ASTM A53/ ASME SA-53 Pipe

General Introduction

Shijiazhuang Metalsin supplies a full range of ASTM A53 pipes ranging from 1/2″ to 36″ with nominal wall thickness from SCH 10 to SCH XXS, either seamless or welded, black steel or hot-dipped galvanized (HDG). Various seamless and welded pipes manufactured to ASTM A53 are available in stock.

Scope

Identical with ASME SA-53, ASTM A53 is the standard specification for seamless and welded black and hot-dipped galvanized (zinc-coated) steel pipe in NPS 1/8 (DN 6) to NPS 26 (DN650) with nominal wall thickness as given in ASME B36.10M. The steel pipe having other dimensions can also be furnished provided that such pipe complies with all other requirements of the specification. The “black steel” refers to a dark-colored iron oxide scaly appearance which is naturally resulting from the pipe’s fabrication process. The hot-dipped galvanization is provided for corrosion protection purpose.

Types and Grades

The ASTM A53 pipes are intended for mechanical and pressure applications and is also acceptable for ordinary uses in steam, water, gas, and air lines. They are classified into 3 types and 2 grades: Type F – furnace-butt-welded, continuous welded Graded A; Type E – electric-resistance-welded (ERW), Grade A and B; Type S – seamless, Grade A and B. The specific type and grade are characterized by its applicability for certain forming operations: Type F is not intended for flanging; Although Grade B pipe is not prohibited, Grade A of Type S or Type E is the preferred grade for close coiling or cold bending; Type E may be furnished either non-expanded or cold-expanded.

Applicability in ASME Codes

Pipes conforming to ASTM A53/ ASME SA-53 can be applied to a plurality of ASME Codes (Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code & Pressure Piping Code):

• Seamless and welded pipe of Grade A of Type E, Type F, and Type S can be conditionally applied to ASME BPVC Section I, III, VIII-1, XII with different maximum allowable stress and maximum temperature limit, respectively.
• Seamless steel pipes of Grade A and B of Type S can be applied to ASME B31.1 – power piping; Both seamless & welded pipes can be applied to ASME B31.3 – process piping, ASME B31.4 – pipeline transportation systems for liquids and slurries, ASME B31.5 – refrigeration piping and heat transfer components, ASME B31.8 gas transmission and distribution piping systems, ASME B31.9 – building services piping, and ASME B31.11 – slurry transportation piping systems, ASME B31.12 hydrogen piping and pipelines.

Material and Manufacture

The steel for both seamless and welded pipe shall be made by one or more of the following processes: open-hearth, electric-furnace, or basic-oxygen. The weld seam of electric-resistance welded pipe in Grade B shall be heat treated after welding to a minimum of 100o°F (540°F) so that no untempered martensite remains. When the pipe is cold expanded, the amount of expansion shall not exceed 1.5% of the specified outside diameter of the pipe.

Chemical Composition Requirements

Tensile Properties

Tests

Chemical analysis shall be performed in accordance with ASTM A751 for each heat lot of ASTM A53 pipes. The other tests include bending test, flattening test, and hydrostatic test. Nondestructive tests such as ultrasonic test, eddy current test, or X-ray inspection on the welds may be conducted upon purchaser’s request.

End Finish

Unless otherwise specified by the purchaser, generally there are three end finishes for steel pipes conforming to ASTM A53: (1) Plain end square cut: NPS 1-1/2 and smaller, pipe with wall thicknesses over 12.7 mm, all pipes of double extra strong (XXS) weight. (2) Plain end beveled: NPS 2 and larger in wall thicknesses of STD, XS or less than 12.7 mm; a root face of 1.6 mm ± 0.8 mm shall be furnished with the beveled end. (3) Threaded end: when ordered with threaded end, the pipe ends shall be provided with a thread in accordance with ASME B1.20.1. One end of the threaded pipe is often ordered with a coupling. The coupling shall be manufactured in accordance with ASTM A865. For threaded pipe NPS 2-1/2 or larger, the coupling shall be taper-tapped; for threaded pipe smaller than 2-1/2, it is regular practice to furnish straight-tapped couplings for STD pipe and taper-tapped couplings for XS and XXS pipe.

Weights, Dimensions & Permissible Variations

• • Weight: the weight of the pipe shall not vary more than ±10% from its specified weight as calculated using the relevant equation in ASME B36.10M.
  • Diameter: for pipe NPS 1-1/2 or smaller, the outside diameter at any point shall not vary more than ±0.4 mm from the specified diameter; for pipe NPS 2″ or larger, the outside diameter shall not vary more than ±1% from the specified outside diameter.
  • Thickness: the minimum wall thickness at any point shall be not more than 12.5% under than specified wall thickness or the nominal wall thickness as given in ASME B36.10M.
  • Length: fixed length, single random length (SRL), or double random length (DRL). The fixed length shall be determined at purchaser’s option. The length range of SRL or DRL may vary depending on specific wall thickness and end finish.

Hot Dipped Galvanization (H.D.G)

Galvanization pipe ordered under ASTM A53 shall be coated with zinc inside and outside by the hot-dip process. The zinc used for the coating shall be any grade of zinc conforming to ASTM B6. The average weight per unit area of zinc coating shall be not less than 1.8 oz/ft² [0.55 kg/m²] and the weight per unit area of zinc coating shall not less than 1.6 oz/ft² [0.49 kg/m²] for each of tested specimens. It shall be calculated by dividing the total weight of zinc, inside plus outside, by the total area, inside plus outside, of the surface coated.

Marking and Packaging

A typical marking of the pipe can be: M  ASTM A53  4″  SCH40  Grade B  Type S  UT Heat No. 85687. It involves manufacturer’s brand, standard, NPS, wall thickness, Grade, Type, NDE, as well as heat number. Usually, plastic end caps are required for protection of pipe end. Pipes of 12″ or smaller shall be packaged into bundles with hanging bands near each end of pipe/ bundle to facilitate loading.