Household stainless steel water heating bellows VS copper pipes - performance difference analysis between the two

1. Material properties and corrosion resistance
Household stainless steel water heating bellows are made of high-grade stainless steel and are formed into a flexible structure through corrugation. The protective film formed on its surface can effectively resist oxidation corrosion and remain stable for a long time even in a weak acid and weak alkali environment. Although copper pipes have certain antibacterial properties, their passivation ability is weak. When the flow rate exceeds 2m/s, the corrosion rate is accelerated, and patina is easily produced, affecting the water quality. Copper pipes are prone to accelerated corrosion due to scale accumulation, while the smooth inner wall of stainless steel bellows can reduce scale accumulation and extend the service life of the product.

2. Mechanical strength and durability
The tensile strength of stainless steel bellows is more than 3 times that of copper pipes, and it also has higher pressure resistance and deformation resistance. Its corrugated structure can adapt to complex installation environments, reduce the number of joints, and reduce the risk of leakage. In contrast, copper pipes have lower strength and are prone to deformation or rupture under high pressure or external force impact, and the later maintenance cost is higher.

3. Heat conduction and thermal insulation performance
The thermal conductivity of copper pipes is 16.2 W/m·K, which is higher than the 4.2 W/m·K of stainless steel. This feature makes it more advantageous in scenarios where heat transfer is required. However, stainless steel bellows, with its low thermal conductivity, exhibits good thermal insulation performance in hot water transportation, reduces heat loss, and saves energy costs, while copper pipes require additional thermal insulation measures.