Seamless pipes have become commonplace in a variety of sectors due to their longevity, strength, and adaptability. When deciding between hot rolled and cold rolled seamless pipes, it’s critical to grasp the distinctions between the two. This article will compare hot rolled and cold rolled seamless pipes in terms of process, use, size, benefits, and drawbacks.

difference between hot rolled and cold rolled seamless pipes

Process

Hot rolled seamless pipes.

Hot rolled seamless pipes are produced by heating a billet or a round steel to temperatures over the recrystallization temperature, which is around 1200°F. The hot steel is then rolled through many mills to produce a seamless steel pipe. The hot-rolling technique results in pipes that are thicker and have a rougher surface finish, which necessitates extra processing to get a smoother surface finish.

Cold rolled seamless pipes.

Cold rolled seamless pipes, on the other hand, are produced by putting the steel through a sequence of dies, which shrinks the diameter and thickness of the steel. Cold rolling is performed at room temperature, producing a smoother surface finish. The cold-rolling method further increases the pipe’s dimensional correctness and uniformity.

Applications

Hot rolled seamless pipes.

Hot rolled seamless pipes are used in many kinds of sectors. They are especially well-suited for applications that need high-temperature resistance and pressure-bearing characteristics. Hot rolled pipes are extensively used to carry fluids and gases in the oil and gas sector. They are also appropriate for structural applications like as building, bridges, and infrastructure. Furthermore, seamless pipes are widely utilized in equipment, including mechanical processing and bearing sets, as well as in electrical categories such as gas transmission and waterpower production. Furthermore, seamless pipes are employed in various industries where anti-static tubes are required, such as wind power facilities.

Cold rolled seamless pipes.

Cold drawn seamless steel pipes are extremely flexible and have several applications. They are widely utilized in the automobile, motorcycle, and electric vehicle sectors, as well as in petrochemicals, electricity generation, and aerospace. Cold drawn pipes are also commonly used in bearings, pneumatic components, and medium and low-pressure boiler seamless steel pipes. Additionally, they can be used in steel sleeves, hydraulics, and mechanical processes

Size

Hot rolled seamless pipes.

Hot rolled seamless pipes are available in larger sizes and thicknesses than cold rolled seamless pipes. Hot rolled pipes are greater than 32 mm in diameter and have a wall thickness of up to 2.5-75 mm. The larger size range of hot rolled pipes makes them suitable for applications that require larger and thicker pipes, such as oil and gas pipelines and industrial machinery.

Cold rolled seamless pipes.

In contrast, cold rolled seamless pipes typically have a smaller diameter and thickness, ranging from 6 mm, 0.25 mm to 5 mm and less than 0.25 mm, respectively. The smaller size range of cold rolled pipes makes them suitable for applications that require precise tolerances and dimensional accuracy, such as hydraulic systems and instrumentation.

Advantages and Disadvantages

There are a few advantages to using hot rolled seamless pipes versus cold rolled pipes. Hot rolled pipes offer a higher tensile strength, making them appropriate for applications requiring high-pressure bearing capabilities. Hot rolled pipes are also available in a broader range of diameters and thicknesses, making them appropriate for applications requiring larger and thicker pipes.

However, hot rolled pipes have several drawbacks. Hot rolling produces a rougher surface finish, which necessitates extra processing to get a smoother surface finish. Hot rolled pipes are likewise lacking in dimensional precision, making them unsuitable for applications requiring tight tolerances.

Cold rolled seamless pipes, on the other hand, have accurate tolerances, a smoother surface polish, and dimensional correctness. The cold-rolling technique increases the pipe’s dimensional consistency and precision, making it appropriate for applications requiring tight tolerances. Cold rolled pipes offer a superior surface quality, making them suited for applications requiring a high-quality surface finish.

Cold rolled seamless pipes, on the other hand, are more costly than hot rolled pipes. Cold rolled pipes are more costly than hot rolled pipes due to the additional processing and accuracy required in the cold-rolling process. Cold rolled pipes also have a narrower size range, making them unsuitable for applications requiring bigger, thicker pipes.