SSAW Steel Pipe

Spiral Submerged Arc Welded pipes for oil & gas transmission, water supply, piling, and structural applications. Large diameter, high strength, cost-effective.

OD: 219–3620mm
WT: 3.2–25.4mm
API 5L X42–X80
EN10219
GB/T 9711
EN 10217

SSAW Steel Pipe

SSAW (Spiral Submerged Arc Welded) steel pipe, also known as HSAW (Helical Submerged Arc Welded) pipe, is manufactured by winding low-carbon steel or low-alloy steel strip into a tube blank at a certain helix angle, then welding the seam using submerged arc welding. The spiral weld seam runs along the helical direction of the pipe.

SSAW pipes offer unique advantages for large-diameter applications. The spiral forming process allows production of very large diameters (up to 3620mm) from narrower steel coils, making it more cost-effective than LSAW for diameters above 20 inches. The helical weld seam distributes stress more evenly around the pipe circumference.

Large Diameter

Spiral Weld Seam
API 5L / GB/T 9711

High Pressure

Cost Effective

Oil & Gas Transmission

Technical Specifications

Applicable Standards

SSAW steel pipes can be manufactured in accordance with the following international and national standards. Our quality control system ensures full compliance with specified requirements.

Standard	Grades / Materials	Description
API 5L	Gr.B, X42, X52, X60, X65, X70 (PSL1/PSL2)	Oil & Gas transmission pipeline specification for PSL1 and PSL2 service
ASTM A139	Grade A, B, C	Electric-fusion (arc) welded steel pipe for conveying gas, water, and petroleum
EN 10217-1	P235TR1/TR2, P265TR1/TR2	European standard for welded steel tubes for pressure purposes – non-alloy steel tubes with specified room temperature properties
EN 10219	S235JRH, S355J0H, S355J2H	European standard for cold formed welded structural hollow sections of non-alloy and fine grain steels
GOST 20295	K34, K38, K42, K50, K52, K55, K60	Russian standard for welded steel pipes for main gas and oil pipelines
ASTM A252	Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3	American standard for welded and seamless steel pipe piles
ASTM A671	CA55, CB60, CB65, CC60, CC65, CC70	American standard for electric-fusion-welded steel pipe for atmospheric and lower temperatures
ASTM A672	A45, A50, B60, C55, C60, C70, D80	American standard for electric-fusion-welded steel pipe for high-pressure service at moderate temperatures

SSAW Pipe Dimensions

OD Range: 355.6–2438.4mm (14″–96″) | Wall Thickness: 6.02–24.61mm | Length: 6–35m

DN	NPS (in)	OD (mm)	6.02	6.55	7.11	7.92	9.53	11.13	12.7	14.27	15.09	15.88	17.48	19.05	20.62	22.23	24.61
350	14	355.6	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
400	16	406.4	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
450	18	457.2	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
500	20	508	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
550	22	558.8	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
600	24	609.6	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
650	26	660.4	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
700	28	711.2	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
750	30	762	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
800	32	812.8	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
850	34	863.6	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
900	36	914.4	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
950	38	965.2				•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
1000	40	1016				•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
1050	42	1066.8				•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
1100	44	1117.6				•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
1150	46	1168.4				•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
1200	48	1219.2				•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
1250	50	1270				•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
1300	52	1320.8				•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
1400	56	1422.4					•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
1500	60	1524					•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
1600	64	1625.6					•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
1700	68	1727.2							•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
1800	72	1828.8							•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
1900	76	1930.4								•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
2000	80	2032								•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
2200	88	2235.2								•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
2400	96	2438.4								•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•

Chemical Composition (%)

Grade	C (max)	Si (max)	Mn (max)	P (max)	S (max)	Cu (max)	Others (max)
API 5L PSL1 Gr.B (L245)	≤0.26	—	≤1.20	≤0.030	≤0.030	≤0.50	①
API 5L PSL1 X42 (L290)	≤0.26	—	≤1.30	≤0.030	≤0.030	≤0.50	①
API 5L PSL2 X52 (L360M)	≤0.22	≤0.45	≤1.40	≤0.025	≤0.015	—	②
API 5L PSL2 X60 (L415M)	≤0.12	≤0.45	≤1.60	≤0.025	≤0.015	—	②
API 5L PSL2 X65 (L450M)	≤0.12	≤0.45	≤1.60	≤0.025	≤0.015	—	②
API 5L PSL2 X70 (L485M)	≤0.12	≤0.45	≤1.70	≤0.025	≤0.015	—	②
ASTM A139 Gr.B	≤0.26	—	≤1.00	≤0.035	≤0.035	—	—
ASTM A252 Gr.2	—	—	—	≤0.050	—	—	—
ASTM A252 Gr.3	—	—	—	≤0.050	—	—	—
ASTM A671 CC65	≤0.26	0.15–0.40	0.85–1.20	≤0.025	≤0.025	—	③
ASTM A671 CC70	≤0.28	0.15–0.40	0.85–1.20	≤0.025	≤0.025	—	③
ASTM A672 C60	≤0.23	0.15–0.40	0.85–1.20	≤0.025	≤0.025	—	③
ASTM A672 C70	≤0.28	0.15–0.40	0.85–1.20	≤0.025	≤0.025	—	③
EN 10217-1 P235TR1	≤0.16	≤0.35	≤1.20	≤0.025	≤0.020	≤0.30	④
EN 10217-1 P235TR2	≤0.16	≤0.35	≤1.20	≤0.025	≤0.020	≤0.30	④ Al ≥0.020
EN 10217-1 P265TR1	≤0.20	≤0.40	≤1.40	≤0.025	≤0.020	≤0.30	④
EN 10217-1 P265TR2	≤0.20	≤0.40	≤1.40	≤0.025	≤0.020	≤0.30	④ Al ≥0.020
EN 10219 S235JRH	≤0.17	—	≤1.40	≤0.040	≤0.040	—	N ≤0.009
EN 10219 S355J0H	≤0.22	≤0.55	≤1.60	≤0.035	≤0.035	—	N ≤0.009
EN 10219 S355J2H	≤0.22	≤0.55	≤1.60	≤0.030	≤0.030	—	—
GOST 20295 K42	—	—	—	—	—	—	⑤
GOST 20295 K52	—	—	—	—	—	—	⑤
GOST 20295 K60	—	—	—	—	—	—	⑤

① API 5L PSL1: Ni/Cr ≤ 0.50%, Mo ≤ 0.15%, V+Nb+Ti ≤ 0.15% (t ≤ 25 mm). ② API 5L PSL2 (welded pipe, M grades = TMCP): C ≤ 0.22% for X52M, C ≤ 0.12% for X60M/X65M/X70M; V ≤ 0.10%, Nb ≤ 0.05%, Ti ≤ 0.04%; carbon equivalents mandatory: CE_IIW ≤ 0.43, CE_Pcm ≤ 0.25. ③ A671/A672 chemistry follows the base plate (A516); C max varies with plate thickness (typical thickness shown). ④ EN 10217-1: Cr/Mo/Ni ≤ 0.30%, Cu ≤ 0.30%, Nb ≤ 0.010%, Ti ≤ 0.04%, V ≤ 0.02%; TR2 requires total Al ≥ 0.020%. ⑤ GOST 20295 does not specify chemical composition by strength grade; the steel grade is selected by the mill per GOST 380/1050/19282.

Mechanical Properties

Grade	Tensile Strength (MPa)	Yield Strength (MPa)	Elongation (%)	Impact (Charpy V-notch)
API 5L PSL1 Gr.B (L245)	≥415	≥245	Per formula ①	—
API 5L PSL1 X42 (L290)	≥415	≥290	Per formula ①	—
API 5L PSL2 X52 (L360M)	460–760	360–530	Per formula	Per API 5L Table 8 ②
API 5L PSL2 X60 (L415M)	520–760	415–565	Per formula	Per API 5L Table 8 ②
API 5L PSL2 X65 (L450M)	535–760	450–600	Per formula	Per API 5L Table 8 ②
API 5L PSL2 X70 (L485M)	570–760	485–635	Per formula	Per API 5L Table 8 ②
ASTM A139 Gr.B	≥415	≥240	≥30	—
ASTM A252 Gr.2	≥415	≥240	≥25	—
ASTM A252 Gr.3	≥455	≥310	≥20	—
ASTM A671 CC65	450–585	≥240	≥23 ③	—
ASTM A671 CC70	485–620	≥260	≥21 ③	—
ASTM A672 C60	415–550	≥220	≥25 ③	—
ASTM A672 C70	485–620	≥260	≥21 ③	—
EN 10217-1 P235TR1	360–500	≥235	≥25	—
EN 10217-1 P235TR2	360–500	≥235	≥25	40 J @ 0 °C
EN 10217-1 P265TR1	410–570	≥265	≥21	—
EN 10217-1 P265TR2	410–570	≥265	≥21	40 J @ 0 °C
EN 10219 S235JRH	360–510	≥235	≥24	27 J @ +20 °C ④
EN 10219 S355J0H	470–630	≥355	≥20	27 J @ 0 °C
EN 10219 S355J2H	470–630	≥355	≥20	27 J @ −20 °C
GOST 20295 K42	≥412	≥245	≥21	Per pipe type/diameter ⑤
GOST 20295 K52	≥510	≥353	≥20	Per pipe type/diameter ⑤
GOST 20295 K60	≥588	≥412	≥16	Per pipe type/diameter ⑤

Notes: ① API 5L PSL1 elongation per the standard formula (varies with specimen size and wall thickness); PSL1 grades have no mandatory Charpy impact requirement. ② API 5L PSL2: yield-to-tensile ratio ≤ 0.93; CVN impact is mandatory and per API 5L (46th ed.) Table 8 — tested at 0 °C, values vary with OD and wall thickness (e.g. 27 J full-size for OD ≤ 508 mm). ③ A671/A672 elongation differs by gauge length (2 in. / 8 in.). ④ EN 10219 S235JRH impact is verified only when Option 1.3 is specified; EN values apply to thickness ≤ 16 mm unless noted; elongation is longitudinal (L₀ = 5.65√S₀). ⑤ GOST 20295 impact applies to D ≥ 219 mm and t ≥ 6 mm; values per pipe type/diameter. All values are minimum unless shown as a range.

Available Coating Options

3PE Coating

Three-layer polyethylene (epoxy + adhesive + PE) for buried pipelines. Thickness: 1.8–3.7mm. Service temp: −40°C to 80°C.

FBE Coating

Fusion bonded epoxy for oil & gas pipelines. Thickness: 300–500μm. Service temp: up to 90°C.

2PE/2PP Coating

Two-layer polyethylene or polypropylene for water, sewage and general anti-corrosion service. Thickness: 2–4mm. Service temp: up to 70°C (2PE) / 110°C (2PP).

3PP Coating

Three-layer polypropylene (epoxy + adhesive + PP) for high-temperature buried pipelines and desert service. Thickness: 1.8–3.7mm. Service temp: up to 110°C.

Black Paint / Varnish

Standard protective coating for structural and general purpose applications.

Concrete Weight Coating

Concrete coating (per ISO 21809-5) for subsea pipelines providing negative buoyancy and mechanical protection.

Epoxy Lining

Internal epoxy coating for water supply and fire fighting systems. NSF/ANSI 61 certified available.

Packing & Shipping Details

📦 Packing Methods

Bundles with steel wire straps
Wrapped with waterproof woven bag
Ends protected by plastic caps
Bevel protection with steel rings
Marking as per customer specification
Custom packing per buyer requirements

🚢 Shipping Information

MOQ: 10 tons per size
Delivery: 15–45 days
Port: Tianjin / Xingang, China
Shipping: Bulk / Container / Break-bulk
Payment: T/T, L/C accepted
Inspection: SGS, BV, TUV available

💡 Tip: We provide mill test certificates (EN 10204 3.1/3.2), third-party inspection, and full traceability for every SSAW pipe order.

Manufacturing Process

Spiral Submerged Arc Welding (SSAW) process for manufacturing large-diameter steel pipes with excellent weld quality.

Raw Material Inspection

Inspect steel strip composition, mechanical properties, surface condition and dimensional tolerance.

Strip Uncoiling & Leveling

Unfold steel coil and level strip to eliminate bending and internal stress.

Strip End Cutting & Butt Welding

Trim strip ends and weld joints to ensure continuous spiral forming production.

Edge Trimming & Milling

Machine strip edges to standard welding groove for tight seam welding.

Spiral Forming

Bend steel strip at a fixed spiral angle to form continuous tubular blank.

Pre-welding & Gap Adjustment

Fix pipe seam position and control welding gap to ensure forming stability.

Internal Submerged Arc Welding

Complete full penetration welding of inner spiral seam.

External Submerged Arc Welding

Weld outer spiral seam to form double-sided welded structure.

Online Weld Inspection & Straightening

Check welding surface quality, calibrate pipe size and correct pipe distortion.

Fixed-length Cutting

Cut continuous spiral pipes into standard specified lengths.

Pipe End Deburring

Remove sharp burrs and metal residues on pipe cut ends.

Nondestructive Testing

Detect internal and tiny welding defects via ultrasonic and X-ray inspection.

Hydrostatic Pressure Test

Verify pipe tightness and pressure bearing capacity under water pressure.

Pipe End Facing & Chamfering

Machine and chamfer pipe ends for convenient field welding installation.

Final Surface Inspection

Check pipe surface for scratches, pits and other appearance defects.

Pipe Marking

Print steel grade, specification, batch number and production standard.

Anti-rust Treatment (Optional)

Apply anti-rust oil or coating to prevent pipe oxidation and corrosion.

Packaging & Stacking

Bundle qualified pipes and stack neatly for storage and transit.

Finished Product Inspection

Perform comprehensive re-inspection to guarantee overall pipe qualification.

Finished Product Storage & Delivery

Store qualified finished pipes and arrange delivery per order requirements.

Applications

Where our products deliver proven performance across industries worldwide.

OIL & GAS

Long-Distance Oil & Gas Transmission

SSAW (HSAW) pipes up to 100 inches in diameter dominate large-diameter onshore trunk lines for crude, natural gas and refined products, where high production rates and wide plate availability keep cost per ton competitive.

✓ API 5L PSL1/PSL2, X42–X80

WATER

Large-Diameter Water Transmission

Municipal raw water, long-distance water transfer and irrigation trunk lines use large-diameter SSAW for its cost efficiency at diameters above 20 inches, combined with cement or epoxy internal linings.

✓ Diameter 219–2540 mm, AWWA M11 systems

PILING

Foundation & Marine Piling

Conical-nose SSAW pipe piles support bridges, ports, wharves and offshore jacket structures; spiral welds distribute loads evenly and long single joints reduce splicing time on site.

✓ EN 10219 / ASTM A252, up to 24 m+ lengths

DREDGING

Dredging & Slurry Pipelines

Wear-resistant steel grades and thick walls make SSAW the workhorse for dredger suction and discharge lines and mine tailings slurry transport, where abrasion and frequent handling are severe.

✓ Wear-resistant grades, thick-wall options

STRUCTURAL

Structural Columns & Caissons

Spiral tubes serve as columns for high-rise buildings, caissons for bridge piers, and wind-turbine towers, using the geometric stability of the spiral weld under compression.

✓ EN 10219 S235–S460

OFFSHORE

Shallow-Water Marine Lines

SSAW supplies outfall, intake and jetty lines in coastal works; triple-wire weld inspection and 100% hydro testing qualify joints for submerged service with cathodic protection.

✓ 100% hydrostatic test per API 5L

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SSAW (spiral submerged arc welded) steel pipe?＋

SSAW pipe is formed by spirally coiling hot-rolled steel strip and welding both the inside and outside seams with submerged arc welding. It allows large diameters (up to 100") from narrower strip, at high production rates.

What standards does your SSAW pipe comply with?＋

We produce to API 5L PSL1/PSL2 (Gr. B–X80), ASTM A252, EN 10219, GB/T 9711 and AWWA C200, with full traceability and hydrostatic testing on every joint.

What diameter range is available for SSAW pipe?＋

Typically 219 mm to 2540 mm (8"–100") outside diameter, with wall thickness from 5 mm to 25.4 mm depending on diameter and grade.

How does SSAW compare to LSAW pipe?＋

SSAW is more economical for large diameters and standard pressures, and allows longer lengths from narrower plate. LSAW offers better toughness and is preferred for high-pressure, arctic, and critical offshore pipelines.

Is the spiral weld weaker than a longitudinal weld?＋

Properly made spiral welds meet the same pressure design basis as longitudinal welds. Spiral orientation actually spreads defects across a longer seam, and 100% ultrasonic plus X-ray inspection ensures weld integrity.

What hydrostatic and NDT testing do you perform?＋

Every joint is hydrostatically tested per API 5L. Weld seams receive 100% ultrasonic and X-ray inspection, plus visual and dimensional checks on every pipe.

What is the minimum order quantity and lead time?＋

MOQ is typically 50 tons per size; lead time depends on diameter, grade and schedule. Contact us with your specification for a firm quotation.

Can you supply SSAW pipe with internal and external coatings?＋

Yes. We offer FBE, 3PE/3PP, cement-mortar lining, liquid epoxy and galvanizing, applied in-house or through our coating partners with single-source QC.

How should SSAW pipe be stored and handled?＋

Stack on padded timber supports, use soft slings, keep bevel protectors on, and avoid dragging — especially for coated pipes. Damaged coating can be field-repaired with compatible patch systems.

What documentation do you provide with each order?＋

Mill test certificates (EN 10204 3.1), hydro test records, NDT reports, heat traceability, and coating QC reports — plus third-party inspection (SGS/BV/TUV) on request.