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What is low-carbon steel pipe?
Low-carbon steel pipe refers to steel pipe with a carbon content typically ranging from 0.05% to 0.25%. Depending on its carbon content, it is also known as “mild steel pipe.” Due to its lower carbon content, this material exhibits excellent ductility and toughness, making it easier to cut, bend, and weld compared to high-carbon steel.
Core Chemical Components:
- Carbon (C): ≤0.25%
- Manganese (Mn): Approximately 0.40% – 0.90%
- Phosphorus (P) & Sulfur (S): Trace amounts (impurity control)
Primary Categories and Manufacturing Processes of Low-Carbon Steel Pipes
Based on differences in production methods and processes, low-carbon steel pipes are primarily divided into the following two major categories:
Low-Carbon Seamless Steel Pipe
Manufactured using hot-rolled or cold-drawn processes, the tubing features no welded seams.
- Advantages: Higher pressure tolerance, uniform structure.
- Applications: High-pressure boilers, oil drilling.
Low-Carbon Welded Steel Pipe
Formed by curling and welding steel strips.
- Advantages: Low cost, high dimensional accuracy.
- Applications: Construction scaffolding, low-pressure fluid conveyance.
Why choose low-carbon steel pipes?
Excellent weldability
Low carbon content means that hard and brittle structures are less likely to form during welding, enabling the achievement of strong welds without the need for complex preheating treatments.
Exceptionally high value for money
Compared to stainless steel or alloy steel, low-carbon steel offers lower production costs. For large-scale infrastructure projects with limited budgets—such as long-distance gas transmission pipelines—it represents the most cost-effective option.
Easy to process and form
Low-carbon steel pipes exhibit excellent ductility, enabling easy cold bending, necking, or flaring to meet diverse design requirements.
Environmental Protection
Low-carbon steel ranks among the materials with the highest recycling rates globally. The use of low-carbon steel pipes aligns with the requirements of modern green building practices and sustainable development.
Application Fields of Low-Carbon Steel Pipes
- Fluid Conveyance: Pipelines for transporting water, natural gas, petroleum, and steam.
- Building Structures: Bridge supports, steel structural frames, guardrails, and scaffolding.
- Machine Manufacturing: Automotive chassis components, conveyor rollers, furniture frames.
- Agricultural Irrigation: Automatic sprinkler systems and deep well pump pipes.
How to Extend the Service Life of Low-Carbon Steel
Although low-carbon steel pipes offer numerous advantages, their greatest weakness is susceptibility to rust (oxidation). To extend their service life, the following protective measures are recommended:
Galvanizing process
A layer of zinc is applied to the surface to prevent oxidation and corrosion from exposure to air.
Coating Corrosion Protection
Apply 3PE, epoxy resin, or asphalt coatings for corrosion protection to withstand extreme environments.
Summary
Low-carbon steel pipes remain the mainstream choice in global industrial applications due to their high weldability, excellent toughness, and outstanding cost control. Whether you require seamless pipes for high-pressure environments or welded pipes for conventional structural use, understanding their properties can help you save on budgets and enhance engineering quality.