Buying Steel Pipes: Considering the Steel Grade and Customization Options

If you are on the market for steel pipes, you should know what to look for and consider their application. Your knowledge of these will help in narrowing down your choices, especially if the price becomes a deciding factor. By doing your homework, you can do a side-by-side comparison. Keep in mind that a feature you may overlooking could be the major thing you need when you begin a new project. 

When it comes to steel pipes, alloy, carbon, and stainless steel are the main kinds of steel you may have to choose from. Carbon steel is quite strong, affordable, and easy to work with. Alloy can stand against impact and is resistant to stress. Meanwhile, stainless steel doesn’t rust, which is a significant benefit for steel pipes. Keep reading to learn more important information that will help you buy the right kind of steel pipes:

Steel Grade

When buying steel pipes, you need to consider the grade that will do the best job. But, no matter the grade you need, the size of the pipe will remain and you can find great selections of high-quality grades from Stealth Pipe and Steel. Often, ASME and ASTM have piping specifications that demonstrate which steel grades can benefit certain projects. Although the grades of steel are the same across both specification sheets, the standards will usually determine which testing is performed for each. 

When it comes to steel pipe grades, you must look at SAE and AISI. These organizations’ numbering system simplifies many complex steel piping classifications. But, this numbering system is just a part of the specifications required when your order steel pipes.  The combination of SAE/AISI and ASME/ASTM provides you with a full profile as you decide which steep pipe must be used for your project.

In addition, API 5L is another grade you can consider. It is used for the gas and oil industry. This grade comes with multiple delivery conditions to pick from.

Seamless vs Welded Pipes

In terms of steel pipes, there are many customization options you can choose from including seamless or welded. Which option is right for you depends on your project, so make sure to get the one that can get the job done right. Seamless pipes come with consistent roundness and lack of seams. They eliminate the issue of having a weak seam in a pipe that can be a future headache to deal with for your project. Welded pipes, when purchased in bulk, are more cost-effective than their seamless counterparts. The pipe’s consistency improves the thickness of the wall.