The ERW Pipe Plant (ERWPP) of SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) has successfully produced and processed 4 millimeter (mm) wall thickness (WT) pipe from the Mill. This marks the first production of a 4mm WT pipe in any diameter at ERWPP. Previously, the thinnest WT produced was 4.3mm in 8 5/8” and 10 ¾” Outer Diameter (OD) pipes, but processing of 4 mm wall thickness has been taken as trial and successfully achieved in 14” OD.
It is worth noting that a high D/T ratio is a critical parameter in pipe forming, as it makes pipes more susceptible to deformation issues during forming. This requires greater precision to maintain roundness and avoid ovality. Pipes with a higher D/T ratio experience more strain and distortion, impacting weld quality. Proper control of welding parameters is essential to achieve defect-free welds, and these pipes typically incur higher processing and quality control costs.
These ERW pipes with higher D/T ratio will help SAIL pipes to make entry in less pressure and load intensive applications which includes water transmission, irrigation, and sewage lines, as well as casing over electrical/communication cables and ducting usage in HVAC (Heating, ventilation & Air conditioning) systems.
The dedicated team at Pipe Plant (ERW) led by Mr. M U Laskar, GM In-Charge (Pipe Plants) under the guidance of Mr. Subrat Kumar, CGM (HSM & Auxiliaries) took up the challenge to produce the pipes of the desired dimensions and achieved the success in its first attempt. This significant milestone has been achieved through meticulous planning and wholehearted support from all supporting agencies, including Central marketing Organisation (CMO), Plant Production & Control (PPC), Hot Strip Mill-2 (HSM-2), Research & Control Lab (RCL), Traffic and Raw Material (TRM), Field Machinery Maintenance (FMM), among others.
With the latest addition to the product mix, RSP can better meet the evolving needs of industries dependent on high-quality, tailor-made pipe solutions.
