Views: 254 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-08-02 Origin: Site
Steel pipes form the hidden circulatory system of modern civilisation, transporting water, fuel and energy under our cities, into our homes and across continents. But how are these precision pipes made from crude steel? There are three main production methods, each with unique advantages suited to particular requirements.
Seamless tube production involves moulding molten steel into hollow tubes. First, the solid bar is heated to 1260°C (2300°F), making it shine like a miniature sun. Then, a section of the bar is pulled out from the centre and stretched into a hollow tube body by rollers. The tube then passes through a cutter that stretches and inflates it to its exact dimensions.
Benefits: These pipes are weld-free, withstand overwhelming pressures and extreme temperatures, making them ideal for oil wells, nuclear reactors and high-pressure steam pipes. Their consistent strength makes them the gold standard for critical infrastructure.
Welded Pipes: Precision Through Electricity & Fusion
Welded pipes provide high efficiency when kilometres of pipe or scaffolding are needed. There are two main methods:
Electric Resistance Welding (ERW): steel coils are unwound, formed into a tube by passing through forming rollers and then melted by an electric current.
For large tubes (up to 80 inches in diameter), the steel sheet is bent into a cylinder and then welded inside/outside using flux-cored powder. This welding method can be used for leak-tight joints in water or gas piping.
Benefits: Cost-effectiveness, scalability and versatility. From domestic water pipes to skyscraper construction, welded pipes meet everyday needs in a very consistent way.
Why is this approach important? Pipe applications :
Oil and gas exploration: seamless steel pipe withstands deep sea pressures and corrosive sour gases.
Municipal water supply systems: arc-welded steel pipe can carry clean water for hundreds of kilometres.
Bicycle frames.
Power plants: cast iron pipes withstand high-temperature steam for decades.