A metal strip leveler (B): the strip has a thickness (e) subject to a stress distribution. The leveler includes a row of upper rolls (1, 3, 5, 7, 9 . . . ) and a row of lower rolls (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 . . . ) having parallel axes, are longitudinally offset in a direction of line of passage (lp) and are offset in height, to define, by vertical imbrication (overlapping) of the rolls, an undulating path of the strip between the rolls. The imbrication occurs because the rows of rolls are interleaved partially to create an undulating path for the strip. At least two upper rolls ([1, 3]; [5, 7]) and two lower rolls ([2, 4]; [6, 8]) are arranged respectively above and below the line of passage, such that they form three vertical imbrication gaps. Those gaps have a profile of non-linear imbrication values (Imbr) that are either convex or concave with respect to a profile of linear imbrication values (Imbr_lin) in the direction of the line of passage.

A metal strip leveler (B): the strip has a thickness (e) subject to a stress distribution. The leveler includes a row of upper rolls (1, 3, 5, 7, 9 . . . ) and a row of lower rolls (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 . . . ) having parallel axes, are longitudinally offset in a direction of line of passage (lp) and are offset in height, to define, by vertical imbrication (overlapping) of the rolls, an undulating path of the strip between the rolls. The imbrication occurs because the rows of rolls are interleaved partially to create an undulating path for the strip. At least two upper rolls ([1, 3]; [5, 7]) and two lower rolls ([2, 4]; [6, 8]) are arranged respectively above and below the line of passage, such that they form three vertical imbrication gaps. Those gaps have a profile of non-linear imbrication values (Imbr) that are either convex or concave with respect to a profile of linear imbrication values (Imbr_lin) in the direction of the line of passage.

A stainless steel pipe of a predetermined composition is provided that has an axial tensile yield strength of 689 MPa or more, an axial compressive yield strength/axial tensile yield strength ratio of 0.85 to 1.15, and a microstructure that is 20 to 80% ferrite phase by volume with the remainder containing an austenite phase, the stainless steel pipe having pipe end portions at least one of which has a fastening portion for an external thread or an internal thread, and having a curvature radius of 0.2 mm or more for a corner R formed by a bottom surface of a thread root and a pressure-side flank surface of the thread, measured in an axial plane section of the fastening portion.

Metallic tubular products having improved collapse resistance are disclosed. The metallic tubular products are produced by compressive forming processes. The method comprises identifying the types of stress that can be applied in order to change the residual stress profile of metallic tubular products, such as those that have completed a straightening process, and results in a residual stress profile that improves collapse resistance. The metallic tubular products are subjected to radial compression processing to control the residual stress profile and to enhance collapse resistance. The radial compression process may be used after the tubular product has been subjected to a straightening process.

Metallic tubular products having improved collapse resistance are disclosed. The metallic tubular products are produced by compressive forming processes. The method comprises identifying the types of stress that can be applied in order to change the residual stress profile of metallic tubular products, such as those that have completed a straightening process, and results in a residual stress profile that improves collapse resistance. The metallic tubular products are subjected to radial compression processing to control the residual stress profile and to enhance collapse resistance. The radial compression process may be used after the tubular product has been subjected to a straightening process.