1. Pipe Principles
PREPARED FOR
November 22, 2018

2. Pipe Continuous Weld (CW) “Hot” mill manufacturing method
Heated scalp is pulled through forming rolls and butted together forming a melted seam
Basic, all-around hot water, chilled water, drain, low-med pressure steam applications
Pros
Economical
Consistent seam, ideal for threading
Domestic
Uniform 10’/21’ lengths

3. Pipe Continuous Weld (CW) Old-school, “Hot” mill manufacturing method
Heated scalp is pulled through forming rolls and butted together forming a melted seam
Basic, all-around hot water, chilled water, drain, low-med pressure steam applications
Cons
Scarcity
Only one firm continues to produce, due to EPA regulations and very high mill costs
Inferior bursting pressure
Unsuitable for roll grooving

4. Pipe Electric Resistance Weld Grade B(A53B ERW)
Basic, all-around 2-1/2” and larger pipe
Coils of steel are cold formed by rollers and arc-welded electrically, cold-style production
Seam is annealed via either blast furnace or chemically, to reduce martensite in weld
Pros
Wide-variety of applications
Ideal for all welding, grooving
Domestic and Import
Uniform 21’ lengths through 6”
MTR (birth cert) created for every length

5. Pipe Electric Resistance Weld Grade B(A53B ERW)
Basic, all-around 2-1/2” and larger pipe
Coils of steel are cold formed by rollers and arc-welded electrically, cold-style production
Seam is annealed via either blast furnace or chemically, to reduce martensite in weld
Cons
Seam is harder than that of CW
Inferior bursting pressure vs Seamless
*not per ANSI B31.1
Limited to standard wall

6. Pipe Seamless(A106) Superior to A53 and CW in all properties
A solid billet of steel is rotated while a mandrel shapes an interior hole in tube
Pros
Widest-variety of applications
Superior for all welding, grooving
Available in all wall thicknesses
MTR (birth cert) created for every length

7. Pipe *Not necessarily superior to welded pipe Seamless(A106)
Superior to A53 and CW in all properties
A solid billet of steel is rotated while a mandrel shapes an interior hole in tube
*Not necessarily superior to welded pipe
Cons
Price
Availability of domestic product
17’-24’ lengths

8. Conclusion
PREPARED FOR
November 22, 2018