Comparing Welded and Seamless Stainless Steel Pipes The Kamal Piping Advantage

While selecting a stainless steel pipe for the project, it is essential to know the fundamental differences between welded and seamless. At Kamal Piping, we are an ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 certified company. We believe in the supply of quality and performance with every product we offer. In this blog, we delve into the critical distinctions between welded and seamless stainless steel pipes and help you determine which is best suited for your needs.

Welded stainless steel pipes are manufactured by rolling a sheet of stainless steel into the form of a pipe and welding the seam. The high-frequency electric resistance or submerged-arc welded process may be employed. Here are some critical points about welded pipes:

Economical

In most cases, the welded pipes tend to be inexpensive, making them more cost-effective compared to seamless alternatives.

Availability

These pipes are readily available in large quantities, making them suitable for bulk use.

Custom Sizes

It is easier to build non-standard sizes, which permits a reasonable degree of flexibility in arriving at design specifications.

Consistent Wall Thickness

The welding process results in even wall thickness throughout the pipe's length.

Weld Quality

Unless a seam is properly welded, it might become a source of weakness—meaning its quality and performance could be weakened.

Corrosion Resistance

There may be additional treatments and maintenance required for weld areas due to a higher propensity to corrode.

Pressure Limitations

Welded pipes typically carry lower pressures than seamless pipes.

Stainless Steel 304 Seamless Pipes are manufactured through extrusion. A heated solid billet is forced over a form and pulled to make it take the form of a hollow tube.

Strength and Durability

Since these pipes lack a welded seam, the construction is quite strong and durable; thus, it can be used in high-pressure applications.

Better Corrosion Resistance

Compared to welded pipes, seamless pipes do not tend to corrode, particularly in the welding zones, leading to a longer lifespan of seamless pipes.

Pressure Handling

Due to a heavier pressure tolerance and varying temperatures, seamless pipes are applicable to the most demanding uses in industries that involve oil and gas processes.

Smooth Interior Surface

There is no seam, which allows the interior surface to be more smooth, reducing the potential for blockages and enhancing the flow of fluids.

Cost

More sophisticated manufacturing processes are needed, leading to higher costs than welded pipes.

Size Limitations

It is difficult to produce seamless pipes in certain large diameters, so such sizes may not be readily available.

Production Time

The manufacturing process may be time-consuming, and as such, there may be lead times.

A decision between welded or seamless stainless steel pipes will, in general, have to satisfy the following considerations:

Project Budget

If cost is a prime consideration, the welded pipes will serve the purpose.

Application Requirements

In all probability, it will be seamless pipes when the application requirements are high-pressure, high-temperature, or corrosive environments.

Size and Availability of Required Pipes

Sizes of required pipes are determined by the market availability of these sizes.