The Different Methods Of Welding Pipes

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There are numerous ways to manufacture pipes, the most prominent of which is centrifugal casting.  It involves a permanent mold wherein molten metal is poured and centrifugally thrown towards its inside wall.  The high-speed rotation and subsequent cooling of the metal produce a thin-walled cylinder with a very fine-grained outer diameter.

Another method of manufacturing pipes is the use of welding.  Most of the pipes created in the U.S. are produced through these welding techniques:  

Continuous weld

Continuous weld (CW) pipes are made from skelp – flat plates or strips of metal – that is rolled and shaped into a tubular shape through pressure (roll leveler) and heat (gas-fired furnace.)  The edges of the skelp are then welded together using welding rolls.

These pipes are typically used for transportation of fluids, both liquid and gas, and select structural applications.  

Electric resistance weld

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The electric resistance weld (ERW) method also uses skelp in forms of rolls or sheets.  ERW pipes, though, do not use heat. Instead, they are cold formed.  The edges of the skelp are welded at the seam using an electric current, with revolving copper discs serving as electrodes that raise the temperature to 2600 degrees Fahrenheit.  After normalization, the weld is cooled using air and water.

The primary procurers of ERW pipes are companies that transmit gas and oil.  

Chris Keehner is at the helm of Baltimore-based DS Pipe & Steel Supply LLC’s everyday operation.  He is credited as a major reason the company can efficiently supply steel and pipe products to seven states in the American northeast.  Visit the company website for more information.

Plumbing tips: Initial troubleshooting for clogging

A clogged drain can be a major showstopper for the on-the-go average American. Reality would dictate that the responsible homeowner would have some knowledge about common household issues, not the least of which being unwanted clogging. Here are a few tips on troubleshooting your clogged drain.

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The first thing you should do is to observe whether or not the water level is going down at all. Generally, this would give you an idea of the extent of the obstruction. If it goes down even gradually, then it might not be a huge issue. If it remains the same or it barely moves after a few minutes, this might be more complicated. 

The next step is to get your drain plunger and apply pushing and pulling pressure on the drain hole. If there is an improvement, make sure that you do this repeatedly, even if you have to fill your sink or bathtub with some amount of water to see how it goes down again. 

If the problem persists, it’s time to make use of a plumbing snake. This is very effective in negotiating bends so that it may push away physical obstructions. Try to alternate between using the snake and the plunger before resigning to the fact that the problem requires the help of a professional.

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Troubleshooting is a huge skill set in maintaining your home. It saves time and unnecessary effort. So before you bring in the cavalry, try to see if you can fix your plumbing on your own ranks first.  

DS Pipe & Steel Supply LLC has been providing the community with the best steel pipes and other steel made materials for the household. Leading the firm is Chris Keehner. For more information, visit this website.

Household Habits: Small Mistakes That Cause Big Pipe Problems

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To ensure that things are in order, proper household care should be a conscious effort. The truth is many of the most common household problems are ones which could be averted, given enough consideration from the part of residents.

Plumbing issues are on the list of American household horrors. Many of us are not aware that small mistakes can lead to huge consequences for our pipe systems at home.

Improper waste disposal is a problem that tends to degenerate gradually. Majority of household wastes are not easily broken down by water. Debris finding its way to pipes causes the accumulation of slime and other sediments that could stem the flow of water. Even toilet paper can cause clogging, and habitual disposal will mean exponential trouble if it collects in your septic tank.

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Hanging habits might surprise you as one of the culprits in the plumbing problem. People tend to hang their towels, bath robes, and even their shower racks on the various protruding pipes in the home. In worst cases, pipes have been used as attachments for clothes lines. Pipes simply are not designed to support this much weight.

Compulsive tightening also causes issues because eventually, the first to give out is the valve mechanism, which is known to have non-metal parts. When this breaks down to premature wear and tear, this means unnecessary trouble and expense.

Proper household habits can certainly prevent problems. It’s a much smaller price to pay for consistent comfort.

DS Pipe & Steel Supply LLC is a key provider of stainless steel pipes and other household and industrial steel items. It is operated by Chris Keehner. For more information about the company, visit this website.

Pipes: Why Choose Metal Over Plastic

Pipes have a lot of applications in the construction of residential or industrial structures. Pipes can be utilized as structural components, but their primary purpose is to convey substances – solid, liquid, or gas – through openings. There are plenty of pipe materials to choose from, with the selection mainly depending the substance that must be transported.

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The two main categories of pipe materials are plastic and metal. Some prefer plastic as it is the less expensive material, although the fittings and other accessories can be quite costly. There are also no risks of corrosion, unlike with metal pipes.

Contamination, though, is a possibility because of the chemicals used as adhesive to join sections of pipes, in addition to the potential toxicity of plastic itself. Most plastic pipes cannot withstand extreme temperatures, splitting when it is too cold, or warping when exposed to high heat.

For these reasons and some more, metal or alloy pipes have been the preferred choice of plumbers and engineers. These pipes are safe, durable, and reliable, especially when conveying any substance of whatever form or temperature. It has a long life span, rendering the need for replacement the least to be concerned about.

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There are a lot of metal and alloy pipes to choose from, such as steel, aluminum, brass, carbon, and copper. Each has advantages and drawbacks. But, clearly, these types of pipes are the better choice.

DS Pipe & Steel Supply LLC is a leading distributor of pipes and structural steel. It is led by Sean and Chris Keehner. Visit this blog for more discussion about steel and pipes.

Choosing The Ferrometals For The Right Job

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Iron is one of the most versatile metallic elements currently in use. Its alloys have found thousands of industrial applications. But not all ferrometallic alloys are created equal, both figuratively and literally. The many alloys of iron developed for industrial applications have vastly different properties and grades, all of which make them suited for some jobs more than others.

By far the most versatile of the ferrometallic alloys is steel. Far stronger and less brittle than most iron alloys, steel and its many grades have been used for a broad array of applications from tools and machine parts to structural components in buildings and bridges such as girders and pipes. Most grades of steel, however, are as prone to corrosion as pure iron and its many subtypes. These are thus best used in applications that preclude constant exposure to water and atmospheric oxygen.

Trace elements within the steel can change its properties significantly. The addition of chromium, nickel, and silicon produce the various grades of stainless steel, which resists corrosion and is used for tools and other functions involving constant exposure to air and water. Manganese produces a form of steel resistant to high temperatures.

Prior to the widespread use of steel, which requires precise conditions to produce, cast iron was the alloy of choice. Comprising a higher level of carbon than steel, cast iron has great compressive strength, a lower casting temperature, and a lower overall cost, but is far more brittle. It is appropriate for casting into a variety of objects, hence the name. Cast iron is used in furniture, ornamental features like fences, and heavy-duty cookware.

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A niche ferrometalic alloy is alnico, comprising primarily of iron mixed with aluminum, cobalt, nickel, and traces of other metals. It is typically used in electronics, such as loudspeaker magnets and pickups in electric guitars.

Chris Keehner heads DS Pipe & Steel Supply LLC, which provides a range of piping and steel construction materials to customers in Maryland and the surrounding states. For more details on the products the company offers, visit this website.

Solid Advantages Of Using Carbon Steel Pipes

Innumerable buildings, vehicles, and machines make use of carbon steel pipes. This alloy pipe has a wide variety of uses and applications due to its properties. By augmenting steel with carbon, the material becomes that much stronger and harder. This is the reason manufacturers and builders have preferred this type of pipes for their projects.

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Durable. The durability of carbon steel is in a class of its own. Its great resistance to vibration and shock allows it to become invulnerable to earthquakes and storms. The non-combustibility of the material makes it safe in case of fire. Carbon steel piping makes for a great choice in underground and structural piping.

Corrosion-resistant. Due to the material’s anti-corrosive property, the pipe can be used to deliver water or petroleum. The pipe can also be installed in environments that are acidic.

Environment-friendly. Steel, whether carbon steel or stainless, can be recycled. As a matter of fact, in North America, 70 percent of all steel is recycled annually. Additionally, the production of steel is known to be safe for the environment.

Cost-effective. With the carbon steel’s strength, the pipes produced can be much thinner than typical ones while still having a greater carrying capacity. Using less raw materials would result to a lower cost of production. The lack of need for repair or replacement, due to the properties of the carbon steel pipe, will also result to lessened costs.

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DS Pipe & Steel Supply LLC is a leading supplier of pipes and other steel materials. It is run by Sean and Chris Keehner. Visit this website to know more about the company’s wide range of products.

Built to Last: World’s Best Steel Structures

It’s undeniable how iron and steel are widely utilized to make structures such as bridges, roads, and buildings. A designer that uses steel as a material is not only merely creating a structure but an artwork as well. Here are some of the world’s best steel structures that will surely take anyone’s breath away.

Chicago Picasso

The artwork is built from Cor-Ten steel. It towers over the Daley Plaza in Chicago, standing 50 feet tall and weighing over 160 tons. The late artist dedicated this Picasso classic piece to the people of Chicago in 1967.

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The Empire State Building

This 103-story New York skyscraper was built with steel frames, weighing 57,000 tons. It stands on the Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. It is famous among tourist and locals and is known as an American culture icon.

Barclays Center

The arena is the home of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets. It features weathered Cor-Ten steel lattice that is wrapped around the structure. The façade also has 12,000 pre-weathered steel panels.
  

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World’s Largest Menorah

Yaacov Agam, the “Father of Kinetic Art,” designed the menorah located in New York City for the Jewish holiday. The gold-colored structure is 32 feet tall and weighs 4000 pounds.  

Chris Keehner co-owns DS Pipe and Steel LLC, a supplier of structural steel based in Maryland. Visit this blog to read more about structural steel.