TPT May 2010

T echnology U pdate

Spiral-welded pipes and flat rolled products US Steel Košice sro, a subsidiary of USS Corporation, is a producer of flat rolled products with an annual production capability of 4.7 million tons. The company produces a wide range of hot rolled, cold rolled and coated sheets for different industries. In addition to flat rolled products, the company produces spiral-welded pipes, made from structural and micro-alloyed hot rolled coils. The pipe diameter dimensions vary from 406 to 1,422mm, with wall thicknesses from 5 to 14.2mm and lengths from 8 to 18m. The production process is continuously monitored; the pipe surface and welds are systematically inspected using series of non-destructive tests, and all results are recorded and archived. All pipes are manufactured in accordance with internationally recognised API, EN and DIN standards, with grades up to X70 according to API Spec 5L, or L 485 MB according to EN 10 208-2 standards. To keep up with recent trends US Steel Košice has expanded its production range for extra high-strength steel to X80 or L 555 MB grades respectively. Because of greater yield strength, the X80 pipes are particularly

suitableforhigh-pressurepipelines, including main gas pipelines. Thanks to a reduction in wall thickness, with all other parameters remaining unchanged, the pipes provide an alternative to longitudinally welded pipes, as well as to spiral-welded pipes of lower grades. In addition, the reduction of wall thickness results in a weight decrease, which allows more efficient transportation. The company has been producing spiral-welded pipes since 1960. Since then, more than 24,000km of pipes have been produced, representing around 3.5

million tons. The company takes advantage of its strategic location in the heart of the continent for exporting its products to many European countries and further. The pipe mill produces approximately 100,000 tons per year, and the pipes are used in gas distribution, crude oil and water distribution lines, district heating and cooling systems, civil engineering and for structural purposes. US Steel Košice sro – Slovakia Website: www.usske.sk

The US Steel Košice sro pipe products

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