Australia Open-pit Mine Hydraulic Support Heavy Wall Precision Steel Pipe Project

This supporting project belongs to a large open-pit iron mine in Queensland, Australia. The heavy-wall precision seamless steel pipes are used for underground hydraulic supports and hydraulic cylinders of mining machinery. The mine features harsh operating conditions with heavy loads, impact and sediment abrasion. The client set strict standards on inner surface finish, dimensional tolerance, yield strength and fatigue resistance. After sample testing and factory audit, Pengyuan Steel was confirmed as the key pipe supplier.

Project Challenges

1. Pipes for heavy-duty hydraulic cylinders require high yield strength, impact resistance and anti-fatigue performance to adapt to mining environment;

2. High inner surface roughness standard to avoid hydraulic leakage and extend seal service life;

3. Comply with Australian AS standards and European EN standards, complete English test documents required;

4. Phased delivery to match equipment maintenance and new unit installation schedule of the mine.

Supplied Products

Product: 4130 / 42CrMo alloy heavy wall precision seamless steel pipeSize: OD89mm～OD273mm, wall thickness 12mm～35mmTotal quantity: 1,360 metric tonsStandards: EN10297, AS/NZS 3679.1

Pengyuan Solution

1. High-quality alloy billets adopted. Precision cold drawing and quenching & tempering heat treatment improve comprehensive mechanical properties for heavy-load mining service;

2. Inner hole honing process to control surface roughness and reduce wear of cylinder seals;

3. Every pipe undergoes UT inspection, hardness test, tensile and impact test to eliminate internal defects;

4. Goods shipped in six batches by container as per mine construction plan;

5. Complete English MTC, heat treatment and NDT reports provided, supporting on-site SGS inspection.

Project Result

All steel pipes arrived at Queensland port on schedule and passed joint inspection by client and third-party surveyors. After putting into operation, cylinder failure rate decreased obviously and service life exceeded expectation. Reliable quality brings continuous cooperation on subsequent mine expansion projects.