Black and galvanized steel pipe to ASTM A53 in Grades A and B, Types S, E and F. The general purpose pipe for mechanical, structural, water and steam service.
- Standard: ASTM A53, ASME B36.10, ASME B36.19
- Grades: Grade A, Grade B
- Certificate: EN 10204 3.1 with every order, 3.2 on request
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Specifications
| Outer diameter | 1/8" - 26" (10.3 - 660 mm) |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | SCH 10 - SCH 160 |
| Schedule | SCH 40, 80, 160, or custom |
| Length | SRL 5.8 m, DRL 11.8 m, 20 FT, 40 FT |
| Ends | Plain, beveled, threaded and coupled |
| Surface treatment | Black, hot dip galvanized |
| Manufacturing process | Type S seamless, Type E electric resistance welded, Type F furnace butt welded |
| Pressure rating | General purpose, moderate pressure |
Type S, E and F Explained
ASTM A53 defines three manufacturing types. Type F is furnace butt welded, made by heating a skelp strip and forcing the edges together – it is the cheapest type and is restricted to sizes up to NPS 4 and to low pressure service. Type E is electric resistance welded, made from coil with a forged weld seam, and is available from NPS 1/8 to NPS 24 in a wide range of schedules. Type S is seamless, available from NPS 1/8 to NPS 26. Type S and Type E are the two that matter commercially. Where a specification simply says ASTM A53 Grade B without naming a type, the supplier may choose the type, so if you need seamless you should say Type S explicitly.
Hot Dip Galvanizing for Corrosion Protection
Galvanized A53 pipe is dipped in molten zinc after fabrication, forming a metallurgically bonded zinc coating that protects the steel both as a barrier and by sacrificial action at cut edges and scratches. ASTM A53 requires a minimum coating weight of 1.8 oz/ft2 (approximately 550 g/m2) for pipe NPS 1-1/2 and larger, and 1.8 oz/ft2 for smaller sizes as well, tested by a weight-per-unit-area method. Galvanized pipe is the standard choice for outdoor water lines, fence posts, handrails and sprinkler systems. Note that galvanized surfaces must be removed before welding, and the weld zone must be re-protected afterwards.
A53 pipe: the type letter changes the pipe
ASTM A53 covers three different pipes under one specification number. Type S is seamless, Type E is electric resistance welded and Type F is furnace butt welded, and they are not interchangeable in every application even where the grade letter matches. The type is usually the first thing to fix.
| Service condition | What it decides | What to state on the enquiry |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary water, air or steam line | Grade A or B, with Type E normally the economical choice | grade, and whether Type S is mandatory |
| Structural or mechanical use | The pipe is bought for the section, not for the pressure | length and end finish, so testing is not quoted twice |
| Galvanized line | The coating is applied over the finished pipe and the bore may stay black | whether the internal surface has to be coated as well |
| Threaded and coupled | Type F is restricted here; Type S or Type E is normally used | the thread standard and the coupling type |
| Sprinkler or fire protection | The finished pipe may have to be a listed product | whether a listed and approved product is required |
| Design pressure above general service | A53 is the wrong specification; A106 or API 5L applies | the design pressure, so the specification can be corrected before quoting |
What is the difference between ASTM A53 and ASTM A106?
The main difference is the intended service and the permitted construction. ASTM A106 is written for high temperature service and permits only seamless pipe. ASTM A53 is a general purpose standard covering water, steam, air and structural use, and permits seamless, ERW and furnace butt welded construction. Grade B of each has the same minimum yield (240 MPa) and tensile (415 MPa). Practically, A106 is used where temperature is the design driver and A53 where it is not.
Is galvanized pipe suitable for drinking water?
Hot dip galvanized steel pipe has historically been used for potable water and remains acceptable in many jurisdictions, but zinc coatings gradually dissolve in soft or acidic water and can leach zinc into the supply. Many modern specifications require an alternative such as cement mortar lining, epoxy lining or plastic pipe for potable water mains. If the project involves potable water, confirm the local acceptance criteria and consider a lined pipe instead.
Grades supplied and minimum properties
The grade fixes the minimum strength and the chemistry. The table below gives the requirements that separate the ASTM A53 grades ordered most often; the full composition and mechanical table for each grade is on its own page.
| Grade | Yield strength | Tensile strength |
|---|---|---|
| Grade A | 205 MPa (30,000 psi) | 330 MPa (48,000 psi) |
| Grade B | 240 MPa (35,000 psi) | 415 MPa (60,000 psi) |
The complete chemistry and mechanical table for each grade, with the notes that qualify it, is on the individual grade page – for example ASTM A53 Grade B pipe. ASTM A106 Grade B carries the same minimum yield strength as A53 Grade B; the difference is that A106 is written for high temperature service and requires seamless construction.
Source: specified minimum yield and tensile strength for each grade, per ASTM A53 / ASME SA53, Table 2. The standard is the governing document.
- Grade A
- Grade B
Download ASTM A53 Steel Pipe data sheet (PDF) One page: supply range, grades and key sizes, what to state on the enquiry, and the inspection documents that come with the order. The standard is the governing document.
Materials
- Carbon steel
Typical applications
- Water, steam, air and gas lines
- Mechanical and structural applications
- Fence posts and handrails
- Sprinkler and fire protection piping
- General purpose industrial piping
Inspection & testing
- Hydrostatic pressure test
- Nondestructive electric test
- Tensile testing
- Bend and flattening test
- Galvanized coating weight check
- Third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TUV)
| Packaging | Sea-worthy export packing: bundled by size, plastic caps on both ends, corrosion protection on request, stencilled with size, grade and heat number. |
|---|---|
| MOQ | One bundle or one truckload; mixed sizes within a bundle accepted. |
| Lead time | Stock sizes: 7-15 days. Mill run / non-stock: 4-6 weeks after order confirmation. |
Payment: T/T 30% deposit with the balance before shipment; L/C at sight also accepted. Final terms are confirmed on the quotation.
How we supply: sourced through partner mills; the producing mill is named on the quotation. How we supply sets out who is accountable for the order.
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