Black Steel Pipes
Black Steel Pipes
Black Steel Pipes
Other uses of black steel pipes include gas distribution inside and outside homes, water wells and
sewage systems. However, black steel pipes are never used for transporting potable water due to
the fact that they tend to corrode in water and mineral of the pipe will dissolve into the water and
clog the line as well.
Each year, millions of tons of steel pipe are produced. Its versatility makes it the most often used
products in the steel industry. Steel pipes can be found in a range of places. Since they are strong,
they are used underground for transporting water and gas throughout cities and towns. They are
also employed in construction to protect electrical wires. What interesting about steel pipes is that
they can be both strong and lightweight. This makes them ideal to be used in the bicycle frame
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manufacture. Steel pipes can also be found in automobiles, refrigeration units, heating and
plumbing systems, flagpoles, street lamps, and medicine to name a few. Pipes have been used for
thousands of years. The first use was probably by ancient agriculturalists to divert water from rivers
and streams into the fields. It is also suggested that the Chinese used reed pipes for transporting
water to desired locations as early as 2000 B.C.
Development of the modern day welded steel pipes can be traced back to the early 1800s. In 1815,
William Murdock invented a coal burning lamp system. To fit the entire city of London with these
lights, Murdock joined together the barrels from discarded muskets and used this continuous
pipeline to transport the coal gas. When his lighting system proved successful there was a greater
demand for long metal tubes. To produce enough tubes to meet such demand, a range of inventors
set to work on developing new pipe-making processes. An early notable method for producing
metal tubes quickly and inexpensively was patented by James Russell in 1824. In this method, he
created tubes by joining together opposite edges of a flat iron strip. The metal was first heated until
malleable. Then its edges are folded together and welded using a drop hammer. The pipe was
finished by passing it through a groove and rolling mill. However, Russell’s method was not used
for long because in the following year, Comenius Whitehouse developed a better method for
making metal tubes. Called the butt-weld process, his process is the basis for the pipe-making
procedures today. In this method, thin sheets of iron were heated and drawn through a cone-
shaped opening. As the metal went through the opening, its edges curled up and created a pipe
shape. The two ends were welded together to finish the pipe.
Welded pipe is formed by rolling steel strips through a series of grooved rollers that mold the
material into a circular shape. Next, the unwedded pipe passes by welding electrodes. These
devices seal the two ends of the pipe together. This process in the United States was opened in
1832 in Philadelphia. Gradually, there were some improvements made in the Whitehouse method.
John Moon introduced one of the most important innovations in 1911. He suggested the continuous
process method in which a manufacturing plant could produce pipe in an unending stream. He built
machinery for this specific purpose and many pipe manufacturing facilities adopted it. While the
welded tube processes were being developed, a need for seamless metal pipes arouses.
Seamless pipes are those that do not have a welded seam. They were first made by drilling a hole
through the center of a solid cylinder. This method was developed during the late 1800s. These
types of pipes were ideal for bicycle frames because they have thin walls, are lightweight but
strong. In 1895, the first plant to produce seamless tubes was built. As bicycle manufacturing gave
way to auto manufacturing, seamless tubes were still needed for gasoline and oil lines. This
demand was made even greater as larger oil deposits were found.
As early as 1840, ironworkers could already produce seamless tubes. In one method, a hole was
drilled through a solid metal, round billet. The billet was then heated and drawn through a series of
dies which elongated it to form a pipe. This method was inefficient because it was difficult to drill
the hole in the center. This resulted in an uneven pipe with one side being thicker than the other. I n
1888, an improved method was awarded a patent. In this process, the solid billed was cast around
a fireproof brick core. When cooled, the brick was removed leaving a hole in the middle. Since then
new roller techniques have replaced these methods.
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(1) in terms of end-use, it can be divided into carbon structural steel, carbon tool steel and easy
cutting steel; carbon structural steel is divided into the project building structural steel and
machinery manufacturing steel;
(2) in terms of smelting method, it can be divided into open-hearth steel and converter steel;
(3) in terms of the deoxidation method, it can be divided into the boiling steel (F), killed steel (Z),
semi-killed steel (b), and special killed steel (TZ);
(4) in terms of the carbon content, it is divided into ultra-high carbon steel (1.00 – 2.00%); high
carbon steel (0.60 – 0.99%); medium carbon steel (0.30 – 0.59%); low carbon steel (0.16 – 0.29%);
mild carbon steel (0.05 – 0.15%);
(5) in terms of the quality of steel, it is divided into ordinary carbon steel (phosphorus, sulfur,
higher), high-quality carbon steel (phosphorus, sulfur, low), high quality steel (phosphorus, sulfur,
lower ) and super high quality steel.
Carbon steel pipe is the earliest to use the largest amount of basic material in the modern industry.
The world’s industrial countries, in attempts to increase high strength low alloy steel and alloy steel
production, which is also very attention to improving the quality of carbon steel pipe and expanding
the range of varieties and use. The proportion of carbon steel pipe production in the country’s’ total
output of steel, approximately maintained at about 80%, it is not only widely used in buildings,
bridges, railways, vehicles, ships and all kinds of machinery manufacturing industry, but also in the
modern petrochemical industry, marine development, has also been heavily used.
How are black steel pipes different from carbon steel pipes?
In general, black steel pipes and carbon steel pipes have almost the same procedures for welding.
That is in the case of general welding, but not of some specific application like very cold
temperatures. Black steel pipe is not really a specification but rather a generic term used primarily
by plumbers to distinguish regular steel pipe from galvanized steel pipe.
Black steel pipes are cast from several grades of ductile or malleable iron, whereas carbon steel
pipes are generally welded or seamless. Black steel pipes are used for underground or submerged
applications as well as for mainstream pipes and branches subjected to acids. It is also common to
use cast iron pipes and fittings for municipal cold-water lines 4″ diameter and above. Commercial
die casting is unsuitable for lines subjected to expansion strains, contractions, and vibration unless
the pipe is very heavy. It is not suitable for superheated steam or for temperatures above 575
degrees F. Cast iron pipes in underground applications (such as sewer lines) usually have bell and
spigot ends whereas exposed pipes usually have flanged ends.
Black steel pipes are more likely to erode than galvanized pipes and for this reason, they tend to be
used for transporting gas while galvanized pipes for carrying water.
The layer of zinc covering galvanized pipes offers it higher ability of corrosion protection, but as
time goes by it can cause the mineral to flake off and block the pipe, which might lead to a burst.
Transporting gas by galvanized pipes is therefore dangerous. Instead, it is used for carrying water
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to supply home and commercial buildings or serves as scaffolding frames thanks to its rust
prevention.
In contrast, black steel pipes are uncoated and made without steam. Therefore, it is widely used for
transporting gas like propane and natural gas to residential and commercial building. Black steel
pipes can also be used for fire sprinkler system since it can prevent fire better than galvanized
pipes.
First, you can examine the color of the pipe. Black steel pipe is darker than galvanized pipe; it is flat
black while galvanized pipe is silver and gray.
And second, galvanized pipes are usually used for water transportation whereas black steel pipe
for gas deliver.
Knowing the nature of both black steel pipes and galvanized steel pipes, Chinh Dai steel has been
adopting advanced technology to supply products of highest quality for our international partners,
including Thyssenkrupp and Mitsubishi.
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Characteristics of galvanized steel pipes Black and galvanized steel pipes are both made of
steel, but galvanized pipes have a zinc coating while black pipes do not. Therefore, galvanized
pipes are more expensive and more durable. How does the galvanization protect steel
pipes? The zinc of galvanized steel pipes serves as a sacrificial layer. It will rust before the steel
beneath it, allowing the integrity of the pipe to remain intact for much longer time than regular
pipes. Moreover, even if the zinc layer is scratched or damaged, it can still protect the steel
beneath it. How long will galvanized steel pipes last? The thicker your zinc coating, the longer
the pipe lasts. The environment also plays a crucial role in determining the pipe’s life span. If the
pipes are placed in highly corrosive conditions, they often last from 50 to 100 years. Applications
of black steel pipes and galvanized steel pipes Black steel pipes and galvanized steel pipes are
the two most common types of pipes used for transporting liquid and gas.
Black steel pipes are more likely to erode than galvanized pipes and for this reason, they tend to be
used for transporting gas while galvanized pipes for carrying water.
The layer of zinc covering galvanized pipes offers it higher ability of corrosion protection, but as
time goes by it can cause the mineral to flake off and block the pipe, which might lead to a burst.
Transporting gas by galvanized pipes is therefore dangerous. Instead, it is used for carrying water
to supply home and commercial buildings or serves as scaffolding frames thanks to its rust
prevention.
In contrast, black steel pipes are uncoated and made without steam. Therefore, it is widely used for
transporting gas like propane and natural gas to residential and commercial building. Black steel
pipes can also be used for fire sprinkler system since it can prevent fire better than galvanized
pipes.
Comparing costs of black steel pipes and galvanized steel pipes In general, black steel pipes
are cheaper than galvanized pipes. It is due to the zinc coating on the galvanized pipes and the
manufacturing process. Galvanized fittings also cost more than the fittings used on black steel due
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to its demand for maintenance. How to differentiate black steel pipes and galvanized steel
pipes? There are two primary methods to distinguish black steel pipes and galvanized pipes:
First, you can examine the color of the pipe. Black steel pipe is darker than galvanized pipe; it is flat
black while galvanized pipe is silver and gray.
And second, galvanized pipes are usually used for water transportation whereas black steel pipe
for gas deliver.
Other types of coatings Depending on the use of the pipe, other types of paints or coatings are
used. A range of measures are taken to ensure that the finished steel pipe meets specifications.
For instance, X-ray gauges are used to regulate the steel’s thickness. The gauges work by utilizing
two X-rays. One ray is directed at a steel of known thickness while the other at the passing steel on
the production line. If there is any variance between the two rays, the gauge will automatically
trigger a resizing of the rollers to compensate. Pipes are also inspected for defects at the end of the
process. One method of testing a pipe is by using a special machine that fills the pipe with water
and then increases the pressure to see if it holds.
Knowing the nature of both black steel pipes and galvanized steel pipes, Chinh Dai steel has been
adopting advanced technology to supply products of highest quality for our international partners,
including Thyssenkrupp and Mitsubishi.
Electric Resistance Welding (ERW) steel pipes are manufactured by rolling steel and then welding
it longitudinally across its length. Therefore ERW steel pipes have a welded joint in its cross-
section.
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The biggest difference between ERW pipe and seamless steel pipe is that ERW pipe has welding
line, which is the same as welded steel pipe, but seamless black steel pipe doesn’t have, either
does the welded steel pipe. Furthermore, the welding line of ERW pipe is the key to the quality of
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ERW steel pipe. The more unrecognizable the welding line of ERW pipe is, the higher quality ERW
pipe has.
There are two ways to eliminate the welding line: geometric seamlessly and physical seamlessly.
Geometric seamlessly is to eliminate the burr both inside and outside while physical seamlessly is
to take steps to make base metal and metallographic structure uniform and consistent, which
seems more complicate to achieve, however, a ERW pipe without a welding line can be
successfully attained through which.
Compared with processing technique of ERW pipe, the processing technique of seamless steel
pipe is much simpler. There are two entirely different types of processing technique: cold-drawing
and hot rolling. Compared with hot rolling, the technological process of cold-drawing is more
complicated. Moreover, in the appearance, cold-drawn seamless stainless-steel pipe is shorter
than hot-rolled one and the wall thickness of cold-drawn seamless stainless-steel pipe is generally
smaller than the wall thickness of hot-rolled one. What’s more, the technological process of hot
rolling needs high temperature which reduces the resistance of deformation so that a big deflection
is achieved. Generally speaking, the technological processing of ERW pipe and seamless steel
pipe are quite different, due to the different appearance.
In general, although ERW pipe and seamless steel pipe both play an important role as the welded
steel pipe does in the construction of society, ERW pipe and seamless pipe has different use and
different making progress thanks to their different appearance
In short, seamless pipes are marketed on an outdated myth that it does not have flaws but that
welded has an inherent flaw throughout the length of each tube, as stated above. Intuitively this
concept is easily accepted by purchasers and designers with limited experience with the various
products. Each product form and manufacturing method has its own inherent problems and
potential defects.
Consumers must become familiar with what those problems and defects are, and how they might
affect particular applications. Then they can make an informed decision based on facts, rather than
myth.
Hollow Structural Sections, especially RHS steel is commonly used in welded steel frames while
SHS and CHS are more often used in columns. Hollow Steel Sections are also commonly used as
beams. The flat square surfaces of RHS has the ability to ease construction, and they are
sometimes preferred for architectural aesthetics in exposed structures, but circular Hollow
Structural Sections are becoming more popular in exposed structures for the same reasons.
Black RHS (Rectangular Hollow Section) Pipes: for strength and economy
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Following the introduction of CHS, RHS have also become very popular in many forms of
construction and other structural & mechanical applications. This has been greatly assisted by the
section’s inherent flat surfaces making it more economical for joining and other fabrication
processes. In this instance, and unlike CHS, the sections only need to be straight-cut (when joining
to other flat surfaces) instead of profile cut (e.g. when preparing a CHS end or when joining to
curved surfaces). Minimal edge preparation is required for joining and welding RHS.
Like CHS, RHS can be used for architectural aesthetics, possessing clean lines, it is functional,
and interacts less with external environmental effects.
Black SHS (Square Hollow Section) Pipes: for balanced strength, symmetry and aesthetics
In terms of its appearance and structural behaviour, the popular SHS is positioned somewhere
between a CHS and RHS. The “equal-sided” symmetry of SHS tends to exhibit some of the
aesthetic aspects of CHS yet still possess the inherent flat surfaces of RHS for better connectivity.
When a balance is required between strength and functionality, SHS are commonly used in many
structural and mechanical applications.
Black CHS (Circular Hollow Section) Pipes: for strength and aesthetics
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This was the first and still common form of hollow section. It is used in a multitude of applications
including building construction and other structural and mechanical areas. From an architectural
perspective the constant clean lines provide a very smooth surface appearance which is often
employed in many high-profile applications. The lack of protruding edges on these fully closed
sections assists in reducing the effects of exposure to the elements and also in increased
cleanliness from dust and other material build-up.
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Black steel pipes and tubes are cut and threaded to fit the job. Fittings for this type of pipe are of
black malleable (soft) cast iron. They connect by screwing onto the threaded pipe, after applying a
small amount of pipe joint compound on the threads. Larger diameter pipe is welded rather than
threaded. Black steel pipe is cut either with a heavy-duty tube cutter or cutoff saw or by hacksaw.
A group of scientists and engineers, led by Charles Benjamin Dudley formed ASTM in 1898 to
address the frequent rail breaks affecting the fast-growing railroad industry. The group developed a
standard for the steel used to fabricate rails. Originally called the “American Society for Testing
Materials” in 1902, it became the “American Society for Testing and Materials” in 1961 before it
changed its name to “ASTM International” in 2001 and added the tagline “Standards Worldwide”. In
2014, it has changed the tagline to “Helping our World Work better”. Now, ASTM International’s
headquarters is in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, about 5 mi (8.0 km) northwest of
Philadelphia, and it has offices in Belgium, Canada, China, Peru, and Washington, D.C.
ASTM A-53
ASTM A53 is a carbon steel alloy, used as structural steel or for low-pressure plumbing. The alloy
specifications are set by ASTM International, in specification ASTM A53/A53M.
A53 pipe comes in three types and two grades, A53 Type F, which is longitudinally furnace butt
welded or continuous welded (Grade A only), A53 Type E, which is longitudinally electric resistance
welded (Grades A and B), and A53 Type S, which is seamless pipe, produced by hot working, and
possibly cold finishing, the steel (Grades A and B). ASTM A53 pipe is sized according to the
nominal pipe size (NPS) system. It is commonly available with national pipe thread ends or with
plain cut ends. It can be used for steam, water, and air conveyance. It is also weldable and can be
used in structural applications, although ASTM A500 tube, which is available in the same NPS
sizes, is sometime preferred.
A106 is a similar pipe in chemical composition but is intended for high temperature service (up to
750 degree F). It is a seamless pipe.
At least in the US, there is usually A53 for welded pipe while A106 is seamless. If you ask for A53
in the US they will quote A106 as an alternate.
1.A106-B contains silicon, min. 0.10% where A53-B has zero%, and silicon is the important
element for improving the heat resistance criteria.
3.A106-B contains low sulfur and phosphorus, max. 0.035% where A53-B contains 0.05 and
0.045% respectively.
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