What is Thermal Expansion Pipe and How Does it Made?

Thermal expansion pipe is also called seamless pipe or hot expanding seamless pipe. As it’s name, the pipe is made from hot expanding processes, mainly there are two types: 1. Original seamless steel pipe and 2. hot expanded seamless pipe (Based on original seamless pipe hot expanding).

So when we say thermal expansion pipe usually it is referred to the pipe made in seamless. Since it is preferred to use seamless pipe than welded pipe in some pipelines or modern constructions, thermal expansion pipe is a divine option to the people who regularly need a good quality steel pipe.

thermal expansion manufacturing processes

The production process of the thermally expanded steel pipes is consisting of few steps.

Original seamless manufacturing part

1.The main raw material in case of producing the seamless thermal expansion pipes is steel. Steel is obtained from iron. There may be other materials that can exist along with the steel. For example, manganese, aluminium, zirconium etc.

2.The next step after the raw steel is to turn them usable steel. Well, whether it is the production process of welded or seamless pipes, the starting occurs at the casting of the raw steel into a more workable form. The molten steel is obtained by the melting of the iron ore along with coke in a furnace. Then the carbon is removed by the help of blasting oxygen in liquid. The molten steel is then poured into iron moulds to get ingots.

3.Next, the ingots are putted in a machine where it is pressed and turned into thinner and longer pieces of steel. The thinning and elongation process continues till the desired size of the steel is obtained. The steel is flipped so the steel is even on both sides.

4.The later process is the cutting of the uneven ends. Here, both the uneven ends are cut off and the blooms are cut off into shorter pieces. These blooms are then processed further to make the thermal expansion pipe.

Hot rolled part

5.It is then turned into a pipe by the stretching of the steel out. In case of the seamless pipes, the primary concern is to, stretch the steel and form it into a pipe. The round billets are heated to around 1204 degree Celsius. The steel reach to such state where it is easy to stretch. The stretching is done with the help of a special type of roller.

6.Then next is spraying water on the hot pipes. For taking them back to the normal stage, cold water is sprayed evenly on the pipes. The pipes are then painted or given finishing for a good outer look.

Thermal Heated Part (Hot expanding processes)

Because of the limits from seamless steel pipe manufacturers, the largest hot rolled seamless pipe normally below 457 mm, or 508 mm. So if you are seeking for the seamless pipe larger than this dimensions, we have to do hot expansion to the original (mother) seamless pipe. So another of thermal expansion pipe is coming into market.

It is to use the heat generated from mid-frequency heating machine, expanded by a expansion equipment, expanding pipe to a certain diameter that we required.

With the advantages of high efficiency, lower cost and seamless quality, this type of thermal expansion seamless pipe has been quickly accepted by the customers worldwide.

Requirements for thermal expansion pipe is increasing

The uses of thermal expansion pipe are increasing day by day. Though the price is a bit higher than the welded ones but it is more beneficial to use them because they are not just safe and reliable but will also go a long way.