The 304 taiwan tube was discussed at yesterday's welding class. It is a welded seam tube. The Burn's tubing is seamless. The extrusion to make seamless tube gives it strength and toughness. It also has tighter tolerances than the welded seam tubing. The 304 designation is for alloy content and stainless steel having many different properties can be 304. It is totally legit for welded seam 304 to not be as tough as seamless 304. Seamless 304 should be chosen if dimensional tolerances and strength and toughness are a concern, I was told.
Country of origin was discussed. Bad experiences were noted with Korean, Indian, and Pakastani steel. Chinese and Tiawan steel could be good or bad. European steel, and especially Finnish tubing, is good. Chromium is a big ingredient. SA is a big source. Aparthied and concerns about political correctness dried up the sources of this element in this country. Stainless steel production was crippled and never recovered. A lot of good stainless comes from overseas. They did not have to deal with the PC issue, it was said.
Gringo steel tubing has the ASTM designation stamped on it. Furrin tubing might not, I was told. The wrapper was taken the Taiwan tube when I got home. There was an ASTM designation and heat number on a sticker.
The tubing I have is probably pretty good and much better than I thought. Tomorrow I will post some of the other advice I got.