Since the popularity of seamless tubes and pipes is spreading wide, more and more manufacturers have started producing these types of pipes. With the growth of the industry and its competitive market, it can take time for users to identify the right products. To ensure that the seamless piping solutions they invest in are high quality, users should keep an eye out for the manufacturers.
They should identify whether the pipe supplier is trustworthy. Also, if the pipe producer is relatively new in the industry, they may not know every minute details that experienced pipe producers will know.
Points need to be considered before selecting a reliable seamless pipe manufacturer
So, here we have chalked down a few points that users should keep in mind when they are looking for pipe manufacturers. The points discussed below can guide the users to choose a reliable pipe producer.
Understanding self-needs:
Before selecting a pipe fabricator, users should first identify their own needs. For example, they should know whether to choose seamless pipe manufacturers or welded pipe providers. While seamless pipes offer many benefits, it is costlier than other types of pipes. Welded pipes are available at a much lower price. They last for a decent time as well. Many businesses can get away with using welded pipes instead of choosing seamless ones.
However, if users are determined that they require seamless piping solutions, they should keep the key factors mentioned below in mind.
Experience of the manufacturer:
No one can replace the expertise that experience provides. The same goes for the seamless pipes manufacturing process. Experienced pipe providers have knowledge of the types of pipes they can produce. They can also help the users to choose the right type of pipes that can be beneficial for their businesses.
Experienced pipe providers will employ experienced employees. They will have skilled staff and better equipment for producing superior cold-drawn seamless tubes. However, users should not judge the experience of the pipe fabricators by their working years. Many pipe providers register their businesses long after they are in the market. Hence, users should find out about the work experience of the manufacturer.
Licenses:
Licenses are another factor that users should keep in mind when choosing a seamless pipe provider. Having a license ensures that the company is eligible to provide the products and service they offer. Licenses make the pipe producers trustworthy and reliable and show that they have the approval of the government to conduct their business.
Inspecting the materials:
Although users may not understand the quality of the materials seamless pipe manufacturers use, they should look at the materials. They can, at least, verify whether the pipe supplier is using superior steel that does not corrode when exposed to extreme conditions.
Seamless pipes should have the strength to withstand high pressures. Based on the material pipe producers use, users can use them in corrosive environments. Stainless steel, carbon steel, titanium, aluminum, etc., are metals that are corrosion-resistant. Users can use them in chemical plants, petroleum refineries, oil and gas transportation, thermal plants, etc.
Low-grade materials will not be corrosion-resistant, nor will they withstand high temperatures. So, inspecting the materials manufacturers use can benefit users.
Test methods manufacturers use:
Cold-drawn seamless pipe production requires intensive testing. Pipe suppliers must ensure they abide by ASTM standards pipe specifications when producing these pipes and tubes. Hence, they must test the pipes and tubes while producing them.
Users can verify whether seamless pipe manufacturers follow proper testing methods. Experienced and reputable seamless pipe producers use multiple testing methods to ensure the high quality of the products. For example, manufacturers should conduct Eddy current testing, non-destructive testing, chemical composition checking, etc.
Product quality:
The previous point brings us to the next thing for users to keep in mind. It is the quality of the products. Apart from checking the material quality, users should also check the quality of the finished products. Sometimes inexperienced manufacturers supply inferior products because they cannot afford to produce superior ones. To produce high-quality steel pipes and tubes, manufacturers require not only superior materials but also better machines.
Cost of the seamless tubes and pipes:
Although seamless tubes and pipes are costlier than other piping solutions, many users require them for specific projects and industries. However, users should always consider the price of seamless tubing solutions. A reliable and experienced manufacturer will offer competitive pricing for their products.
If a pipe provider offers their products at an extremely high price, users should check whether they are a trustworthy supplier.
Also, the products’ quality will determine the pipes’ price. If pipe producers use a superior grade of stainless steel, the price of their pipes and tubes will be on the higher side. The only way to ensure the price is as per the quality of the pipes is to check their quality.
Final thoughts:
A fluctuating aspect of seamless tubes is their daily pricing. In order to get more affordable pricing, users should pay attention to the market price movement in real-time. Generally, seamless pipe manufacturers will pay attention to a few websites daily and perform pertinent analysis on the steel pipe quotations on such websites.
Users can perform relative forecast analysis on the market price for the upcoming week in order to determine the price trend going forward. Users who are aware of the market pricing for seamless tubes can pick the best time to purchase pipes at a discount, which can actually result in significant savings.