Scope of use of steel pipes

Steel pipes are widely used in multiple industries due to their high strength, pressure resistance, corrosion resistance (especially stainless steel and alloy steel pipes), and good processing performance. According to publicly available information, its main scope of use can be summarized as follows:
1、 Main usage scope classified by purpose
Pipe for pipelines
Transporting fluid media such as water, gas, steam, oil, natural gas, etc
Agricultural irrigation faucets with pipes, sprinkler irrigation pipes
Used for thermal equipment
Boiler pipes: such as boiling water pipes, superheated steam pipes, arch brick pipes, etc. (suitable for medium and low pressure boilers and high temperature and high pressure boilers)
Locomotive boiler pipe
Mechanical industry pipes
Automotive components: such as half axles, axles, tractor structural components, oil coolers, shock absorber oil storage pipes, driveshafts, exhaust pipes, etc
Aviation structural pipes: circular pipes, elliptical pipes, flat elliptical pipes, etc
Transformer tubes, bearing tubes
Pipe for petroleum geological drilling
Oil drill pipe, casing, tubing, core pipe, drill bit, etc
Chemical industry pipes
Heat exchangers, pipelines, high-pressure reaction tubes, etc. in chemical equipment
Acid resistant, alkali resistant, and high-temperature resistant medium transportation
Other specialized fields
Container tube: such as high-pressure gas cylinder
Medical equipment: such as injection needles, surgical instruments
Precision components such as instruments, watch cases, etc
2、 Typical application scenarios classified by material
Carbon steel pipe (such as 45 steel)
Used for general structural components, fluid transportation, mechanical parts (such as automotive shafts)
Stainless steel pipes (such as 304, 316)
Food processing equipment, chemical containers, pharmaceuticals, kitchen utensils, building decoration
Strong corrosive environments such as seawater and acidic media (316 has better corrosion resistance due to its molybdenum content)
Alloy steel pipe
High temperature and high pressure environment: such as power plant boilers, nuclear power pipelines, and petroleum cracking units
Galvanized steel pipe
Building water supply and drainage (old style), fire protection, electricity, highway guardrails, agricultural machinery, etc
Attention: Cold galvanized pipes are no longer used in water supply systems, while hot-dip galvanized pipes are still used in non potable water areas
3、 Application differences based on process and structural characteristics
Seamless steel pipe
Higher pressure resistance, suitable for high-pressure fluids, high-temperature working conditions, and mechanical structural components (such as bearings and automotive half shafts)
Welded steel pipe (welded pipe)
Commonly used for medium and low pressure fluid transportation (such as water and gas), building supports, and ordinary structures
Cold drawn/Cold rolled
High dimensional accuracy and smooth surface, used in hydraulic systems, aerospace, and precision machinery