THE BENEFITS OF SPIRAL PIPE

Spiral pipe, technically known as Spiral Submerged Arc Welded (SSAW) pipe, has become a cornerstone in heavy civil construction. Unlike standard longitudinal pipe which is limited by the width of the steel plate, spiral pipe is formed from continuous steel coils, allowing manufacturers to produce massive diameters and customizable lengths that straight-seam mills simply cannot match.

1. The SSAW Manufacturing Advantage

The unique properties of spiral pipe are a direct result of the SSAW manufacturing process. A continuous coil of steel strip (skelp) is uncoiled, leveled, and fed into a forming machine at an angle, rolling it into a cylinder. The edges are then simultaneously welded on the inside and outside using submerged arc technology.

• Exact Diameter Control: The pipe's outer diameter (OD) is determined by the angle at which the steel strip enters the forming rolls, not the width of the steel coil. This allows manufacturers to produce precise, custom diameters (e.g., 37.5" OD) without needing custom-sized flat plates.
• Unlimited Lengths: Because the pipe is formed continuously from a massive coil, it can be cut to any length required by the project. This is only limited by what can legally be transported on a flatbed truck or railcar.
• Exceptional Straightness: The continuous, rotating forming process naturally balances the stresses in the steel, resulting in excellent straightness and roundness, which is highly critical when driving pipe piles or aligning field splices.

2. Structural Efficiency & Strength

Because the weld seam is wound helically around the pipe, the seam actually acts as a continuous reinforcing band, fundamentally altering how the pipe handles stress compared to straight-seam LSAW or ERW pipe.

3. Project Cost Effectiveness

For large-scale infrastructure projects, the decision to use spiral pipe often comes down to the bottom line.