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Description of Steel Reducer?
A steel pipe reducer is a component used in pipelines to reduce its size from a large to a small bore in accordance with the inner diameter. The length of the reduction here is equal to an average of the smaller and larger pipe diameters. Here, the reducer can be used as a diffuser or a nozzle. The reducer helps in meeting the existing piping of varied sizes or hydraulic flow of the piping systems.
1. Pipe Reducer Material Types
Carbon Steel Reducer vs Stainless Steel Reducer
The reducers can be made of Carbon Steel, Alloy, or Stainless Steel and much more. In comparison to the Stainless Steel Reducer, Carbon Steel Reducer possesses high-pressure resistance, higher strength, and wear resistance, but it can be easily corroded.
Carbon Steel Reducer material standards and grades:
A234 WPB, A420 WPL6, MSS-SP-75 WPHY 42, 46, 52, 56, 60, 65 and 70.
For Stainless Steel Reducer:
ASTM A403 WP 304, 304L, A403, 316, 316L, 317, 317L, 321, 310 and 904L, etc.
For Alloy Pipe Reducer:
A234 WP1, WP5, WP9, WP11, WP22, WP91 etc.
2. Reducer Types
There are two types of reducers: concentric reducer and eccentric reducer.
Concentric Reducer
This reducer consists of symmetrical and conical-shaped fittings that enlarge or reduce the diameter equally about the center line. For example, when a 1” pipe transitions to a ¾” pipe, the top or bottom of the pipe does not remain level. It is widely used when there are single or multiple diameter changes.
Eccentric Reducer
A conically shaped fitting that reduces or enlarges the diameter, but it is not symmetrical about the center line. This is used in pipework systems for reducing the diameter of a pipe from one size to a larger or smaller size.
Concentric Reducer vs Eccentric Reducer Differences
Concentric reducers are widely used, while eccentric reducers are applied to maintain the top and bottom pipe level. Eccentric Reducers also avoid trapping of air inside the pipe, and concentric reducers reduce noise pollution.
3. Manufacturing Process of Steel Pipe Reducer
There are versatile manufacturing processes for the reducers. These are made of welded pipes with the required filling material. However, EFW and ERW pipes cannot use the reducer. To manufacture forged parts, different kinds of methods are used, including cold and hot forming processes. It includes the ‘Outer Die Method.’
4. Outer Diameter Method
It is the most common method for manufacturing the steel pipe reducer. The pipe is cut and pressed in the outer die, whereas one end of the pipe is compressed into the smaller size. This method is fit for manufacturing small and medium-sized reducers.
5. Connection Types of Pipe Reducer
Ranges from different connection type, pipe reducers can be classified into socket weld reducers and butt weld reducers.
Socket Weld Reducer vs Butt Weld Reducer
Socket weld reducer, also called socket weld insert, has three types 1, 2, and 3. Manufacturing standards comply with ASME B16.11.
The Socket Weld resists ½ of the strength of butt welding, so it is used for small-diameter pipes possessing a diameter of NPS 2 or less. Butt Weld has good strength, as it is suitable for high-pressure and temperature pipelines.
Butt weld reducer ends in plan or beveled, manufactured in accordance with ASME B16.9 and welding process according to ASME B16.25.
6. Applications of Steel Pipe Reducer
The usage of a steel reducer is carried out in chemical factories and power plants. It makes the piping system reliable and compact. It safeguards the piping system from any kind of adverse impact or thermal deformation. When it is on the pressure circle, it prevents any type of leakage and is easy to install. The nickel- or chrome-coated reducers extend the product life, are useful for high-vapor lines, and prevent corrosion.
