The Art of Manufacturing Seamless Pipes
Seamless pipes, a marvel in pipe manufacturing, are made from a solid round steel ‘billet’ which is heated and pushed or pulled over a form until the steel is shaped into a hollow pipe. This article aims to shed light on the intricate process of manufacturing seamless pipes.To get more news about Steel pipe, you can visit friend-steelpipes.com official website.
Manufacturing Process
The manufacturing process of seamless pipes involves several stages:
Mandrel Mill Process: In this process, the steel billet is heated to a high temperature in the rotary furnace. A cylindrical hollow, also known as a mother hollow, is produced with the help of a rotary piercer and a set of roller arrangements that keeps the piercer at the center of the billet. The outside diameter of the piercer is approximately that of the inside diameter of the finished pipe.
Mannesmann Plug Mill Process: This process was invented by German engineer Mannesmann. The only difference between the Plug mill process and the Mandrel mill process is that in the mandrel method, inside diameter is achieved in a single pass whereas in Mannesmann, a multi-stage reduction is possible.
Forged Seamless Pipe Manufacturing Process: In this process, a heated billet is placed in a forging die with a diameter slightly larger than the finished pipe. A hydraulic press of forging hammer with matching inside diameter is used to create cylindrical forging. This process is used to manufacture large-diameter seamless pipes that cannot be manufactured using traditional methods.
Extrusion Process: In this process, a heated billet is placed inside the die. A hydraulic ram pushes the billet against the piercing mandrel, and material flows from the cylindrical cavity between the die and mandrel.
Applications
Seamless pipes are widely used in various industries due to their strength and durability. They are primarily used in high-pressure environments such as steam headers. They are also used in manufacturing pipe fittings such as bends, elbows, and tees.
Conclusion
The manufacturing process of seamless pipes is complex and requires precision and expertise. However, the end product’s strength, durability, and wide range of applications make it an invaluable asset in various industries.
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