Straight seam steel pipes are a type of steel pipe welded using a process that contrasts with spiral welded steel pipes. This type of pipe welding is relatively simple and cost-effective, achieving high production efficiency, making it quite common in the market. It is a widely used product, so what are its advantages?
Straight seam steel pipes are welded using a method parallel to the longitudinal direction of the steel pipe, and this method is also widely applied. For the same diameter and length, the welding length of straight seam steel pipes is much shorter, while the welding length of spiral welded steel pipes can increase by more than 30%. Due to the process limitations, the welding efficiency is lower, resulting in significantly lower output. However, from the same raw material, spiral welded steel pipes can generally produce products of various diameters. In contrast, straight seam steel pipes cannot achieve this welding effect.
The reason why straight seam steel pipes are widely used in the market is due to their inherent characteristics. Because the welding process is relatively inexpensive, and straight seam steel pipes can be manufactured using forged, extruded, rolled, and drawn steel, with standardized specifications, their widespread application is possible.
In my country, the petrochemical industry, water supply projects, urban construction, and power engineering all have a demand for straight seam steel pipes.
The construction of a modern steel pipe structure offshore platform in Mexico in 1947 marked the beginning of the application of steel pipe structures. At Bushline Palace in London, England, exposed steel pipe trusses transfer facade loads to the columns, and hot-filled water is injected into the steel pipe sections for fireproofing, effectively compensating for the poor fire resistance of steel structures. Straight seam steel pipes have numerous examples in nature; the structural performance of steel pipes under compression, torsion, and multi-directional bending has inspired people to reinterpret traditional steel structure design concepts. Steel pipe structures, particularly in large-span buildings, stadiums, subway stations, and large industrial plants, are limited in their application compared to traditional reinforced concrete, wood, and brick structures.
After more than a decade of development, the completion of Olympic venues, exemplified by the Bird’s Nest, established a landmark for the 2008 Olympics. This project utilized low-alloy high-strength steel Q460. Steel with a strength of 345 or higher is generally discouraged. Another example is the Grand Theatre lobby, where the columns use fire-resistant, weather-resistant submerged arc welded steel pipes, which can withstand temperatures above 600 degrees Celsius without deformation or softening, and can remain corrosion-free outdoors for extended periods without any corrosion protection measures. In addition, my country has constructed several large-scale steel pipe structure buildings. As a new structural form, steel pipe structures have achieved significant success after more than a decade of development.
The market for straight seam welded steel pipes has remained weak and stable, even experiencing a continuous decline, with this sluggish trend proving difficult to reverse. It is understood that although it is currently the traditional peak season for steel consumption, downstream and end-user demand are unlikely to see a significant release, resulting in weak purchasing power for straight seam welded steel pipes and a lack of favorable supporting factors for prices. With new resources arriving in the market recently, the issue of inconsistent specifications in some areas has eased slightly. Merchants with relatively ample supplies are still primarily focused on selling, while those with low inventory are mostly adopting a wait-and-see approach. Fortunately, the current liquidity situation in the straight seam welded steel pipe market is not particularly tight, which does not exert significant downward pressure on prices. Ultimately, the price development of the straight seam welded steel pipe market will depend on actual demand. Considering the recent sluggish market transactions, there is still a risk of price decline, but the magnitude is not expected to be significant.
Post time: Dec-10-2025