Welded vs. Seamless Steel Pipe

The piping products and systems that serve industrial applications have evolved along with them as they have become more complex. The most prominent discussion in the pipe manufacturing industry is between electric resistance welded vs. seamless steel pipe, both of which have been in use for decades. Over time, the manufacturing methods for both ERW and seamless steel pipes have improved. Which is better? 

Manufacturing Welded Pipe

The welded pipe made up of long, coiled ribbons of steel called skelps that cut to the desired length. This results in a flat rectangular sheet. The width of the shorter ends of that sheet will use to calculate the pipe’s future outside diameter. In the ERW process, high-frequency electrical current passed between the edges of rectangular sheets, melting and fusing them together.

In comparison to double submerged arc welding (DSAW), which leaves behind an obvious weld bead that needs to be eliminated depending on the application, ERW pipe doesn’t use fusion metals and the weld seam can’t be seen or felt.

It is likely that the most important advancement has been the switch to high-frequency electric currents for welding welded pipes. Before the 1970s, low-frequency electric currents were used. The seams produced by low-frequency ERW are more likely to corrode and fail. After manufacture, most welded pipe types require heat treatment.

Manufacturing Seamless Pipe

In order to create seamless piping, a solid cylindrical piece of steel called a billet pierced through the center with a mandrel while still hot, then rolled and stretched. A billet precisely rolled and stretched to meet the customer’s orders regarding length, diameter, and wall thickness.

In some seamless pipe types, heat treatment is not needed after manufacturing. In others, heat treatment required. Consult the specification of the seamless pipe type you’re considering.

Historical Perspectives and Use Cases for Welded vs. Seamless Steel Pipe

ERW and seamless steel piping have primarily been favoured due to traditional views. A welded pipe was seen as more vulnerable because of the joined seam, while a seamless pipe was thought to be more secure. However, with modern manufacturing processes and quality control, welded pipe is just as reliable so long as its specifications not exceeded. On the other hand, one criticism of seamless pipes is that when the metal rolled and stretched it can lead to an inconsistent wall thickness contrasting with welding which uses sheets with a predetermined thickness.

Industry standards still reflect the widely-held perception that seamless pipe best suited for high-pressure and high-temperature applications in oil & gas, power generation and pharmaceuticals, while welded piping is better for other uses providing it can meet the parameters outlined in said standard. The latter is frequently more economical to make and generally easier to find. 

There is no difference in performance between ERW and seamless steel pipe in structural applications. While the two can use interchangeably, it makes little sense to specify seamless when cheaper welded pipe would suffice.

Good Purchasing Practice for Welded & Seamless Steel Pipe

As piping products are specified for a project, engineers need to note that the specification books they use to write specifications (such as those provided by ASTM, ASME, ANSI, and API, among others) only list pipe grades, without referencing whether the pipes are ERW or seamless. Both methods cannot use to make all grades.

A potential mix-up can occur, for example, if an engineer specifies welded pipe with a large outside diameter and wall thickness without realizing that it cannot manufacture. It is likely that this error will not be noticed until a pipe supplier notified the customer that the order cannot be fulfilled.

A good understanding of industry standards can also lead to cost savings. For example, the A106 and A53 carbon steel pipe standards are excellent examples. We discuss in this article how pipes that comply with the former must be seamless, whereas pipes that comply with the latter can be either seamless or welded. In the case of an engineer following the A53 standard on a given project, the engineer may still be able to choose which type to specify based on the application’s specifics.

Show Us Your Specs, Request a Quote and Get Your Pipe Fast

The best inventory of welded and seamless steel piping products in the industry is always available at IBC (Tianjin) Industrial Co., Ltd. Regardless of any applicable statutory restrictions, we source our stock from mills around the world, ensuring buyers get the pipe they need faster.

In our steel pipe buyer’s guide, we’ll help you navigate the piping procurement process from start to finish to ensure you get what you need as quickly as possible when the time comes. Request a quote if you plan to purchase piping soon. We’ll give you one that gets you the products you need quickly.

DIN 1.2581 HOT WORK TOOL STEEL

Contact with IBC Metal Group Today!





    Related Products

    Multi-Rifled Seamless Tube | Improved Boiler Efficiency
    Boiler Efficiency Breakthrough: The Science of Multi-Rifled Seamless Tubes Modern industries rely …
    Heat Resistant Stainless Pipe Manufacturing: Process Explained
    The Engineered Journey: Crafting Heat Resistant Stainless Pipes Heat resistant stainless pipes …
    SA 213 TP347H U Bend Tube Supplier | Boiler Superheater Parts
    Why TP347H Outperforms in Superheaters TP347H’s niobium-stabilized austenitic structure prevents carbide precipitation …
    Straight Seam Hot Expanded Steel Pipe | A Comprehensive Guide
    Industrial projects requiring large-diameter steel pipes with precise dimensions often face cost …
    What Is EN 10025 S355 Steel: Properties & Applications
    EN 10025 S355 steel stands as a cornerstone material in European structural …
    ML37Cr Cold Heading Steel Bar: Properties, Uses & Benefits
    The ML37Cr cold heading steel bar consistently delivers, emerging as a top choice …
    Aluminum Perforated Sheet Guide: Sizes, Uses & Benefits
    Aluminum perforated sheet is a versatile engineered material prized across industries for its …
    Choosing the Right Spring Steel Grades for Automotive Applications
    Getting the right spring for your automotive component is non-negotiable. Performance, safety, …
    Mild Steel Angle | Cut To Size
    When your project demands structural integrity and precise dimensions, mild steel angle …
    Q345NS Acid-Resistant Steel Plate: Global Hot Seller | IBC Supply
    Looking for top-quality Q345NS acid-resistant steel plate? You're not alone! This versatile …
    The Density of Corten EN 10025-5 Steel Materials
    Corten EN 10025-5 steel, renowned for its atmospheric corrosion resistance, possesses a …
    How to Polish Metal: Restore Shine in 7 Steps
    Why Polish Metal? How to polish metal? Polishing removes scratches, rust, and …
    Roll Parameters Boost 75Cr1 Cold Rolled Steel Spheroidization
    In the demanding world of high-performance tooling and blades, 75Cr1 steel is …
    Advanced Shipbuilding Plates: Building the Steel-Shipyard Win-Win Chain
    The global shipbuilding industry is navigating complex waters – surging demand for specialized …
    Cryo Treatment’s Impact on Nuclear Low Carbon Steel
    Nuclear power demands materials performing flawlessly under extreme conditions. Reactor pressure vessels …
    ASTM A333 Low Temperature Steel Pipes
    Professional Manufacturing Process: Precision from Molten Steel to Finished Pipe The production …
    Shipbuilding Steel BV Grade AH32 vs. DH32
    Unlock the secrets of high-strength shipbuilding steel grades. Choosing between Bureau Veritas (BV) …
    The Ultimate Guide to EN10149 S420NC Steel Sheet
    When searching for high-strength cold-forming normalized steel, EN10149 S420NC stands out as …