Glossary | Superior Technologies

Electric Resistance Welding (ERW)

Written by Superior Technologies | 2026.01.07

Electric Resistance Welding (ERW) is a high-frequency welding process used to manufacture steel pipes and tubes.

The process is a feat of precision engineering: a cold-rolled steel strip is shaped into a cylindrical form, and a high-frequency electrical current is passed through the longitudinal edges. The resulting Joule heating raises the temperature to a plastic state, and mechanical pressure fuses the edges without the need for external filler materials.

Key Characteristics

  • Precision: It creates a reliable, high-strength bond.
  • Efficiency: Ideal for large-scale industrial production.
  • Application: Used extensively in oil and gas pipelines, structural scaffolding, and the automotive sector.