There are 3 (three) welding methods for pipes produced by PT Bakrie Pipe Industries, namely ERW/HFW, LSAW, and HSAW pipes. The following is a brief explanation regarding the three methods:
1. ERW/HFW
ERW is an abbreviation for Electric Resistance Welding or also called High Frequency Welding (HFW). The process of making pipes using the ERW method has straight welding, referring to welding on a sheet that is rolled into a tube shape. This welding does not use filler metal. ERW pipes have a very small HAZ (Heat Affected Zone) area. The production productivity of ERW pipes is 12 m/minute, while the Weld Seam length of ERW pipes is only 12 meters / 6 meters long.
2. LSAW
LSAW is an abbreviation for Longitudinal Submerged Arc Welding. The LSAW pipe production process begins with a plate which is formed into a pipe by joining each side of the plate/strip longitudinally according to the required diameter, then welded with filler metal. LSAW pipes have a small HAZ (Heat Affected Zone) area. The production productivity of LSAW pipes is 4 m/minute, while the Weld Seam length of LSAW pipes is only 12 meters / 6 meters long.
3. HSAW
HSAW is an abbreviation for Helical Submerged Arc Welding. The HSAW pipe production process begins with a plate which is formed into a pipe by bringing each side of the plate (strip) together in a spiral according to the required diameter using filler metal. HSAW pipes have a large HAZ (Heat Affected Zone) area. The production productivity of HSAW pipes is 2 m/minute, while the Weld Seam Length of HSAW pipes is 1.5 – 2 times the length of the pipe.