ASTM A53 Grade B Pipe

ASTM A53 Grade B is a carbon steel pipe specification covering seamless (Type S), electric-resistance-welded (Type E) and furnace-butt-welded (Type F) pipe for mechanical and pressure applications. Grade B has a minimum yield strength of 240 MPa (35,000 psi) and a minimum tensile strength of 415 MPa (60,000 psi).

Download ASTM A53 Grade B Pipe data sheet (PDF) One-page summary of the supply range, chemistry, mechanical properties and inspection documents on this page. The standard is the governing document.

Size range and specification

• Outside diameter 1/8 inch – 26 inch (10.3 – 660 mm); Type F limited to NPS 1/2 – 4
• Wall thickness SCH 10 – SCH 160 and heavier; typically 1.73 – 40 mm
• Length SRL 5.8 m, DRL 11.8 m, 20 FT, 40 FT, or random 4 – 12 m
• Ends Plain end, beveled end, threaded with coupling
• Surface treatment Black, bare, oiled, or hot dip galvanized to ASTM A53
• Manufacturing process Type S seamless, Type E electric resistance welded, Type F furnace butt welded
• Heat treatment Not required as supplied; available on request
• Delivery standard ASTM A53 / ASME SA53

How this grade is supplied

• Inspection Inspected by the producing mill’s own inspection department, which is independent of production, against the delivery standard above. Third-party inspection — SGS, BV or TUV, or an inspector you send yourself — can be arranged at the mill or before shipment; give us the dates and the scope at the order stage.
• Certificate A mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 showing the heat number, the chemical composition and the mechanical results is standard on every order. EN 10204 3.2, countersigned by the inspector you nominate, is available on request.
• Documents with the goods The mill test certificate and the packing list travel with the shipment, and the heat number is traceable from cast through to the finished product.
• Packing Sea-worthy export packing: bundled by size with end protection, corrosion protection on request, stencilled with the size, grade and heat number.
• MOQ One bundle or one truckload; mixed sizes within a bundle accepted.
• Lead time Counted from order confirmation, not from the enquiry. Stock sizes 5–10 days; mill run or non-stock 3–5 weeks. The delivery window is fixed on the quotation.
• How we supply Sourced through partner mills; the producing mill is named on the quotation.

ASTM A53 chemical composition (maximum, %)

Type F (furnace butt welded) is made in Grade A only, and is limited to sizes NPS 1/2 to NPS 4. Type S (seamless) and Type E (electric resistance welded) are available in both Grade A and Grade B. Grade B has higher carbon and manganese limits than Grade A and therefore higher strength. Unlike ASTM A106, A53 has no minimum silicon requirement and permits higher phosphorus and sulphur.

Source: chemical composition requirements of ASTM A53 / ASME SA53, Table 1. The standard is the governing document.

ASTM A53 tensile requirements

Elongation values are for the standard round specimen and are adjusted for other specimen types. Pipe may be ordered hydrostatically tested or, where permitted, with a non-destructive electric test in place of the hydrostatic test. Galvanized pipe is coated to the coating mass requirements of the standard: not less than 1.8 oz/ft2 (0.55 kg/m2), measured over the outside and inside surfaces together, for the usual hot dip coating.

Source: tensile requirements of ASTM A53 / ASME SA53, Table 1. The standard is the governing document.

What Is ASTM A53 Pipe?

ASTM A53 is the general-purpose carbon steel pipe specification, covering pipe for mechanical and pressure applications as well as ordinary use in steam, water, gas and air lines. It is the most widely produced specification in the world, which is why A53 pipe is available from stock in almost every size and wall thickness. Grade B is the stronger of its two grades and the one normally specified when a defined minimum strength is required. A53 is dimensionally governed by ASME B36.10M, and welded pipe made to A53 Type E is also widely dual certified to A106 Grade B and API 5L Grade B.

Type S, Type E and Type F Explained

A53 covers three manufacturing types. Type S is seamless, made by piercing a solid billet, and is used where the highest integrity is needed. Type E is electric resistance welded, made by forming a strip into a cylinder and welding the longitudinal seam without filler metal; it is the most common and economical type for general use. Type F is furnace butt welded, made from a continuous skelp heated and formed through a bell, and is limited to Grade A and to sizes NPS 1/2 to NPS 4. When ordering A53 Grade B, the type must be stated, because Type F is not available in Grade B.

ASTM A53 Grade B vs ASTM A106 Grade B

The two specifications have identical mechanical properties at 415 MPa minimum tensile and 240 MPa minimum yield, so the choice is not about strength. A106 is written for high-temperature service: it caps phosphorus and sulphur at 0.035% each, requires at least 0.10% silicon, and permits seamless construction only. A53 is written for general service: it allows 0.05% phosphorus and 0.045% sulphur, sets no silicon requirement, and covers welded as well as seamless pipe. If the line will carry steam or hot process fluid, specify A106. If it carries water, air or gas at ambient or moderate temperature, A53 Grade B will normally be cheaper and equally suitable.

Galvanized A53 Pipe

A53 pipe is frequently supplied hot dip galvanized, which is specified under ASTM A53 itself with reference to the coating mass requirements of ASTM A90. Galvanizing is applied for corrosion protection in water, irrigation, fencing and light structural applications where painting is impractical. Two points matter when buying galvanized pipe: the zinc coating mass must be stated, and threaded and coupled galvanized pipe is normally supplied with the threads cut before galvanizing so that the coating covers the thread. Repair of damaged coating on site should use a zinc-rich compound meeting the standard.

Common Applications

A53 Grade B is used for water and gas distribution mains, steam and condensate lines, compressed air systems, sprinkler and fire protection piping, heating and cooling circuits, structural tube and piling, and general mechanical work. It is also the standard material for scaffold tube and for many fabricated structures. Because it is produced in very large volumes, it is normally the cheapest carbon steel pipe available in a given size, and it is the natural first choice wherever the service conditions do not require the tighter chemistry of A106 or the pressure rating of a line pipe grade.

What to state on the enquiry

A53 covers welded and seamless pipe, plain-end and galvanized. These fields separate one order from another:

• Type: S (seamless), E (ERW) or F (furnace-butt-welded).
• Grade: A or B.
• Outside diameter, wall thickness or schedule, and length.
• End finish: plain end, beveled end, or threaded and coupled.
• Surface finish: black, hot dip galvanized to A53 with the coating mass to ASTM A90 (A123 is the general galvanizing specification, quoted where the project prefers it), or another coating.
• Dual certification to A53 Grade B and A106 Grade B, if required and permitted by the mill.
• Certificate level: EN 10204 3.1, or 3.2 with third-party countersignature.
• Quantity, destination port and Incoterms.

For pressure service, state the design code or application. Type S and Type E can both be A53 Grade B, but their weld-joint factors and permitted manufacturing methods are not the same, so the purchase order must name the type.

Typical applications

• Water and gas distribution mains
• Steam and condensate lines
• Compressed air and fire protection piping
• Structural tube and piling
• General mechanical and fabrication work

Standards covered

• ASTM A53
• ASME SA53
• ASME B36.10

Frequently asked questions

Where to go next

• ASTM A53 Steel Pipe – general-purpose carbon steel pipe
• Hot Dip Galvanized Steel Pipe – hot dip galvanized pipe
• ASTM A106 Seamless Carbon Steel Pipe – seamless pipe for process and boiler service
• ASTM A106 Grade B Pipe – the high-temperature seamless grade most often quoted
• API 5L Grade B Pipe – the low-strength line pipe grade, PSL1 and PSL2
• Pipe Schedule Chart – wall thickness for every schedule
• Get a Quote – send the grade, size, quantity and destination port
• ASTM A106 vs A53 – the type decides whether welded pipe is allowed at all