BENKAN — from 1947 to a trusted global name
Founded in Japan in 1947 with welded fittings, BENKAN expanded its manufacturing over the following decades and became one of the most respected makers of seamless fittings. Registering its trademark in 1963 and launching the Kiryu plant transformed the company from a family business into a global player serving oil & gas and power industries. Today, BENKAN’s distribution network spans dozens of countries, and project engineers equate the brand with reliability and long service life.
Seamless technology—integrity and strength guaranteed
BENKAN fittings are produced mainly by seamless (Seamless) manufacturing or hot forging. The metal structure remains continuous from the start, with no longitudinal weld. Eliminating the weld seam delivers two key benefits:
- Removes a potential source of cracking and leakage at the seam.
- Ensures uniform stress distribution across the fitting body, enabling higher pressure and temperature ratings.
Quality control covers every step: dimensional inspection, hydrostatic testing, and non-destructive examinations (UT, PT, RT) to detect any hidden defects before dispatch.
Materials and reference standards
BENKAN primarily uses ASTM A234 WPB (ambient service) and A420 WPL6 (low-temperature service) for carbon steel fittings. For stainless steel, the workhorse grades are A403 WP304/316. Dimensional conformity with ASME B16.9 in over 90% of products ensures smooth fit-up in any piping system.
| Material Grade | Manufacturing Standard | Max Design Temp (°C) | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM A234 WPB | ASME B16.9 | 420 | Crude oil lines and dry steam |
| ASTM A420 WPL6 | ASME B16.9 | 350 | Sweet gas transmission in cold climates |
| ASTM A403 WP304 | MSS SP-43 | 540 | Food & pharmaceutical plants |
| ASTM A403 WP316 | ASME B16.9 | 580 | Chemical processes with moderate corrosion |
Product family and where each one fits
- Elbows LR/SR 45° / 90° — change direction with minimal pressure drop; first choice for superheated steam lines.
- Equal & reducing tees — branch or combine flow in refineries and petrochemical complexes.
- Concentric / eccentric reducers — connect different diameters and help prevent cavitation at pump inlets.
- Caps — safely blind pipe ends in service or standby lines.
- Stub ends & lap-joint flanges — a hygienic solution for stainless systems in food and pharma.
Precision machining and strict standards let these components mate cleanly with pipe and improve final weld quality.
BENKAN in energy and building value chains
- Offshore oil & gas: fatigue resistance against wave loads and pressure spikes.
- Petrochemicals: handles corrosive media under variable pressure and temperature.
- Thermal power: durability through continuous thermal cycles.
- Large building services: used in steel risers for fire protection and chilled-water systems.
BENKAN’s competitive advantages
- True schedule thickness: wall thickness and mass match the catalogue—no negative deviations.
- Tight angle accuracy: elbow angle error rarely exceeds 0.5°, reducing force needed during fit-up.
- 100% Pressure-Proof testing: every fitting is tested above its nameplate pressure before packing.
- Documented field record: more than six decades of flawless performance in projects such as the Saronic gas pipeline (Japan) and JG Korea petrochemical complex.
Quality comparison in the Iranian market
| Criterion | BENKAN (Japan) | Reputable Chinese brand | Local manufacturer | Top-tier European brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction type | 100% seamless | Seamless or welded | Mostly welded | 100% seamless |
| Dimensional conformity | Excellent | Good | Medium | Excellent |
| Estimated service life | 30 years | 15–20 years | 10–15 years | 30+ years |
| Best for | High-pressure projects | Secondary lines | Low-pressure utilities | Critical units with open budgets |
Distribution network and the importance of authorized partners
Because of their high added value, BENKAN fittings are frequently copied. Purchasing through authorized partners who liaise directly with the manufacturer secures product authenticity and provides Mill Test Certificates (MTC) and ISO 9001 documentation.
Tamam Baha is one of BENKAN’s distributors in Iran. With broad stock across sizes and pressure classes, it enables rapid supply for projects. Alongside other reputable sellers, it offers technical consulting and authenticity certificates—making BENKAN an easier, lower-risk choice for project owners.
