Sep. 30, 2024
Construction & Real Estate
Stainless steel tubing is one of the most versatile metal alloy materials used in manufacturing and fabrication. The two common types of tubing are seamless and welded. Deciding between welded vs. seamless tubing primarily depends on the application requirements of the product. In choosing between the two keep in mind that first, the tubing must be compliant with your project specifications and that secondly, it must meet the conditions for which the tubing will ultimately be used.
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Though both the words tube and pipe are often used interchangeably, largely because both are hollow-shaped, there are important distinctions between the two when determining welded vs. seamless tubing needs. Tubes are measured by the outside diameter (OD) and wall thickness. A pipe, on the other hand, is measured by its inside diameter (ID). In terms of functionality, tubing is generally used in structural and aesthetic applications whereas piping is used for transporting fluids, liquids, and gases.
Knowing that distinction can also help in determining which tubing is best for a given application, welded or seamless. The method of manufacturing welded and seamless tubing is evident in their names alone. Seamless tubes are as defined &#; they do not have a welded seam. The tubing is manufactured through an extrusion process where the tube is drawn from a solid stainless steel billet and extruded into a hollow form. The billets are first heated and then formed into oblong circular molds that are hollowed in a piercing mill. While hot, the molds are drawn through a mandrel rod and elongated. The mandrel milling process increases the mold&#;s length by twenty times to form a seamless tube shape. Tubing is further shaped through pilfering, a cold rolling process, or cold drawing.
A welded stainless steel tube is produced through roll-forming strips or sheets of stainless steel into a tube shape and then welding the seam longitudinally. Welded tubing can be accomplished either by hot-forming and cold-forming processes. Of the two, cold forming results in smoother finishes and tighter tolerances. However, each method creates a durable, strong, steel tube that resists corrosion. The seam can be left beaded or it can be further worked by cold rolling and forging methods. The welded tube can also be drawn similarly to seamless tubing to produce a finer weld seam with better surface finishes and tighter tolerances.
There are benefits and drawbacks in choosing welded vs. seamless tubing.
By definition, seamless tubes are completely homogenous tubes, the properties of which give seamless tubing more strength, superior corrosion resistance, and the ability to withstand higher pressure than welded tubes. This makes them more suitable in critical applications in harsh environments, but it comes with a price.
Benefits
Applications
Welded tubing is generally less expensive than seamless tubing due to the simpler manufacturing process in creating welded tubing. It is also readily available, like seamless tubing, in long continuous lengths. Standard sizes can be produced with similar lead times for both welded and seamless tubing. Seamless tubing costs can be offset in smaller manufacturing runs if less quantity is required. Otherwise, though custom-sized seamless tubing can be produced and delivered more quickly, it is more costly.
Benefits
Applications
Costs of seamless and welded tubing are also related to such properties as strength and durability. Welded tubing&#;s easier manufacturing process can produce larger diameter tubing with thinner wall sizes for less. Such properties are more difficult to produce in seamless tubing. On the other hand, heavy walls can be achieved more easily with seamless tubing. Seamless tubing is often preferred for heavy wall tubing applications that require or can withstand high pressure or perform in extreme environments.
Several factors combine to make stainless steel tubing an excellent choice for structural applications in industries ranging from automotive and aerospace to medical and marine. If you&#;re still unsure which tubing is best for your application, as a point of reference, though seamless tubing can be substituted for welded tubing, welded tubing can never be substituted for seamless tubing.
What are the differences between welded VS. seamless steel pipes?
Applications
Manufacturing
Pros
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Cost
As industrial and construction applications continue to develop, so do the materials they use. Piping products and systems that are crucial in these applications have evolved and grown more complex, resulting in a variety of pipe manufacturing methods.
Of all the types of pipes that exist, the most common and widely used products are welded and seamless steel pipes. Often, people wonder which is better for their application &#; which is why in this post, we discuss the differences between welded vs seamless steel pipes, and how to choose the best option.
Pipes are widely used in several industries today because they are highly functional and cost-effective products. They can be manufactured in different lengths and shapes, which allows them to be used in a variety of applications.
For welded steel pipes, the misconception is that they are much weaker as weld seams are perceived as a structural flaw. While it&#;s true that welds are a strength concern, welded pipes go through several quality assurance regimens to ensure that the welded pipe will perform as desired when its tolerances aren&#;t exceeded.
As a result, welded pipes are recommended for many different industries. Some of them are:
Food and beverage manufacturing
Pharmaceutical manufacturing
Automotive industry
Construction and mining industry
Architectural design
Pipelines
Seamless steel pipes offer unique mechanical properties &#; such as non-welded joints, uniform strength distribution, and increased pressure capacity &#; that allow them to perform reliably. They may be able to withstand more pressure, higher temperatures, and heavier weights than welded pipes.
As a result, seamless steel pipes are recommended in situations where environments may be more demanding, such as:
Chemical processing
Medical equipment manufacturing
Oil and gas lines
Hydraulic systems
High temperature and pressure systems
Nuclear power plants
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Water purification plants
Welded steel pipes start as steel plates and steel strips, called skelp. These pieces are bent and formed using a bending machine and rollers. When it reaches the proper thickness gauge, it is cut to the desired length and formed into a flat rectangular sheet. The width of the sheet&#;s shorter ends is the pipe&#;s outside circumference. This measurement is then used to estimate the pipe&#;s eventual outside diameter.
The pipe pieces are then welded together &#; sometimes using filler material. Most welded steel pipes are also put through a heat-treatment process. Depending on the application, the pipe may be welded using automated methods, or through human labor. The method used determines the quality of the weld and the welded pipe as a whole.
Seamless steel pipes start as a round piece of steel called a billet. The billet is heated until pliant, then stretched, rolled, and pushed using a frame until the billet forms a hollow shape. Another method for making seamless steel pipes is by pushing the billet through a perforated tube.
From there, a seamless steel pipe may be formed using hot-rolling, cold-rolling, or cold-drawn processes. A hot-rolled seamless pipe goes from forging the billet, to perforating, to rolling, to shaping. This method is used to make thick and large diameter seamless pipes. Cold-drawn seamless pipes are used to create products that are smaller in diameter or have thinner walls. It may also be used to create pipes with smoother internal surfaces.
There are many advantages to using a welded steel pipe for your application, such as:
Can be made in longer lengths &#; no sizing restrictions.
Manufacturing is cost- and time-efficient.
Generally has smoother surfaces.
Products are easier to make, so they&#;re readily available.
Shorter delivery time
Has thinner and more consistent wall thickness.
Is lighter in weight.
Possesses tighter tolerances.
Likewise, seamless steel pipes offer their own unique advantages that may put them above welded pipes, depending on the application. These advantages are:
Has thicker walls.
Has heavier weight.
Needs no welding. Thus, no additional metals or materials are needed.
No tests are required for weld integrity
Improved corrosion resistance and durability.
Improved &#;ovality&#; &#; a.k.a. &#;Roundness,&#;
Can withstand more pressure.
As with every metal product, welded steel pipes have their fair share of disadvantages, which are:
Welds are more prone to corrosion.
Must be tested extensively before use.
Reduced ovality due to welding and manufacturing processes.
Can&#;t withstand heavier weights or pressure.
Seamless steel pipes also have a few disadvantages that may make them unsuitable for your application, like:
Restricted lengths and sizes due to manufacturing difficulties &#; nominal size is 24 inches or less.
Manufacturing is costly.
Seamless pipes may be more difficult to procure.
The extrusion process creates a rough surface.
Inconsistent wall thickness.
The cost of steel pipes heavily relies on raw material availability, the amount of labor needed for production, and the complexity of the manufacturing process. The mechanical properties of steel pipes also influence the product price. Altogether, seamless steel pipes are more expensive than welded steel pipes due to their improved strength, scarcity of raw materials, and labor-intensive manufacturing process.
However, pricing may also vary throughout the year due to market pressure. There will be times when welded pipes will go up in price and become more expensive than seamless pipes. In these cases, it may be appropriate to purchase seamless steel pipe in the same dimensions instead, if budget is a concern.
Now that we&#;ve evaluated welded vs seamless steel pipes, you may have enough information on their key differences to choose the right pipe for your application. If you have questions, message Supreme Pipe today. We are the leading manufacturer and supplier of steel pipes in the Philippines, and we can help you pick out the best products for your project.
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