I. Introduction
In the field of pipeline equipment manufacturing, technological innovation is the key to enterprise development and competitiveness. Hebei Yadu Pipeline Equipment Group Co., Ltd., located in Mengcun Hui Autonomous County, Hebei Province, has made remarkable achievements in the production of pipeline products such as steel elbows, bends, tees, crosses, flanges, and piping. This article will focus on the company’s efforts in innovating and improving the pipeline casting process, as well as its contributions to the industry.
II. Company Profile
Hebei Yadu is mainly engaged in the production and sales of various pipeline products. It has a leading edge in the production of high-temperature, high-pressure, thick-walled, large-diameter alloy steel pipe fittings and stainless steel pipe fittings. The company has developed into a high-tech enterprise and a specialized, refined, characteristic, and new demonstration enterprise in Hebei Province through continuous technological innovation. Its products are directly supplied to leading enterprises in industries such as petroleum, chemical, gas, electric power, boilers, and heating.
III. Innovation in the Heat Treatment Process of the Push-Bending Mandrel
1. Problem Identification
The push-bending mandrel used in the production of elbows was originally made of high-alloy stainless steel, which was expensive and prone to damage after a certain period of use. In particular, during the production of thick-walled elbows, the problem of mandrel fracture was relatively prominent.
2. Research and Experimentation
The company’s R & D team conducted in-depth research and repeated experiments. They found that the solid solution heat treatment process (rapid cooling from a high-temperature state into water) could effectively improve the metallographic structure of the stainless steel mandrel, enhance its tensile strength, and extend its service life. To verify the experimental results, the research team cast one mandrel and two test blocks. The first test block was tested for performance and metallographic inspection without heat treatment, while the second test block and the mandrel were heat-treated and then tested.
3. Results and Benefits
After continuous exploration and experimentation, it was found that the heat-treated mandrel had better tensile and impact resistance properties, and its service life could be extended by more than 1 times. After this achievement was applied to production, it saved the company nearly 2.5 million yuan in mandrel investment annually. The following table summarizes the comparison of the properties of the mandrel before and after heat treatment:
| Property | Before Heat Treatment | After Heat Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | [Value before treatment] | [Increased value] |
| Impact Resistance | [Value before treatment] | [Improved value] |
| Service Life | [Original service life] | [Extended service life] |
IV. Research on the Segmented Heat Treatment Process for P91 High-Alloy Steel Pipes
1. Problem in P91 High-Alloy Steel Pipe Production
P91 high-alloy steel material is a core component in the main steam pipeline of power plants. However, in the high-temperature forming process of this high-pressure pipe fitting, problems such as coarse grain size and uneven hardness are prone to occur.
2. Research and Solution
The R & D center of the company adopted a comparative experimental method and studied a segmented heat treatment process to improve the grain size and grade difference of P91 steel pipes. The pipe fittings processed by the new process have finer grain size, smaller grade difference, and more uniform hardness. This not only improves the product quality but also significantly reduces the product rejection rate and energy consumption. The following table shows the comparison of the properties of P91 steel pipes before and after the new process treatment:
| Property | Before New Process | After New Process |
|---|---|---|
| Grain Size | [Original grain size] | [Finer grain size] |
| Grade Difference | [Original grade difference] | [Smaller grade difference] |
| Hardness Uniformity | [Uneven hardness] | [More uniform hardness] |
V. Company’s Innovation Measures and Achievements
1. Innovation in Business Philosophy
The company has realized that only by continuous innovation can it achieve stable and long-term development. It has actively adjusted its business philosophy and focused on improving product quality and technological content.
2. Innovation in Production Process
In addition to the above heat treatment process innovation, the company has also continuously optimized other production processes, such as improving the forming process of pipe fittings and the welding process, to improve production efficiency and product quality.
3. Technological Talent Cultivation
The company attaches great importance to the cultivation of technical talents. It has established a professional R & D team and provides regular training and learning opportunities for employees to improve their technical level and innovation ability.
4. R & D Investment and Patent Achievements
In 2023, the company’s R & D investment was nearly 15.7 million yuan, accounting for about 3% of the total sales revenue. At present, the company has 33 utility model patents, which reflects its strong R & D strength and innovation ability.
VI. Cooperation with Universities and Research Institutes
1. Establishment of School-Enterprise Cooperation Bases
Hebei Yadu has actively carried out cooperation with universities. Relying on the Yadu R & D center, it has jointly established a school-enterprise cooperation base with universities. Through cooperation, the company can make full use of the scientific research resources and technical advantages of universities to jointly carry out research and development projects.
2. Co-construction of Innovation Centers and Research Centers
The company has jointly built the Hebei Alloy Pipeline Fittings Technology Innovation Center and the Ultra-High Pressure Fittings Hebei Engineering Research Center with universities and research institutes. It has established three main research directions: “ultra-high pressure and alloy pipeline fittings structure design technology, forming process technology, welding and heat treatment technology”, focusing on the research and development of high-pressure pipeline fittings.
3. Significance of Cooperation
This cooperation model has effectively promoted the transformation and upgrading of the company’s technology. At the same time, it has also played a positive role in enhancing the core competitiveness of the local industrial cluster. It has provided a good example for the development of the pipeline equipment manufacturing industry in Mengcun Hui Autonomous County.
VII. Future Development Prospects
1. Continued Adherence to Innovation-Driven Development
The company’s chairman, Gao Yansong, said that in the future, the company will continue to adhere to innovation-driven development and promote the pipeline equipment industry to move towards high-end, intelligent, and green directions. It will continue to increase R & D investment, strengthen cooperation with universities and research institutes, and continuously improve its technological innovation ability.
2. Market Expansion and Industry Contribution
With the continuous improvement of product quality and technological level, the company is expected to further expand its market share and contribute more to the development of the pipeline equipment manufacturing industry. It will also actively participate in international competition and promote the internationalization of China’s pipeline equipment manufacturing industry.
