Overview
Custom heat-treated tool joints deliver superior toughness and wear resistance; the full-length quenched & tempered pipe body meets S135 grade with a refined grain structure; upset-forged pipe ends increase the weld area; complete weld-quality inspection ensures consistent mechanical performance.
Specifications
Product Details
KISN friction-welded HDD drill pipe is built for horizontal directional drilling, where the string has to travel a curved bore path and still carry full torque and thrust. Tube outside diameter runs from 42 mm (1.66 in) to 168 mm (6.63 in), in lengths from 1.8 m to 9.6 m, with tool joints threaded in the NC and FH series.
Built Around the Bend
HDD pipe is not judged by torque alone. Every size in the table above carries its bend radius, maximum bend angle and maximum inclination, because those three figures decide whether a string can complete the curve. For a given tube size the bend radius is fixed — what changes with length is how much angle that length can take. Choose the pipe by matching these figures against your rig's pullback force and the bore profile, not by simply taking the shortest length available.
Why Friction Welding
The pipe body and the tool joint are joined by friction welding: one part is rotated against the other under pressure until the contact faces reach forging temperature, then the two are pressed together and the softened metal is forged into a single continuous piece. No filler metal, no flux, no cast structure in the joint. A drill string almost never fails in the middle of a pipe, so the joint is where the work has to hold.
Material and Heat Treatment
Tube bodies are produced in E75, X95, G105 and S135, quenched and tempered with a refined grain structure to match the grade you specify. Pipe ends are upset-forged to increase the weld area before joining, and tool joints receive a custom heat treatment for toughness and wear resistance. Every weld is inspected, so mechanical performance stays consistent from the first pipe to the last.
Threads and Rig Compatibility
Tool joints are available in NC23, NC26, NC31, NC38, NC46 and NC50, plus 5½ FH and 6⅝ FH, with ZX-series joints on the smaller tube sizes. Recommended makeup torque is listed for every row so the joint can be torqued to specification on site.
Where It Works
Trenchless utility installation, pipeline and river crossings, fibre and cable ducts, water and gas mains, and crossings under roads, railways and built-up areas.
Where It Ships
KISN drill pipe is supplied to contractors in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Tell us your rig model and bore profile and we will match the pipe to it.
Custom
Non-standard lengths and tool joint diameters can be produced to order.
Technical Data
| Tube OD MM(IN) | Thread | Length MM(FT) | Tool Joint OD MM(IN) | Max Torque N·M | Recommended Makeup Torque N·M | Bend Radius M(FT) | Max Bend Angle° | Max Inclination% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 (1.66) | ZX40 | 1828 (6.00) | 48 (1.89) | 2040 | 1224 | 30.2 (99.1) | 3.5 | 5.9 |
| 52 (2.05) | ZX50 | 1800 (5.91) | 57.4 (2.26) | 3525 | 2115 | 34.3 (112.5) | 3.0 | 5.1 |
| 52 (2.05) | ZX50 | 3048 (10.00) | 57.4 (2.26) | 3525 | 2115 | 34.3 (112.5) | 5.1 | 8.7 |
| 60 (2.36) | ZX60 | 3000 (9.84) | 68 (2.68) | 8294 | 4976 | 39.6 (129.9) | 4.3 | 7.4 |
| 60 (2.36) | ZX60 | 3048 (10.00) | 68 (2.68) | 8294 | 4976 | 39.6 (129.9) | 4.4 | 7.5 |
| 73 (2.87) | NC23 | 3000 (9.84) | 82 (3.23) | 13978 | 8387 | 52 (170.6) | 3.3 | 5.6 |
| 76 (2.99) | NC26 | 3000 (9.84) | 88 (3.46) | 16560 | 9936 | 54 (177.2) | 3.2 | 5.4 |
| 83 (3.27) | ZX80 | 3000 (9.84) | 92 (3.62) | 20372 | 12223 | 59 (193.6) | 2.9 | 5.0 |
| 83 (3.27) | ZX80 | 4500 (14.76) | 92 (3.62) | 20372 | 12223 | 59 (193.6) | 4.4 | 7.4 |
| 89 (3.50) | NC31 | 3000 (9.84) | 105 (4.13) | 30867 | 18520 | 64 (210.0) | 2.7 | 4.6 |
| 89 (3.50) | NC31 | 4500 (14.76) | 105 (4.13) | 30867 | 18520 | 64 (210.0) | 4.0 | 6.9 |
| 102 (4.02) | NC38 | 4500 (14.76) | 127 (5.00) | 39515 | 23709 | 73 (239.5) | 3.5 | 6.0 |
| 102 (4.02) | NC38 | 6000 (19.69) | 127 (5.00) | 39515 | 23709 | 73 (239.5) | 4.7 | 8.0 |
| 114 (4.49) | NC38 | 6000 (19.69) | 127 (5.00) | 59972 | 35983 | 82 (269.0) | 4.2 | 7.1 |
| 114 (4.49) | NC46 | 6000 (19.69) | 157 (6.18) | 59972 | 35983 | 82 (269.0) | 4.2 | 7.1 |
| 127 (5.00) | NC50 | 6000 (19.69) | 168.3 (6.63) | 108759 | 65255 | 91 (298.6) | 3.8 | 6.4 |
| 127 (5.00) | NC50 | 9600 (31.5) | 168.3 (6.63) | 108759 | 65255 | 91 (298.6) | 6.0 | 10.3 |
| 140 (5.50) | 5 1/2FH | 9600 (31.5) | 190.5 (7.50) | 117340 | 70404 | 100 (328.1) | 5.5 | 9.4 |
| 168 (6.63) | 6 5/8FH | 9600 (31.5) | 215.9 (8.50) | 160000 | 96000 | 121 (397.0) | 4.5 | 7.7 |
Note: For the same size, different lengths share the same bend radius; the max bend angle increases with length.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sizes of HDD drill pipe does KISN make?
Tube OD from 42 mm (1.66 in) to 168 mm (6.63 in), in lengths from 1.8 m to 9.6 m. The full size, torque and bend-radius table is on this page.
Which thread types are available?
NC23, NC26, NC31, NC38, NC46 and NC50, plus 5½ FH and 6⅝ FH. Smaller tube sizes use the ZX series. If your rig requires a thread that is not listed, tell us the rig model and we will confirm.
What does "friction welded" actually mean?
It is a solid-state welding process. The tube and the tool joint are pressed together while one rotates at speed; friction heats the contact faces to forging temperature and the two are forged into one continuous piece — no filler metal is added.
What steel grades can you supply?
E75, X95, G105 and S135, and equivalents. Tell us the grade your project specifies.
What is the minimum order and lead time?
Standard minimum order is 10 pieces, with a lead time of 10 days. Special specifications are made to order.