History Of Stainless Steel Tube Manufacturing
During the 19th century, the sole method for producing stainless steel tubes and pipes for industrial purposes was rolling mill technology, which was a time-consuming process. This technique involved forming rolled strips of sheet into a circular cross-section using funnel rolls, followed by lap welding through forge welding. Fortunately, the manufacturing of stainless steel tubes and pipes in China has since benefited from advancements in technology and development. Presently, continuous tube mills with multitorch tungsten inert gas are used, eliminating the need for filler metal or forge welding processes.
Stainless steel pipes and tubes are widely used in various industries such as construction, automotive, chemical, and petrochemical. The manufacturing process of stainless steel pipes and tubes involves several steps that ensure high-quality products. Here are the main steps in the stainless steel pipe and tube manufacturing process:
Rolling and welding
The stainless steel strips undergo various quality checks and edge trimming before being fed to the tube mill by manufacturers in China. The strips are passed through a number of rollers to achieve the desired size and shape. The tubular shape is gradually formed within the tube mill. The trim edges of the strip are then welded together using a TIG welding process with the help of a fitted welding machine. Any scraps and inside weld beads are instantly removed using the Tibo machine, resulting in the formation of rolled pipes and tubes.
The cleaning and heating phase
The stainless steel pipes produced through rolling are cut to the necessary lengths based on industrial requirements. Next, these pipes and tubes undergo a cleaning process to eliminate any dirt. Subsequently, the rolled pipes and tubes undergo a heat treatment process to eliminate any stresses that may have developed due to welding and forming processes. The heat treatment is carried out on a continuously rolling hearth furnace equipped with temperature controllers and recorders. After the heat treatment process, the stainless steel tubes and pipes are straightened and subjected to pickling to remove any scales from their surface.
Cold- drawing process
If the required size cannot be obtained directly from the mill, the cold operation process can be utilized to achieve the desired size. During the cold drawing process, oxalic and soap solution is applied to the tubes or pipes to act as a lubricant and reduce friction. To carry out the cold drawing operation, the tube or pipe is drawn over the bench with the use of Die plugs.
Finishing process
After being drawn out, the tube or stainless steel pipe undergoes cleaning, heat treatment, pickling, and straightening. The finished pipes or tubes are then marked using a computerized ink jet marking machine, indicating the grade of material, size, heat number, and the stamp of third-party inspection before being passed on to stainless steel pipe exporters. The stainless tubes or pipes are subjected to various testing and quality checks before undergoing proper packing and dispatch. These pipes and tubes have a wide range of applications in numerous industries. Overall, the manufacturing process of stainless steel pipes and tubes involves several steps that require careful attention to detail and quality control to produce high-quality products that meet the required specifications.