Lawton Tubes adds stainless steel press systems

Lawton Tubes has launched stainless steel tube and press fitting systems for commercial building services, expanding beyond its established copper product portfolio for the first time in the Coventry manufacturer's 108-year history.

The new range incorporates 304 and 316L stainless steel products for plumbing, heating, cooling, and selected industrial applications. Tube sizes extend from 15mm to 168.3mm across the portfolio, although the maximum diameter varies according to the material grade and connection system.

Lawton's 316L stainless steel tube is available in outside diameters from 15mm to 168.3mm, while its 304 range covers 15mm to 108mm. Both grades are supplied in straight lengths of three and six metres, with compatible press fittings available for specified installations.

The distinction between the two grades is relevant to material selection. Stainless steel contains chromium, which enables a protective oxide layer to form on its surface under suitable conditions. That passive layer provides resistance to corrosion, although performance remains dependent on the operating environment and the substances in contact with the material.

Grade 316L contains molybdenum, improving resistance to certain forms of localised corrosion, including pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride-bearing environments. Lawton identifies coastal, medical, and industrial installations among the potential applications for this material.

Grade 304 provides a different combination of material properties and corrosion resistance. It is suitable for a range of heating, cooling, chilled water, compressed air, and other services, provided that the operating conditions are compatible with the specified tube and fitting system.

The manufacturer lists 304 tube under material designation 1.4301 and 316L under designation 1.4404. Both tube ranges are manufactured to EN 10312, which covers welded stainless steel tubes for the conveyance of water and other aqueous liquids.

Lawton's published technical information identifies the 316L range as WRAS approved and DVGW certified. Its applications include potable water, heating, cooling, chilled water, oil-free compressed air, and selected gas services when the appropriate connection components are used.

The available size range must be considered alongside the intended service. Although the 316L tube extends to 168.3mm, the manufacturer's dedicated gas press fittings cover diameters from 15mm to 108mm. The larger plumbing fittings and the gas-rated components are not interchangeable simply because they form part of the same product family.

Connection technology is another element of the new range. Lawton's systems use compatible M-profile press fittings, allowing installers to join prepared tube sections using mechanical pressing equipment rather than applying heat to form the connection.

During installation, the fitting is positioned over the prepared tube end and compressed using the specified tool and pressing jaw. The pressing operation forms the mechanical connection, while an incorporated sealing element provides the intended fluid or gas seal.

The sealing material differs between applications. Lawton specifies EPDM seals for its plumbing press fittings, which carry a PN16 designation, and HNBR seals for its dedicated gas fittings, designated PN5.

These designations must be considered with the manufacturer's full operating limits. The permitted pressure and temperature of an assembled installation depend on the relevant tube, fittings, sealing materials, service medium, and applicable installation requirements. A pressure designation for an individual component does not establish unrestricted suitability for every system.

Press jointing can reduce the need for flame-based operations during pipework installation. This can be beneficial where construction teams are working in occupied buildings or locations where hot works require additional controls, although the method still requires correct preparation, equipment selection, and inspection.

Joint performance depends on the compatibility of the complete assembly. The tube must be cut and prepared correctly, inserted to the required depth, and pressed using equipment approved for the fitting profile and dimensions.

Incorrectly prepared or incompletely pressed connections can compromise sealing performance. Contractors must therefore follow the manufacturer's installation procedures and complete the testing required for the intended building-services application.

The larger tube sizes extend the range into mechanical systems serving commercial and industrial premises. Building-services installations may require pipework to distribute heating water, chilled water, or other fluids between plant rooms and occupied areas, with the selected material and connection method affecting installation and maintenance arrangements.

Material compatibility remains important where different metals are incorporated within the same system. Water chemistry, treatment chemicals, operating temperatures, and the possibility of galvanic interactions must be considered during specification.

Stainless steel also requires appropriate handling and installation practices to maintain its corrosion resistance. Surface contamination, unsuitable cleaning products, or operation outside the material's intended conditions can reduce performance despite the alloy's protective properties.

Lawton's technical documentation identifies a 50-year manufacturer's warranty for the stainless steel tube range, subject to standard terms and conditions. The warranty does not eliminate the requirement for correct material selection, installation, or maintenance throughout the operating life of the system.

The launch follows several years of investment in the company's manufacturing and distribution operations. Established in 1918, Lawton has built its business around copper tube and fittings for plumbing, heating, refrigeration, medical gases, and engineering applications.

The company employs approximately 150 people and supplies customers internationally. Its expansion into stainless steel adds another material option to the existing product range, with Lawton reporting initial merchant enquiries and orders following the launch.

Giles Lawton, Managing Director of Operations at Lawton Tubes, said the investment was intended to give contractors working on larger projects more choice while retaining copper as a central part of the business.

The product expansion is taking place alongside construction of a new £20m headquarters and distribution facility on Torrington Avenue in Coventry, opposite Lawton's existing premises. The development will provide a 107,768 sq ft warehouse, 17,220 sq ft of office and welfare accommodation, and a 40-metre service yard.

Lawton expects the new premises to open in 2027, providing additional capacity for its plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and other product ranges. The development is intended to support both established copper products and the company's continuing diversification.

The stainless steel launch broadens the company's specification offering across commercial building services, but the suitability of individual components remains dependent on their published technical limits. Material grade, tube dimensions, service conditions, and press fitting compatibility will determine which parts of the range can be used on each installation.