The owners of industrial and manufacturing facilities are always on the lookout for ways to cut operating expenditures for their businesses. As you read this blog, you'll learn various ways to reduce expenses and overhead for larger profit margins. We aren't affiliated with any type of business, we just enjoy learning how to save money and we like to reveal the information we find to others. Our recommendations in this blog pertain to finding the best suppliers, taking advantage of technology and implementing cost reductions throughout your facility. We think that after reading our blog, you'll have the information you need to accomplish cost saving solutions for your industrial and manufacturing business.
Steel is so strong that it can be used and reused for industrial applications without having to be melted down and reformed. The metal isn't invincible, of course, but it's tough, and that toughness has made it an attractive item in the used-metal department. Finding used steel pipes is easy and can give you a break when you have an ever-tightening budget, and sellers usually have pipes that are in great shape. Whenever you buy used steel pipes, however, always try to check them out for a few potential issues first.
Interior Corrosion
The condition of the interior of the pipe is just as important as the condition of the exterior. There can be hidden corrosion and dirt that affect the strength of the pipe and that could contaminate whatever flows through the pipe. The interior should be clean, but even the most fastidious seller could miss something accidentally. If you can get a look inside the pipe, such as with a pipe camera, do so. That will let you know if the pipe is clean, can simply be cleaned again and then used, or if there is a hidden problem.
End Cap Condition
Take a good look at the ends of the pipe. You shouldn't see any deep scratches, dents, or corrosion; those could interfere with connectors and even indicate weakness in the pipe. Yes, a used pipe might have some light marks—that's to be expected. But you don't want to see anything that could make it harder to attach the pipe to anything and harder to prevent leaks at those connection points. Look for rust spots, too; some rust can form on top of the steel because of bits of iron that could have been left behind during the manufacturing process (the tools to cut and shape metal are often made of iron), but if the rust looks like it's part of the pipe itself, you'll have to be careful.
Type of Steel
Steel comes in different types. You can have plain steel, an alloy, stainless steel that comes in several subtypes, and so on. The type of steel affects its resistance to rust, its strength, its flexibility, etc. Make sure the steel you get matches; sellers are careful to keep each type categorized and separated properly, but if you're picking out the metal pipes yourself, it's easy to reach into the wrong pile.
Sellers are generally very good about describing the quality of the used steel, so you should know what you're getting. It's still a good idea to inspect the pipes thoroughly to ensure there hasn't been a mistake.
Share