Why High Pressure Testing is Mission-Critical
In industries such as petrochemical, power generation, marine engineering, and high-pressure fluid transport, steel pipes must operate reliably under extreme pressure. Before delivery or installation, each pipe must pass strict high pressure testing to ensure it can handle the designated stress without leakage or deformation.
That’s where the high pressure pipe testing machine becomes indispensable.
But choosing the wrong equipment can lead to safety hazards, downtime, and production losses. For factory owners and exporters, selecting the right model—tailored to their pipe types, pressure demands, and workflow—is a business-critical decision.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the right choice.
1. Define Your Pressure Testing Range
The working pressure and test pressure of your pipes should determine the design parameters of your testing machine.
- Low-pressure systems (e.g., water supply): Up to 5 MPa
- Medium-pressure systems (e.g., industrial fluid transport): 5–15 MPa
- High-pressure systems (e.g., gas pipelines, boiler tubes): 15–40 MPa
- Ultra-high-pressure systems (e.g., hydraulic tubing): 50 MPa and above
Your testing machine must be able to:
- Generate and maintain the required pressure
- Hold the pressure for a defined period (often 60–120 seconds)
- Accurately measure and record pressure values
Tip: Always specify whether your pipes require burst testing or leak detection under sustained pressure. The design approach differs.
2. Confirm Your Pipe Size Range
Pipe specifications directly affect the machine structure. You need to identify:
- Outer diameter (OD) range (e.g., Ø21 mm to Ø610 mm)
- Wall thickness (important for sealing and pressure calculation)
- Pipe length (e.g., 6m, 9m, 12m, or customized)
The machine’s sealing units, feeding mechanism, and pressure cylinders must be adapted accordingly. Custom-made designs are often necessary for factories producing pipes with varying dimensions.
3. Know Your Pipe End Type
Steel pipes used in high-pressure systems may have different end types:
- Plain end
- Beveled end
- Threaded or flanged
Each type requires a different sealing approach. For example:
- Beveled ends may need conical rubber seals
- Threaded ends might use adapted clamping caps
- Thin-wall pipes need low-deformation sealing blocks
A good machine supplier should provide quick-change seal modules to accommodate multiple pipe types in one production line.
4. Manual, Semi-Automatic, or Fully Automatic?
Automation level affects efficiency, labor needs, and operational safety. Choose based on your production scale: