This specification includes steel pipes ranging from NPS 1/8 to NPS 26, with nominal wall thicknesses detailed in Table X2.2 and Table X2.3. Pipes with different dimensions can also be supplied, provided they meet all other requirements of this specification. Optional supplementary requirements are available and will only apply if requested by the purchaser.
Common Applications: API 5L steel plates are versatile and are used in a variety of structural applications, such as piles, beams, pillars, and fencing. They are also employed in low-pressure uses like piping for water, air, or steam.
ASTM Specifications: The ASTM specification ensures that both the end user and the manufacturer have a clear understanding of the properties and capabilities of the piping product being supplied. Unlike national codes such as API, ASME, or CSA, ASTM A53 is rarely mandated by national or state-level regulations.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES – TENSILE REQUIREMENTS
| Seamless and ERW | Grade A | Grade B |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength, min, psi | 48,000 | 60,000 |
| Yield Strength | 30,000 | 35,000 |
CHEMICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR A53
| Seamless and ERW | C max % | Mn max % | P max % | S max % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade A | 0.25 | 0.95 | 0.05 | 0.045 |
| Grade B | 0.30 | 1.20 | 0.05 | 0.045 |
Adoption by ASME: Recognizing the widespread use of this product, ASME has adopted the A53 standard for use in pressure vessel (BPVC) and pressure piping (B31.X) applications. Details of this adoption can be found in ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) Section IIA, identified as SA53. There may be minor differences in the SA version of ASTM standards, which engineers, end users, purchasers, and manufacturers must comply with. Typically, there is a 5 to 10-year delay between the approved ASTM edition and the approved ASME edition, leading to minor differences between the two specifications. Consequently, engineers often follow the more recent ASTM version, resulting in the common notation ASTM/ASME A/SA53 Seamless Pipe on product documentation.
Manganese Content: While ASTM A53 does not specify a lower limit for manganese (Mn), the product commonly has a Mn/C ratio of 2 to 4, depending on the production method. As a result, ASME B31.3 limits the low-temperature application of SA53 Grade B products to above -20°F (-29°C). Engineers may opt for higher quality products (such as SA106 or SA333) for low-temperature applications.
Product Dimensions: The dimensions table for A53 is largely identical to that of ASME B36.10, particularly regarding normal schedules of pipe (STD, XS, XXS, and numbered schedules). Consequently, A53 pipe products are often multi-certified to similar ASTM A106 and API 5L grades, meeting the requirements of all these specifications.
Welding Considerations: For welding SA53 products, ASME BPVC Section IX categorizes SA53 in the P1G1 alloy grouping, alongside SA106 GrB and SA333 Gr6.
Non-Destructive Testing: For seamless pipe, non-destructive testing (NDT) can replace hydrotesting, provided that the NDT method is capable of full-thickness inspection (volumetric NDT).
Basic Product Properties:
- A53 GrA:
- Minimum Yield Strength: 30 ksi (205 MPa)
- Minimum Ultimate Tensile Strength: 48 ksi (330 MPa)
- Not Impact Tested
- A53 GrB:
- Minimum Yield Strength: 35 ksi (240 MPa)
- Minimum Ultimate Tensile Strength: 60 ksi (415 MPa)
- Not Impact Tested
Chemical compositions
| Standard | Grade | Chemical Composition % | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Mn | P | S | Si | Cr | Cu | Ni | Mo | V | ||
| ASTM A106 | B | ≤0.30 | 0.29-1.06 | ≤0.035 | ≤0.035 | >0.10 | ≤0.40 | ≤0.40 | ≤0.40 | ≤0.15 | ≤0.08 |
| ASTM A53 | B | ≤0.30 | ≤1.20 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.045 | – | ≤0.40 | ≤0.40 | ≤0.40 | ≤0.15 | ≤0.08 |
| API 5L | B(PSL-1) | ≤0.28 | ≤1.20 | ≤0.030 | ≤0.030 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| DIN 1629 | St 37.0 | ≤0.17 | – | ≤0.040 | ≤0.040 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| DIN 2448 | St 44.0 | ≤0.21 | – | ≤0.040 | ≤0.040 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| EN10210 | S235JRH | ≤0.17 | ≤1.40 | ≤0.040 | ≤0.040 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| GB/T8163 | 10# | 0.07-0.13 | 0.35-0.65 | ≤0.035 | ≤0.035 | 0.07-0.37 | ≤0.15 | ≤0.25 | ≤0.30 | – | – |
| GB/T8162 | 20# | 0.17-0.23 | 0.35-0.65 | ≤0.035 | ≤0.035 | 0.17-0.37 | ≤0.25 | ≤0.25 | ≤0.30 | – | – |
Mechanical properties
| Standard | Grade | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Trans.Elongation (%) | Impact Test (J) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM A106 | B | >415 | ≥240 | ≥16.5 | – |
| ASTM A53 | B | >415 | ≥240 | – | – |
| API 5L | B(PSL-1) | >414 | ≥241 | As clause a | – |
| DIN 1629 | St 37.0 | 350-480 | ≥235 | ≥23 | – |
| DIN 2448 | St 44.0 | 420-550 | ≥275 | ≥19 | – |
| EN10210 | S235JRH | 360-510 | ≥235 | ≥26 | 27 (+20°C) |
| GB/T 8163 | 10# | 335-475 | ≥205 | ≥24 | – |
| GB/T 8162 | 20# | 410-550 | ≥245 | ≥20 | – |
