Industrial pipe selection guide: Comparison of seamless and welded pipe characteristics

Industrial pipelines refer to devices connected by pipes, pipe fittings and valves for conveying gas, liquid or fluid with solid particles. Usually, the fluid flows from the high pressure to the low pressure of the pipeline after being pressurized by blowers, compressors, pumps and boilers. It can also be conveyed by the pressure of the fluid itself or gravity. Pipes are widely used, mainly in water supply, drainage, heating, gas supply, long-distance transportation of oil and natural gas, agricultural irrigation, hydraulic engineering and various industrial devices.

Seamless pipes vs welded pipes: How to choose industrial pipes?

Differences in production processes:

1. Seamless steel pipes are hot-rolled or cold-drawn, and a continuous pipe body is formed by perforating a solid steel billet. The overall structure is uniform and seamless. This processing method ensures the uniformity and structural integrity of the pipe.

2. After the welded steel pipe is formed by rolling, the seam is welded by high-frequency electric resistance welding (ERW), submerged arc welding (SAW) and other processes, and there is a clear weld area. The presence of welds may introduce microscopic defects, which require post-processing to improve quality.

Mechanical properties comparison:
1. Seamless steel pipes have higher tensile strength, corrosion resistance, high temperature stability and pressure resistance due to the absence of welded weak areas. The bursting pressure is usually 20-30% higher than that of welded pipes of the same specification. This type of pipe is used in key facilities such as aircraft engine hydraulic pipelines and nuclear power plant main steam pipelines.

2. Welded steel pipes are limited by the heat-affected zone of the weld, and the mechanical properties are anisotropic, but modern welding technology has significantly improved the quality of welds. Performance can be improved through appropriate heat treatment, and it is usually used in gas pipeline systems with working pressures below 10MPa.

Applicable working condition analysis:

1. Seamless steel pipes are suitable for:
- Hydraulic systems with working pressure exceeding 10MPa
- Steam pipes with temperatures exceeding 350℃
- Corrosive medium delivery pipelines

2. Welded steel pipes are suitable for:
- Building structure supports
- Low-pressure fluid delivery systems
- Non-standard pipes that require on-site modification

Economic evaluation:

1. The production cost of seamless steel pipes is relatively high, and the material utilization rate is about 70-80%, which is suitable for small batches and high requirements.
2. Welded steel pipes can be produced continuously, with a material utilization rate of more than 95%, and have obvious price advantages in the field of large-diameter pipes.

Quality control points:

1. Seamless steel pipes need to focus on testing wall thickness uniformity and ovality.
2. Welded steel pipes must undergo non-destructive testing of welds, including X-ray flaw detection and ultrasonic testing.

Application scenario selection guide:
Seamless steel pipes must be used for working conditions involving high pressure, corrosion or extreme temperatures, such as deep-sea oil and gas extraction and aerospace propulsion systems. Conventional applications such as urban gas pipelines and low-pressure water pipelines can use more cost-effective welded pipes.

The correct selection of pipes requires comprehensive consideration of pressure level, medium characteristics, use environment and budget constraints. The two pipes can be used in combination under certain conditions to optimize cost-effectiveness.

Read more: Seamless Pipe vs Welded Pipe Price or Carbon Steel vs Black Steel