What is the raw material for steel pipes?
The raw material for steel pipes, in simple terms, is high-quality steel, but the specific form, type, and subsequent processing methods may vary depending on whether seamless steel pipes or welded steel pipes are being produced.
From the above figure, it can be seen that the production of the two types of steel pipes will go through similar smelting processes before finally entering their respective forming stages according to different process routes.
The predecessor of seamless steel pipe: pipe billet
Seamless steel pipe is made by punching holes in solid steel, and its raw material is called pipe blank. You can imagine it as a solid, specially made steel rod.
The predecessor of welded steel pipes: steel plates/strips
Welded steel pipes are made by rolling various plates and welding them together with seams. Their raw materials are steel plates or steel strips.
Common source: from molten iron to crude steel
The common starting point for both billets and steel plates is the molten iron produced through blast furnace smelting. Molten iron is further smelted in a converter or electric furnace to remove impurities and adjust its composition, resulting in coarse steel, which is then cast into initial steel billets through continuous casting or mold casting.
Summary
The performance of steel pipes is determined by the material, and different "recipes" (chemical compositions) create steel pipes with different "specialties".
|
Material category |
Examples of common steel grades |
Core Features |
Typical use |
|
carbon steel |
10, 20, Q195, Q235, Q345 (or Q355), etc. |
High strength, economical price, good processability, it is the most widely used steel. |
Building structures, transportation of common fluids (water, gas), mechanical components, etc. |
|
alloy steel |
15CrMo, 12Cr1MoV, 40Cr, 30CrMnSi, etc. |
High temperature resistance, wear resistance or ultra-high strength, used for extreme working conditions. |
High pressure steam pipelines for power plant boilers and petrochemical equipment. |
|
stainless steel |
304, 316, 1Cr18Ni9Ti, etc. |
Excellent corrosion resistance and smooth surface. |
Chemical pipelines, food and pharmaceutical equipment, medical devices, high-end decoration. |
|
Special purpose steel |
DZ grade (for oil drilling), GCr15 (for bearing), etc. |
Meet the demanding requirements of specific industries, such as high wear resistance and high hardenability. |
Geological drilling pipes and bearing sleeves. |
We are able to provide high quality steel pipes according to customers' needs and look forward to your order.
