Seamless Pipes for Industrial Applications

Seamless Pipes for Industrial Applications

High-strength Piping Solutions For Diverse Industries

Seamless pipes for oil and gas, power generation, petrochemicals, and construction, offering high strength and corrosion resistance for high-pressure applications.

Seamless Pipes by Applications are engineered for demanding industrial environments, offering superior strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. Manufactured without welds, these pipes ensure uniform structure and reliability under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions, making them ideal for oil and gas piping, boiler tubes, petrochemical piping, and construction piping. Seamless pipes are used across industries like power generation, petrochemicals, oil and gas, and infrastructure for their leak-proof performance and longevity.

Seamless Pipes are produced through hot-rolling or cold-drawing processes, with outer diameters ranging from 6 mm to 914 mm and wall thicknesses from 1 mm to 100 mm. Lengths are available in standard (6m, 12m) or customized options (up to 18m) to meet project specifications. Heat treatments like normalizing, quenching, or tempering enhance mechanical properties, ensuring performance in extreme conditions. The absence of welds eliminates weak points, making these pipes suitable for high-pressure piping applications where safety and reliability are critical.

The chemical composition of seamless pipes varies by grade (e.g., carbon steel, alloy steel, or stainless steel), typically including carbon (0.08–0.30%), silicon (0.10–0.50%), manganese (0.30–1.50%), phosphorus (≤0.040%), and sulfur (≤0.040%), with alloying elements like chromium or molybdenum for enhanced corrosion resistance. Rigorous testing, including tensile, hydrostatic, flattening, and nondestructive tests (ultrasonic or eddy current), ensures compliance with standards like ASTM, JIS, or DIN. Surface treatments such as galvanizing, 3LPE, or epoxy coatings protect against pipeline wear, while plain, beveled, or threaded ends facilitate installation.

Seamless pipes excel in applications requiring high-pressure resistance, such as oil and gas pipelines, boiler systems, heat exchangers, and structural frameworks. Compared to welded pipes, seamless pipes offer superior strength and uniformity, making them the preferred choice for critical applications in refineries, power plants, and construction projects. Their versatility supports diverse industries, from transporting corrosive fluids to supporting heavy structural loads.

These pipes address challenges like high-pressure containment, corrosion, and thermal stress in industrial systems. Their seamless construction and compliance with international standards make them a reliable choice for engineers seeking durable industrial piping solutions, ensuring safety, efficiency, and extended service life in demanding environments.

Key Benefits

High-Pressure Resistance

Withstands extreme pressures in oil and gas, boiler, and petrochemical systems.

Thermal Stability

Performs reliably at high temperatures, ideal for boiler tubes.

Corrosion Resistance

Resists corrosion with coatings, suitable for harsh environments.

Seamless Durability

Uniform structure eliminates weld defects for leak-proof performance.

Cost-Effective

Long-lasting materials reduce maintenance and replacement costs.

Quality Assurance

Certified with rigorous testing to meet industry standards.

Technical Specifications

Explore the dimensional ranges and common applications of various seamless pipe types.

Typical dimensional ranges for seamless steel pipe types
Type Outer Diameter Wall Thickness Length Applications
Hot-Rolled Seamless Above 32 mm 2.5 – 200 mm Up to 12 m General industrial, structural
Cold-Rolled Seamless 6 – 650 mm 0.25 – 50 mm Up to 12 m Precision applications
Thin-Walled Pipe 5 – 100 mm Less than 0.25 mm Up to 6 m Instrumentation, automotive
Heavy Wall Pipe 50 – 650 mm 10 – 200 mm Up to 12 m High pressure, structural
Seamless Pipe Specification Chart
DN NB (inch) OD (mm) Nominal Wall Thickness (mm)
SCH10 SCH20 SCH30 STD SCH40 SCH60 XS SCH80 SCH100 SCH120 SCH140 SCH160 XXS
15 1/2" 21.3 2.11 2.41 2.77 2.77 3.73 3.73 4.78 7.47
20 3/4" 26.7 2.11 2.41 2.87 2.87 3.91 3.91 5.56 7.82
25 1" 33.4 2.77 2.90 3.38 3.38 4.55 4.55 6.35 9.09
32 1.1/4" 42.2 2.77 2.97 3.56 3.56 4.85 4.85 6.35 9.70
40 1.1/2" 48.3 2.77 3.18 3.68 3.68 5.08 5.08 7.14 10.15
50 2" 60.3 2.77 3.18 3.91 3.91 5.54 5.54 8.74 11.07
65 2.1/2" 73 3.05 4.78 5.16 5.16 7.01 7.01 9.53 14.02
80 3" 88.9 3.05 4.78 5.49 5.49 7.62 7.62 11.13 15.25
90 3.1/2" 101.6 3.05 4.78 5.74 5.74 8.08 8.08
100 4" 114.3 3.05 4.78 6.02 6.02 8.56 8.56 13.49 17.12
125 5" 141.3 3.4 6.55 6.55 9.53 9.53 12.7 15.88 19.05
150 6" 168.3 3.4 7.11 7.11 10.97 10.97 14.27 18.26 21.95
200 8" 219.1 3.76 6.35 7.04 8.18 8.18 10.31 12.7 12.7 15.09 18.26 20.62 23.01 22.23
250 10" 273 4.19 6.35 7.8 9.27 9.27 12.7 12.7 15.09 18.26 21.44 25.4 28.58 25.4
300 12" 323.8 4.57 6.35 8.38 9.53 10.31 14.27 12.7 17.48 21.44 25.4 28.58 33.32 25.4
350 14" 355.6 6.35 7.92 9.53 9.53 11.13 15.09 12.7 19.05 23.83 27.79 31.75 35.71
400 16" 406.4 6.35 7.92 9.53 9.53 12.7 16.66 12.7 21.44 26.19 30.96 36.53 40.19
450 18" 457.2 6.35 7.92 11.13 9.53 14.27 19.05 12.7 23.83 39.36 34.93 39.67 45.24
500 20" 508 6.35 9.53 12.7 9.53 15.09 20.62 12.7 26.19 32.54 38.1 44.45 50.01
550 22" 558.8 6.35 9.53 12.7 9.53 22.23 12.7 28.58 34.93 41.28 47.63 53.98
600 24" 609.6 6.35 9.53 14.27 9.53 17.48 24.61 12.7 30.96 38.89 46.02 52.37 59.54
650 26" 660.4 7.92 12.7 9.53 12.7
700 28" 711.2 7.92 12.7 15.88 9.53 12.7
750 30" 762 7.92 12.7 15.88 9.53 12.7
800 32" 812.8 7.92 12.7 15.88 9.53 17.48 12.7
850 34" 863.6 7.92 12.7 15.88 9.53 17.48 12.7
900 36" 914.4 7.92 12.7 15.88 9.53 19.05 12.7
Minimum Thickness of Seamless Pipe

Seamless Pipes

Minimum Thickness

Seamless pipes, available in various wall thicknesses, are designed for precise applications, with cold-rolled thin-walled pipes achieving thicknesses as low as 0.25 mm or less.

The outer diameter of hot-rolled seamless pipe is generally greater than 32mm, the wall thickness is 2.5-200mm, the outer diameter of cold-rolled seamless steel pipe can be 6mm, the wall thickness can be 0.25mm, the outer diameter of thin-walled pipe can be 5mm, and the wall thickness is less than 0.25mm, cold rolling

The ability to produce seamless pipes with ultra-thin walls and controlled ovality makes them critical for industries like automotive, hydraulics, and petrochemicals, ensuring reliability and performance.

Permissible Variations in Outside Diameter of Steel Pipes
NPS/ DN/ OD Permissible Variations in Outside Diameter
Over Under
in. mm in. mm
NPS 1/8 to 1½, incl
DN 6 to 40
OD 10.3 to 48.3, mm
1/64 0.4 1/64 0.4
Over 1½ to 4, incl
DN 40 to 100
OD 48.3 to 114.3, mm
1/32 0.8 1/32 0.8
Over 4 to 8, incl
DN 100 to 200
OD 114.3 to 219.1, mm
1/16 1.6 1/32 0.8
Over 8 to 18, incl
DN 200 to 450
OD 219.1 to 457, mm
3/32 2.4 1/32 0.8
Over 18 to 26, incl
DN 450 to 650
OD 457 to 660, mm
1/8 3.2 1/32 0.8

According to the production method, seamless tubes are divided into hot - rolled tubes, cold - rolled tubes, cold - drawn tubes, extruded tubes, jacking tubes, etc. The maximum diameter is 650 mm and the minimum diameter is 0.3 mm. Depending on the application, there are thick - walled tubes and thin - walled tubes. Seamless steel tubes are mainly used as petroleum geological drilling tubes, cracking tubes for petrochemical industry, boiler tubes, bearing tubes and high - precision structural steel tubes for automobiles, tractors and aviation. In the plate, Q345B seamless steel pipe belongs to the low - alloy series.

Among the low - alloy materials, this kind of material is the most common. The outside diameter of hot - rolled seamless pipe is usually more than 32mm, the wall thickness is 2.5 - 200mm, the outside diameter of cold - rolled seamless steel pipe can be 6mm, the wall thickness can be 0.25mm, the outside diameter of thin - walled pipe can be 5mm, and the wall thickness is less than 0.25mm, cold rolling has higher dimensional accuracy than hot rolling.

Common Standards for Seamless Pipes

A consolidated overview of international seamless pipe standards, their materials, and applications.

Overview of Seamless Pipe Standards from ASTM, API, JIS, and GB
Standard System Standard Code Material Type Typical Applications
ASTM / ASME
(USA)
ASTM A53 Carbon Steel General-purpose piping, structural
ASTM A106 Carbon Steel High-temperature service
ASTM A179 Low Carbon Steel Heat exchangers, condensers
ASTM A333 Carbon/Alloy Steel Low-temperature service
ASTM A335 Alloy Steel High-temperature, pressure piping
ASTM A213 / A209 Alloy/Stainless Steel Boilers, superheaters
ASTM A312 Stainless Steel Corrosion-resistant piping
ASTM A519 Carbon/Alloy Steel Mechanical tubing (e.g., SAE 1026)
ASTM A790 Duplex Stainless Steel High-strength, corrosion-resistant service
API
(Oil & Gas)
API 5L Carbon Steel Oil & gas pipelines
API 5CT Carbon Steel Casing & tubing for wells
JIS
(Japan)
JIS G3454/G3455/G3456 Carbon Steel Pressure piping service
JIS G3460 Carbon Steel Boilers, heat exchangers
JIS G3429 High-strength Steel High-pressure gas cylinders
GB
(China)
GB 3087 Carbon Steel Low & medium pressure boilers
GB 5310 Carbon Steel High-pressure boiler pipes
GB/T 8163 Carbon Steel Fluid and structural use
FAQ

A seamless pipe is made from a solid billet pierced and drawn into a tube without welding. This gives it a uniform structure and higher pressure resistance compared to welded pipes.

The process involves heating a billet and rotary piercing it, followed by hot rolling, cold rolling, or cold drawing to achieve diameter and thickness.

Seamless pipes have no weld seam, giving them higher strength (~20% more pressure capacity), uniform thickness, and better corrosion resistance. Welded pipes are cheaper, available in large diameters and lengths, but the seam can be a weak point.

They can be made of carbon steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel, depending on the application requirements.

Common specs include ASTM A106, A53, A333, A335, A213, API 5L, and EN 10216‑2 for carbon, alloy, and stainless seamless pipes.

Used in oil & gas transmission, well casings, boilers, heat exchangers, structural piping, hydraulic cylinders, automotive, aerospace, power plants, chemical industries, and water systems.

Diameters range from ⅛″ to ~26″; wall thickness schedule SCH 10–160. Lengths: 6 m, 12 m or custom; finishes include natural, varnished, black paint, FBE, 3PE, with plastic or iron caps.

Yes.
Due to complex manufacturing, seamless pipes are typically pricier than welded, but offer higher performance and durability.

Yes.
Seamless pipes can substitute welded pipes in most applications, but welded pipes cannot always replace seamless in high-pressure/temperature situations.

Production becomes uneconomical and equipment-limited above ~24–26″ OD, so seamless pipes larger than that are rare or made via special hot-expansion processes.

Industry Applications

Seamless pipes are critical in various industries thanks to their excellent strength, temperature resistance, and structural uniformity. They ensure safe and efficient performance in demanding environments.

Power Generation

Used in steam pipelines, boiler tubes, superheaters, and heat exchangers for high-temperature and high-pressure conditions in power plants.

Oil & Gas Industry

Transports crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products in pipelines and refinery units, handling high-pressure and corrosion.

Chemical & Petrochemical

Handles chemicals, gases, and hazardous substances in reactors and heat exchangers, ensuring safe processing.

Mechanical & Automotive

Applied in automotive systems and machinery for fluid conveyance and precision components requiring strength and accuracy.

Construction & Structural

Used in structural support, water and sewage systems, and building frameworks for strength and corrosion resistance.

Marine & Shipbuilding

Utilized in hydraulic and engine systems onboard, resisting corrosion in marine environments.

Aerospace & Defense

Employed in aircraft and military equipment for hydraulic systems and structural components.

Food & Pharmaceuticals

Stainless pipes for hygienic transport of food and pharmaceutical products, maintaining sterility.

Mining & Slurry Transport

Designed for transporting slurries and chemicals in mining, withstanding abrasion and harsh conditions.

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