When it comes to deep foundation projects, selecting the right steel for pipe piling is crucial for the stability and longevity of the structure. Pipe piles are essential in transferring loads from structures to stable soil layers or bedrock, making them indispensable for large-scale constructions such as bridges, skyscrapers, and offshore platforms. At Dark Horse Metals, LLC, we understand the importance of choosing the right steel, and we’re proud to be recognized in Pile Buck's Buyers Guide for Steel Pipe Pile, underscoring our commitment to quality and expertise in the industry.
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The grade of steel you select for pipe piling directly influences its performance. Commonly used grades in pipe piling include A252 and A53, with a notable mention of A252 Grade 3 Modified (MOD):
A252 Grade: This grade is specifically designed for pipe piling and is available in different yield strengths, such as 35 KSI (Grade 1), 45 KSI (Grade 2), and 50 KSI (Grade 3). A252 steel is known for its excellent weldability and strength, making it ideal for deep foundation projects.
A252 Grade 3 MOD: The modified version of Grade 3, commonly known as Grade 3 MOD, offers even higher yield strengths, often ranging from 60 KSI to 75 KSI. This modification enhances the steel's load-bearing capacity and makes it suitable for projects requiring exceptional strength and durability. Grade 3 MOD is particularly beneficial in environments where the piles are subject to high stress or where additional safety margins are required.
A53 Grade: A53 steel is versatile, used not only for pipe piling but also for structural and plumbing applications. It is available in both Type E (Electric Resistance Welded) and Type S (Seamless) forms. A53 Grade B is commonly used in pipe piling due to its higher strength and durability.
Selecting between these grades, especially when considering A252 Grade 3 MOD, depends on the specific requirements of your project, including the load demands and environmental conditions.
The wall thickness and diameter of steel pipe piles are crucial factors that determine their load-bearing capacity and durability. Thicker walls and larger diameters provide greater strength and resistance to buckling, which is essential in supporting heavy loads and withstanding the stresses of driving the pile into the ground.
Wall Thickness: Piles with thicker walls, especially those made from Grade 3 MOD, are more resistant to deformation and corrosion, making them suitable for demanding environments, such as marine or corrosive soils. For example, an 18" diameter pipe with a .500" wall thickness provides robust support for heavy structures, offering long-term reliability.
Diameter: The diameter of the pipe determines its capacity to transfer loads. Larger diameters distribute loads over a broader area, reducing the risk of settlement or structural failure. Projects involving heavy structures, such as bridges or high-rise buildings, often require larger diameter pipes to ensure stability.
Corrosion resistance is another critical consideration, especially in marine environments or areas with corrosive soils. Coatings and treatments, such as galvanization or epoxy coatings, can significantly enhance the durability of steel pipe piles by protecting them from rust and environmental degradation.
Selecting steel that is pre-coated or treated to resist corrosion can extend the lifespan of the pile, reducing maintenance costs and ensuring long-term structural integrity.
Ensuring that your steel pipe piles comply with industry standards, such as Buy America and AIS, is essential for both quality assurance and regulatory compliance. Using steel that meets these standards not only ensures the material's reliability but also supports the domestic economy by using American-made products.
At Dark Horse Metals, LLC, all our steel pipes are made and melted in the USA, fully compliant with Buy America and AIS standards, making them ideal for government-funded projects and large-scale infrastructure.
Choosing a reputable supplier with expertise in steel pipe piling is just as important as selecting the right materials. A knowledgeable supplier will provide guidance on the best steel grades and specifications for your project, ensuring that you receive high-quality products that meet your exact needs.
Dark Horse Metals, LLC is recognized in Pile Buck's Buyers Guide for Steel Pipe Pile, highlighting our commitment to delivering top-grade materials and expert advice to our clients. Our dedication to quality assurance ensures that every pipe pile we supply meets the highest standards of performance and durability.
Selecting the right steel for pipe piling is a critical step in ensuring the success of your construction project. By considering factors such as steel grade, wall thickness, diameter, corrosion resistance, and supplier expertise, you can ensure that your pipe piles will provide the necessary support for your structure, regardless of the challenges posed by the environment or load requirements.
At Dark Horse Metals, LLC, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality American-made steel, fully compliant with industry standards. Contact us today to discuss your project requirements and learn how we can help you achieve your construction goals with confidence.
Steel pipes come in many types according to different classifications. We have carbon steel, black steel, alloys, and stainless steel as per chemical composition. According to the manufacturing process, steel pipes can be seamless or welded.
Welded steel pipes are manufactured using electric resistance welding (ERW), high-frequency induction welding (HFI), or longitudinal submerged arc welding (LSAW). Steel pipes are also categorized with respect to their properties against corrosion. Stainless steel and black steel are types with inherent corrosion-resistant surfaces, galvanized or painted steel, depending on their coatings, such as molten zinc or paint.
Basically, knowing the application or use of the material should be enough to decide what kind of steel pipes to choose or buy. It should be straightforward: purchasing a thick-walled pipe when dealing with high pressures, choosing galvanized or stainless when a steel pipe will be used in a highly corrosive environment, or going seamless for liquid line projects.
However, choosing steel pipe is never simple, especially for significant investments, critical infrastructures, and wherever we wish for the best return value out of our hard-earned money. Project or investment value is not just the totality of the construction cost but the sum of all expenditures throughout its service life, including maintenance costs.
Whether intended for piping, automotive, general construction, or other industries, narrowing the list of appropriate steel pipes requires a closer look and comprehension of their qualities. The tabulation of crucial information below may be of help.
Background
Carbon Steel - Accounts for 90% of total steel production. It is considered the most cost-effective steel pipe due to its relatively affordable iron and carbon elements.
Galvanized Steel - Known as the most durable steel pipe on the market
Black Steel - Considered the most highly stable structured steel pipe
Alloy - It has alloying elements that make steel lighter, sturdier, and more resistant to stress and pressure, and also has enhanced weldability and ductility
Stainless Steel - Stainless steel pipes are widely known for their considerable corrosion resistance and aesthetic appearance
Chemical Components
Carbon Steel – Alloys of carbon and iron, containing up to about 2% carbon and up to 1.65% manganese by weight
Galvanized Steel – Same components as ferrous steels. They can be iron or steel.
Black Steel – Has low-grade carbon content.
Alloy – Alloying elements like nickel, chromium, manganese, copper, vanadium, molybdenum, silicon, tungsten, and many more, amounting to 1 to 50% by weight
Stainless Steel - Contains between 10% and 20% chromium – the element that prevents corrosion; and a maximum of 0.1% and 1% of carbon. It also contains manganese, silicon, nickel, and molybdenum.
Production Process
Carbon Steel - Seamless or Welded
Galvanized Steel - Seamless or Welded
Black Steel - Seamless or Welded
Alloy - Seamless or Welded
Stainless Steel - Seamless or Welded
Weight
Carbon Steel - 7.85 tons per cubic meter
Galvanized Steel - Weight of base material (iron or steel) + 15% due to zinc coating
Black Steel - 7.80 tons per cubic meter
Alloy - Reduces the weight of pure metals, depending on what alloying elements are used.
Stainless Steel - 8.0 tons per cubic meter
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Ideal Applications
Carbon Steel - Ideal for construction applications and other uses like liquid and gas lines under high temperatures, tools, ships, automobiles, and more
Galvanized Steel - Mainly used in the transportation of coal, gas, steam, and water
2Equally excellent for a wide range of construction applications, including marine and weather-exposed environments
Black Steel – 1) Preferred in areas that demand high stability like liquid and gas transportation due to high strength and corrosion resistance.
- 2) They are also used in many construction applications
Alloy - Generally utilized in the piping industry for extreme conditions, as well as in Oil and Gas and power generation, due to its toughness. Alloy steel pipes also has numerous applications in the building and construction industry
Stainless Steel - Used in industries where corrosion and oxidation resistance are significant and require high strength, including ship energy, poles, water treatment, pharmaceutical, and Oil and Gas applications
Areas of Limitation
Carbon Steel - Not suitable for extreme conditions or high pressure
Galvanized Steel - 1) Not advisable to be used in gas lines because the zinc coating can clog the pipe when it begins to flake.
- 2) Later found to be unrecommended for water transportation due to the contamination developed after years of service.
Black Steel - Less suitable for applications requiring aesthetic appearance
Alloy - Occasions may be rare, but alloys are less recommended when excellent electrical or heat conductivity is required
Stainless Steel - Applications involving contact, friction, or abrasion should be avoided to maintain the integrity of the chromium layer that keeps the material rust and corrosion resistant
Strengths
Carbon Steel - It is a robust, high-strength, and shock-resistant metal. Unlike many other metals, it does not decay. Carbon steel pipe comes in various sizes, can be bent into curves, and can be used almost everywhere. This metal is frequently the most practical choice due to its strength, affordability, and safety.
Galvanized Steel - Galvanized steel pipes are designed to prevent rust and corrosion. Galvanization or zinc coating is less costly than other protective coating methods. It is highly durable; hence, it can reach a service life beyond 50 years under normal conditions and at least 25 years under severe and extreme environments.
Black Steel - 1) These steel pipes are manufactured with increased tensile strength and productivity. Fluctuating pressures or shock pressures cannot bend or break them down. In other words, these pipes are shatterproof in transport and in service;
2) Because of high strength, these pipes can come with thinner walls, maximizing inside diameter or carrying capacity;
3) Alloy steel pipes can prevent fires better than galvanized steel pipes.
Alloy - 1) Alloy steel pipes are corrosion-resistant;
2) have a higher percentage of ductility and weldability.
3) They can be lighter and have a higher melting point than other steel, which is a positive factor in the safety of buildings and structures against fire and seismic activities.
Stainless Steel - 1) Stainless steel pipes are corrosion-heat-impact resistant;
2) They are also favorable for the food industry since they have antimicrobial properties that are genuinely great for transporting food products in processing systems.
*They are also easy to manufacture, install, and maintain. The flexibility of stainless steel makes it possible for manufacturers to generate custom-shaped pipes and pipe fittings. Stainless steel pipes are likewise easy to install, saving industries from lengthy preparation time.
Weak Points
Carbon Steel - It is more prone to rust compared to other steel. Because of its strength, it is more challenging to work with
Galvanized Steel - Galvanized steel pipes corrode from the inside out after some time, resulting in clogged lines and contamination of carried liquids, especially water.
Black Steel - Black steel pipes are not corrosion-resistant and are less attractive.
Alloy - Alloy steel pipes have lower strength compared to carbon steel
Stainless Steel - Stainless steel pipes are more expensive due to the integration of superior alloying materials and the complexity of manufacturing processes and types of machinery
Initial Cost
Carbon Steel - With anti-corrosion measures, the cost is higher compared to black steel pipe
Galvanized Steel - More expensive than iron and steel pipes due to the zinc coating provided
Black Steel - Considered the cheapest steel pipe.
Maintenance/Anti-Corrosion
Black Steel - Requires less time and effort for maintenance
Alloy - Maintenance is convenient and cheap
Stainless Steel - Maintenance is convenient and cheap.
Each classification and type of steel pipe has suitable areas of application, dominant features, and inferiorities.
Ultimately, choosing a suitable steel pipe is a matter of design priorities - what characteristics of steel pipe have the utmost importance, and what features are given the slightest consideration? The building blocks of steel might be simply iron and carbon; however, alloying processes have allowed us to customize steel into desired properties that suit almost all the extent and complexity of applications in metallurgy.
Be an intelligent buyer by learning more about the types of steel suitable for your specific piping requirements. Choose a supplier that offers stellar inventory, value-added services, and experience in the global market. Choose ESC!
ESC steel piping products have it all – steel piling pipes, combination walls, structural steel pipes, loading steel pipes, including corrosion protection solutions. ESC produces a wide range of steel pipes up to 4,267mm in diameter and 100mm in thickness by LSAW, SSAW, and ERW manufacturing processes.
Know more about our products, please download our catalog and feel free to contact us at: www.escsteel.com
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