Lock Seam Pipe Forming through Rolled Sheet Metal
Chicago Metal Rolled Products has been rolling sheet metal since 1908 including forming lock seam pipe. Today the company uses new, specialized equipment for sheet metal rolling of lock seam pipe.
We produce straight-seam, lock seam pipe (as opposed to spiral lock seam pipe.) The lock seam, which is very strong, is made by first edging the material by bending one side of the end of the pipe down and bending the other side up. The two ends are then rolled into a cylinder where the edges interlock with each other. The edges are then mechanically locked by applying pressure along the length of the seam. The resultant seam is stronger than the parent material. (The designation "LFQ" or "lock-forming quality" indicates that a given grade of steel could withstand being formed as a lock seam.)
Lock Seam Pipe Capacities:
| Thickness | Diameter | Max Length |
| Lock-Seam Pipe 16-24 gauge | 3 to 14 inch | 10 ft. |
| Welded Pipe 12-18 gauge | 3 to 48 inch | 12 ft. |
| Cylinder Segments 12-28 gauge | 3 to any diameter | 12 ft. |
Chicago Metal lock seam pipe can be made in lengths up to 10 feet. The company can also form the 10 foot lengths to a diameter as small as 3 inches and can be made from galvanized sheet, carbon sheet, stainless sheet and painted steel.
Lock Seam Pipe Value-Added Services
Lock seam pipe can be welded or bolted end to end with angle rings provided by Chicago Metal. A Van Stone flange can be made by slipping an angle ring over the pipe, cutting back the seam, say, a half inch, and then flaring the ends of the pipe. The resultant seal is excellent. We can provide advice on how any given project can be done best including quoting alternatives to lock seam pipe like welded pipe.
Lock Seam Pipe Applications
Lock seam pipe has a number of applications including serving as component parts of dust collection systems. Chicago Metal has provided pipe, elbows, angle rings, hangars, glast gates, clamp bands and other component parts for such systems for decades.
This pipe is commonly used for metal duct work and for pneumatic conveying of material. Round ductwork has superior conveying capacity to square and rectangular ductwork. Straight seam lock seam pipe is superior to spiral lock seam pipe in oil mist applications because the former is less likely to leak when the seam is located on the top of the pipe run. Lock seam pipe is also used for downspouts, especially on commercial buildings.
Contact us for more information on lock seam pipe.
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