A333 Pipe Specifications

NPS 1/4″ – 42″
Schedules 10 through 160, STD, XH and XXH

Scope

ASTM A333 covers nominal (average) wall seamless and welded carbon and alloy steel pipe intended for use at low temperatures. Several grades of ferritic steel are included. Some product sizes may not be available under this specification because heavier wall thicknesses have an adverse affect on low-temperature impact properties.

Looking for specific post-production services? See our full list.


Material & Manufacture

The pipe shall be made by the seamless or welding process with the addition of no filler metal in the welding operation.


Heat Treatment Requirements

All seamless and welded pipe shall be treated to control their microstructure by the following methods: Normalizing per A 333/A 333M-05 section 4.3.1.1; section 4.3.1.2 or section 4.3.1.3 Quenched and Tempered per A 333/A 333M – 05 section 4.3.2.1 Double Normalized and Tempered per A 333/A 333M – 05 section 4.3.2.2


Chemical Requirements

Composition, %  
Element Grade 1 Grade 3 Grade 6
Carbon, max 0.30 0.19 0.30
Manganese 0.40 – 1.06 0.31 – 0.64 0.29 – 1.06
Phosphorous, max 0.025 0.025 0.025
Sulfur, max 0.025 0.025 0.025
Silicon 0.18 -0.37 0.10 min
Nickel 3.18 – 3.82

For each reduction of 0.01% carbon below 0.30%, an increase of 0.05% manganese above 1.06% would be permitted to a maximum of 1.35% manganese. When Grade 6 is ordered under this specification, supplying an alloy grade that specifically requires the addition of any element other than those listed for the ordered grade is not permitted. However, the addition of elements required for the deoxidation of the steel is permitted.

Download the full product catalog.


Tensile Requirements

The material shall conform to the requirements as proscribed:

Grade 1 Grade 3 Grade 6
psi MPa psi MPa psi MPa
Tensile Strength, min 55,000 380 65,000 450 60,000 415
Yield Strength, min 30,000 205 35,000 240 35,000 240
Longitudinal Transverse Longitudinal Transverse Longitudinal Transverse
Elongation in 2 in. or 50 mm, (or 4D), min, %:
Basic minimum elongation for walls 5/16 in. [8 mm] and over in thickness, strip tests, and for all small sizes tested in full section 35 25 30 20 30 16.5
When the standard round 2-in. or 50-mm gage length or proportionally smaller size test specimen with the gage length equal to 4D (4 times the diameter) is used 28 20 22 14 22 12
For strip tests, a deduction for each 1/32in. [0.8 mm] decrease in wall thickness below 5/16 in. [8 mm] from the basic minimum elongation of the following percentage 1.75 1.25 1.50 1.00 1.50 1.00
Elongation in 2 in. or 50 mm, min, %:
Wall Thickness Grade 1 Grade 3 Grade 6
in. mm Longitudinal Transverse Longitudinal Transverse Longitudinal Transverse
5/16 (0.312) 8 35 25 30 20 30 16
9/32 (.281) 7.2 33 24 28 19 28 15
1/4 (.250) 6.4 32 23 27 18 27 15
7/32 (.219) 5.6 30 26 26
3/16 (.188) 4.8 28 24 24
5/32 (.156) 4 26 22 22
1/8 (.125) 3.2 25 21 21
3/32 (.094) 2.4 23 20 20
1/16 (.063) 1.6 21 18 18

Impact Requirements

For Grades 1, 3 and 6, the notched-bar impact properties of each set of three impact specimens, including specimens for the welded joint in welded pipe with wall thicknesses of 0.120 in. [3 mm] and larger, shall not be less than the values prescribed:

Size of Specimen, min Minimum Average Notched Bar Impact Value of Each Set of Three Specimens Minimum Notched Bar Impact Value of One Specimen Only of a Set   Impact Temperature
  ft-lbf J ft-lbf J   Grade Min Impact
Test Temp
10 by 10 13 18 10 14 F C
10 by 7.5 10 14 8 11 1 -50 -45
10 by 6.67 9 12 7 9 3 -150 -100
10 by 5 7 9 5 7 6 -50 -45
10 by 3.33 5 7 3 4
10 by 2.5 4 5 3 4

Mechanical Testing

Transverse or Longitudinal Tension Test and Flattening Test, Hardness Test, or Bend Test For material heat treated in a batch-type furnace, tests shall be made on 5% of the pipe from each treated lot. For small lots, at least one pipe shall be tested. For material heat treated by the continuous process, tests shall be made on a sufficient number of pipe to constitute 5% of the lot, but in no case less than 2 pipe. Hydrostatic Test Impact Test One notched bar impact test, consisting of breaking three specimens shall be made from each heat represented in a heat-treatment load on specimens taken from the finished pipe.

See our full list of pipe testing services.


Lengths

Lengths required shall be specified on order. If no definite lengths required, following practice applies: Single Random — 17′ ~ 24′ lengths Double Random — 36′ ~ 44′ lengths


Required Markings on Each Length

(On Tags attached to each Bundle in case of Bundled Pipe) Markings will adhere to prescribed specifications in A 999/A999M and be: Rolled, Stamped, or Stenciled (Mfrs. Option) In addition, markings will include:

Hot Finished or Cold Drawn Manufacture Name
Specification / Grade Hydro or NDE
Seamless or Welded
Schedule Number
the letters “LT” followed by the temperature at which the impact tests were made * and **
the letters “QT” when the pipe is furnished in the quenched and tempered condition

* except when a lower test temperature is required because of reduced specimen size, in which case, the higher impact test temperature applicable to a full size specimen would be marked ** when the size of the finished pipe is insufficient to obtain subsize impact specimens, the marking shall not include the letters “LT” followed by an indicated test temperature unless Supplementary Requirement S! is specified.


Referenced Documents

  • ASTM A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical testing of Steel Products
  • ASTM A999/A 999M Specification for General requirements for Alloy and Stainless Steel Pipe
  • ASTM A 671 Specification for General requirements for Alloy and Stainless Steel Pipe
  • ASTM E 23 Test Methods for Notched bar Impact testing of Metallic Materials

Order Information

Orders for material under this specification should include the following, as required, to describe the desired material adequately:

Quantity Feet, centimeters, or number of lengths
Name of material Seamless or Welded Pipe
Grade Grade 1, Grade 3, or Grade 6
Size NPS or Outside Diameter and Schedule Number of Average Wall Thickness
Length Specific or Random
End Finish
Optional Requirements
Heat Analysis Requirement
Stress Relieving
Repair by Welding
Other Temperatures for Impact Test
Hydrostatic Test or Nondestructive Electric Test
Test Report Required
Specification Designation and
Special Requirements or Exceptions to this Specification

Click here to request a quote for A 333 pipe.