WELDED VS. SEAMLESS STAINLESS STEEL TUBING from Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication, Inc.

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WELDED VS. SEAMLESS STAINLESS STEEL TUBING-Image

WELDED VS SEAMLESS STAINLESS STEEL TUBING
Stainless Steel CompositionStainless steel tubing is one of the most versatile metal alloy materials used in manufacturing and fabrication. The two common types of tubing are seamless and welded. Deciding between welded and seamless tubing ultimately depends on the specific requirements of your application. When choosing between the two, be sure the tubing first meets your project specifications and second can perform effectively under the conditions it will encounter in service.

Seamless Tubing

Produced without any weld seam
Typically offers higher pressure and mechanical strength
Better for critical, high?stress, or high?temperature applications
More uniform structure throughout the tube
Generally more expensive due to a more complex manufacturing process
Preferred when absolute integrity is required

Welded Tubing

Manufactured by rolling and welding strip material
Visible or microscopic weld seam is present
Excellent dimensional consistency and tight tolerances
Cost?effective and widely available in many sizes
Suitable for most general applications where extreme conditions aren’t present
Advances in welding technology provide strong, reliable seams for many industries

Choosing Between Welded and Seamless
There are benefits and drawbacks in choosing welded vs. seamless tubing.

Seamless Tubing
By definition seamless tubes are completely homogenous tubes, the properties of which give seamless tubing more strength, superior corrosion resistance, and the ability to withstand higher pressure than welded tubes. This makes them more suitable in critical applications in harsh environments, but it comes with a price.

Benefits

Stronger
Superior corrosion resistance
Higher pressure resistance

Applications

Oil and gas control lines
Chemical injection lines
Below sea safety valves
Chemical processing plant steam and heat trace bundles
Fluid and gas transfer

Welded Tubing
Welded tubing is generally less expensive than seamless tubing due to the simpler manufacturing process in creating welded tubing. It is also readily available, like seamless tubing, in long continuous lengths. Standard sizes can be produced with similar lead times for both welded and seamless tubing. Seamless tubing costs can be offset in smaller manufacturing runs if less quantity is required. Otherwise, though custom sized seamless tubing can be produced and delivered more quickly, it is more costly.

Benefits

Cost-efficient
Readily available in long lengths
Fast lead times

Applications

Architectural applications
Hypodermic needles
Automotive industry
Food and beverage industry
Marine industry
Pharmaceutical industry

Costs of Welded vs Seamless
Costs of seamless and welded tubing are also related to such properties as strength and durability. Welded tubing’s easier manufacturing process can produce larger diameter tubing with thinner wall sizes for less. Such properties are more difficult to produce in seamless tubing. On the other hand, heavy walls can be achieved more easily with seamless tubing. Seamless tubing is often preferred for heavy wall tubing applications that require or can withstand high pressure or perform in extreme environments.

A number of factors combine to make stainless steel tubing an excellent choice for structural applications in industries ranging from automotive and aerospace to medical and marine. If you’re still unsure which tubing is best for your application, as a point of reference, though seamless tubing can be substituted for welded tubing, welded tubing can never be substituted for seamless tubing.

Top 10 Guidelines for Ordering Stainless Steel Tubing
This guide walks you through the top 10 things to know when ordering stainless steel tubing and related products.This guide walks you through what to know when ordering stainless steel tubing and related products. The right tubing can last the lifetime of your product

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Your Primary Source for Stainless Steel Products
Download or request a hard copy of our updated design and manufacturing guidebook, offering valuable technical information to help you select the proper size and material composition for your unique needs. As a top stainless steel tube manufacturer we offer machining, welding, cutting, assemblies and bending while meeting or exceeding GMP and ASTM standards.

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Custom Tubing Designed for Your Needs
Making a difference in your design… from simple tubing to complex designs.
At Eagle, there’s nothing more important than producing a customized solution which exceeds our clients’ expectations and satisfies the unique specifications of their application. Our expertise with stainless steel custom tubing gives us the ability to help you design the product that will fit your project.

Complex designs need more than just stainless steel custom tubing. Secondary operations such as cutting to precision lengths, CNC and EDM machining, laser welding, bending, and precision grinding can transform a simple tube into just the part you need for your design.

We welcome the opportunity to share our expertise in developing product concepts and helping you solve your engineering problems. With decades of experience in the metals industry, you can count on Eagle as a resource for designing and fabricating your metal products.

Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication Inc.
Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication Inc.supplies stainless steel tubing to the medical, aerospace and high tech industries. Stainless steel, nickel alloys, aluminum, and titanium.