Welded steel pipe is achieved with coated electrodes, oxy-acetylene welding of steel, or by a consumable-wire arc welding process. Steel pipe welding is used to join pieces of metal together so that the end result is a single length of metal piping. Due to the type of solvents or hazardous materials which steel pipes are carrying throughout the United States and world, there can be no room for errors. All welded steel pipes manufactured, are certified through many different types of tests.
Categories
There are varying welding techniques for steel piping. For example, downhill welding techniques are used for pipeline welding and uphill welding is used for welding refinery piping systems. Steel welded pipes are manufactured by different codes, depending on their transport purposes. Other welding processes generally involve how clamps are used, weld joints, welding techniques, standards, coating, and welding speed.
The main welded categories involve electric resistance, continuous, and spiral welded.
1. Electric Resistance Weld
Electric resistance welded (“ERW”) steel pipes initially start as a coiled plate of steel, with certain specifications. As a cold formed steel sheeting, its ribbon is pulled through rollers which form it into a cylindrical tube. The joints or edges of the cylindrical plate are treated to an electric charge for welding them together. Industries that use electric resistance weld steel pipes, include chemical, oil, power generating materials, petrochemicals, telecommunication and others.
2. Continuous Weld
A continuous weld is also known as a “fusion” weld. Continuous or fusion welded steel pipes also begin as a coiled plate of steel. These coils of steel are welded end to end to form a continuous ribbon of steel. This ribbon of steel is then fed into a lever into a gas furnace, where it is heated to the temperature needed to make it into a forming roll. The forming rolls are then shaped into an oval and its edges or joint points, are pressed together by rolls, to create a forged weld and eventually into its required dimensions. Continuous welded steel pipes are used primarily in the water and gas industries.
3. Spiral Weld
Spiral weld steel pipes involve a complicated process which involves angling, diameter calculations, and hot rolled coils. Manufacturing spiral weld steel pipes is a slower process than other types as it must match perfectly, its tonnage use and it is involved in environments which have a short lead time. Industries that use spiral weld steel pipes, are water, waste water, and hydropower.
Worldwide Pipe Company
Kelly Pipe Co., LLC has been supplying domestic and imported carbon steel pipe products throughout the United States, as well as The United Kingdom, Colombia, Canada, and Mexico, since 1898. Kelly Pipe supplies pipes in various sizes, weights, and grades of black and galvanized, including seamless and electric welded piping. Their wide range of pipe product lines, offer a variety of value added services like saw cutting, threading, roller grooving, blasting, and more. In addition to line and standard pipes, the company has major oil country tubular goods, to support the oil and gas industry customers on a global scale for all oil field tubular needs.
