Metal tubes and pipes are useful for a really long list of applications. Crucially, you can use various techniques to adapt them for each application. This includes cutting and sawing, bending, tube expansion, and more. Whatever you are planning, it’s important you know how to get the best results. We can help you to do just that, offering a range of high quality services.

While we don’t provide it, sawing is a viable option for many types of metal tube and pipe. This includes different types of steel, aluminium, titanium, and even hard specialist alloys. There are several factors to keep in mind if you want to be successful here; they are similar to what you need to consider for other processes.

What are you working with?

The first thing to look at in any situation is the exact type of material you are working with. This includes the individual grade or alloy. It’s vital you understand the properties and how it will behave when you start working. Failing to do so could mean you get very poor results and a big pile of scrap.

In terms of sawing in particular, there are vital things to remember. For example, stainless steel suffers from hardening, aluminium is softer and can gum up saws, titanium struggles with heat build-up and hardening, and hard nickel alloys can wear tools very quickly.

Tooling choices

Once you are clear on the material you will be working with and its properties, you can make your tooling choices. This is where you need to be really careful; as we touched on, the wrong tools can wear out quickly or break immediately. It can cause problems for any type of processing, including bending, tube expansion, and more.

In terms of sawing, you need to start by looking at the material for the tooling. Will it be durable enough for the material you are working with? High speed steel saw blades can be an option, but you’re better off with carbide blades for materials like stainless steel, titanium, and hard nickels.

When you think about sawing metal tubes and pipes, it’s vital to consider the specifics of the blades too. The key things to look at are number of teeth and tooth geometry. Don’t forget to account for the wall thickness too.

Remember, tube and pipe is hard because the shape and thickness varies continuously. So, it affects how many teeth are in contact. Plus, as the blade is entering and exiting the material more frequently, there is a higher chance of issues like snagging. Experts recommend choosing blade geometries that ensure 3-6 teeth will be in contact at any point.

Do you want to arrange services like tube reduction?

Multiform Tubes Engineering Ltd is one of the most dynamic companies in our industry. If you’re planning to use tubing for any application, but need to adapt it, you can rely on us. We produce the best results every time, choosing the right processes and tooling for the material and job.

So, get in touch today if you need tube reduction, bending, and more. Plus, keep in mind we can provide solutions that could save you on cutting, sawing, and other processes.