Black steel pipes hold key value in our world. Their practical usability in oil and gas transpiration makes a significant impact. However, their selection in other industries can be a bit confusing. Different advantages and disadvantages of black steel pipes give them a unique place in the industry.
Remember, the wrong pipe selection can be regretful for any project. It would ruin your investment and time. But I want you to avoid making such mistakes. That’s why I’ll help you grasp the pros and cons of these black steel pipes. Their understanding will help you make an informed decision for your project. So, let’s get rolling!
What is a Black Steel Pipe?
They are also known as black iron pipes made from carbon steel. Their prominent property is their excellent tensile strength. Due to this, their usability is standard in oil and gas transportation lines. They can easily bear high pressure.
Remember that these pipes are made through a seamless manufacturing process. They are black even though they are made from steel. Interestingly, steel itself has a silver color. The question arises: why do these pipes have a black color? This black color is due to the reaction between iron and oxygen.
During the production process, the iron reacts with oxygen. This reaction gives rise to a layer (iron oxide) on the surface of these steel pipes. The color of this layer or coat is black, which gives these pipes a black look. Some people like this black appearance, but it does not look appealing from a distance.
Advantages of Black Steel Pipe
I won’t put you on hold. So, let’s dive in and discuss the pros and advantages of these pipes.
1- Low Pricing and Affordable
First of all, these carbon black pipes are inexpensive. Someone who wants to keep the project price low can use them. Remember, many other pipes offer better performance but are very expensive.
Examples include stainless, copper, and galvanized black steel pipes. Indeed, the performance of these black steel pipes is not as good as those of premium ones. But their low price makes them a good starting point.
2- High Tensile Strength
What I like about these black steel pipes is their excellent tensile strength. This means that they can bear stress and pressure without breaking or deteriorating. Due to this property, these pipes are ubiquitous in oil and gas transportation. Why? Because they can bear high gas and oil pressure.
3- Heat Resistant
Black steel pipes are excellent at bearing high temperatures. The reason is that they still have a high melting point. So, these steel-made pipes maintain their structural integrity under high temperatures. So, they are used in buildings with high chances of fire. They will show some deterioration only under extremely high temperatures.
4- Versatility and Applications
The black steel pipes are very versatile due to better tensile strength. Its usability is standard across different industries, including construction and transportation. How can I forget the plumbing industry highly relies on these pipes? But the question is: what makes these pipes so popular?
The short answer to this question is ease of fabrication. Black steel pipes are not very brittle and can easily be welded. They don’t break or deteriorate when you create a weld on their surface. Manufacturers can cut them in different sizes to cater to the needs of various applications. So, all these factors make black steel pipes very trendy.
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Cons of Black Steel Pipes
These pipes have advantages that make them very prevalent. But are you looking to buy them for your project? If yes, it is vital to understand their negative aspects as well. Why? Knowing the cons will help you determine if they suit your needs. Let’s discuss their drawbacks.
1- Weight
These black steel pipes are heavier than many others, so carrying them from one place to another would be tedious. Moreover, their high weight will make their installation process very time-consuming.
2- Rusting Issues
You might have heard that black steel pipes offer rust protection due to the iron oxide layer. This is wrong, as this layer does not contribute to rust resistance. This layer or coat is made on the surface due to the reaction between iron and oxide. It just gives the pipes a black color.
The reality is that these black steel pipes are compromised regarding rust-proofing. That’s why they are not standard in water pipelines. Contact with moisture will create corrosion and deteriorate these pipes. However, some manufacturers apply pain on the surface to enhance corrosion resistance.
3- Black Color Issues
The formation of an iron oxide layer or coating gives these pipes a matte black color. Silver-colored pipes are more appealing, and you can easily find the rust issue. However, due to this black color, you won’t be able to spot the potential defects in these pipes.
So, those issues will remain hidden and become more prominent with time. For example, if any join-on pipe is rusty, the black color of these pipes will hide it. With time, the small rust spot will get bigger and weaken the pipe. Moreover, the black color does not look appealing from a distance.
4- Inner Rough Surface & Maintenance
These black steel pipes have a significant drawback in the form of a rough inner surface. This issue occurs due to the steel’s perforation and rolling process during production. So, these rough surfaces present inside can create significant problems, such as blocking pipes. Even if the rough surface is tiny, it can still hinder the flow of fluids.
You’ll have to remove those rough surfaces to ensure smooth flow. As I said, these pipes are prone to rusting, so you must apply a thin coat of paint on them. These coatings will protect pipes to some extent. However, these additional steps will add cost to the overall piping system.
Conclusion
One thing that I love about these pipes is their stress and press-bearing capacity. This indicates that they are strong and won’t break. But there is bad news: These pipes are prone to rusting. Therefore, I highly recommend applying a coat of paint on them before using them. This will ensure their longevity.