Common Problems with Mild Steel Pipes

As a type of carbon steel pipe, mild steel pipe is widely used in petroleum, chemical industry, construction and other fields due to its good mechanical properties and economy. However, during production and use, mild steel pipes often have some quality defects and surface problems, which affect their service life and safety. The following is an analysis from three aspects: welding defects, overall quality problems and surface defects, and the corresponding treatment methods are discussed.

Welding defects

Welding defects are common types of defects in mild steel pipes, including pores, inclusions, unfused, cracks, uneven structure and other problems.

1. Porosity and inclusions

During the welding process, gas or impurities are easily left in the weld, forming pores and inclusions, resulting in local strength reduction.

2. Unfused and cracks

Due to improper control of welding heat input or operating errors, incomplete welding (unfused) or cracks during cooling may occur.

3. Uneven structure

The performance of the welding area and the parent material is different during the heat treatment process, which may form hard and brittle areas or soft areas, affecting the overall mechanical properties.

These problems are usually caused by improper welding process, poor quality of raw materials, irregular operation, etc. How to solve them?

1. For problems such as pores and inclusions

Effective welding processes and operating methods should be adopted, welding parameters should be strictly controlled, and appropriate preheating and post-heat treatment measures should be adopted. At the same time, ensure that the quality of raw materials meets the standards and reduce defects caused by impurities.

2. For problems such as cracks

Detection and repair should be carried out in time, and non-destructive testing methods such as ultrasound and X-rays should be used to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the weld to promptly detect and repair problems such as cracks and lack of fusion to avoid affecting production.

Quality problems

The quality problems of mild steel pipes are also common types of defects, mainly manifested in inaccurate dimensions, substandard chemical composition, poor mechanical properties, etc.

1. Inaccurate dimensions

During the production process, due to inadequate process control or insufficient equipment accuracy, large deviations in pipe dimensions may occur.

2. Chemical composition does not meet the standard

The performance of mild steel pipes is closely related to the chemical composition. Unstable composition will directly affect the mechanical properties of the pipe.

3. Poor mechanical properties

Including tensile strength, insufficient toughness and other problems, which may occur due to uneven heat treatment or lax process control during production.

Quality problems are usually caused by improper selection of raw materials, operational errors in the production process and other factors. How to solve them?

For the quality problems of mild steel pipes, prevention and control should be carried out by selecting suppliers with stable quality, strictly controlling the production links and using appropriate detection and testing methods.

When quality problems occur, measures should be taken as soon as possible to repair and rectify them, formulate and implement detailed production standards and operating instructions, strengthen quality monitoring of each link, and ensure that the products meet the standard requirements. Timely repair and calibrate equipment to ensure that all parameters in the production process meet the requirements.

Surface defects

Surface defects are another common problem of mild steel pipes, mainly including rust, scratches, oxidation and other problems.

1. Rust and oxidation

During the production, transportation or storage process, due to improper protective measures, the surface of the steel pipe is prone to rust and oxidation, affecting the appearance and corrosion resistance.

2. Scratches

During the processing or handling process, scratches may occur on the surface of the steel pipe, which will become the starting point of corrosion.

Surface defects are usually caused by improper storage, improper operation during the production process, etc. How to solve them?

1. For surface defects of mild steel pipes

During the production process, attention should be paid to strengthening cleaning and anti-corrosion treatment, and coating, pickling and other technologies should be used to improve surface corrosion resistance and avoid rust and other problems.

2. For scratches, oxidation and other problems

Repairs and adjustments should be made in time to ensure the smoothness and flatness of the pipeline surface. Ensure that the storage environment is dry and ventilated, and take appropriate protective measures. Train operators to avoid mechanical damage during production and transportation.

Summary

The above are the common defect types and treatment methods of mild steel pipes. I hope it can help everyone better understand the quality requirements and treatment methods of mild steel pipe products. During the production process, we should pay attention to testing and quality control to ensure that product quality meets national standards, thereby enhancing customer trust and recognition and gaining market competitive advantages.

Read more: Difference between mild steel pipe and carbon steel pipe or How long can mild steel pipes last?