What is the difference between SSAW and LSAW pipes?

SSAW (Spiral Submerged Arc Welding) and LSAW (Longitudinal Submerged Arc Welding) are two different methods used for manufacturing welded steel pipes. Here's a comparison of the main differences between SSAW and LSAW pipes:

Formation process:

SSAW Pipe: The spiral welding process involves forming the steel strip into a spiral shape and then welding the edges using the submerged arc welding method.

LSAW Pipe: The longitudinal welding process involves forming a straight, cylindrical pipe from a single steel plate or coil and then welding along the length of the pipe using the submerged arc welding technique.

Pipe Diameter and Wall Thickness:

SSAW Pipe: Typically used for larger diameter pipes ranging from 20 inches to 100 inches (508 mm to 2540 mm). It can handle thick wall thicknesses up to 25.4 mm.

LSAW Pipe: Used for a broader range of diameters including smaller sizes from 16 inches to 60 inches (406 mm to 1524 mm), and it can accommodate thicker wall thicknesses than SSAW pipes.

Manufacturing Efficiency:

SSAW Pipe: The spiral welding process is continuous and allows for high production efficiency, making it suitable for large-scale pipe manufacturing.

LSAW Pipe: The longitudinal welding process involves fewer welds compared to the spiral welding process, making it relatively less efficient but more suited for specialized applications.

Weld Quality:

SSAW Pipe: Spiral welding distributes the welding stresses across the entire circumference of the pipe, resulting in a strong and uniform weld. It generally offers better dimensional accuracy and weld quality.

LSAW Pipe: Longitudinal welding produces straighter weld seams, which are preferred for certain applications that require precise alignment or where visual appearance is important.

Applications:

SSAW Pipe: Commonly used for oil and gas transmission pipelines, piling, and structural applications where large diameter and thick-walled pipes are required.

LSAW Pipe: Widely used in the construction of oil and gas pipelines, refineries, petrochemical plants, power plants, and various other industrial applications.

It's important to note that both SSAW and LSAW pipes have their own advantages and are suitable for different purposes based on requirements such as diameter, wall thickness, manufacturing efficiency, weld quality, and specific application needs.