
ERW Pipe
ERW (Electrical Resistance Welding) pipes are made by cold forming steel coil into a round cylindrical shape. ERW pipe is formed of steel coil, and the weld seam runs parallel to the pipe. Because the breadth of the coil is the same as the circle of the pipe, widths are limited to 24 inches. It is used to transport oil, natural gas, and other vapor-liquid items and may meet a variety of high and low pressure requirements.
Table of Contents
What is ERW Pipe?

ERW pipe is an abbreviation of Electric Resistance Welded Steel tube. They are manufactured from a continuous cold-rolled strip by passing through an electric resistance weld machine. This pipe is more resistant to corrosion, due to the lack of lap joints. It has good mechanical properties, is easy and quick to install, and does not require expensive equipment. The high-frequency control technology can control the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of the welds so that the quality of production becomes stable and reliable.
ERW pipe is mainly used in the transportation of oil, natural gas, and other vaporous-liquid objects. In order to meet different needs for high and low-pressure operation, ERW steel tubes have been developed into various specifications, according to their properties.
Where ERW Pipes are Used?
ERW pipes are broadly used by the industries for their excellent properties, durability, and cost-effectiveness. The top application areas of ERW pipes include construction, water and gas conveyance, automobile sector, oil country tubulars (OCTG), and power generation projects. These pipes offer great strength, toughness, and durability to the end-users.
Oil & Gas
Construction
Water Transmission
Piling Work
Solar Energy
Mechanical Engineering
Fire Fighting
Steel Fabrication
How is ERW Pipe Made?
In the Electric Resistance Welding process, ERW pipe is made by shaping a flat sheet of steel into a cylindrical shape first. A current is passed between the steel cylinder’s two edges to heat the steel to the point where the edges are pressed together with no welding material required.

What is Difference between ERW and Seamless Pipe?
ERW pipe is made in a rolling process, which means that the welded joint is formed during production. This type of pipe is mostly used in low/medium pressure applications such as water/oil transportation. Seamless pipe is made using an extrusion method, which involves inflating a cylindrical metal tube through an opening in a die and then cutting it to lengths. The seamless pipe has no welded joint; thus, it has more strength and higher pressure capacity than equivalent size ERW pipes. As a result, seamless steel pipe is widely used in the high-pressure equipment and thermal boiler industries.
ERW Pipe
- Medium size investment
- Relatively cheap in price
- a welded joint in its cross-section
- Raw Material: Steel Coils
- Outer Diameter: 2-3/8 inch to 24 inch
- Main Application: low/ medium pressure
- Thickness Tolerance: Relatively accurate
- Length Tolerance: Relatively accurate
Seamless Pipe
- Large investment
- High in Price
- No welded joint
- Raw Material: solid round billets
- Outer Diameter: 1/8 inch to 26 inch
- Main Application: High-pressure
- Thickness Tolerance: instability
- Length Tolerance: instability