Stainless Steel ERW Welded Pipe Schedule 5S To 40S For Water Process Applications
The Stainless Steel ERW (Electric Resistance Welded) Pipe is manufactured by cold-forming stainless steel coils into a cylindrical shape and welding the longitudinal seam using high-frequency electric resistance welding technology. This process produces a pipe with a narrow, uniform weld seam that is virtually indistinguishable from the base metal after proper heat treatment. ERW pipes offer an excellent balance of corrosion resistance, dimensional accuracy, and cost-effectiveness, making them a popular choice for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Standards | ASTM A312, A269, A358; EN 10217-7; JIS G3459 |
| Available Grades | 304, 304L, 316, 316L, 201 |
| Outer Diameter | 6 mm – 610 mm (1/8″ – 24″ NPS) |
| Wall Thickness | 0.5 mm – 12.7 mm (Schedule 5S, 10S, 40S; or custom) |
| Length | Fixed lengths 3m / 6m, or random lengths up to 12m |
| Welding Process | High-frequency ERW (induction or contact) |
| Heat Treatment | Annealed after welding (standard) |
| Surface Finish | Pickled, passivated, or mill finish |
| End Finish | Plain ends, beveled ends, threaded, or grooved |
| Grade | C ≤ | Si ≤ | Mn ≤ | P ≤ | S ≤ | Cr | Ni | Mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | 0.08 | 0.75 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 18.0-20.0 | 8.0-10.5 | – |
| 304L | 0.03 | 0.75 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 18.0-20.0 | 8.0-12.0 | – |
| 316 | 0.08 | 0.75 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 16.0-18.0 | 10.0-14.0 | 2.0-3.0 |
| 316L | 0.03 | 0.75 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 16.0-18.0 | 10.0-14.0 | 2.0-3.0 |
| 201 | 0.15 | 0.75 | 5.5-7.5 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 16.0-18.0 | 3.5-5.5 | – |
Composition per ASTM A312.
| Grade | Tensile Strength (MPa) min | Yield Strength (MPa) min | Elongation (%) min | Hardness (HB) max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | 515 | 205 | 35 | 201 |
| 304L | 485 | 170 | 35 | 201 |
| 316 | 515 | 205 | 35 | 217 |
| 316L | 485 | 170 | 35 | 217 |
| 201 | 515 | 275 | 35 | 241 |
Tested in accordance with ASTM E8 / E8M.
High Weld Quality – Narrow heat-affected zone (HAZ) with minimal contamination
Excellent Dimensional Accuracy – Consistent outer diameter and wall thickness
Cost-Effective – Lower production cost than seamless pipe
Wide Size Range – Available from 6 mm to 610 mm (1/8″ – 24″)
Corrosion Resistance – Full stainless steel composition throughout
Annealed Condition – Restores corrosion resistance and ductility after welding
Smooth Internal Surface – Low friction loss for fluid applications
Lightweight – Thin wall options available for weight-sensitive applications
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Coil Unwinding | Stainless steel coil is unwound and leveled |
| 2. Forming | Coil is gradually cold-formed into a cylindrical shape |
| 3. Welding | High-frequency electric current heats edges; pressure forges weld |
| 4. Seam Annealing | Weld seam is post-weld heat treated to relieve stress |
| 5. Sizing | Pipe passes through sizing rollers to achieve final dimensions |
| 6. Cutting | Pipe is cut to specified lengths |
| 7. Heat Treatment | Full annealing restores corrosion resistance |
| 8. Testing | Hydrostatic and eddy current testing performed |
| Parameter | Tolerance |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter (OD) | ±0.4 mm for OD ≤ 48.3 mm; ±0.8% for larger |
| Wall thickness | ±12.5% |
| Length (fixed) | +0 / -3 mm |
| Straightness | 0.2% of total length |
| Ovality | Within OD tolerance |
Potable water distribution
Hot and cold water supply
Fire protection sprinkler systems
Solar thermal systems
Chilled water lines
Condenser water piping
Steam and condensate lines (low pressure)
Refrigerant piping
Dairy and brewery process lines
Edible oil transfer
Beverage dispensing
Sanitary utility piping
Compressed air systems
Cooling water circuits
Mild chemical transfer
Instrument air lines
Low-pressure gathering lines
Utility water systems
Fire water mains
Handrails and guardrails
Structural supports (light duty)
Scaffolding
| Property | ERW Pipe | Seamless Pipe | SAW / LSAW Pipe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diameter Range | 6 – 610 mm | 6 – 610 mm | 300 – 1200+ mm |
| Wall Thickness | Thin to medium | Thin to heavy | Medium to heavy |
| Weld Seam | Narrow longitudinal | None | Wide longitudinal |
| Cost | Low to medium | High | Medium to high |
| Dimensional Accuracy | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent (annealed) | Excellent | Good (with weld treatment) |
| Typical Applications | Process lines, utilities | High pressure, critical | Large diameter pipelines |
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