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

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

• Solid cylindrical billet selected
• Surface cleaned
• Heated for hot working

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

• Reduces wall thickness
• Increases length
• Improves diameter accuracy

• Enhances strength
• Improves surface finish
• Achieves tight tolerances

• Removes stress
• Improves ductility
• Argon atmosphere prevents oxidation

• Hydraulic straightening
• Thickness & OD accuracy

• Pickling solution
• Acid wash
• Water rinse

• 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

• Sheets cut to required width
• Flat, defect-free surface

• Rolled into cylindrical shape

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

• Smooth internal & external surface
• Improves flow efficiency

• Relieves weld stress
• Improves toughness

• Ensures tight tolerances

• Hydrostatic
• Radiography
• Ultrasonic & eddy current

Applications:

• Desalination
• Large pipelines
• Marine environments
• Low-pressure heat exchangers

• Chlorine service
• Reactors
• Acid pipelines

• Seawater coolers
• Condenser tubes
• MSF & RO desalination

• Deep-sea systems
• Shipbuilding
• Offshore risers

• Hydraulic lines
• Structural piping

• Condensers
• High-purity systems
• Nuclear cooling

Standards Followed:

• ASTM B337 / B338
• ASTM B861
• ASTM B862

Testing Includes:

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