When planning to invest in piping solutions, seamless tubes and pipes are probably your first choices. The reason behind the popularity of seamless tubes is that these offer more benefits than any other piping solution in the market at present.
Regardless of the industry your business is in, you can use seamless tubes. You can generally use seamless tubes to transfer fluids from one place to another. However, you can also use the tubes for other purposes, such as boiler pipes, steam, heat release systems, the exhaust system of automobiles, etc.
However, many of you are still doubtful about choosing seamless tubes and pipes. Hence, you should first spend some time understanding what seamless pipes are and why these are ideal to be used in multiple industries. Once you know everything about seamless pipes, you can make your decision.
What are seamless pipes?
Before knowing the industries in which you can use seamless pipes, let us first try and understand what these pipes are. As you can perceive from the name, the pipes are seamless. Now, you may want to know why this is a big deal. Seamless tube manufacturers use different processes to produce these pipes. The idea behind producing these pipes is to offer better performance in whichever industry you want to use them in.
Hence, the manufacturers use steel billets that are solid cylinders of steel. The manufacturers then use a mandrel to pierce the billets. However, before piercing the billets, they heat them in a hearth furnace. Heating the billets makes it easier for the manufacturers to penetrate to create a hollow. Also, heating the billets removes impurities from their surface of them.
The mandrel the suppliers choose determines the diameter of the pipes. The bigger the mandrel, the greater the diameter is.
Why are seamless tubes and pipes better than welded pipes?
You may have heard that seamless pipes and tubes are better than welded ones. But you may not know why so. The reason is simple. Welded pipes have gaps because the suppliers of welded pipes use metal sheets as the base of the pipes. They bend the sheets to create cylindrical pipes. However, since the sheets are bent to give them the shape, the manufacturers need to weld the ends to seal them.
Welded pipes are cheaper than seamless pipes. But the pipes develop gaps and cracks with usage. As a result, if you use pipes to transfer liquids, you may witness a lot of waste. In addition, if you are using welded pipes in the chemical industry, it can be hazardous. Chemicals may seep through the cracks, and they can cause severe damage.
On the other hand, if you invest in seamless tubes and pipes, you know that the pipes are made from solid steel cylinders. Hence, the manufacturers do not weld any part of the pipes. Since there are no welded parts, you can safely transfer liquids without worrying about unwanted hazards.
Industries where you can use seamless pipes:
You name an industry and can use seamless pipes in that specific sector. The pipes are so versatile and reliable that you can safely install them without any worries. Let us look at some of such industries:
Shipbuilding:
Piping systems are very crucial in shipbuilding. First, you need to invest in a sound system, so the functionalities are not hampered. Also, you must ensure that the pipes you use can withstand extreme weather conditions because the ships spend most of their time in seawater. As you know, seawater is highly salty. Therefore, you need a piping system that will sustain corrosion caused by salt.
Besides, the ships will be exposed to freezing temperatures and even ice. So, the pipes that you use should be able to withstand the extremities.
Welded pipes may develop cracks because of the varying weather conditions. However, seamless tubes and pipes can withstand maximum cold and heat. Hence, you can maintain safety while ensuring the performance of the ships.
Petrochemical:
When you say petrochemical, you refer to the oil & gas industry. However, the petrochemical industry is vast, and there are many branches where you can use seamless pipes. For example, you can use seamless pipes and tubes to transport oil, gas, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, and much more. You can even transfer medicine and food from one place to another using the seamless tubes.
Since the seamless tube manufacturers use superior-quality graded steel, you can be sure of using them even in the most sensitive sectors, such as petrochemicals. When you transport medicine, adhesives, food, oil, and gas, you should be able to maintain the quality without contaminating them. Seamless pipes are precisely what you need. The pipes work well even under immense pressure. Since there are no gaps, you can rest assured that there will be no contamination when you transfer sensitive stuff like medicine, food, etc.
Automobile:
The automobile industry is one of the most common industries where you can use seamless pipes blindly. There are various parts of automobiles where pipes and tubes are necessary. The exhaust systems of cars and motorbikes are constantly exposed to heat and harmful gases. You need to use pipes that will sustain the heat.
Seamless tubes and pipes are solid and durable. Hence, once you install the pipes in the exhaust systems, they will last a long time. However, engine combustion of the automotive creates immense heat and releases harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, etc.
The exhaust systems you install in cars and motorbikes are subjected to these harmful substances. However, the superior steel and metal that the manufacturers use ensure that the pipes last even in this situation. Moreover, the pipes also ensure that you do not release unfiltered greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Boiler:
A boiler is a container you use to create and hold steam and vapor. You need a boiler in power plants such as nuclear power stations, electrical energy plants, fuel stations, etc. You must choose pipes that have thick walls and are high in quality. What can be better than choosing seamless tubes and pipes?
The pipes manufactured using hot rolling have thick walls. Hence, installing these pipes in your boiler system will ensure safety. Also, the seamlessness of the pipes means that you do not need to worry about explosions common in welded pipes.
The explosions happen when steam starts to escape through the gaps and a sudden loss of pressure in the pipeline. If steam cannot escape through the seamless tubes, there is no pressure loss. As a result, you will not have to deal with pipeline explosions.
Types of seamless tubes and pipes:
If you want to make sure that the seamless tubes and pipes you invest in are high in quality, you need to contact a reliable manufacturer. The manufacturers use two types of metals to produce the pipes and tubes.
- Stainless steel pipes
- Carbon alloy pipes
Stainless steel pipes:
Stainless steel is the most common material for seamless tube manufacturers producing seamless pipes and tubes. Most manufacturers use this as their base material for fabricating the pipes. Stainless steel is such a versatile material that you can customize the sizes and shapes of the pipes and tubes made using stainless steel.
Since stainless steel is durable, rust-proof, and long-lasting, you get the same properties investing in stainless steel seamless pipes.
Cabon:
Manufacturers use carbon as the base metal to create an alloy for fabricating seamless tubes and pipes. Carbon is not only long-lasting but also pliable. Hence, manufacturers use this metal to create an alloy to produce seamless tubes.
You can get customized seamless tubes that you can use in different shapes and sizes. Also, the walls of the tubes are thinner than seamless pipes produced using hot rolling. Instead, manufacturers use a cold drawing process to produce seamless tubes.
Advantages of seamless pipes:
There are many advantages of seamless pipes and tubes. No matter your industry, you will find a use for seamless pipes and tubes. In addition, they are so versatile and reliable that you can modify them per your requirements. Here are some reasons why you should contact seamless tube manufacturers and get your hands on the pipes and tubes they offer.
Pressure tolerance:
You will be amazed to know that seamless pipes can tolerate over 20% pressure in comparison to welded pipes. First, the pipes are made from solid materials. Second, the manufacturers process the pipes using heat that further strengthens the metals. Lastly, the pipes are seamless, which gives them the strength to withstand immense pressure.
Heat tolerance:
Like tolerating pressure, seamless tubes and pipes can also tolerate high heat. As mentioned before, you can use these pipes in boiler and exhaust systems. As you use the pipes in the boiler system, they constantly sustain extreme heat generated by steam. At the same time, the pipes withstand pressure from the steam.
Similarly, when you use seamless tubes in the exhaust systems of automobiles, they are exposed to harmful gases and direct heat generated by the engine's combustion. Despite being subjected to constant heat, seamless tubes last decades before you need to replace them.
Shape and size:
As you already know, seamless pipes are made from round billets. The pipes' circular shapes do not need welding like welded pipes. Since the seamless tube manufacturers use round mandrels to create the mother hollow, you get a uniform piercing. The thickness of the walls, the inner and outer diameters of the pipes, etc., can be maintained and modified by changing the diameter of the piercer.
Once the manufacturers create seamless pipes with circular shapes, they can customize them to create seamless tubes for you. For example, based on your requirements, the manufacturers can create tubes that are square, octagonal, hexagonal, rectangular, etc., in shapes.
You can even ask to modify the seamless tubes and pipes sizes. For example, suppose you will use the tubes in the aviation or automobile industries. You would require tubes that have thinner and smoother walls with a shiny finish. The manufacturers will use cold drawing to produce seamless tubes with the specific modifications you asked for.
Similarly, if you want seamless pipes with thick walls to use in nuclear power plants or boiler systems, the manufacturers can offer you the same.
Find a reliable seamless tube manufacturer:
If you are already here, you are probably convinced you can use seamless pipes in various industries. However, now that you know why seamless tubes and pipes are the best options for your requirements, you need to find a manufacturer who can help you choose the right piping solutions.
Choosing the proper manufacturer can be challenging if you do not know how the manufacturers perform. So, once you are ready to invest in seamless pipes, research the market to find out about companies that fabricate these pipes.
Global Seamless Tubes & Pipes Pvt Ltd (GSTP) is a company that has been manufacturing seamless tubes for the last 35 years. Experienced technocrats run the company. It has been exporting its products to over 20 countries across the globe. Situated in Howrah, West Bengal, GSTP is one of the best seamless tube manufacturers in India right now. Get in touch to know more.
