What is ASTM A53 pipe?

ASTM A53 is one of the most widely used material standards for steel pipes used in the oil and gas and other process industries. In the oil and gas industry, A53 pipes are used for structural and non-critical applications. They are not used for hydrocarbon services or services under high pressure and temperature.

ASTM A53 specification covers seamless and welded black and hot-dip galvanized steel pipes in NPS 1/8 to NPS 26. Steel categorized in this standard must have been worked on the open hearth, in basic oxygen or in the electric furnace and must meet the following chemical requirements: carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, copper, nickel, chromium, molybdenum and vanadium.

The pipe must undergo a seamless or welding process. Tensile, bending and flattening tests must be performed to ensure that the pipe meets the mechanical properties of the standard. Hydrostatic testing shall be performed without leakage through the weld or pipe body. Non-destructive electrical testing shall be performed to ensure that the entire volume of the pipe conforms to the standard.

A53 pipe comes in three types (F, E, S) and two grades (A, B).

A53 Type F is manufactured with a butt weld in the furnace or can have a continuous weld (Grade A only)
A53 Type E has an electrical resistance weld (Grade A and B)
A53 Type S is a seamless tube and occurs in Grade A and B)

A53 Grade B seamless is the most common product, and is often double-certified with A106 B seamless pipe. ASTM A53 is the executive standard for steel pipe and is a steel grade produced to the American ASTM standard.

Is ASTM A53 welded pipe or seamless steel pipe?.. Both welded and seamless pipes can be produced, depending on customer requirements.

Production process.. The production process of seamless steel pipe is divided into hot-rolled and cold seamless pipes.

Applications

Mechanical processing, bearing sleeves, processing of machine parts, etc.
Construction: the pipeline below it, groundwater and hot water transportation
Antistatic pipes for wind power plants, etc.
Electrical: Gas supply, Hydropower liquid pipeline

Chemical Requirements

			Type E		Type F
	Type S seamless		electric resistance welded		furnace welded pipe
	Grade A	Grade B	Grade A	Grade B	Grade A
Carbon max. %	0.25	0.30*	0.25	0.30*	0.3
Manganese %	0.95	1.2	0.95	1.2	1.2
Phosphorous max. %	0.05	0.05	0.05	0.05	0.05
Sulfur max. %	0.045	0.045	0.045	0.045	0.045
Copper max.%	0.40	0.40	0.40	0.40	0.4
Nickel max. %	0.40	0.40	0.40	0.40	0.4
Chromium max. %	0.40	0.40	0.40	0.40	0.4
Molybdenum max. %	0.15	0.15	0.15	0.15	0.15
Vanadium max. %	0.08	0.08	0.08	0.08	0.08

*For each reduction below 0.01% below the specified carbon maximum, an increase of 0.06% manganese above the specified maximum will be permitted up to a maximum of 1.65% (does not apply to ASME SA53).

General Requirements..

The minimum wall thickness at any point shall not be more than 12.5% under the nominal wall thickness specified.
For specified wall thicknesses greater than the heaviest specified wall thickness listed in this table for the applicable specified outside diameter, the test pressure shall be the highest value listed for the applicable specified outside diameter and grade.
For pipe smaller than NPS 2 with a specified wall thickness less than the lightest specified wall thickness listed in this table for the applicable specified outside diameter and grade.
For all sizes of Grade A and B pipe smaller than NPS 2, the test pressures were assigned arbitrarily. Test pressures for intermediate specified outside diameters need not exceed those given in this table for the next larger listed size.
The steel for both seamless and welded pipes is made by one or more of the following processes: open-hearth, electric furnace or basic oxygen. The weld seam of electric-resistance welded Grade B pipes must undergo heat treatment after welding.