In a resounding triumph, TMK Pipeline Solutions has achieved a groundbreaking feat as their high-strength large-diameter pipes gracefully sail through pneumatic tests at a test site in the Chelyabinsk region. These pipes, specifically designed for next-generation main gas pipelines capable of withstanding pressures of up to 150 atmospheres, have exhibited unparalleled strength and an extraordinary resistance to extended destruction. Manufactured at TMK TR's production site in Chelyabinsk, the impressive 1420 mm diameter pipes, belonging to the robust strength class K70, have undergone meticulous testing, thereby highlighting their exceptional performance and unwavering reliability.
During the comprehensive testing phase, a specially assembled combination of pipes, incorporating a range of production technologies, was subjected to rigorous examination. This included the utilization of standard submerged arc welding, as well as a groundbreaking hybrid laser-arc welding technique for longitudinal pipe seams, which stands as an unrivaled innovation on a global scale. The employment of this pioneering hybrid welding technique has resulted in remarkable performance characteristics for the pipes, including minimal deviations in geometric parameters, equal strength between the welded joint and the base metal of the pipe, and an elevated level of overall reliability.
Igor Pyshmintsev, TMK's esteemed Director for Research and General Director of the TMK Science and Technology Center (STC), elaborated on the significance of this achievement, stating, "The use of hybrid welding provides enhanced performance characteristics for our pipes: minimal deviations in geometric parameters, equal strength between the welded joint and the base metal, and increased overall reliability." Mr. Pyshmintsev's remarks exemplify the groundbreaking advancements TMK TR has made in pushing the boundaries of pipe manufacturing technologies, cementing their position as industry leaders.
The exceptional strength of the K70 pipes' metal composition allows for increased working pressure within the gas pipeline without the need to proportionally increase the wall thickness of the pipes. This remarkable feature not only enhances the productivity of the gas pipeline but also reduces metal consumption, making it an economically and environmentally favorable choice for future gas pipeline projects.
