Perforated & Solid Tubes. Engineered for High Heat & Acoustics.
Performance Starts with the Right Alloy.
The exhaust system is the harshest environment in a vehicle, facing 800°C+ heat, road salt, and constant vibration. Standard steel fails quickly; premium 304 is often too expensive.
Vertex Tubes specializes in Titanium-Stabilized 409L Stainless Steel Tubing—the automotive industry standard. It balances cost and corrosion resistance perfectly. From solid bent pipes to precision Perforated Muffler Cores, we supply the backbone of durable exhaust systems for OEMs and the aftermarket.
Why pay for 304 when 409L does the job?
Titanium Stabilized: We add Titanium (Ti) to the alloy to prevent intergranular corrosion at weld points.
Heat Resistance: Withstands exhaust temperatures up to 800°C without scaling.
Magnetism: Note that 409L is ferritic and magnetic. It will develop a harmless surface patina (discoloration) over time but will not rust through like aluminized steel.
Capability: We produce perforated tubes directly from coil (pre-punched) or tube (post-punched).
Pattern: Standard staggered holes (3mm – 5mm diameter) with high open area percentages for optimal sound absorption and laminar gas flow.
Exhaust pipes need to fit into each other (Slip-Fit).
Weld Strength: Our high-frequency induction welding ensures the weld seam is as strong as the base metal.
Testing: Every batch undergoes a Flaring Test (Expansion > 20%). You can expand the tube end to create slip-joints without splitting the weld seam.
| Inspection Item | Vertex Factory Standard |
|---|---|
| Material Grade | AISI 409L (Ti Stabilized) / 304 (For Tips). |
| Flaring / Expansion | > 20% Expansion without weld splitting. |
| Flattening Test | No Cracks when flattened to 1/3 height. |
| Perforation Quality | Burr Height < 0.2mm (Prevents flow turbulence). |
| Size Tolerance | Imperial Sizes controlled strictly for clamp fit. |
| Standard Exhaust Tubing (409L / 304) | 1.50" (38.1mm) 1.75" (44.5mm) 2.00" (50.8mm) - Most Popular 2.25" (57.2mm) 2.50" (63.5mm) - Performance 3.00"(76.2mm) - Trucks / Racing |
|---|---|
| Perforated Tube (Muffler Core) | Hole Size: 3mm, 3.5mm, 5mm. Pattern: Staggered 60°. Open Area: 30% - 45% |
| Wall Thickness | 1.2mm (18 Gauge) - Standard. 1.5mm (16 Gauge) - Heavy Duty. |
Prime stainless steel raw material strip selection from big mills
A: 409L is a magnetic ferritic stainless steel. It may develop surface discoloration (patina) but will not rust through. It is the cost-effective standard for under-car piping. 304 is non-magnetic and stays shiny, making it ideal for visible parts like Exhaust Tips and mufflers for luxury cars.
A: Yes. Our 409L tubing is produced in a fully annealed condition, making it suitable for CNC mandrel bending. It allows for smooth bends without wrinkling, essential for routing exhaust systems under the chassis.
A: We supply primarily in Straight Lengths (6 meters) to protect the roundness. However, for large OEM muffler factories, we can also supply perforated strip coils upon request.
Get the correct 409L material at factory-direct prices.
