The difference between ERW steel pipe and welded pipe and selection suggestions

In the production and application of steel pipes, ERW steel pipes and welded pipes are often mentioned. Although both involve welding processes, they have obvious differences in production processes, performance characteristics, and application scenarios. Understanding these differences is essential to correctly choose the type of steel pipe that suits your needs. This article will explore the difference between ERW steel pipes and welded pipes in detail and provide selection suggestions.

1. Introduction to ERW steel pipes
ERW (Electrical Resistance Welded) steel pipes are a type of steel pipe produced by resistance welding. Its production process mainly involves rolling steel strips or steel plates into a tube and fusing their edges by resistance welding. The main features of ERW steel pipes are as follows:

Production process: The production process of ERW steel pipes includes rolling steel strips into a tube, generating resistance heating at the edge of the tube by electric current, and then welding them together by pressure. Because the resistance welding process is relatively fast and highly automated, ERW steel pipes have high production efficiency.

Steel pipe specifications: ERW steel pipes can generally produce pipes with small to medium diameters, with common specifications ranging from 2 inches to 24 inches. Its wall thickness can also be adjusted according to demand, but it is usually not too thick.

Application field: ERW steel pipe is widely used in oil and gas pipelines, building structures, automobile manufacturing and other fields. Due to its simple production process and relatively low cost, ERW steel pipe has been widely used in many industries.

Performance characteristics: The advantages of ERW steel pipe include smooth surface, high dimensional accuracy and fast production speed. In addition, its weld position is consistent and has good structural stability. The disadvantage is that its performance may not be as good as some other types of steel pipes for applications under higher pressure and extreme conditions.

2. Introduction to welded pipe
Welded pipe is a steel pipe produced by welding process. Welded pipe includes a variety of welding types, such as ERW (resistance welded pipe), L-SAW (spiral seam submerged arc welded pipe) and S-SAW (straight seam submerged arc welded pipe). Although the definition of welded pipe is broad, here we mainly discuss the difference between ERW steel pipe and other types of welded pipe.

Production process: The production process of welded pipe covers a variety of welding methods, such as arc welding, laser welding, etc. Unlike ERW steel pipes, the welding method of welded pipes can be selected according to specific requirements. For example, L-SAW steel pipes use a spiral welding process and are suitable for the production of large-diameter steel pipes, while S-SAW steel pipes use a straight seam welding process and are generally used for medium-diameter steel pipes.

Steel pipe specifications: Welded pipes have a very wide range of specifications, from small to large diameters. The specific specifications depend on the welding process and production equipment. Compared with ERW steel pipes, welded pipes have higher production flexibility.

Application areas: Welded pipes are used in many fields, including oil and gas transportation, building structures, shipbuilding, mining and chemical industries. Its wide range of applications is mainly due to its flexible production process and a range of specifications that can meet various needs.

Performance characteristics: The performance of welded pipes depends on the welding process used. Different welding processes have different effects on the strength, toughness, corrosion resistance and other aspects of steel pipes. For example, L-SAW steel pipes have better performance under high pressure conditions, while ERW steel pipes show better cost performance under general conditions.

3. The main difference between ERW steel pipe and welded pipe
Production process:
ERW steel pipe: adopts resistance welding process, and the welding process heats the edge of the pipe by electric current.
Welded pipe: includes a variety of welding processes, such as arc welding, laser welding, etc., to meet different production needs.
Specification range:
ERW steel pipe: mainly used for pipes with small to medium diameters.
Welded pipe: can produce pipes from small to large diameters, with a wider range of specifications.
Application areas:
ERW steel pipe: suitable for oil and gas pipelines, building structures, etc.
Welded pipe: widely used in oil and gas transportation, building structures, shipbuilding, etc.
Performance characteristics:
ERW steel pipe: high production efficiency and low cost, but the performance in high-pressure applications may be limited.
Welded pipe: performance depends on the welding process, with high flexibility and a wide range of applications.
IV. Selection suggestions
When choosing a steel pipe, the following factors need to be considered:
Application scenario: When choosing a steel pipe type, the application scenario should be considered first. If it is required to be used for pipes under high pressure, high temperature or special environment, it may be necessary to choose a welded pipe type with better performance, such as L-SAW steel pipe. For general building or structural applications, ERW steel pipe is an economical choice.

Specification requirements: Choose the appropriate steel pipe type according to the steel pipe diameter and wall thickness required by the project. If large diameter steel pipe is required, welded pipe may be a better choice. ERW steel pipe is suitable for medium diameter pipes.

Cost considerations: ERW steel pipe has a low production cost and is suitable for projects with limited budgets. The cost of welded pipe varies according to the welding process and pipe specifications, and needs to be selected according to specific needs and budget.

Quality standards: Make sure that the selected steel pipe meets relevant quality standards and specifications. Whether it is ERW steel pipe or welded pipe, quality control is a key factor in ensuring the long-term and stable use of steel pipe.

In summary, there are obvious differences between ERW steel pipe and welded pipe in production process, specification range, application field and performance characteristics. Correctly selecting the appropriate steel pipe type can improve the overall benefits of the project and ensure long-term stable operation. Understanding these differences and making wise choices based on actual needs will help to achieve the best use results.
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