Spiral submerged arc welded pipe to API 5L from 8 inch to 100 inch. The most economical large diameter pipe for water transmission, piling and low pressure service.
- Standard: API 5L, ISO 3183, SY/T 5037, ASME B36.10
- Grades: Grade B, X42, X52, X60, X65, X70
Specifications
| Outer diameter | 8" - 100" (219 - 2540 mm) |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | 5 - 25.4 mm |
| Length | 6 m, 12 m, or custom up to 18 m |
| Ends | Beveled, plain, or with joint |
| Surface treatment | Black painting, 3PE/3LPE, FBE, cement mortar lining, epoxy lining |
| Manufacturing process | Spiral submerged arc welding |
| Pressure rating | Low to medium pressure |
Why Spiral Welded Pipe Dominates Large Diameter Water Projects
Spiral welded pipe is made from steel coil that is fed into the forming machine at an angle, so the strip edge travels helically around the pipe body and the resulting seam is a helix rather than a straight line. The great advantage is diameter flexibility: the same coil width can produce a wide range of diameters simply by changing the forming angle, which means no expensive tooling change and much lower cost for large diameter pipe. A 48 inch spiral pipe can be produced from the same coil used for a 24 inch pipe. This is why spiral welded pipe is the default material for municipal water transmission mains, drainage, and steel piling, where the diameter is large, the pressure is modest, and cost per metre dominates the decision.
Cement Mortar Lining and Internal Coating
For potable water transmission, spiral pipe is normally supplied with a cement mortar lining to the internal surface. The lining raises the pH at the steel surface, passivating it and preventing the corrosion that would otherwise occur in soft water, and it also improves hydraulic flow characteristics. Cement mortar lining is applied centrifugally to a controlled thickness, typically 6 to 12 mm depending on pipe diameter, and is cured before shipment. Where lower weight or better flow is required, an epoxy or fusion bonded epoxy internal lining may be specified instead. For abrasive slurry service, an internal wear-resistant coating or a basalt-lined pipe can be considered.
What is the largest diameter spiral welded pipe available?
Spiral welded pipe can be produced up to 100 inch (2540 mm) outside diameter, and a few mills can go larger for special projects. Wall thickness generally ranges from 5 mm to 25.4 mm. The practical upper limit depends on the coil width available and the stiffness needed to keep the pipe round during handling.
Is spiral welded pipe suitable for high pressure gas lines?
It can be used, and API 5L permits spiral welded pipe for gas transmission, but it is less common than LSAW for high pressure gas because the helical seam is longer and more complex to inspect fully, and the seam crosses the principal stress direction. Where the project specification permits it, spiral pipe is fully acceptable up to X70 for gas service. For critical high pressure mains, most operators specify LSAW or seamless.
Materials
- Carbon steel
Typical applications
- Large diameter water transmission mains
- Steel pipe piling and foundation works
- Dewatering and drainage lines
- Low pressure gas and slurry lines
- Structural tubular applications
Inspection & testing
- 100% ultrasonic testing of spiral seam
- Radiographic testing on request
- Hydrostatic pressure test
- Flattening and bend test
- Third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TUV)
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