PQF® is a multi-stand continuous rolling solution that forms seamless tubes on a retained, travelling mandrel bar using hydraulically adjustable 3‑roll stands. It produces tubes up to 20" (508 mm) OD and wall thicknesses from ~2 to over 45 mm, improving uniformity of roll-force application and reducing mandrel-bar wear, finning and crop losses. The process supports close wall-thickness tolerances, extended product mix (including thinner walls and higher-alloy steels) and annual outputs exceeding 450,000 t depending on configuration.
Customer challenges addressed
- Uniform roll-force distribution reduces roll-gap deviations and material strain.
- Supports tubes up to 508 mm OD and walls from ~2 to >45 mm.
- Lowers mandrel-bar wear and reduces crop-end/finning losses.
- Enables annual outputs >350,000–600,000 tonnes depending on mill.
- Hydraulic 3‑roll stands plus fast changeover improve availability