Electric resistance welded (ERW) steel pipes are used extensively in the shipping, oil, and gas industries. It may be used in different applications and they are economical and reliable. Several steps are followed in the making of ERW steel pipes, which give high quality, and durable pipes. This article gives an insight into how ERW Steel Pipe are made and why they are important?
What is Tuspipe ERW Steel Pipe?
Steel coils or plates are welded using electric resistance heat to create Tuspipe ERW steel pipes. A current of electricity is sent through the metal’s edges throughout this operation, and the metal will fuse when the heat compresses the edges. The outcome is a high tensile strength steel pipe that can be applied in various fields and the pipe is very hard.
Raw Material Selection
The first of these processes is material selection; ERW steel pipes are manufactured from steel. ERW pipes are made from steel coils or steel plates. Because it defines a pipe’s ability to bear weight and resist corrosion and other forms of wear, the characteristics of the pipe may be largely a reflection of the raw materials that go into its making. Carbon steel is mostly preferred for use but alloy steels may be used where specific requirements are needed. The raw materials that are used in the manufacture of pipes are selected depending on the use of the pipes to be produced and the specifications required.
Edge Preparation
Following on with the process of straightening, in the next step the edges of the steel strips are conditioned for welding. The edges are normally chamfered or cut to give a smooth finish to the edges to be welded. One of the critical points for preparation is the edge itself since the quality of the weld is going to depend on it. Some of the drawbacks include failure to achieve strong bonds at these edges, often causing the entire structure to fail under pressure or stress that was not properly prepared on the edges of the substrate.
Forming
Following the previous stage of the ERW steel pipe manufacturing process is the forming stage. In this stage, the straightened steel strip is rolled in a way that will give it the necessary diameter and circular cross-sectional geometry. Contrary to the impression one might have, these rollers work by shaping the steel into a circular form to prepare it for welding. The forming process should be very accurate so that the pipe formed has the right dimensions. Even a slight deviation from the specifications of the pipe affects its carrying capacity and its quality.
Welding
The last and most important process in the manufacturing of the ERW steel pipe is welding. During this stage, the edges of the formed steel strip are edge welded in an electric resistance welding process. This is done by letting an electric current go through the edges of the steel where the edges heat up and when pressure is applied, join seamlessly. The heat produced by the electrical resistance leaves the two edges of the steel strip fused together forging a strong weld. The process is fast and efficient and the weld produced is strong and of uniform thickness.
Cooling and Sizing
After the pipe is welded, it has to be allowed to cool to room; temperature depending on the size and material of the pipe in question. Cooling is important in making the weld stronger and tougher for all types of welding processes, Aluminum welding is commonly used in the automobile industry due to its lightweight, many manufacturers use aluminum because of this reason. When cool it is taken through sizing machines which brings its diameter and wall thickness to the necessary sizes. Through sizing, thickness control is achieved to meet marketability standards and have the correct shape and size.
Inspection and Testing
Once the pipe has been shaped, welded, and sized it undergoes several checking and quality control tests to confirm its strength and durability. The pipes are inspected in several aspects such as the dimensions, weldability, and the surface of pipes. Typical non-destructive testing methods include hydro tests and eddy current tests. These tests assist in identifying any sort of flaws or shortcomings of the pipe and thus the company does not relay substandard products to the customers.
Conclusion
The ERW steel pipe production process is one of the most efficient and cost effective processes of manufacturing steel pipes. These steps are crucial to the final product’s strength, durability, and functionality. By knowing these stages, manufacturers can be able to manufacture ERW steel pipes that can withstand the various demands of various industries such as construction, oil, and gas among others. The continuous advancement in ERW steel pipe manufacturing also guarantees the pipes to be valuable and a necessity in the market demands.
