How to choose Pipes Between Seamless and Welded

Seamless pipes and welded pipes are two common types of steel pipes, each with distinct characteristics related to manufacturing processes, performance, and applications. Here’s a breakdown of their main differences:

1. Manufacturing Process:

Seamless Pipes: Produced by heating, piercing, and rolling steel billets, seamless pipes are free of weld seams. This manufacturing method ensures a smooth and uniform internal and external surface, providing better fluid flow and corrosion resistance.

Welded Pipes: Created by rolling steel plates into a pipe shape and welding the seam, welded pipes have one or more long weld seams along their length. These weld seams can potentially introduce weaknesses and may require additional corrosion protection.

2. Performance Characteristics:

Seamless Pipes: Typically offer performance under high temperatures, high pressures, and corrosive environments due to the absence of welds. They are ideal for applications requiring high strength and corrosion resistance, such as oil and gas transportation, chemical processing, and high-pressure boilers.

Welded Pipes: Performance can vary depending on the quality of welding, mechanization and automatic welding have been widely used in modern factories, which has improved the productivity and quality of products. While suitable for many applications, welded seams can be points of potential corrosion and weakness. Proper welding techniques and corrosion protection can mitigate these risks.

3. Application Areas:

Seamless Pipes: Due to their high performance, seamless pipes are commonly used in applications demanding high reliability and safety, including gas and oil, high-temperature and high-pressure vessels, and chemical processing equipment.

Welded Pipes: Often used in general engineering and low-pressure applications, such as construction, hydraulic transportation, and general pipeline systems. They are usually more cost-effective.

WELDED or SEAMLESS pipes is the common and  basic stainless steel pipe distinction, which are also included in our TOKO TECH basic product catalog to meet different customers' needs.

Both seamless and welded pipes have their advantages depending on the application. When selecting pipe materials, consider the engineering requirements, performance needs, and cost factors to determine the most suitable type for your project.