What is the process of steel pipes?

09 Apr.,2024

 

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Steel pipe is manufactured using a few different processes. These processes differ based primarily on the type of steel pipe and its intended uses. Below you’ll find some information about the initial stages of pipe production as well as the individual manufacturing processes for specific kinds of steel pipe.

Initial Stages

For many types of steel pipes, the manufacturing process begins by melting iron ore and coke (a hard, porous, gray fuel that has a high carbon content). After the melting stage, the ore and coke are blasted using oxygen. This removes carbon. The product of the aforementioned processes is poured into molds, creating raw steel ingots. These ingots are rolled into blooms that become either the slabs used to create welded pipes or the billets used to create seamless pipes.

As mentioned, the production method of steel pipes differs based on their type. Below you’ll find information about the unique manufacturing methods of popular types.

Seamless Steel Pipes

During the manufacturing process for seamless steel pipes, a billet is heated and then molded into the shape of a cylinder. The cylinder, also called a round, is heated further in a furnace and then rolled. During the heating and rolling, a hole forms in the center of the cylinder, and a bullet-shaped piercer is pushed through the center. After this, the steel is rolled and stretched into the desired dimensions and lengths over the bullet-shaped piercer.

A large diameter seamless steel pipe goes through a mandrel mill process. After the piercer is pushed through, the shell of the pipe is rolled through a mandrel mill. This mandrel mill has mandrel bars inside of it. The end result of the mandrel mill process is a pipe with more controlled wall thickness and outside diameter.

Welded Steel Pipes

Steel slabs are heated and hot rolled into skelp, coiled and elongated steel ribbon, to create a welded steel pipe. Then, skelp is cut into a flat sheet of a pre-determined length. A rolling machine processes the flat sheet, forming it into a cylinder shape. This is the basic process for basic welded steel pipes. The manufacturing process for welded steel pipes differs slightly based on the type of welded steel pipe. There are three common types of welded steel pipe with different manufacturing processes: Electric-Resistance Welded Pipe, Longitudinal Welded Pipe, and Spiral Welded Pipe.

Electric-Resistance Welded Pipes (ERW)

This type of welded pipe is manufactured using a process of cold-forming a steel sheet into a cylinder shape. Electrical current is passed through the edges of the sheet so that it reaches the necessary temperature for its edges to join and bond. The seam on ERW pipe is almost undetectable, and this type of pipe is quite strong.

Longitudinal Welded Pipe (LSAW)

This type of welded pipe is created by cold-forming a heavy carbon steel plate. The LSAW pipe manufacturing process results in a straight seam that spans the entire length of a pipe on the outside.

Spiral Welded Pipe

This type of pipe is the result of winding a steel plate or HR coil into the shape of a spiral. Spiral welded pipe is easy and affordable to produce and results in a sizeable amount of pipe thickness.

All types of steel pipe are subject to quality control inspections after their production. They may also be modified according to a customer’s requirements for a particular project.

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Steel pipe is a very generic term as they are made from different types of steel and hence exhibit different properties. Depending on the usage, application and other requirements, material of the steel pipe changes. Read on to know more about steel pipes, types and manufacturing processes.

Steel is one of the most versatile materials, which is used in many applications including railing, wires, bars, angles, roofing sheets, auto components, etc. Likewise, pipes and tubes are another important application of steel. Some of the benefits of steel pipes include strength and durability.

Pipes made from steel are used in varied industries including infrastructure, oil & gas, automotive, transport and so on. Therefore, the demand for steel pipes is high in the country. According to a media report by Business World, the market size of steel pipes is estimated to be ₹50,000-55,000 crore.

Types of steel pipes

Steel pipes can be classified in two ways such as types of steel pipes according to type of steel used or types of steel pipes as per their manufacturing method.

According to the steel type

Steel pipes are made mainly from 4 types of steel. They are listed below:

Carbon steel pipes

Carbon steel pipes are the most common type of steel pipe. Since the amount of alloy material is lower, carbon steel pipes are easy to fabricate and weld. As a result, they are widely used in many industries. Pipes made of carbon steel are especially used in marine, oil & gas and automotive industries for transportation. They are not suitable for any high-pressure applications as they become less durable in extreme conditions. Carbon steel pipes are available in seamed and seamless types.

Stainless steel pipes

Stainless steel is another important material for manufacturing pipes. About 10-13% chromium is added to make it stainless steel. Since stainless steel is a highly corrosion resistant material, it is ideal to be used in extreme conditions and high pressures. Therefore, pipes made of stainless steel are widely used in sectors such as water purification, medical, marine, and so on.

Alloy steel pipes

Alloy steel pipes are made by the addition of different metals such as nickel, chromium, manganese, copper, etc. Depending on the use, the composition of the alloying element ranges between 1-50 weight percent. Moreover, it can be customised as per the requirement as mechanical properties, features, etc., change depending on the alloying element and its composition. Alloy steel pipes are generally used in sectors such as chemicals, petrochemicals, refineries, and so on.

Galvanised steel pipes

Galvanised steel pipes are mainly used for water distribution. Some of the advantages of galavanised steel is durability and corrosion resistance. Galvanised steel pipes are believed to last for 40-50 years. One of the disadvantages of pipes made from galvanised steel includes difficulty to cut and thread and install.

Also read: Steel tubing

According to a manufacturing method

On the basis of manufacturing methods, steel pipes can be differentiated into two categories.

  • Seamless steel pipes
  • Welded pipes

How are steel pipes made?

The processes of manufacturing seamless pipes and welded pipes are different. However, the initial process of making steel from iron ore to steel remains the same. Here is what happens next, the process of making seamless and welded types are made:

Seamless steel pipes: Steel pipes which have no welds on their surfaces are called seamless steel pipes. These pipes are made by heating steel billets and then moulding them in a cylinder shape. These cylinders are further heather and rolled to make seamless pipes.

Welded pipes: As the name suggests, these pipes are welded during the manufacturing process. To manufacture these pipes, first, steel slabs are heated. Then, they are hot rolled into skelp. And then, they are coiled and elongated. There are further three types of welded pipes namely, electric-resistance welded pipe or ERW pipe, Longitudinal welded pipe (LSAW) and spiral welded pipe.

Procuring steel pipes

Multiple small scale and large-scale companies manufacture steel pipes of various kinds. Depending on the requirement, you can directly procure from the respective manufacturer. Alternatively, you can procure steel products from Tata nexarc. You can quickly post your requirement such as type of requirement, quantity, etc. Evaluate quotes received from suppliers and choose the supplier that suits you the best. Pricing of steel pipes varies on type, size and quantity required. Roughly they are available in the range of ₹180-₹400/kg.

Conclusion: Choosing the right steel pipe

In order to select the right steel pipe, determine your requirements to select the right type of steel pipe for your project. There is a wide range of pipes available in the market. Apart from steel, pipes are made of PVC, copper, ABS and so on. Study and understand the wide range of products available in the market. Select the best one that suits your requirements.

What is the process of steel pipes?

All about steel pipes: Type, manufacturing process, and more

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