In the Thisvi Pipeworks in Greece, Corinth Pipeworks S.A. has produced what is claimed to be the world's first 26-inch longitudinally welded pipe by using the High Frequency Induction (HFI) process.
The line had been supplied by SMS Meer and SMS Elotherm, Germany, as an ERW tube welding line that was put into operation in 2001. Its main products are pipes for gas, oil, and water lines in the dimensional range of 8-5/8 to 24 inch (220 to 610 mm), with wall thicknesses from 4 to 20 mm, to API 5L and/or 5CT. Corinth Pipeworks also manufactures hollow sections with square (max. 500 x 500) and rectangular (max. 600 x 400) cross-sections in wall thicknesses up to 20 mm by cold-finishing.
During a three-week shutdown, the line was extended jointly by Corinth Pipeworks and SMS Meer to allow the production of 26-inch pipes.
The first 26-inch pipes in different wall thicknesses and material grades were successfully produced on September 7. The trial production of 24-inch (610-mm) pipes in up to 25-mm wall thickness was successfully concluded as well. The lines in operation at Thisvi have a capacity of about 775,000 tonnes per year.
