Our pipe is friction welded (some refer to it as inertia welded). The process spins the tool joint against the tube applying pressure to create heat. When the components get to a forging temp. of Approx. 2100˚F they are pushed together (forged) and the external flash (rams horn) is machined off.

Benefits of Friction Welding vs. Arc Welding:

• Friction welding is a much more repeatable process with 100% weld penetration.

• The weld area is not exposed to the atmosphere during friction welding which can allow impurities in the weld zone and cause porosity (small inclusions) in the weld.

• No filler material used (weld electrode) which can have impurities causing porosity.

• No problems with welder settings such as wire speed, weld speed, volts, amps, shielding gas flow, etc.

• Arc Welding requires multiple passes to fill the weld groove which can create cold laps and weak welds.

• Arc Welded parts are rotated when welding. Weld slip can occur causing poor weld penetration in the parent material and cold laps (not fused together) as one homogeneous weld.

• Shielding gases are used in arc welding to protect the arc from the atmospheres, if these gases don’t burn off before the weld solidifies porosity will form throughout the weld.

• Preheating is required for material that has a carbon content over 30 points. If not preheated properly quench cracks can occur and may not be visible on the surface.

Benefits of Friction Welded Vs. Single Piece Forged:

• The forging process doesn’t gather enough material in the thread area to have a sufficient cross section needed to resist the bending loads exerted by the tube section. This will eventually cause premature pin breakage and box flaring and/or splitting.

• Pipe forging material is less than 30 points of carbon due to the post heat treating process required after forging. This means the threads have lower hardness, reduced strength, wear resistance and fatigue life compared to tool joints made with a higher carbon content like Advantage Marathon Drill Pipe uses.

• The forging process is highly temperature dependent and if not monitored properly can lead to cold laps in the forging that are not necessarily visible on the surface.

• Friction welded pipe uses the optimum material where it is needed. Advantage Marathon® Drill Pipe uses high strength material for the tool joints and quenched and tempered tubing for the mid-body.