Comparing mild steel and ductile iron tubes

We are a team that works hard to provide high quality steel tube to clients. Our specific focus is on ERW tubes. These are utensils capable of serving applications in various industries. With us, you have easy access to all the sizes, shapes, and finishes you could need. As a result, we’ll be able to cater for all your specifications.

In pipeline engineering, ductile iron tubing and mild steel tubes are common options. However, there are huge differences in service life, corrosion resistance, strength, and material composition. We’re going to compare them to help you choose the most suitable option.

Material composition

ERW tubesMild steel tubing has a carbon content between 0.05% and 0.25%. It means the tube possesses high plasticity and toughness. Because of the wonderful welding performance and low carbon content, it works for engineering jobs needing high-strength connections.

With ductile iron tubes, the material is a cast iron alloy. It’s formed by adding elements like vanadium and nickel to create an alloy with higher ductility. This increases the material’s toughness as well as the machinability. Its distinct structure also gives it some really impressive properties.

Strength

Mild steel tubing’s strength surpasses that of ductile iron tubes. This is primarily mirrored in the bending and tensile strength. As a result, mild steel tube often finds use in engineering applications with high pressure. An example would be transporting natural gas and oil. If you need top tier ERW tubes, give us a call.

Even though the strength of ductile iron tubes isn’t as high, they do have good impact and pressure resistance. This makes them viable for municipal water supply, low-pressure gas transportation, and drainage systems.

Corrosion resistance

Mild steel tubes don’t have the best corrosion resistance. They can corrode and oxidise in chemically corrosive or humid environments. So, when people use them, they must employ anti-corrosion measures. These include galvanisation and coatings.

As for ductile iron tubes, they have decent corrosion resistance. They can resist corrosion by chemicals, moisture, and soil. Due to this, they are appropriate for use in engineering projects like high-speed railway sub grades.

Service life

Mild steel tubing has a service life of roughly 20 years. Although, if the environment is very corrosive and you don’t use anti-corrosion solutions, it will be shorter. Ask us for ERW tubes and protective coatings like galvanisation to improve the lifespan.

Ductile iron tube’s service life can go over 40 years. Because of their long lifespan, they work for municipal engineering and infrastructure construction.

Conclusion

Overall, mild steel tubing and ductile iron tubes have their own pros and cons. The first are better for high mechanical strength, high-pressure projects. However, the latter work well in low-pressure systems. These are ones like gas transmission, drainage, and municipal water supply. Think carefully about the applications and what kind of characteristics you need from the tube.

We can meet all your needs for ERW tubes

At Union Steel Tubes, we’re committed to supplying excellent products. This includes mild steel tube and galvanised tubing. Whatever it is you need, we can get it to you when you need it. Our quick delivery solutions will ensure this. Additionally, we have cutting facilities in house to provide accurate lengths.

So, if we can help you in any way, let us know. You can talk to us about ERW tubes, applications, and more. We can even provide advice if you are unsure about anything.