ERW VS. seamless pipe

“Shall I use ERW or seamless pipes for my project?” This problem has plagued many people. Both of them have their own advantages and disadvantages, and they need to be carefully considered and make the right decisions.

Advantages and disadvantages of seamless tubes

Seamless steel tubes are made of solid steel blocks without any welds, which can be a weak link (susceptible to corrosion, erosion and general failure).

Seamless steel tubes have a more predictable and precise shape in terms of roundness and ovality compared to welded steel tubes.

The main disadvantage of seamless pipes is that the cost per ton is higher than the cost of ERW pipes of the same size and grade (Seamless vs ERW pipe compete in the range 2 to 20 inches)

Delivery times may be longer because there are fewer manufacturers of seamless tubes than welded tubes (which have a lower barrier to entry than seamless tubes).

The wall thickness of seamless steel tubes may be inconsistent in length, with a typical tolerance of +/- 12.5%.

Advantages and disadvantages of ERW pipes

Welded pipes are cheaper than seamless pipes (ERW HFI type) because they are made from steel coils and are produced in general factories.

Due to the large production base, the delivery time of welded pipes is shorter than that of seamless pipes.

The wall thickness of the welded tubes is uniform because they are manufactured using coils (ERW) or plates (LSAW) and are subject to tight tolerance control.

The main "defect" of the welded pipe is that the presence of the weld constitutes a defect factor. Although this may have been true in the past, this defect has become less and less with the advancement of welding technology over the past decade.

Conclusion: Modern ERW-HFI welded pipes are an effective alternative to seamless steel pipes, helping end users reduce their price and delivery cycle by 20-25%.