ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India says it has produced highest strength welded pipes
New Delhi, May 26: ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) today claimed to have become the first steel company in the world to produce the highest strength welded pipes (EQ70 grade) used in marine engineering projects, with certification from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).
EQ70 grade is a high-strength low-alloy steel grade with a minimum yield strength of 690 megapascals (MPa) and exceptional toughness.
“EQ70 grade welded pipes meet the demanding requirements of offshore applications such as leg bracing in jack-up rigs and deepwater pipelines. Their superior strength allows for thinner, lighter pipes without compromising structural integrity, while their advanced weldability and corrosion resistance ensure reliability in harsh marine environments,” the company said in a statement.
“The successful fabrication of welded pipes from ABS EQ70 grade plates using Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) at the company’s flagship plant in Hazira, Gujarat, sets new industry standards for safety, sustainability, and cost-effective production for critical offshore projects,” it said.
“Producing ultra-high strength welded pipes is technically challenging, as it requires maintaining uniform strength and toughness across both the base metal and the welded seam, while ensuring structural integrity under extreme offshore conditions,” the company said.
The ABS is a leading maritime classification society that provides independent validation of compliance, including strength parameters, with globally recognised standards.
“This endeavour by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India enables the domestic availability of indigenously-produced highest strength welded pipes, replacing seamless pipes currently imported from Europe for critical applications such as oil & gas platforms, offshore wind structures, and deepwater pipelines,” the company said.
The statement said the company has already supplied a substantial quantity of welded pipes to a leading oil and gas producer in the country.
