Sep 12, 2026Procurement Guides
How to Choose Between ERW, LSAW and SSAW for Your Pipeline Project
ERW, LSAW and SSAW cover different diameter and pressure windows. Here is where each process fits - and where it does not - based on our production ranges and project supply record.
Welded pipe is not one product. The three main processes - ERW, LSAW and SSAW - serve different diameter, thickness and pressure windows, and choosing the wrong one costs either money or safety margin.
ERW: the workhorse for 21.3-660mm
Electric-resistance welded pipe covers OD 21.3-660mm with wall 1.2-20mm in 4-12m lengths - the standard choice for water, gas, fire mains, scaffolding and structural lines to ASTM A53, EN10219, JIS G3444 and API 5L grades A through X70, with hot-dip galvanized coating from 40 to 275 g/m2.
LSAW: large diameter, high pressure
Longitudinal submerged-arc welded pipe runs OD 325-1422mm with wall up to 40mm in 6-12m lengths to ASTM A139/A252 and GB/T3091 - the large-diameter option where heavy wall and tight dimensional control are required.
SSAW: economical for big volume
Spiral welded pipe reaches OD 219-3500mm economically in 6-30m lengths to API 5L X42-X70 - widely used for water transmission, piling and low-to-medium pressure lines. In the OD 325-1422mm overlap with LSAW, choose SSAW for volume and price on water and piling duty; choose LSAW when wall above 28mm, shorter heavy-wall lengths or stricter roundness are specified.
Get Help Specifying Your Line Pipe
Share the project parameters - medium, pressure, diameter and standard - and we will recommend the process, grade and coating that fits the duty, with a package price.
