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Testing of Metal Pipes

Pipes transport granulated materials, liquids, and gases, both aggressive and neutral in nature. They are used in wide variety of environments, including nuclear power stations, in and above the ground for transporting oil and natural gas, in engines for fuel delivery and exhaust gases, and in the chemical industry for producing raw materials. They are therefore manufactured from a diverse range of materials and alloys, using various production processes.

Tensile tests Hardness test Compression tests Drop weight tests TESTING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF HYDROGEN Metals brochure

Tensile tests on metal pipes

The methods used to test tensile specimens taken from or consisting of pipes vary according to the product form. Small, thin pipes are crushed at the ends for a sufficient length and then pulled, while cores are used in larger diameter pipes to prevent pre-damage through crushing. With larger pipes, standardized specimens are produced from material removed from the wall of the pipe. It is possible that specimens (taken longitudinally) may display the curve of the pipe radius; for reliable, pre-damage-free testing this radius should be compensated for with suitably shaped counterpieces. ZwickRoell offers tensile testing machines from 500 N to 2,500 kN with the right specimen grips.

Tensile test on tubes or tube sections
Tensile tests can be performed on tubes or tube sections. Depending on the size of the tube, various specifications must be observed.
to Tensile test on tubes or tube sections
Ring tensile test
The ring tensile test is a test method for tubes in which the ductility of the welded joint is assessed.
to Ring tensile test
Tensile test on metals
ISO 6892-1
to Tensile test on metals
Tensile test on metals at elevated temperature
ISO 6892-2
to Tensile test on metals at elevated temperature
Tensile test on metals
ASTM E8
to Tensile test on metals

Products for tensile tests on pipes

Hardness test on metal pipes

Hardness tests on metal pipe and large pipe are mainly carried out under two aspects: testing of weld seams and determination of the basic hardness of the pipe Depending on the application, hardness tests are performed to ISO 6506-1 (Brinell), ISO 6507-1 (Vickers), , as well as (Brinell), ASTM E384 (Vickers and Knoop), and ASTM E18 (Rockwell).

Testing and determining the hardness average value of the pipe wall

One aspect of hardness testing is the testing and determination of the hardness average value of the pipe wall after manufacture. Pipes are manufactured using a wide variety of methods, among them rolling processes. Since rolling is a thermo-mechanical process with which mechanical characteristics, along with the pipe wall thickness and diameter of the pipes, can be tested, hardness testing is used for fast determination of mechanical-technological properties.

Determining the grain structure of metallographic constituents with hardness tests

Another aspect of hardness testing is the determination of the grain structure by performing hardness tests on metallographic constituents. Due to the small size of the microstructural components, hardness testers with small to very small forces are used—usually stationary microhardness testers with indentation sizes and depths that can be adapted to the dimensions of the microstructural components via the indentation forces.

Rockwell hardness test metals
ISO 6508, ASTM E18
to Rockwell hardness test metals
Vickers hardness testing metals
ISO 6507, ASTM E92, ASTM E384
to Vickers hardness testing metals
Brinell hardness test metals
ISO 6506, ASTM E10
to Brinell hardness test metals

Testing of weld seams

The ZwickRoell product portfolio offers hardness testing machines and instruments for all test methods. ZwickRoell hardness testing machines and instruments meet the requirements of all common international standards and can also be calibrated to international standards. As a calibration lab, ZwickRoell is accredited for the calibration of hardness testers by the German national accreditation body DAkkS.

Products for hardness tests on pipes

Compression test on metal pipes

Crush tests are carried out on pipes to test their strength and ductility. These characteristics can be of considerable significance in situations where the integrity of pipework must not be affected by earthquakes, especially when pipes are laid directly in the ground. The test areas of the ZwickRoell materials testing machine can be set up in accordance with pipe diameters to make handling of specimens both simple and time-saving.

Tube-flattening test
The tube-flattening test is used to evaluate the ductility of weld seams as well as to detect defective weld seams on metal tubes.
to Tube-flattening test
Drift-expanding test
In the drift-expanding test, a conical mandrel is pressed into a tube specimen and the tube is expanded.
to Drift-expanding test
Flanging test
The flanging test is a test method in which the end of a tube is bent by 90°.
to Flanging test
Ring-expanding test
The ring-expanding test is used to assess the ability of tubes to undergo plastic deformation.
to Ring-expanding test

Products for compression tests on pipes

Drop weight tests on metal pipes

For large oil and gas pipelines, specimens taken from the pipe wall are subjected to a drop weight test according to API 5L. Specimens with the height of the original wall thickness and widths of several centimeters are abruptly loaded via a falling weight with a striking edge. The energy (weight and release height) is set so that the specimen breaks, allowing the fracture surface to be assessed visually. ZwickRoell produces drop weight testers up to 100,000 J for this type of test.

Drop weight test on metals
DIN EN 10274, API 5L
to Drop weight test on metals

Products for drop weight tests on pipes

Testing of metal pipes under the influence of hydrogen

Metal pipes are used for the transport and storage of hydrogen. Under the direct influence of hydrogen, metallic materials become brittle and lose their strength.

The effects of hydrogen influences on metals are investigated through a variety of tests. These tests can be performed in a compressed hydrogen environment or a cryogenic environment.

Hydrogen influence on metals / hydrogen embrittlement
Test requirements and challenges in terms of storage and transport of gaseous hydrogen
Standardized methods for determination of hydrogen embrittlement and testing solutions in a compressed hydrogen environment via hydrogen autoclave (hydrogen pressure tank) or hollow specimen technology
to Hydrogen influence on metals / hydrogen embrittlement
Testing at cryogenic temperatures
Cryogenic testing is performed at low temperatures <120 K (-153 °C). These low temperatures are achieved with the use of temperature chambers, immersion cryostats or continuous flow cryostats.
to Testing at cryogenic temperatures
Autoclaves - testing in a compressed hydrogen environment
Up to 400 bar; special versions up to 1,000 bar
to Autoclaves - testing in a compressed hydrogen environment
Hollow specimen testing under compressed hydrogen
up to 200 bar
to Hollow specimen testing under compressed hydrogen

Products for tests on pipes under the influence of hydrogen

Additional tests for metal pipes

High Cycle Fatigue Test / S-N Test
DIN 50100
to High Cycle Fatigue Test / S-N Test
Creep Test
to Creep Test

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