Carbon Steel Pipe

Most common and cost effective is carbon steel pipe and tubing including heavy
wall mechanical tubing and seamless steel pipe. We stock and distribute a
wide variety of steel pipe and steel
tubing in ASTM and ASME and API grades of steel. We can also supply
centrifugally cast tube and trepanned hollow bar as well.

The first methods for producing steel pipe were introduced in the early 1800s,
and they have steadily evolved into the modern processes we use today. Large
diameter steel pressure pipes for water and wastewater applications are
typically made with carbon steel and installed as buried assets. Steel pipe can
be made using three main methods:

• Seamless (extrusion mold) – Hot steel is pushed through a
  die to create the pipe shape. Diameters of up to20”(500mm)
  can be made this way. Expensive but the most reliable.
• Welded – A sheet of steel is wrapped around a form then
  welded at the seam. Less expensive but not as reliable as seamless for
  high-pressure situations.
• Casting Mold – Hot liquid steel is poured into a mold. Not
  very common and as reliable as seamless.

The primary benefit of steel pipe is its strength. These pipes don’t crack
under most impacts and can operate under high pressure. Under abnormal loads,
steel will bend, rather than break.

Advantages

• High tensile
  strength
• High
  compressive strength
• Range of
  corrosion protection systems
• Wide range of
  diameters and wall thickness
• Welded joints
  give continuity

Disadvantages

• Prone to
  external corrosion
• Electrolysis
  prone
• Jointing
  requires skilled welders
• Internal/external
  corrosion protection systems add to price
• Coatings and
  linings can get damaged during installation and by third parties

Main Forms Failure in Steel Pipes

Form of Failure	Causes of Failure	Indicators of Failure
Break failure	Pitting corrosion weakening wall	Damage to coating/linings, wall loss, pitting, and leaks
Longitudinal cracking	Thinning from general corrosion, and areas of pitting corrosion	Graphitization, groups of pitting, and wall loss
Pipe bursts	Third party damage	Construction activity