Some designers wonder whether it’s preferable to pick seamless or welded tube for stainless steel heat exchanger tubes. Both have their own individual pros, cons, and features. We’re going to dive into this topic in detail here to help you make the right choice. Then, if you want to order tubing from the leading ERW steel tube supplier in the West Midlands, you can talk to us.
What are stainless steel heat exchanger tubes?
Let’s start by discussing what the tubes are. They play a pivotal part in industrial production, vehicles, and various other applications. The tubing is primarily employed to move heat energy from one medium to another swiftly. It is essential for heating and cooling, as well as preventing issues like overheating. So, you need the right tube material to guarantee your equipment works at maximum reliability and efficiency.
Comparing the tubing
Next, we will go over the differences between stainless steel welded and seamless tubes.
Production
Firstly, there’s the production process. Seamless tubes are formed into hollow tube billets via hot extrusion. Then, several processes create the final tubing. The production process is somewhat complex. It also includes lots of heat treatment, cold drawing, and hot rolling.
As for welded tubes, they’re made by rolling metal strips into a tube shape and welding the edges together lengthwise. This is a relatively simple procedure and comes with high production efficiency. We excel at it, making us the top ERW steel tube supplier in the West Midlands.
Wall thickness
The second difference is in wall thickness uniformity. This all comes down to how precise the manufacturing processes are. For seamless tubing’s wall thickness to be uniform, the hot extrusion and rolling must be accurate. If there is an issue, the walls may not be consistent.
Welded tubing has an advantage because it begins as sheets or strips of steel. As a result, manufacturers can ensure the thickness is consistent. The only thing to think about is the weld; there could be a minor difference in wall thickness along the seam. Luckily, contemporary ERW welding technology is highly mature and can ensure great results.
Cost
Thanks to mass production, the cost of welded tubes is lower than seamless ones. Manufacturers can produce larger batches in a shorter timeframe. In fact, modern ERW welding techniques can create massive lengths of tube, welding 100-200 metres per minute. Moreover, the equipment investment is smaller. Talk to us if you need the leading ERW steel tube supplier in the West Midlands.
Advantages of the tubes
Now, we’ll go over the advantages of both tubes. They can make them useful for heat exchangers and various other products.
Seamless
Starting with seamless, they have high strength. The weld-free design helps here. It makes them especially suitable for high strength, high pressure projects. This can include heat exchangers that have to deal with high pressure steam and gas.
Another benefit is the corrosion resistance. The surface treatment of these tubes tends to be more stringent. Usually, they undergo procedures like annealing and pickling. This enhances their corrosion resistance in harsh settings.
Welded
As for welded tubing’s advantages, one is the low cost. The production process for these tubes is straightforward. Even better, production efficiency is high. When produced in large quantities, the cost will be low. We work to offer fantastic prices, one of the reasons we are the top ERW steel tube supplier in the West Midlands.
Another advantage is the surface quality. The exterior of welded tubing is uniformly extruded and annealed. Thus, the surface is smooth and not easy to scale. Such a feature makes it beneficial in heat exchanger applications. The smoothness works to dissipate heat and doesn’t need regular cleaning.
Conclusion
Seamless tubes work for high temperature, high pressure, strong corrosive environments. Although, they cost more. Welded tubes come with a lower cost, easier maintenance, and smoother surfaces. They also work better for general working conditions. The reasonable selection of tubes can ensure the efficient operation of equipment. Moreover, it helps to improve economic benefits and manage costs.
Ordering from the best ERW steel tube supplier in the West Midlands
At Union Steel Tubes, we have plenty of tube sizes, shapes, and finishes available. With different options like deburred, or zinc or chrome plated, it’s easy to find the products you need for different applications. Not to mention, we work hard to deliver orders or prepare them for collection quickly too.
So, if you need help from the best ERW steel tube supplier in the West Midlands, speak to us. We’ll make sure you have a fantastic experience and get quality tubing.
