Titanium Pipe Manufacturing Process Seamless vs Welded (Step-by-Step Guide)

Titanium pipes and tubes are essential in industries where corrosion resistance, strength, durability, and lightweight performance are critical. They are widely used in:

Chemical processing
Heat exchangers
Marine & desalination plants
Aerospace hydraulic lines
Power plants
Oil & gas offshore systems

Titanium pipes are manufactured mainly in two types:

Seamless Titanium Pipes
Welded Titanium Pipes

This detailed guide explains:

Manufacturing process
Seamless vs welded titanium pipes
Step-by-step production flow
Heat treatment & quality testing
Applications
FAQs
Why Moksh is a trusted supplier

Titanium Raw Material Selection

Manufacturing begins with high-purity titanium billets or titanium coils.

Titanium Grades Used for Pipes:

Grade 1 – Highly ductile, soft, best corrosion resistance
Grade 2 – Most widely used, balanced strength + corrosion resistance
Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) – High-strength aerospace alloy
Grade 7 / 11 – Palladium-stabilized corrosion-resistant titanium
Grade 12 – Ti-Mo-Ni alloy for hot brine & seawater

The billet or coil must be free from defects, inclusions, or impurities.

Seamless Titanium Pipe Manufacturing Process

Seamless titanium pipes are preferred for high-pressure, high-temperature, and critical service.

Step 1: Titanium Billet Preparation

Solid cylindrical billet selected
Surface cleaned
Heated for hot working

Step 2: Hot Piercing

Billet pierced to form a hollow shell
No welds, seamless structure
Uniform grain flow

Step 3: Mandrel Rolling / Elongation

Reduces wall thickness
Increases length
Improves diameter accuracy

Step 4: Cold Pilgering

Enhances strength
Improves surface finish
Achieves tight tolerances

Step 5: Heat Treatment (Annealing)

Removes stress
Improves ductility
Argon atmosphere prevents oxidation

Step 6: Straightening & Sizing

Hydraulic straightening
Thickness & OD accuracy

Step 7: Pickling & Surface Treatment

Pickling solution
Acid wash
Water rinse

Step 8: Inspection & Testing

PMI
Dimensional check
Eddy current test
Hydrostatic test
Ultrasonic test
Visual inspection
Microstructure analysis

Applications:

High-pressure heat exchangers
Chemical process lines
Aerospace hydraulics
Offshore deep-sea systems

Welded Titanium Pipe Manufacturing Process

Step 1: Titanium Coil / Plate Preparation

Sheets cut to required width
Flat, defect-free surface

Step 2: Forming Into Tube Shape

Rolled into cylindrical shape

Step 3: Welding (GTAW / TIG)

100% argon shielding
High-purity filler rods
Strong, corrosion-resistant weld

Step 4: Weld Bead Grinding

Smooth internal & external surface
Improves flow efficiency

Step 5: Heat Treatment

Relieves weld stress
Improves toughness

Step 6: Sizing & Straightening

Ensures tight tolerances

Step 7: Non-Destructive Testing

Hydrostatic
Radiography
Ultrasonic & eddy current

Applications:

Desalination
Large pipelines
Marine environments
Low-pressure heat exchangers

Seamless vs Welded Titanium Pipes

Feature	Seamless	Welded
Strength	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pressure Handling	Very High	Medium
Cost	High	Lower
Welds	None	One longitudinal weld
Sizes Available	Limited large OD	Large OD available
Corrosion Resistance	Excellent	Excellent
Surface Finish	Superior	Very Good
Applications	High pressure, aerospace	Heat exchangers, marine

Applications of Titanium Pipes

Chemical Processing

Chlorine service
Reactors
Acid pipelines

Heat Exchangers

Seawater coolers
Condenser tubes
MSF & RO desalination

Marine & Offshore

Deep-sea systems
Shipbuilding
Offshore risers

Aerospace

Hydraulic lines
Structural piping

Power & Nuclear

Condensers
High-purity systems
Nuclear cooling

Quality Testing at Moksh Tubes & Fittings LLP

Standards Followed:

ASTM B337 / B338
ASTM B861
ASTM B862

Testing Includes:

PMI
Hydrostatic test
Eddy current
Ultrasonic
Radiography (for welded)
Dimensional checks