This discussion has been going on for a long time. Making a choice - seamless pipe or welded pipe - many facts must be taken into account. The decision to use seamless or welded pipe depends mainly on the desired wall thickness to diameter ratio. Seamless and welded pipe manufacturers offer a wide range of standard sizes for a variety of industries.
Benefits of Seamless Pipes
The main advantage of seamless pipes is that they do not have a weld seam. Traditionally, the seam of welded pipes has been viewed as a weak point vulnerable to corrosion. Over the years, this fear has probably been justified. However, in recent years, improvements in the manufacturing of welded steel pipes have increased the strength of the weld to levels indistinguishable from the rest of the pipe.
Nonetheless, seamless pipes provide reassurance for many demanding applications. While there shouldn't be any problems with the seam of welded pipes supplied by renowned manufacturers, seamless pipes prevent any possibility of a weak weld.
Seamless pipes have more ovality or roundness than welded pipes. Welded pipes are generally more cost effective.
