Introduzione
You may know that steel pipe is the backbone of manifold applications in our lives. It’s paramount to differing industries, from construction to automotive.
Carbon steel pipes are a prominent type of steel pipe. They are well-acclaimed for their durability and strength.
Here, we’ll provide all the info you need about carbon steel pipes. We’ll cover their definition, upsides, application fields, types, fabrication processes, specifications, and standards.
Lastly, we’ll also compare and contrast carbon steel and black steel. These are two noteworthy variants of steel.
What is carbon steel pipe?
Carbon steel pipe and tube is otherwise known as CS pipe. In essence, they are cylindrical tubes. These are fabricated from carbon steel, a steel alloy crafted with carbon and iron.
As the name proposes, carbon steel has carbon as its vital alloying constituent. Other steel types, like stainless steel, comprise differing composition elements.
Thus, carbon steel pipes have increased durability and strength due to their makeup. This is especially true compared to conventional piping materials like copper, PVC, and aluminum.
They are differentiated because carbon plays a central role in carbon steel pipes. That makes them an optimal choice for varied applications, necessitating strength and durability. Moreover, they can be customized depending on each project’s particular application necessities.
Furthermore, these pipes are of utmost importance in the steel pipe industry.
Types of carbon steel pipes
You read about the definition of carbon steel pipes earlier. Now, let’s explore the types of these steel pipes. It’s mainly reliant on the carbon content in the steel. These are:
1. Low Carbon Steel
Low-carbon steel is also familiarly named mild steel. It typically comprises carbon content from 0.05% to 0.3%. Owing to this, it’s more ductile and malleable than other variants. Thus, it is suitable for welding and shaping.
That further makes it affordable. Hence, it’s used in applications like automotive body panels, some pipelines, and structural frameworks. Some examples of it include Q195, Q215, Q235 and more.
2. Medium Carbon Steel
The carbon composition of medium carbon steel ranges between 0.3% to 0.6%. Thus, this type is a well-balanced blend of flexibility and strength. Medium carbon steel is employed for applications necessitating strength without giving up too much on flexibility.
Typical uses of medium carbon steel include shafts and railway tracks. Its examples are 45# steel, 40Cr, and more.
3. High Carbon Steel
High carbon steel pipe comprises carbon content between 0.6% to 1.0%. Higher carbon content further increases hardness and strength but also decreases flexibility. It’s often used to make knives and structural parts that need high strength, like wire ropes.
Common examples of high carbon steel include 65Mn, T8, T10, and more.
4. Very High Carbon Steel
A very high carbon steel pipe has a carbon composition between 0.96% and 2.1%. It’s the most robust carbon steel pipe but can be brittle. Its applications include fabricating drill bits and chisels, among others.
Manufacturing Process of Carbon Steel Pipes
The fabrication process of such steel pipes encompasses particular vital steps. They make sure that the final product fulfills the requisite specifications. These are:
1. Preparation of Raw Materials
Raw material preparation is the starting operation in the fabrication procedure of carbon steel pipes. The vital ingredients needed in this step are:
- Iron ore
- Coke
- Limestone
These ingredients are melted in a blast furnace at high temperatures. As a result, molten steel is formed. The type of steel to be made relies on this iron. It also relies on differing amounts of carbon and other varied alloying elements.
2. Pipe formation
After the molten steel is prepared, it’s cast into billets or slabs. These are semi-finished shapes.
These shapes are then extruded or rolled to fabricate the desirable pipe size. Two widespread methods for the formation of pipes are:
- The Electric Resistance Welded (ERW) method involves a sheet rolling into a cylinder. Then, the seam is welded. As a result, ERW pipes are fabricated.
- The Seamless method involves heating a billet and then piercing it using a mandrel. Elongation and wall reduction procedures follow, resulting in seamless pipes.
3. Treatment with heat
The next and critical step in carbon steel pipe formation is heat treatment. It involves processes like:
- Ricottura
- Normalizzazione
- Tempra
In these processes, the pipe is heated to specified temperatures. It’s then cooled at controlled levels. The aim is to enhance the steel pipe’s strength, flexibility, and durability.
4. Hot rolling and cold drawing
After heat treatment, the pipe transfers to a sizing mill. Over here, it’s rolled via rollers to lessen its wall thickness and diameter. This procedure is designated as hot rolling.
After hot rolling, the pipe goes through cold drawing. In this process, the pipe pulls through a die. The motive is to lessen its diameter further and enhance surface finishing.
5. Finishing
Finishing is the last operation in carbon steel pipe fabrication. Here, the pipe is cut to the requisite length. It then goes through several finishing processes, like straightening and inspection.
The intent is to confirm that the steel pipe meets the specifications. It also makes sure the pipe is ready for usage in differing applications.
CS Pipe Specs and Standards
In addition to types, such steel pipes further have specifications and standards. Differing projects and applications necessitate differing specifications and sizes to meet the needs.
The following table brings forth details about varied carbon steel product names. Their executive standards, dimensions (in mm), and steel grade are also indicated:
| Product Name | Executive Standard | Dimensions (in mm) | Grade or code of steel |
| Black and hot-dip galvanized seamless steel pipe | ASTM A53 | 0.3~1200 x 1.0~150 | GR.A, GR.B, GR.C |
| High-temperature seamless carbon steel | ASTM A106 | 10.3~1200 x 1.0~150 | GR.B, GR.C |
| Seamless cold-drawn mild steel heat exchanger and condenser tubes | ASTM A179 | 10.3~426 x 1.0~36 | Low-carbon steel |
| Seamless carbon steel boiler tubes for high-pressure | ASTM A192 | 10.3~426 x 1.0~36 | Low-carbon steel |
| Seamless cold-drawn intermediate alloy steel heat exchanger tubes | ASTM A199 | 10.3~426 x 1.0~36 | T5, T22 |
| Seamless medium carbon steel boiler and superheater tubes | ASTM A210 | 10.3~426 x 1.0~36 | A1, C |
| Seamless ferritic and austenitic alloy steel tubes | ASTM A213 | 10.3~426 x 1.0~36 | T5, T9, T11, T12, T22, T91 |
| Seamless carbon and alloy steels for mechanical tubing | ASTM A333 | 1/4″~42″ x SCH20 ~XXS | Gr1, Gr3, Gr6 |
| Seamless and welded carbon and alloy steel pipes for cryogenic use | ASTM A334 | 1/4″~4″ x SCH20 ~SCH80 | Gr1, Gr6 |
| Seamless cold-drawn carbon steel feedwater heater tube | ASTM A556 | 10.3~426 x 1.0~36 | A2, B2 |
Upsides of Carbon Steel
Like other steel forms, carbon steel has distinct advantages. Some prominent of them are:
1. Robustness and Durability
Carbon steel is noteworthy for its high strength and durability. That makes it suitable for differing rigorous applications.
Moreover, it can withstand substantial load and pressure. That makes carbon steel fitting for industries that necessitate robust piping solutions.
2. Capability to tolerate harsh environmental conditions
Carbon steel can withstand severe environmental conditions like extreme weather. Moreover, it resists stress like fire, hurricanes, and earthquakes. That implies that it’s an excellent material for building households.
3. Recyclable and Environmentally Friendly
Carbon steel is wholly recyclable. It can be used manifold times without affecting robustness and quality. That makes it economical and environmentally friendly.
4. Versatility
Carbon steel is a versatile material fitting for use across various industries.
You can see that its products can be fabricated in differing sizes and thicknesses. It can be cut, welded, and formed to bring about varying shapes. Moreover, you can also join it simply to valves and other fittings.
5. Wear and Tear Resistance
Carbon steel doesn’t sacrifice longevity. It can resist the typical wear and tear in infrastructural and industrial uses. That makes such steel pipes have a prolonged operational life despite their affordability.
6. Resistance to Corrosion
You can see that carbon steel is liable to corrosion. Yet, it can be protected in differing ways. These include galvanization, the use of coatings, or the incorporation of corrosion-resistant elements. That further extends the usage of carbon steel in diverse environments.
7. Cost-Effective
Carbon steel is a cost-effective material. It can be shaped thinner using less material while upholding its integrity.
Moreover, carbon steel is more economical to fabricate and purchase than other steel variants.
Application fields of carbon steel pipe
Carbon steel pipes are used for diverse applications in differing fields and domains. Some of the prominent ones are:
1. Structural Uses in Construction and Building Engineering
Such steel pipes find structural applications in construction and building engineering. They make the structural constituents of bridges, buildings, roads, tunnels, and other varied structures.
Known for their load-supporting capabilities, CS pipes have specific longevity and firmness. Furthermore, these pipes are used as scaffolding pipes in the construction sector.
2. Transport of Oil and Gas
Such pipes have a principal role in the oil and gas industry. They are the favored choice for conveying crude oil from extraction locations to refineries.
Additionally, they distribute natural gas to power plants, households, and businesses. Their high strength and reliability ensure effectual and safe transportation.
3. Automotive Manufacturing
These steel pipes are all-important in automotive manufacturing. They are specially employed for exhaust systems, chassis components, and frames.
They are well-lauded for their superior strength and capability to bear the stresses of vehicle operation.
4. Supply of Water and Sewage Systems
These steel pipes are integral to the water supply and sewage systems. They allow drinking water movement from treatment plants to residential and commercial establishments.
They are also befitting for sewage systems. It’s in the way that they channel wastewater from populated regions to treatment sites.
5. Chemical Industry Applications
Such steel pipes have various uses in the chemical industry. For instance, they are used for:
- Reactors
- Conveying systems
- Storage Tanks
They are vital for the handling and moving of chemicals in chemical and pharmaceutical plants.
Carbon Steel vs Black Steel
You may know that black steel is a steel variant of carbon steel. It’s undergone a blackening process rather than galvanization. It results in forming a strong iron oxide or magnetite surface. That gives black steel pipes its usual dark appearance. These pipes are known as black iron pipes or black steel pipes.
The following table highlights some noteworthy distinctions between carbon steel and black steel:
| Characteristic | Acciaio al carbonio | Black Steel |
| Basic Definition | It’s a form of steel that comprises carbon as a principal constituent | It’s a form of steel that’s coated with dark-colored iron oxide on the surface |
| Amount of carbon | It possesses carbon by up to 2.1% by weight | Carbon content ranges from 0.3-1.7% |
| Rigidity and hardness of pipes | The rigidity and hardness of carbon steel pipes depend on the amount of carbon. | Black steel pipes possess high rigidity and hardness. |
| Susceptibility of pipes to corrosion | CS pipes are susceptible to corrosion and, hence, need galvanization. | Black steel pipes are notably resistive to corrosion. This is owing to high surface magnetite levels. |
| Appearance | It has a silvery-grey color in the raw state. The exact shade of grey relies on the specified composition and processing of the steel. Typically, it’s not reflective or shiny. | It has a matte-black finish that’s dark. It’s owing to the blackening process. It means the application of a black oxide layer to the surface of standard steel. |
| Eco-friendliness | It’s less eco-friendly; its manufacturing releases increased carbon emissions into the atmosphere. | It’s more eco-friendly; its manufacturing releases fewer carbon emissions into the atmosphere. |
Conclusione
We hope this article on carbon steel pipes will be advantageous for you.
We imparted essential information ranging from the meaning of these pipes to the advantages and specifications of these pipes. We also inspected the vital distinctions between carbon steel pipes and black steel pipes.
Gaining an understanding of these steel pipes helps you pick the requisite one for your needs. It also ensures longevity, effectiveness, and safety in various projects and uses.