Seamless Tubes
Seamless tubes are tubes without a weld seam, formed in one piece from solid steel. We supply dimensions by agreement, according to EN 10216 or ASTM, with an EN 10204 certificate.
Seamless Tubes
The Right Tube, in the Right Quality
You choose seamless tubes when a weld seam is undesirable, for example, under high pressure, fluctuating loads, or stringent inspection requirements. Metal Service Europe supplies seamless steel tubes and seamless stainless steel tubes to engineers and buyers in the process industry, hydraulics, and mechanical engineering. You receive the tube cut to length, pre-machined, or as a completely finished part, with the certificate required by your standard.
Various Designs and Dimensions by Agreement
Design
From Raw Tube to Fully Machined
Raw, Cut to Length
You receive the tube in its as-delivered condition, cut to the desired length. Suitable if you cut off and further machine bushings, sleeves, or cylinders yourself in your workshop.
Pre-machined
Inner and outer diameters are clean-machined with a small machining allowance. This ensures surface and dimensions are controlled, and the tube can proceed directly to your own final machining.
Completely Machined
We supply a finished part according to your drawing, such as a bearing bush, sleeve, or cylinder, dimensionally inspected and provided with a certificate. Ready for direct installation in your system.
Process
How a Seamless Tube is Made
A round billet is heated and pierced in a rolling mill with obliquely positioned rolls, creating a thick-walled hollow shell. This is then further rolled to the desired wall thickness and subsequently calibrated to diameter. After heat treatment, testing and final inspection follow, after which we deliver the tube cut to length or machined.
Applications
For the Most Demanding Industries
Bushings, Sleeves, and Bearing Bushes
Structural Components in Mechanical Engineering
Pressure Pipelines in (Petro)chemistry
Hydraulic Cylinders
Piping for Offshore and Shipbuilding
Heat Exchangers and Boilers
Our approach
Your Partner in Seamless Tubes
Inquiry & Advice
You tell us the pressure and temperature at which the tube operates and what subsequent machining is required. We advise on standard, quality, and design.
Specification & Selection
Together, we agree on the standard, quality, outer diameter, wall thickness, length, and certificate. We then check availability.
Quotation & Alignment
You will receive a quote that considers the availability of the requested size. We will first present you with alternatives, such as a different wall thickness.
Order & Delivery
We follow the order through to delivery, assess the certificates, and ensure the tubes arrive at your location cut to length or machined.
Material Grades
Seamless Tubes in Various Steel and Stainless Steel Grades
We supply seamless tubes according to EN 10216, EN 10297, or ASTM in the following grades, among others:
1.4301 (AISI 304)
1.4404 (AISI 316L)
1.4571 (AISI 316Ti)
13CrMo4-5 (1.7335)
16Mo3 (1.5415)
P265GH (1.0425)
P355N (1.0562)
Frequently asked questions
All About Seamless Tubes
What is the difference between seamless and welded tubes?
A seamless tube has no weld seam, while a welded tube does. A welded tube is made from plate or strip that is formed into a round shape and welded shut longitudinally or spirally. For welded pressure tubes, EN 10217 applies. In seamless tubes, the hollow is formed from solid material. This eliminates the weld seam as a potential weak point, which is particularly important under high pressure, fluctuating loads, and stringent inspection requirements.
How are seamless tubes made?
A commonly used method is the Mannesmann process, developed in the late nineteenth century by the Mannesmann brothers. Two obliquely positioned rolls cause the heated billet to rotate and advance; a cavity opens in the core, which is further formed by a mandrel. The hollow shell is then elongated in a plug, mandrel, or pilgrim mill and calibrated to its outer diameter.
Which part of EN 10216 do I need?
That depends on the steel type and operating temperature. Part 1 covers unalloyed steel with properties at room temperature, Part 2 unalloyed and alloyed steel for elevated temperatures, Part 3 alloyed fine-grain steel, and Part 4 steel for low temperatures. Part 5 is intended for austenitic and austenitic-ferritic stainless steel. We supply according to the part and edition specified in your requirements.
What sizes of seamless tubes are possible?
We determine the possible sizes per inquiry. EN 10220 serves as the European reference framework for outer diameter and wall thickness: this standard provides tables with preferred sizes and weight per meter for seamless and welded steel tubes. For stainless steel tubes, EN 10220 refers to EN ISO 1127. State your desired size, and we will check availability.
When is centrifugal casting a better alternative than seamless tubes?
A centrifugally cast tube is interesting if the desired diameter or wall thickness falls outside the common range of seamless tubes, or for stainless steel, duplex, and nickel alloys in small quantities. We supply centrifugal castings in diameters up to 1,500 mm and lengths up to 3,000 mm. We assess per inquiry which method offers the best combination of properties, price, and delivery time.
Can a seamless tube be machined into a bushing or sleeve?
Yes. Seamless tubes are an efficient starting form for bushings, sleeves, and cylinders because the bore is already present. We supply the tube cut to length as raw material, pre-machined with machining allowance, or completely machined according to your drawing. This saves machining time and material compared to a part that must be bored from solid material.
In which materials are seamless tubes available?
Seamless tubes are available in unalloyed, alloyed, and stainless steel. For pressure at high temperatures, P265GH, 16Mo3, and 13CrMo4-5 according to EN 10216-2 are common; for mechanical engineering, for example, 42CrMo4 according to EN 10297-1. For stainless steel, this includes austenitic types such as 1.4404 and duplex 1.4462 according to EN 10216-5. Your design standard determines the appropriate quality.
In what delivery condition are seamless tubes supplied?
The delivery condition follows from the standard and the quality. Tubes according to EN 10216-2, for example, come normalized (+N), normalized and tempered (+NT), or quenched and tempered (+QT); stainless steel tubes according to EN 10216-5 are supplied solution annealed (+AT). The condition is stated on the inspection certificate. If your application requires additional heat treatment, we will arrange that as an supplementary process.
What documents accompany a delivery of seamless tubes?
Every delivery of seamless tubes includes a document according to EN 10204: depending on your requirement, an inspection certificate 3.1 or 3.2, or a test report 2.2. The document states the charge, chemical composition, mechanical values, and the tests performed. For pressure equipment or shipbuilding, acceptance can be carried out by an authority such as Lloyd's Register, DNV, Bureau Veritas, or TÜV.
What determines the delivery time of seamless tubes?
The delivery time of seamless tubes depends on the quality and dimensions, and whether the size is available or still needs to be produced. Common combinations can sometimes be delivered quickly. If a tube needs to be specially manufactured or pre-machined, we determine the schedule per order. You will receive a realistic delivery date with your quote.
Request Your Non-Binding Quote
Provide us with the standard, quality, outer diameter, wall thickness, and length, or the drawing of the machined part. We will assess the possibilities and make you a proposal.
Always with Certificate
EN 10216, ASTM, or ASME
Rough, pre-turned, or machined
Dimensions by Agreement