Composition
Black steel pipes are made of steel that has not been coated with a substrate such as zinc or paint. Since it has a dark color surface that is forms by iron oxide during the manufacturing process, it is called black steel pipe.black iron pipe is actually made of a low-grade “mild steel” compound. This gives it much better corrosion resistance than traditional cast iron piping.
Texture
Steel pipe will have a very fine feel to it and almost be cool to the touch. It won’t scratch as easily as black iron pipe, but that doesn’t meant it can’t be damaged by a wrench or hammer while working around it. Black iron pipe is course and grainy and will feel the same at room temperature. Black iron pipe will also flake if it is handled a lot.
Repairing
The main problem with black iron pipe–especially in the home–is leakage at connector spots. It requires a lot of work to fix these leaks, which is why many people no longer use black iron pipes. Steel pipes do not have that problem because it is most often welded.
Cost
Steel pipe will usually cost about 20 percent more than black iron pipe, but it does a better job of saving resources in the long run by being more energy efficient. Its durability and cost are part of the reasons that use of steel pipes for large industrial jobs has grown in the United States.
Use
Black steel pipes have a variety of use thanks to their strength and needs for little maintenance. They tend to be used for transporting gas and water to rural areas and urban areas or for conduits that protect electrical wiring and deliver high pressure steam and air. In addition, black steel pipes are also used in oil and petroleum industries for piping large quantities of oil through remote areas.
Other uses of black steel pipes include gas distribution inside and outside homes, water wells and sewage systems. However, black steel pipes are never used for transporting potable water due to the fact that they tend to corrode in water and mineral of the pipe will dissolve into the water and clog the line as well.
