August 25, 2016

Advantages of Seamless Pipe and Tube Design

Seamless pipe and tube designs have many advantages. Some advantages include a more uniform appearance, particularly on heavy wall sections and a lack of weld seams and increased structural integrity.

Specifically for structural tubes, some are made with either the bridge or porthole die method. An aluminum billet is then pushed through the die at very high temperatures with extreme force. During the process, the tube separates and is formed together again by welding while continuing through an extrusion die. There may be a visible seam if the tube is finished, or what is known as anodized.

Structural pipe and tube advantages:

There is greater ability to use multi-hole dies for diameter sizes that are smaller. This will decrease cost and increase productivity. There’s also better control of wall thickness.

Applications for seamless tubing:

It’s normally used for hydraulic cylinders, drive shafts, pressure vessels, bus conductors, and lighting applications. They can also be used for anodizing a uniform appearance, forming applications, and critical pressure ratings.

Industrial applications for aluminum pipes:

Aluminum pipes are used in the fields of building and construction, military and defense, solar and renewable energy, the marine industry, and the transportation industry. They are also used for electrical bus conductors and compressed gas storage.

Designations for aluminum pipe alloy:

A numerical, four-digit designation to identify wrought aluminum alloys has been created. The major alloy elements are indicated by the first digit. Second digits indicate any modifications in the alloy. Specific alloys are indicated by the third and fourth digit.