Cracking the Code: What Makes SSAW Spiral Steel Pipes the Engineer’s Top Pick Worldwide

— From energy arteries to marine infrastructure, analysing the dominant advantages of SSAW

In the global large-diameter pipeline market (diameter ≥ 30 inches / 762 mm), Spiral submerged arc welded pipes account for over 70% of the market share (Data  source: Global Pipeline & Offshore Pipe Market Report, 2024).  Why has this seemingly ordinary steel pipe become the ‘top choice’ across energy, water conservancy, marine, and industrial sectors? This article will delve into its core competitiveness across four key application scenarios, accompanied by real-world project cases and visualisation recommendations.

Allland Steel Pipe‘s SSAW steel pipes (specification Φ2000×25mm, Q355B material) are used as the main pile foundation in coastal wind power foundation construction. The spiral welded structure provides the pile with excellent bending and shear resistance, making it suitable for the uneven stress distribution in soft soil layers on the seabed. Through high-frequency welding combined with internal and external corrosion-resistant coatings (internal FBE coating and external 3PE coating plus sacrificial anodes), a design lifespan of 50 years is ensured. During construction, hydraulic hammer driving methods are used for pile installation, achieving a single pile bearing capacity of 8,000 kN. After testing, the vertical deviation is less than 1/200, meeting the IEC 61400-6 standard. Compared to traditional concrete piles, SSAW steel pipe piles reduce weight by 30%, shorten construction time by 40%, and lower overall costs by 25% (Allland 2024 Wind Turbine Foundation Report).

1. Energy Infrastructure: The ‘Pipeline Powerhouse’ in High-Pressure Environments

· The ‘Safety Guardian’ for Transoceanic Natural Gas Transmission

In long-distance natural gas transportation, Spiral welded steel pipes are the absolute mainstay. Take the China-Russia Eastern Route Natural Gas Pipeline as an example. This ‘energy artery’ spanning over 8,000 kilometres uses 1,422mm ultra-large-diameter SSAW steel pipes to transport 38 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually.

Core Performance:Yield strength of 355–555 MPa, tensile strength of 450–670 MPa, capable of withstanding 12 MPa high pressure (equivalent to 120 times standard atmospheric pressure);At -20°C low temperatures, impact toughness ≥180 J (Charpy V-notch test), capable of withstanding deformation risks caused by geological activity when crossing permafrost zones and seismic zones.

· The ‘Corrosion-Resistant Pioneer’ in Petroleum Transportation

In offshore oil platforms to onshore oil pipelines, SSAW steel pipes, through the 3PE corrosion-resistant process (polyethylene three-layer structure coating), can withstand corrosion in marine environments for over 50 years. The Keystone XL oil pipeline in the United States (36-inch diameter) adopted Spiral seam welded pipes, achieving an annual oil transportation volume exceeding 3.5 billion barrels, and has never experienced a leakage accident due to corrosion.

2.Water Conservancy Engineering: The ‘Flow Champion’ for Inter-regional Water Diversion

· The ‘Super Water Pipeline’ of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project

The main canal of China’s South-to-North Water Diversion Project spans 1,432 kilometres. SSAW steel pipes, leveraging their large-diameter advantage (single pipe length of 12–18 metres), reduced the number of joints by over 60%, not only lowering leakage risks but also achieving an ultra-high flow rate of 50 cubic metres per second. Its pressure resistance ensures the pipeline remains undamaged and intact when crossing complex geological formations such as the Yellow River bed.

· The ‘Invisible Guardian’ of Urban Pipelines

In urban water supply systems,Spiral steel tubes have become the preferred choice for main pipelines. For example, in a city with a population of ten million, the 1,200mm-diameter pipeline has a single pipe length of 16 metres, reducing the number of joints by 70% compared to traditional steel pipes and lowering the leakage rate by 85%. In drainage systems, SSAW steel pipes treated with special corrosion protection can withstand the acid-alkali corrosion of domestic wastewater, extending their service life to 40 years (compared to 20 years for ordinary steel pipes).

3.Marine Development: The ‘Steel Spine’of the Deep Sea

· The ‘Steel Framework’ of Offshore Platforms

In offshore oil and gas platform construction, SSAW carbon steel pipes are used to manufacture core components such as pile legs and risers. Taking a certain deep-sea platform as an example, the steel pipes of its pile legs need to withstand the impact of 50-meter-high sea waves and the self-weight of the platform, which reaches up to ten thousand tons，while SSAW steel pipes’ high toughness (impact absorption energy ≥200J) and tensile strength (≥600MPa) perfectly address such challenges. The risers can withstand high pressure of 30 MPa at a depth of 300 metres underwater, ensuring stable oil and gas transmission.

· The ‘Armour Guard’ of Subsea Cables

With the rise of offshore wind power, the application of SSAW steel pipes as protective casings for subsea cables has surged. Their seawater corrosion resistance (salt spray test ≥ 1,000 hours without rust) protects cables from microbial and ocean current erosion, while their high strength (compressive strength ≥ 500 MPa) withstands subsea rock compression and ship anchor impact.

4. Industrial Manufacturing: ‘Specialised Pipes’ for Extreme Environments

· ‘Corrosion Resistance Experts’ in the Chemical Industry

In highly corrosive environments such as sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid, SSAW steel pipes lined with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or epoxy coatings can withstand corrosion from strong acids with a pH ≤ 1. A chemical plant producing 100,000 tonnes of sulphuric acid annually adopted such pipes, reducing equipment maintenance costs by 60% and lowering the frequency of shutdowns for maintenance from four times a year to once a year.

· ‘High-Temperature Warriors’ in the Power Industry

In high-temperature steam pipelines of thermal power plants, SSAW steel pipes made of low-alloy heat-resistant steel (such as 15CrMo) can operate stably at temperatures up to 540°C, with an oxidation rate of ≤0.1 mm/year. Their high-temperature strength (creep limit ≥100 MPa) prevents pipeline failure due to long-term high-temperature creep, ensuring continuous operation of the power plant for over 8,000 hours per year.

The rise of SSAW steel pipes is not only a victory for materials science but also a revolution in engineering thinking. Spiral welded pipe suppliers and Ssaw pipe manufacturers play a crucial role in this development. They have been instrumental in ensuring the quality and production of these pipes. SSAW steel pipes combine high strength, corrosion resistance, ease of installation, and low cost to achieve full-scenario adaptability from extreme cold permafrost to deep-sea high-pressure environments. As the global energy transition accelerates, this ‘universal pipe’ may open up broader market opportunities in new fields such as hydrogen transportation and carbon capture.

 Are there any large-scale projects in your city that use SSAW steel pipes? For more information and further communication, please visit our website at www.alllandpipes.com