Pipes are one of the most used components in various industries. People use pipes for transporting fluids, gases, and other materials from one place to another. Pipes can be made from various materials, including steel, copper, plastic, and more. Steel pipes are one of the most commonly used types in different industries, such as construction, oil and gas, and water treatment plants. Therefore, we can divide steel pipes can be divided into two categories: seamless pipes and welded pipes.
Seamless and welded pipes significantly differ in their manufacturing process, physical characteristics, and applications. Keep reading if you want to explore the differences between seamless and welded pipes.
Manufacturing Process:
The seamless tubes and pipe manufacturing process involves piercing a hot steel billet or a solid cylindrical steel rod to form a hollow tube. This process is called hot rolling. The manufacturer subjects the hollow tubes to processes such as annealing, pickling, and cold drawing to improve their dimensional accuracy, surface finish, and mechanical properties. Seamless tube manufacturers manufacture the tubes without any welding or joining process.
On the other hand, welded pipes are made by welding two or more pieces of steel together. The welding process involves melting the edges of two pieces of steel and then fusing them together using heat and pressure. Manufacturers use different welding techniques, such as electric resistance welding (ERW), submerged arc welding (SAW), and high-frequency induction welding (HFIW), to produce welded pipes.
Physical Characteristics:
Seamless and welded pipes have some significant differences in their physical characteristics. Seamless tubes and pipes have a uniform and consistent thickness throughout their entire length. This uniformity makes seamless pipes more robust and more reliable than welded pipes. Seamless tubes and pipes are also more resistant to corrosion and erosion than welded pipes.
Welded pipes, conversely, have a weld seam running along their entire length. The weld seam can cause weakness in the pipe, making it more susceptible to corrosion, erosion, and fatigue. Welded pipes also have a slightly thicker wall than seamless pipes due to the added thickness of the weld seam. This added thickness can make welded pipes heavier and more expensive than seamless ones.
Applications:
Seamless and welded pipes have different applications in various industries. For example, seamless tubes are commonly used in high-pressure and high-temperature applications such as oil and gas drilling, chemical processing, and power generation. Also, due to their strength and reliability, the automotive and aerospace industries depend on seamless tube manufacturers to produce pipes and tubes they can use.
Welded pipes are more common in low-pressure applications such as water supply, irrigation, and plumbing. Welded pipes are also used in the construction industry for structural applications such as scaffolding, fencing, and handrails. Even though most companies in the oil and gas industry prefer using seamless tubes for transporting oil and gas, some companies use welded pipes for transporting oil and gas over short distances.
Cost:
The cost of seamless and welded pipes can vary significantly depending on their size, material, and manufacturing process. In general, seamless tubes and pipes are more expensive than welded pipes due to their manufacturing process and higher quality. Welded pipes require less processing and have a lower material cost, which makes them more affordable than seamless tubes and pipes. Seamless pipes, on the other hand, require more processing and have a higher material cost, which makes them more expensive than welded pipes. However, welded pipes are not as long-lasting as seamless ones. Hence, it is more expensive to maintain welded pipes than seamless tubes and pipes.
Final thoughts:
Seamless and welded pipes significantly differ in their manufacturing process, physical characteristics, applications, and cost. Seamless tubes and pipes are manufactured without welding or joining, making them more robust and reliable than welded pipes.
Seamless tubes and pipes are also more resistant to corrosion and erosion than welded pipes. Welded pipes, on the other hand, have a weld seam running along their entire length, which can cause weakness in the pipe, making it more susceptible to corrosion, erosion, and fatigue.
Welded pipes are commonly used in low-pressure applications such as water supply, irrigation, and plumbing. In contrast, seamless pipes are typical in high-pressure and high-temperature applications such as oil and gas drilling, chemical processing, and power generation.
When choosing between seamless and welded pipes, it is essential to consider the specific requirements of your application. For example, a seamless tube or pipe may be the best choice if you require a strong, reliable, and corrosion-resistant tube or pipe. On the other hand, if you need a more affordable pipe suitable for low-pressure applications, a welded pipe may be a better option.
