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.
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.
Steel pipes are made mainly from 4 types of steel. They are listed below:
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 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 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 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
On the basis of manufacturing methods, steel pipes can be differentiated into two categories.
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.
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.
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.
Steel pipes have countless applications, but their basic purpose is to channel liquid or gas from one place to the next. They are used in both large-scale transportation systems buried beneath cities and smaller piping systems used in residential and commercial buildings. They are also used in industrial manufacturing plants and construction sites. Indeed, there is virtually no end to steel pipe applications, and this impressive versatility is all thanks to the strength and flexibility of steel as a structural material. Let’s take a closer look at the types of steel that are used in pipes.
Carbon steel is the most common type of steel used in pipes. Its chemical makeup has relatively low amounts of alloying materials, which makes it easy to fabricate with a beam machine and helps keep costs down. Generally used in the automotive, marine, and oil and gas industries, carbon steel pipe offers impressive strength under loading.
Adding alloys, such as copper, nickel, chromium, and manganese, to steel improves its performance. Alloyed steel pipe is ideal for high loadings and unstable conditions, making it a popular option for oil and gas, petro-chemical, and refining operations.
Stainless steel is a material that has been enhanced with a chromium alloy to resist corrosion. Stainless steel pipe is universally used, therefore, in the marine industry and by companies that produce medicine, purify drinking water, and have similar applications where a corrosion-free piping system is required.
Similar to stainless steel, galvanized steel is alloyed with a corrosion-resistant metal, this time zinc. Though zinc helps galvanized steel pipe resist corrosion, its performance isn’t as strong as stainless steel, and the pipe may, in fact, corrode over time. Plus, its lifespan is only around 50 years. Though once popular in residential plumbing systems, galvanized steel pipe is primarily used for industrial piping systems today.
No matter what type of steel is used in pipes, having the right equipment for fabrication is essential for professional metal fabricators specializing in steel pipe and tube production. BeamCut is industry-leading fabrication technology that can optimize your materials, speed up production at your shop, and reduce your overhead.
BeamCut can process any shape or profile in the industry, including pipe and HSS. Equipped with hydraulic clamps (included standard), BeamCut correctly positions the material on the infeed conveyor and firmly holds it in place, preventing rotation during processing. It is also available with a round tube cutter. And with the automated software controlling the plasma torch, you can expect perfect cuts every time.
BeamCut’s CNC software is a cinch to use. Simply pull in the desired profile from the shapes library or CAD, load the steel material, and press the start button. This remarkable structural steel and plate fabrication machine can reduce your production time by as much as 80%, a substantial return on investment!
The CNC software not only prevents cutting mistakes and the wasted costs of damaged materials, but it also makes BeamCut so easy to use that it only requires one technician to operate, helping you save on labor costs.
To learn more about BeamCut, the industry’s most advanced beam machine and pipe-cutting technology, contact us today. When you do, ask about the free and unlimited lifetime support that we’ll include with your purchase.
Want more information on Nitrogen Fertilizer Wholesaler, NPK Liquid Organic Fertilizer, Potassium Phosphate Fertilizer? Feel free to contact us.