All You Need to Know about Materials and Applications of Steel Pipes

Humankind has been using hollow cylindrical tubes, for many different things for thousands of years. Although virtually any material can be used to make pipes, metals are now increasingly frequently used since modern pipes must be more than just hollow tubes used to transfer fluid. Steel is a metal alloy that offers a wide range of mechanical and chemical properties that can be used in even the most demanding applications. As a result, seamless steel pipes and welded pipes are most commonly used in a wide range of applications today for structural and manufacturing needs as well as transportation. Due to application requirements, steel pipes can be made using a variety of steel grades and production techniques. 

About Pipe:  

Long, hollow steel pipes are utilized in a wide range of settings for a wide range of purposes. Pipes are the steel industry’s most popular product due to their versatility. They are frequently utilized to transport both small solid particles and fluid substances that can flow. Due to their tremendous strength, they can also be used in construction for things like heating and plumping or in the underground transmission of water and gas through cities. For thousands of years, people have used and created pipes for a variety of uses. Long, hollow steel pipes are utilized in a wide range of settings for a wide range of purposes. Pipes are the steel industry’s most popular product due to their versatility. They are frequently utilized to transport both small solid particles and fluid substances that can flow. Due to their tremendous strength, they can also be used in construction for things like heating and plumping or in the underground transmission of water and gas through cities. For thousands of years, people have used and created pipes for a variety of uses. 

Application Areas of Steel Pipes:  

Structures, transportation, and manufacturing are all industries that have significant usage of pipes. According to the application, various materials, design features, and production techniques for steel pipes have been evolving. 

Structural Usage 

Building and construction that uses steel tubes as a building material are generally referred to as structural utilization. In order to offer additional stability and strength to very tall buildings or constructions, steel tubes are used. End-bearing piles and friction piles, both of which serve the purpose of distributing the weight of the building, are two forms of steel pipes that are used in structural applications. Before laying the foundation, steel pipes are driven deeply into the ground in certain applications, providing excellent support for the building, especially when the ground is unstable. Scaffolding poles, which enable construction workers to access all inaccessible sections of the building, are another structural use for steel pipes.  

Usage in Manufacturing 

Steel pipes are used in manufacturing for a wide range of applications. One of the most popular ways to give a safety element for staircases and balconies, or for bicycles and pedestrians on the street, is with guard rails. Steel pipes can be used as security bollards, which are intended to block off space from vehicle traffic in order to safeguard persons, structures, or infrastructure. Additionally, steel pipes are a choice for exterior site furnishings. Steel tubes are bent to produce several commercial bike racks. Steel has a high level of strength and toughness, making it secure against robbers. 

Usage in Transportation 

The most common usage of steel pipes is the transportation of products since the characteristics of the raw material are very suitable for long-term installations. As, it has mentioned before, different applications require different properties, for low-pressure applications it is not expected for a steel pipe to exhibit ultra-high strength since it is not exposed to significant loading. More specialized applications to be used in the oil and gas industry may require more stringent specifications due to the hazardous nature of the product and the possibility of increasing pressure. These requirements bring a higher cost and quality control becomes more critical. 

Design Parameters of Steel Pipes 

There are two types of pipes seamless and welded seams, and both have different uses. Seamless pipes are generally thinner and lighter; thus, they are most widely used in bicycle production and fluid transportation. Seamed pipes are more heavy and rigid to obtain better consistency and durability. Pipes that are used for gas transportation, electrical conduit, and plumbing are generally seamed. During production, several parameters should be controlled to maintain the required properties for the application. As an example, the diameter of a pipe is designed directly related to how it will be used. While pipes with a smaller diameter may be used for hypodermic needles, large-diameter pipes may be used for transport through cities. Wall thickness is also an important parameter to control since it directly affects the pipe’s strength and flexibility. Length, coating, and end finish are also other controllable parameters that are all related to each other as will be explained later.  

Steel Types Used in Pipes 

Carbon Steels 

Approximately 90% of the world’s steel pipe manufacturing is made of carbon steel. They often perform poorly when used alone and include a small quantity of alloying materials. Since they have adequate mechanical characteristics and machinability, they could be more affordable and preferable for applications with a focus on low stress. Carbon steels are less suitable for use in high-pressure applications and harsh environments because they lack alloying elements, making them less resistant to high loads. Carbon steels may be preferred for pipes primarily due to their superior ductility and resistance to bending under load. They are typically employed in the transportation of oil and gas, as well as in the automobile and maritime industries. The carbon steel grades A500, A53, A106, and A252 can be utilized either as welded or seamless.  

Alloyed Steel 

A pipe’s resistance to high-stress situations and high pressures is increased by the inclusion of alloying elements, which enhance the mechanical characteristics of steel. Nickel, chromium, manganese, copper, and other elements with weight percentages ranging from 1 to 50 are the most common alloying components. The mechanical and chemical qualities of an alloy are affected in various ways by the amount of each alloying element used, therefore the chemical makeup of steel is also altered to meet the needs of various applications. In the oil and gas sector, refineries, petrochemicals, and chemistry companies, as well as other environments with heavy loads and unstable circumstances, alloyed steel pipes are frequently utilized.  

Stainless Steel 

The family of alloyed steels might also contain stainless steel. Chromium, whose weight percentage in stainless steel ranges from 10 to 20 weight percent, is the principal alloying component. The primary goal of adding chromium to steel is to give it stainless characteristics by reducing corrosion. In harsh environments where corrosion resistance and high strength are essential, such as in the oil and gas sector, the maritime industry, and water purification systems, stainless steel pipes are typically used. The stainless steel grades 304/304L and 316/316L can be used to make pipes. While 304 grade exhibits excellent corrosion resistance and strength, the 316 series has reduced strength and may be welded because of low carbon content.  

Galvanized Steels 

Steel pipes that have been coated with zinc to prevent corrosion are known as galvanized pipes. Corrosive chemicals are prevented from corroding the pipe with a zinc coating. Galvanized pipe was previously the most popular type of pipe used for water supply lines, but due to the effort and time required to cut, thread, and install galvanized pipe, it is now only sometimes utilized outside of repairs. These pipes can range in diameter from 12 mm (0.5 inches) to 15 cm (6 inches). They come in 6 meters (20 feet) length options. Galvanized pipe is still used in bigger commercial applications for water delivery, nevertheless. The 40–50-year lifespan of galvanized pipes is a significant drawback. Although the steel is covered in a zinc coating that prevents exterior chemicals from reacting with it and corroding it, if the conveyed substances are corrosive, the pipe may begin to erode from the inside. Galvanized steel pipes must thus be maintained and upgraded at specified times.  

Pipe Types 

According to the production processes, pipes are divided into two groups: seamless pipes and seamed pipes. Seamed pipes need to be welded after rolling, whereas seamless pipes may be made in one step during rolling. Seamed pipes can be divided into two groups based on the geometry of the seams, which can be either helical or straight. Although there is some disagreement about whether seamless or seamed steel pipes are superior, both welded and seamless pipe manufacturers are able to make steel pipes with excellent quality, dependability, and corrosion resistance. When choosing a pipe type, the application criteria and financial factors should be the major considerations.  

Seamless Pipes 

In order to create seamless steel pipes, sophisticated methods often involve drilling hollows from billets, followed by cold drawing and cold rolling. When compared to welded tubes, seamless tubes are more difficult to manage for outer diameter and wall thickness. Cold work increases mechanical qualities and tolerances. The ability to manufacture seamless pipes with heavy and substantial wall thicknesses is their main benefit. They are said to display greater mechanical qualities and corrosion resistance than seamed pipes since they don’t have a weld seam. Also anticipated from seamless pipes is a superior ovality or roundness. They are often employed more frequently in applications involving harsh environmental factors including high pressure, high loading, and strong corrosivity.  

Welded Pipes 

The welded steel pipe is made by joining two steel plates that have been rolled into a tubular shape by a seam or a spiral seam. Depending on the outside dimension, wall thickness, and intended usage, there are many techniques for making welded pipes. A heated steel billet or flat strip is used in each procedure, which is followed by stretching, pressing together, and joining with a weld to create a pipe. Seamed pipes have tighter tolerances but have thinner walls than seamless pipes. Other factors, such as quicker lead times and lower prices, may favor seaming pipes versus seamless steel pipes. However, since weld seams may constitute sensitive areas that may be suitable for any crack to propagate and lead to fracture of the pipe, surface finishing of outside and inside of the pipe should be controlled during production.