We Super Steel Manufacturing Co.,Ltd(SMC) are amongst the top manufacturers and suppliers for the seamless steel pipe, welded steel pipe, OCTG products and fittings from China. We have been manufacturing and supplying these products to the industry since 1993, and received repeat orders and appreciation from our valued customers.
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Always up to date. In this column you can find the steel pipe related articles, including industry trends, product standards and materials, and some technical guidelines.
The production of Spiral Submerged Arc Welded (SSAW) steel pipes involves a series of precise processes that transform a steel strip into a high-quality pipe suitable for a wide range of applications, including fluid transportation, structural support, and infrastructure. The manufacturing process for SSAW steel pipes is distinctive due to its spiral welding method, which provides several advantages, such as higher strength and resistance to internal and external pressures.
1. Raw Material Preparation
Steel Strip: The first step in SSAW steel pipe production involves preparing the raw material, which is typically a steel coil or strip. The width and thickness of the steel strip are carefully selected based on the desired pipe diameter and wall thickness. The steel strip is cleaned to remove any oxide scale or other contaminants that could affect the welding process.
2. Forming
Uncoiling and Shaping: The steel coil is uncoiled and fed through a series of rollers to form a spiral shape. The edges of the strip are bent in a helical pattern, creating a cylindrical pipe body. This process is controlled to ensure the pipe has the correct dimensions, including the desired diameter and curvature.
Spiral Formation: The most critical part of SSAW pipe formation is the spiral winding process. The steel strip is wound into a spiral shape, with a consistent pitch (the distance between consecutive turns of the spiral) to ensure uniform strength distribution around the pipe.
3. Submerged Arc Welding
Welding the Edges: The edges of the spirally formed steel strip are welded together using the submerged arc welding (SAW) technique. In this method, the welding arc is submerged under a layer of flux, which protects the weld from contamination by oxygen or nitrogen. This results in a clean, high-quality weld with deep penetration and strong bonding.
Double-sided Welding: SSAW pipes are usually welded on both the inside and outside of the pipe to ensure a secure and durable bond. The flux helps maintain the weld's integrity and minimize defects.
4. Cooling
After welding, the pipe is cooled gradually, which helps prevent distortion or warping. The cooling process also allows the weld to solidify and gain strength.
5. Inspection and Testing
Visual Inspection: The welded pipe undergoes a visual inspection to check for surface defects such as cracks, misalignment, or irregularities.
Ultrasonic Testing (UT): To detect internal flaws, SSAW pipes are tested using ultrasonic testing, which uses high-frequency sound waves to detect discontinuities within the pipe material.
X-ray Inspection: For critical applications, an X-ray examination of the welds may be performed to ensure that the internal structure is free from defects such as voids or inclusions.
Hydrostatic Testing: This test involves filling the pipe with water under high pressure to check for leaks and verify its ability to withstand pressure.
6. Heat Treatment (Optional)
In some cases, SSAW pipes may undergo heat treatment processes such as normalizing, quenching, or tempering. These processes improve the mechanical properties of the pipe, such as strength, hardness, and toughness. Heat treatment can also be used to relieve stresses induced during welding or forming.
7. Straightening
After welding and cooling, the pipe is passed through a straightening machine to ensure it is free of any distortion. The straightening process is essential for maintaining the uniformity of the pipe and ensuring it meets the required dimensional tolerances.
8. Cutting to Length
The SSAW pipes are then cut to the required lengths based on customer specifications. The cutting process can be performed using mechanical or hydraulic cutting equipment, ensuring a clean, precise cut at each end of the pipe.
9. Surface Treatment
Cleaning and Coating: After cutting, the SSAW pipes are cleaned to remove any remaining debris, rust, or scale. Depending on the intended application, the pipes may undergo additional surface treatments, such as galvanizing (zinc coating), painting, or anti-corrosion coating to improve their durability and resistance to environmental factors.
External Coatings: For pipes used in corrosive environments, external coatings such as epoxy or polyurethane may be applied to further protect the pipe from corrosion.
10. Final Inspection and Packaging
The final product undergoes a thorough inspection to ensure that it meets the required specifications for mechanical properties, dimensions, and surface quality.
Marking and Identification: Each pipe is marked with a unique identification code, batch number, and other relevant information for traceability and quality control purposes.
Packaging: The finished SSAW pipes are then bundled and packaged according to customer requirements, ready for shipment or delivery to their intended destination.
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