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Spiral welded steel pipes (SSAW) offer numerous advantages in terms of production efficiency, material usage, and mechanical properties. However, they also come with some challenges that need to be addressed during manufacturing.
Advantages of Spiral Welded Pipe Production:
- Versatility in Pipe Diameter:
Using steel strips of the same width, spiral welded pipes can be produced in various diameters, offering great flexibility in manufacturing.
- Increased Pressure Resistance:
Spiral welds are less stressed than straight seam welds, with only 75-90% of the stress found in straight seam welded pipes. This allows spiral welded pipes to carry larger pressures. Additionally, compared to straight welded pipes of the same diameter, the wall thickness can be reduced by 10-25%. The reduced wall thickness is advantageous, as the radial stress, which is the key factor in determining the wall thickness, is lower in spiral welds. The angle (α) formed between the spiral weld seam and the longitudinal axis of the pipe body also plays a role in optimizing the stress distribution.
- High Dimensional Accuracy:
Spiral welded pipes generally exhibit high dimensional accuracy, with diameter tolerance typically not exceeding 0.12%. The deflection is less than 1/2000, and the ellipticity is kept below 1%. Due to this precision, the sizing and straightening process is often not required.
- Continuous Production Process:
Spiral welded pipes can be produced continuously, which means they can theoretically have infinite lengths. This reduces cutting and tail loss, improving the utilization factor of raw materials by 6-8%.
- Operational Flexibility:
Compared to straight seam welded pipes, spiral welded pipes offer greater flexibility in production. The type of product can be easily changed during manufacturing, allowing for a broader range of pipe specifications.
- Lightweight Equipment and Low Initial Investment:
The production equipment for spiral welded pipes is generally lighter and requires a lower initial investment compared to other pipe manufacturing methods. In some cases, production can even be set up directly on-site at pipeline construction locations.
- Ease of Urbanization and Automation:
The process lends itself well to urbanization, allowing for streamlined operations and easier integration of automated production techniques.
Disadvantages of Spiral Welded Pipe Production:
Despite these advantages, there are some challenges associated with the production of spiral welded pipes:
- Welding Quality Issues:
Due to the use of rolled steel as the material, spiral welded pipes may exhibit a larger "crescent" shape, and the welding point is often located in the region of the steel strip's edge, where elasticity can affect the weld quality. This can make it more difficult to align the welding torch, leading to potential issues with the consistency and quality of the weld. As a result, complex seam tracking and quality inspection equipment are required to ensure the integrity of the welds.
In conclusion, while spiral welded pipes offer significant advantages in terms of production efficiency, material savings, and pressure resistance, addressing the welding quality challenges is critical for ensuring the overall performance and reliability of these pipes in various applications.