need is urgent, delivery will be broken down in installments. In case a small
number of defects is found later in the process after incoming inspection, upon prior consent by client, replacements will be sent with next order delivery. All shipping costs related to replacement will be borne by Dynaox.
Q： Are there products in stock in Japan?
A： No. there is no stock in Japan. However, delivery in 2 weeks is possible as there is, on average, a month’s worth of safety stock in China.
*Dynaox also offers VMI which requires us to keep stock at client’s warehouse.
*VMI stands for Vendor Managed Inventory which means inventory is kept within the limited amount based on appropriate inventory level and policy discussed between vendor and client.VMI allows the client to keep products in stock only at necessary time at necessary quantity to avoid carrying extra inventory. Until the products are actually used, there is no cost to the client, so improvement on cash flow can also be expected.
Q： In case of the whole lot being defective and there is no time to wait for replacement parts, can sorting and reworking support be requested?
A： Dynaox does not provide such support We, however, manage emergency delivery of replacements by air freight.
Q： Defective products were used after reworking process. In this case, can we ask for discount of the products?
A： Dynaox manages the situation as special case under prior discussion and confirmation.
Q： In case of defects or excess quantity in delivery, how soon can client return these products?
A： There are two cases: asking the client to ship them back to us or dispose them as a result of a discussion with the client.
The procedure is dealt with within 20 business days. The cost related to shipping and disposing is at Dynaox ’s cost.
■Regarding Quality Assurance
Q： Can material certificate be issued for every production lot?
A： Yes. We provide material certificate for every production lot free-of-charge upon request.
Q： Is every production lot identified at delivery?
A： Material certification is issued for every production/shipment lot, making each lot identifiable.
Q： Is Non-inclusion investigation of environmental regulated substances such as RoHs carried out?
A： Normally no. However, this can be handled upon client’s request. Please ask.
Q： Can Non-inclusion certificate be issued?
A： Analysis and report by a third party testing organization can be provided free of charge unless special requirements are needed.
Q： What is the production lot based on? By material, process, or shipment?
A： Lot number is based on the quantity of each shipment, therefore, it is “shipment lot”.
Q： In case defects or any discrepancies between products and its specification are found within 1 year after delivery and repair or
replacement is needed, can damage be compensated?
A： The term of responsibility on defects is three months at the longest. For longer than 3 months, discussion needs to be carried out on a
case-by-case basis. The degree of responsibility is to be restricted to the processed products that were manufactured using our products
directly. In such case, Dynaox ’s responsibility does not extend beyond the cost of our products.
Comments from Customers
■ Q1: What made you decided to purchase our stainless steel tube?
● Competitively priced. Couldn’t find any cheaper material suppliers. (Material Procurement Dept.)
● Simply cheap pricing. Used to purchase the same material from Japanese, but we achieved shorter lead-time and smaller purchase lot
by switching to the Chinese material.
● Cheap pricing. No other reason. (Quality Control Dept.)
■ Q2: What are the positive and negative points about the cost?
● Good point is the cost is cheap. Even when the cost of stainless steel in the market is high, Chinese material can absorb the market price
fluctuation somehow. Also, purchase lot can be reduced with no change in price. Negative point is that higher per invoice value is needed
in order to absorb the shipping cost if the destination is far away.
● Cannot compare as we have not purchased from other suppliers. (Production Dept.)
■ Q3: What are the positive and negative points about quality?
● Positive point is that quality is stable lot by lot. No product recalls. No specific negative points.
● No specific comments on positive or negative on quality.
■ Q4: How were quality complaints corresponded? Tell us some cases in detail if any.
● We found cracks in one delivery of semi-seamless tubes. However, we didn’t have problems as replacements were immediately delivered.
Countermeasures were taken appropriately, and, to our satisfaction, same defects had not been seen since. To be fair, same quality problem
could happen with similar material from Japanese suppliers. (Quality Control Dept.)
● We feel that this is a typical small-medium size Chinese manufacturer. Their permanent countermeasures on defective products are not enough.
Quality control is not on par with that of Japanese companies. Investigation to determine the root cause and temporary countermeasures
are taken. However, further guidance on permanent countermeasures is necessary.
● One time, all lots were defective due to short length. We were so shocked as if the quality was not controlled at all. The manufacturer sent
workers to our location for training but no managers were present. This gave us the impression that the company didn’t have any idea about
quality control.
■ Q5: What are the positive and negative points about delivery?
● No problem as they even work with us with informal orders with no delay in delivery. (Production Dept.)
● There is no delay in delivery with 2 months lead-time.
■ Q6: How were delay in delivery corresponded? Tell us some cases in detail if any.
● Cannot recall any delivery delays. There was one time when our actual order was 3 times more than our forecast. However, they fulfilled
twice as much as forecast and the rest was delivered in installments. (Production Dept.)
● There is no delivery delay in my memory (Procurement Dept.)
■ Q7: What are the positive and negative points about service?
● Disclosing the facility openly for the factory tour is a good point. One concern is that there is no strong leadership other than the
Owner/Operator.
● The enthusiasm of the Owner/Operator is a positive point. Flexibility in meeting our demands is another reason to use material from the manufacturer. (Procurement Dept.)
■ Q8: Will you continue purchasing the China manufactured stainless steel tube material? Yes or no with the main reason, please.
● Yes. No intention to look for another supplier because prices are stable.
● Yes. Switching to other suppliers will incur cost and is time consuming. Therefore, no intention to change the supplier unless pricing
becomes uncompetitive.
● Yes. They are always responsible even when quality issues arise. We have no plan to use other suppliers as our demand for SUS tubes
is not so large.
01. High-precision stainless steel tubes from China≫
02. Types of Stainless Steel Tube ≫
03. FAQs / Comments from Customers≫
