Buying and Selling Surplus Steel Pipe

Surplus steel pipe is pipe that has been previously purchased but never used. Though it’s easy to assume that surplus steel pipe must be old or corroded, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes surplus steel pipe is the same quality as brand new. New steel pipe might be sold as surplus if the pipe was left over from another project, such as in instances where more pipe was ordered than needed, or where scraps of pipe were left over from being cut. Surplus steel is a cost-effective alternative to new pipe and can work just as well, especially for light duty projects.

Testing Surplus Steel Pipe for Resale

Before buying or selling surplus steel pipe, it’s important to first test the pipe for pressure resistance and durability. If the surplus steel pipe has been sitting in a yard for a long period of time, the seller may not have the original certifications to classify the pipe’s grade. Therefore, steel pipe testing can be utilized.

Surplus Steel Pipe Coatings

Because steel pipe is subject to oxidation and corrosion, the steel must be protected. One of the most popular ways protect steel pipe is to coat the pipe in a protective finish. Common coating options include fusion bond epoxy, scotch coating/fletcher coating, and galvanizing. Each of these options varies in their use and application, and different coatings will work better in different environments. When purchasing surplus steel pipe, it’s important to look at the coating that was originally utilized on the steel to be sure that it matches the requirements for the new application. Similarly, some coatings may break down in extreme conditions (such as if the temperature is too high or too low) and need to be reapplied over time, so coatings on surplus pipe should be inspected for signs of wear.

• Fusion bonding is commonly used in oil pipelines, sewage treatment facilities, electric power plants, food processing plants and natural gas pipelines.

• Scotch coating is widely used in gas transmission, wastewater, potable water, non-potable water and water reclamation applications.

• Galvanized steel pipe is best used where rust is an issue, particularly in pipe systems exposed to water (such as plumbing, water transport and HVAC systems).

Surplus Steel Pipe Sizes

Because steel is malleable and durable, it can be used to make pipe in a wide range of sizes. When buying surplus steel pipe, it’s important to choose a pipe size that matches the project’s requirements for wall thickness, length and diameter.

Steel pipe walls come in three main thickness options: standard (STD), extra strong (XS) and double extra strong (XXS). Similarly, steel pipe comes in a wide range of diameters and lengths. Small diameter steel pipe can range from the 1.5-inch tubing used for things like hydraulic lines and instrumentation tubes to the smallest hypodermic needle, which has an inner diameter of 0.0826mm. Conversely, large diameter steel pipe—such as the pipe used in shipbuilding and the oil and gas industry—starts at about 14 inches and increases up to 36 inches in diameter and larger. The length of surplus steel pipe can vary as well; scrap pipe (such as pipe that was cut and discarded from another project) might be shorter in length, while surplus pipe that was previously employed in another setting might be longer.

To learn more about steel pipe, head over to our blog titled "All About Steel Pipe".

BUY AND SELL WITH EIFFEL TRADING

In addition to used and surplus steel pipe, Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace hosts a wide variety of heavy civil materials including used barrier wall, used steel plates, and used access trestle. Additionally, Eiffel Trading’s equipment inventory ranges from used foundation equipment to used marine barges, and everything in between.

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