ASTM A53 / ASME SA-53 pipe is used in mechanical and pressure services such as use as standard in steam, water, gas and air lines. It is usually appropriate to use in welding, coiling, bending and flanging, but Continuous-Welded (CW) pipe cannot be used in flanging. It is a specification of both Seamless and Welded pipe, in Black (uncoated) and Hot-Dipped Galvanized finishes. The orders should be clear about the purpose of the intended pipe.
ASTM A53 & ASME SA53 Carbon Steel Pipes, ASTM A53 Grade B Seamless Pipe, ASME SA53 Carbon Steel Boiler Tubes and ASTM A53 Steel Stockist in USA
USA Piping is a trusted supplier of Carbon Steel Seamless Pipe, ASTM A53 Grade B ERW Pipes, which is PED certified as well as a supplier of numerous ASTM A53 steel products. Our business is to provide materials which are required in high-performance applications such as in environments with temperature beyond 1750 °F, where the formation of sigma phase is an undesirable phenomenon.
Our products are ASTM A53 Grade B ERW pipes at fair prices and assistance in selecting a suitable grade among the similar ASTM, ASME, and API specifications. You need particular pipe sizes of ASTM A53 seamless or advice regarding the size of ASTM A53 seamless piping, we will supply you with the right size and at the appropriate time.
Contact us today for ASTM A53 Seamless Pipe Price!
Request Quote Now!Manufacturing and Processing Requirements for ASTM A53 Pipe
ASTM A53 pipe, which is a seamless (Type S) and welded (Type E and F) type, should be produced with steel that has been produced by the open hearth process, electric furnace process, or basic oxygen process.
When strand casting is used to process raw steel materials of varying grades consecutively, it is obligatory that the material which is produced as a transition material should be identified and removed through a process that is very clear in the separation of the different grades. In the case of Electric-Resistance-Welded (ERW) pipe of Grade B, the weld seam should be subjected to heat treatment with at least a minimum of 540 o C and 1000 o F. This is an important treatment to make sure that there is no un-tempered martensite left in the weld area, or some other means that is approved should be used. When the pipe is cold expanded expansion is limited to $1.5percent only of the outside diameter of the pipe.
ASTM A53 Grades Overview
The ASTM A53 standard includes five distinct pipe designations across three primary manufacturing types:
- Seamless (Type S): Available in Grade A and Grade B.
- Welded (Type E - ERW): Available in Grade A and Grade B.
- Furnace Welded (Type F): Available only in Grade A.
Contact us today for a quote on all your Carbon Steel Pipes & Tubes needs.
Nailing Down the ASTM A53 Seamless Pipe Specifications
Getting the specs right is step one. We make sure the ASTM A53 Seamless Pipe you get from USA Piping Solution matches the book, ensuring it works reliably and safely.
The Technical Lowdown
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| The Rulebook | ASTM A53 / ASME SA53 |
| How It's Made | Type S (Seamless) |
| Strength Levels | Grade A or Grade B (Grade B is tougher and more common) |
| Manufacturing Route | Seamless – Hot Finished or Cold Drawn (depends on size/order) |
| Pipe Sizes (NPS) | 1/8” up to 26” |
| Wall Thickness | Schedules 10–160, STD, XH, XXH |
| End Finishes |
PE: Plain Ends for socket welds/mechanical BE: Beveled Ends for butt-welding TE: Threaded Ends with couplings (usually for 4"+) |
| Length Options |
SRL: 16–22 ft DRL: Avg ~35 ft Custom: Cut-to-length |
| Dimensions Standard | ASME B36.10M |
| Tolerances |
OD: ±1/64” (≤1½”), ±1% (≥2”) Wall Thickness: Max 12.5% under nominal Weight: ±10% |
Under the Hood: Chemicals and Strength
What gives ASTM A53 Seamless Pipe its character? It's all about the specific blend of elements in the steel and its tested strength. This combo dictates how it handles pressure, how easy it is to work with, and where it fits best.
The Chemical Recipe (% by Weight)
This mix impacts strength, weldability, and general durability. For Type S (Seamless), here's what's inside:
|
Element |
Grade A (Max %) |
Grade B (Max %) |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Carbon (C) |
0.25 |
0.30* |
More carbon = more strength, generally. |
|
Manganese (Mn) |
0.95 |
1.20* |
Boosts strength and toughness, helps clean the steel during making. |
|
Phosphorus (P) |
0.05 |
0.05 |
Keep this low – too much makes welding tricky and hurts toughness. |
|
Sulfur (S) |
0.045 |
0.045 |
Also kept low for good welds and to avoid brittleness. |
|
Copper (Cu) |
0.40 |
0.40 |
Just tracking residual amounts. |
|
Nickel (Ni) |
0.40 |
0.40 |
Residual limits. |
|
Chromium (Cr) |
0.40 |
0.40 |
Residual limits. |
|
Molybdenum (Mo) |
0.15 |
0.15 |
Residual limits. |
|
Vanadium (V) |
0.08 |
0.08 |
Residual limits. |
*Heads-up on Grade B: If the Carbon is lower than 0.30%, you can have a bit more Manganese (up to 1.65% total Mn). It's a trade-off allowed by ASTM A53, but not by ASME SA53.
How Strong Is It? (Minimum Mechanical Properties)
These numbers show how much force the pipe can take before it permanently bends (yield) or breaks (tensile).
|
Property |
Grade A (Min) |
Grade B (Min) |
Plain English Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tensile Strength |
48,000 psi (330 MPa) |
60,000 psi (415 MPa) |
The absolute maximum pull it can handle before snapping. |
|
Yield Strength |
30,000 psi (205 MPa) |
35,000 psi (240 MPa) |
The point where it starts to stretch and won't fully spring back. |
|
Elongation |
Varies (Check A53*) |
Varies (Check A53*) |
How much it can stretch before breaking – shows how ductile it is. |
* The exact stretch % required depends on the test sample. The standard has the details.
Tests We Make Sure Are Done (for Seamless):
- Tensile Test: Pulling a sample until it breaks to measure the strengths above.
- Bending Test: For smaller pipes (NPS 2 & under), bending it sharply to make sure it doesn't crack.
- Flattening Test: Squashing a piece of larger pipe (NPS 2+) flat to check for cracks. Shows toughness.
Hydrostatic Test: Filling every pipe with water under pressure to prove it doesn't leak.
Getting to Know A53 Pipe Types and Grades
While we're focusing on seamless, it helps to know the whole A53 family. The standard covers a few variations:
- Type S (Seamless):
- No weld seam – made from a solid bar.
- Often preferred for pressure within A53's limits.
- Comes in Grade A and Grade B.
- Type E (Electric-Resistance Welded - ERW):
- Made from steel strip, seam welded electrically.
- Grade B requires the weld to be heat-treated.
- Comes in Grade A and Grade B.
- Type F (Furnace-Butt Welded):
- Uses heat and pressure to join the edges of the steel strip.
- Definitely not meant for flanging.
- Only comes in Grade A.
Grade A vs. Grade B - What's the Difference?
It really boils down to strength:
- Grade A: Has less carbon and manganese, so it's not quite as strong (30 ksi yield, 48 ksi tensile). Might be a bit easier to bend.
- Grade B: Allows more carbon and manganese, making it stronger (35 ksi yield, 60 ksi tensile). This is the go-to grade for most applications because that extra strength is usually beneficial. USA Piping Solution focuses heavily on stocking ASTM A53 Grade B Pipe.
Which one do you need? Depends on pressure, if you need to flange it (avoid Type F!), and your budget. But for general seamless use needing decent strength, Type S, Grade B is usually the answer.
Where Does ASTM A53 Seamless Pipe Show Up?
ASTM A53 Seamless Pipe, especially Grade B, is a real jack-of-all-trades. You’ll find it used reliably in tons of different places:
- Building & Structures: It's great for things like support columns, handrails, fence posts, scaffolding, and foundation pilings.
- Mechanical Gear: Used in making machine frames, parts for conveyor belts, and other engineered components.
- Basic Oil & Gas Work: Good for utility lines around facilities – think air, water, or low-pressure gas lines (not the big transmission pipelines, that's usually API 5L territory).
- Water Systems: Works well for moving water in distribution systems, treatment plants, or handling slurries at moderate pressure.
- Plant Utilities: Common for carrying steam, air, or gas around industrial plants or commercial buildings, as long as the pressure/temp isn't too extreme.
- HVAC Piping: Often used in heating and cooling systems.
- Fire Sprinklers: A very common choice for fire protection systems (often galvanized for this).
Because it's straightforward to weld, bend, and thread, folks find it easy to install, which only adds to its popularity.
Quick Reference: A53 Pipe Sizes & Weights
Need to estimate shipping weight or figure out support spacing? This chart gives you a feel for the dimensions and weights of common ASTM A53 Seamless Pipe (Type S) sizes. Keep in mind these are typical weights.
|
NPS (in) |
OD (in) |
Schedule |
Wall (in) |
lbs/ft |
kg/m |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1/2" |
0.840 |
40 STD |
0.109 |
0.85 |
1.27 |
|
1/2" |
0.840 |
80 XH |
0.147 |
1.09 |
1.62 |
|
1" |
1.315 |
40 STD |
0.133 |
1.68 |
2.50 |
|
1" |
1.315 |
80 XH |
0.179 |
2.17 |
3.24 |
|
2" |
2.375 |
40 STD |
0.154 |
3.66 |
5.44 |
|
2" |
2.375 |
80 XH |
0.218 |
5.03 |
7.48 |
|
3" |
3.500 |
40 STD |
0.216 |
7.58 |
11.29 |
|
3" |
3.500 |
80 XH |
0.300 |
10.26 |
15.27 |
|
4" |
4.500 |
40 STD |
0.237 |
10.80 |
16.07 |
|
4" |
4.500 |
80 XH |
0.337 |
15.00 |
22.32 |
|
6" |
6.625 |
40 STD |
0.280 |
18.99 |
28.26 |
|
6" |
6.625 |
80 XH |
0.432 |
28.60 |
42.56 |
|
8" |
8.625 |
40 STD |
0.322 |
28.58 |
42.55 |
|
8" |
8.625 |
80 XH |
0.500 |
43.43 |
64.63 |
|
12" |
12.750 |
40 STD |
0.375 * |
49.61 * |
73.83* |
|
12" |
12.750 |
80 XH |
0.500 * |
65.48 * |
97.45* |
FYI: For pipes bigger than 10 inches, the wall thickness for STD and XH might not exactly match Sch 40 and Sch 80. Best to check the ASME B36.10M standard for the official numbers.
Peace of Mind: Our Commitment to Certs and Compliance
Getting ASME SA53 Seamless Pipe from us means you're getting material you can trust, with the paperwork to prove it. We take compliance seriously.
- By the Book: All our pipe meets ASTM A53 / ASME SA53 requirements – chemicals, strength, dimensions, testing, the whole nine yards.
- Mill Test Reports (MTRs): This is your proof. Every batch comes with MTRs showing its specific chemical breakdown, the results of strength tests, confirmation of pressure testing, and that it meets the A53 standard (Type S, Grade A or B). Think of it as the pipe's pedigree.
- ISO 9001 Quality: Our internal processes follow ISO 9001:2015 guidelines. This means we have consistent checks and balances for sourcing, inspecting, and delivering your pipe reliably.
- Proper Marking: Every pipe (or bundle tag) is clearly marked with the essentials per the A53 standard:
- Manufacturer ID
- ASTM A53
- Type S
- Grade A or B
- Size & Schedule/Wall
- Length
- Heat Code (traceability!)
- XH or XXH if applicable.
This focus on documentation means you can be confident the pipe meets specs and safety standards.
Why Choose USA Piping Solution for Your A53 Pipe Needs?
You have choices when buying pipe. Here’s why folks keep coming back to USA Piping Solution for ASTM A53 Grade B Pipe:
- We Know Pipe: We've been doing this for years. Our team gets the difference between specs like A53 and A106 and can help you choose wisely.
- Stocked Deep in the USA: Forget long waits. Our warehouses are loaded with A53 seamless, ready to ship from locations across the country.
- Shipping That Keeps Up: We get your pipe on the truck and out to your site quickly. Our logistics are built for speed and reliability.
- Good Prices, No Games: We work hard to get good deals from mills and run efficiently, passing the savings to you with straightforward pricing.
- Quality is Job One: We only buy from mills we trust, and we provide the MTRs to back it up. You get reliable material.
- Need It Cut or Threaded? We offer extra services like cutting to length, threading, beveling, and coating coordination to make your life easier.
- Real People Ready to Help: Got questions? Need a quote fast? Our customer service team is focused on giving you the support you need, quickly and clearly.
Check Out These Related Pipes Too
A53 is great, but sometimes you need something different. We also carry:
API 5L Seamless Pipe
Built for oil and gas pipelines, with various grades for different pressures.
Confused about which spec fits best? Ask us! We’re happy to help you compare.
Your Reliable Partner for ASTM A53 Seamless Pipe
When your project calls for dependable, versatile ASTM A53 Seamless Pipe, look no further than USA Piping Solution. We combine a huge US-based inventory with a solid commitment to quality, fair prices, and genuinely fast delivery. Get the certified ASTM A53 Seamless Pipe you need, backed by service you can count on.
Ready to get started? Let us know what you need for your ASTM A53 Seamless Pipe project, and we'll send over a competitive quote right away.
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