GLOSSARY

A substance formed by melting two or more metals and nonmetals together. Steel is an alloy of carbon (nonmetal) and iron (metal).

Modified steel, obtained by melting not just carbon with iron but with another or several other nonmetals.

The process of heating and maintaining ferrous and nonferrous alloys to a certain temperature before bringning the temperature down again. The alloy’s physical and mechanical properties will vary according to the temperature and the amount of time given for heating/cooling.

Machine used for pressing scrap.

The act of cutting/forming a bevel.

A rounded or squared bar of semifinished iron or steel. Almost all billets used in our pipe making operations are produced by TMK’s own continuous casters.

A type of furnace where pressurized air is ‘blasted’ from the bottom of the chamber while charge is introduced from the top resulting in combustion in the chamber rather than at the top. Gases exit upwards and molten metal settles at the bottom from where it will be tapped (removed).

A container in which water, following controlled temperature and pressure settings, is transformed into steam.

Small markings left along the cut line of a pipe following cutting. Also referred to as “flash”

To measure and precisely correct to ensure that specific chracteristics are met.

Tube/pipe used to line a well wall and inside which is put tubing.

The process of giving a solid shape to a melted substance. Molten steel is traditionally casted in molds to produce ingots.

A cicurlar furnace that heats billets while rotating, providing for even heat distribution.

A protective layer applied to pipes for added protection against corrosion and other types of deterioration

Rolled up sheet steel.

Process used to change the mechanical properties of a non heated steel pipe by drawing it through a die or a series of dies. By being pulled through the die the wall thickness and outer surface of the pipe will be modified.

Rolling of a metal sheet (non-heated) until desired thickness and surface characteristics are met. This will allow the sheet to be easily worked and machined later on.

Process of straightening a non heated pipe by passing it through rollers.

It is the process of casting ingots and billets without interruption thereby eliminating the need for ingot molds. This casting method has the advantage of not restricting the size of the casted ingots or billets. (Caster: equipment)

A furnace used to continuously heat steel billets.

A continuously moving belt or a series of steel rollers for moving objects on a line between two points.

The action or process associated with a chemical deterioration of the pipe, most commonly rust.

A piece of tubing used to connect two pipes together.

Substances used to remove oxygen from molten metal.

The removing of scales that form on the surface of casted steel once it has cooled.

Process used to change the mechanical properties of a steel pipe by pulling it through a die or a series of dies.

Pipe that obtains its final dimensions by being pulled through a die.

A seamless pipe used, as its name suggests, in the drilling of wells (oil&gas). It serves two ways, on the one hand it brings mud down to the drill bit, cooling and lubricating it during drilling and on the other hand it brings the drilled material to the surface.

A scrap iron charged furnace that is energized by an electrical arc flowing between electrodes (3).

The length a piece can be stretched without reaching its breaking/fracturing point.

A widely used polypropylene coating applied on pipes for protection against the elements.

Process used to reveal structural surface details on metal pipes.

Metal feed in steelmaking, it usually contains iron. Ferroalloys help in various stages of steelmaking.

A substance used to purify the molten iron and accelarate fusion. It reacts with     impurities by bonding with them, resulting in the formation of slag at the top of the molten iron.

A process used to change a pipe’s mechanical characteristics. Temperature, heating time, length and rapidity of cooling, all these variables will affect a steel pipes’ strength and malleability.

The process of heating pipes before straightening them.

Rolling of heated steel ingots/billets/slabs, to flatten them and prepare them for forming into pipes.

A process that uses pressured water to remove the scales that form on steel.

Testing process to reveal any possible faults and defects  (indications) in the pipes.

An electrically energized furnace; metal will be heated via a coil where alternate current creates induction.

Made from molten steel cast in a mold, they can be rectangular (slabs), square (blooms), and even polygonal.

A mold (solid, hollow recipient) in which molten metal is cast to give it shape.

Piece commonly found on drill pipes, serves as a connector.

Metal ladle used for transporting and pouring molten metal from the furnace to the caster.

Once the steel is melted and refined it can be further refined before being sent to the continuous caster, this can be done in the ladle itself.

Used in furnaces as a fluxing agent.

A calcium carbonate rock. Gives lime when burnt.

Type of pipe that is mostly used for the transportation of oil and natural gas.

The degree to which metal can be deformed and worked. The more malleable a metal will be, the easier it will be to deform.

A metal bar inserted into tubes for the production of seamless pipes.

Strenght and elascticity of a material/product.

Container where molten metal is poured, cooled, and takes on a solid form (shape).

Process used to detect faults in pipes.

Method of testing that does not damage products.

Pipes are heated above their critical range and then cooled in still air.

Consists of welded or seamless tubing, drill pipes and casings.

Once the most common type of furnace, used to refine pig iron and iron into steel, it is energized by a flame at its surface.

Uses a mandrel to pierce the inside of a billet.

Grade of iron produced from a smelting furnace and used to make steel. Named, a long time ago, after the way the molds in the pig bed resembled suckling pigs.

A long hollow cylinder (metal, plastic, clay, wood…) used to transport solids, gases, and liquids.

 A linear network of tubes used to transport oil and gas.

To cut a pipe using a plasma torch.

A flat sheet of metal.

A special screwed on cap to protect pipe threading from damage.

To remove impurities from the pipe surface.

The process of hardening a steel pipe by rapidly changing (lowering) its temperature by submerging it in water.

Equipment used for shaping or rolling metal to a smaller size uusing a set of rollers.

Old ferrous material that will be recast to make new steel. It can be divided in three categories. Prompt scrap: the excess steel from auto and appliance makers. Home scrap: waste steel that comes directly from steel mill activity. Obsolete scrap: ferrous consumer waste, not ideal because of its high level of impurity.

Pipe that does not have any weld seams or joints.

Steel/Scrap cutting equipment.

Mill that will affect a pipes dimensions.

The unwanted substance leftover from the smelting process. Molten steel will go to the bottom of a furnace, the slag, having a lower density, will remain above it. At TMK, the slag is tapped and used for road building.

Facility where the smelting of iron ore, coke and lime is performed.

Non corrosive type of steel.

Commercial iron that contains carbon and that is malleable under certain conditions.

The quality of steel as definied by its purity.

The facility where pig iron is converted into steel. Steel is produced by smelting iron ore in a furnace with coke and a flux agent (lime). The molten steel is then cast in blooms and slabs.

Rolled long and narrow sheet metal.

Process that consists of reheating a pipe but to a lower temperature than the one used for the previous hardening.

Grooves cut on the ends of a pipe for proper interconnection.

A separate pipe that is inside the casing to bring oil or gas to the surface.

Machine used to perform upsetting.

To aply pressure to deform a part of the pipe, usually the end piece.

To remove gases (O2, H2, and N2) from molten steel by way of a mechanical reaction combined with a vacuum process.

A type of furnace that posseses different and distinct chambers, each with a different reheating temperature.

A pipe that is made from a metal sheet, rolled and welded.

A thermal process used to join metals together. Welding melts the metals and fuses them together. Welding operations will leave a seam (somewhat like a scar) along the joined ends.