The main process routes for capillary metal tubes: Why we manufacture both seamless and welded tubes simultaneously?
Release time:
2026-05-29
How do you choose between seamless and welded small‑diameter precision metal tubing? Tongyue Machinery excels in both processes, with wall thicknesses as thin as 0.1 mm and outer diameters down to 0.5 mm. We avoid over‑engineering, selecting the optimal solution solely based on real‑world application requirements.
In the precision metal tubing industry, small-diameter tubes occupy a unique niche. With outer diameters of just a few millimeters and wall thicknesses on the order of tenths of a millimeter, their manufacturing processes differ significantly from those of conventional tubing.
There are two mainstream manufacturing processes: seamless and welded.
Seamless craftsmanship Starting with solid round steel, a hollow tube billet is produced by piercing, which is then cold‑drawn and cold‑rolled through multiple passes, progressively reducing the tube’s diameter down to capillary dimensions. Because it has no weld seam, it can withstand much higher pressure ratings. For applications demanding stringent reliability—such as medical needles, hydraulic lines, and instrumentation tubing—seamless tubing is the standard choice.
Welding process , first roll the steel strip into a tubular shape, TIG welding is followed by internal weld reinforcement and cold‑draw sizing. Many people mistakenly believe that welded pipe lacks the precision of seamless pipe—this is an outdated notion. After cold‑draw sizing, welded pipe can achieve dimensional tolerances and inner surface quality fully comparable to seamless pipe, while offering a lower cost.
The two manufacturing processes are not in a relationship of one replacing the other. For high-pressure, corrosive media, seamless tubing is preferred; for ordinary fluids, structural components, and cost‑sensitive applications, welded tubing is chosen. Tongyue Machinery’s both processes are at an internationally leading level, with outer diameters ranging from… From 0.5 mm to 40 mm, the wall thickness can be pressed down to 0.1 mm.
Since different applications have varying requirements for piping materials, no single process is suitable for all scenarios. Therefore, our guiding principle is to recommend the most appropriate solution based on the specific operating conditions—pressure rating, fluid characteristics, and cost constraints—avoiding both over‑engineering and compromising the safety margins of critical performance parameters.
This is Tongyue Machinery’s understanding of and commitment to the manufacturing of precision metal tubes.
Dalian Tongyue Machinery Co., Ltd.
2026 year 5 month
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Industry service provider for the manufacturing of small-size precision metal tubes
Industry service provider for manufacturing small-sized precision metal tubes
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Dedicated to manufacturing superior seamless and welded pipes, we showcase our expertise in pipe end forming, stamping component fabrication, precision mechanical parts, and the production of welded assemblies.
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Email:xuqian@dltongyue.com.cn
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