Shaping, grooving, punching, perforating, drilling, threading, oblique cutting, grinding, welding - no matter what pre-treatment the pipe needs, the first step is always pipe cutting. Although many cutting techniques have been in use for decades with mature market experience, as pipes and piping materials become increasingly diverse, PIPE SHOW 2024 understands that market competition pressure is also growing.

Technologies such as software, sensors, and control systems are gradually being introduced into the field of pipe manufacturing. In practice, the new generation of intelligent processing equipment is not inferior to traditional equipment, with faster production speed, higher precision, more versatility, and a higher degree of automation. This allows pipe and pipeline manufacturers to complete complex orders with high quality.

New Alloys, New Applications

The pace of technological development brings improved or completely new products to the market. In the metal industry, a key driver of alloy development is the automotive industry. The automotive industry has been striving to develop stronger, lighter alloy materials in order to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency.

Another driving factor is the petroleum industry, which needs to withstand harsh offshore conditions, so its design research standards are accordingly strict.

Progress in the Steel Industry

PIPE SHOW 2024 cites data from the World Steel Association, there are 3500 grades of steel to choose from. The steel industry continues to research and develop to meet market demand, providing new materials to the market.

Advanced high-strength steel alloys, high-strength/low-alloy materials, dual-phase steel, and deformation-induced plasticity steel have had a positive impact on material science. The latest materials have significantly increased strength compared to common light steels like SAE 1010, with ultimate tensile strengths reaching about 42000 pounds per square inch (PSI).

Daniel Johns, Business Development Manager at Kinkelder USA, said: "Ten years ago, the average tensile strength in the automotive forging industry was 750 Newtons per square millimeter (109,000 PSI), with many saw blades having maximum cutting speeds of around 130 to 140 meters per minute (MPM) [445 feet per minute (FPM)]."

At that time, the demands on saw blades were high, but there have been significant changes in just a few short years. Some of the latest materials have increased their strength by 30%, reaching 980 N/mm2 (142,000 PSI), and the speed at which saw blades operate has become faster, exceeding 200 MPM (656 FPM).

Johns said, "Fifteen years ago, we sold more general-purpose blades. Now the market demand for blades for specific applications is greater."

Cermet blades met about 80% of bar stock application needs five years ago, but now, the market demand for coated carbide blades has reached 80%.

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