ASTM A106 pipe is a seamless carbon steel pipe suitable for transporting gases, liquids, and steam under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions. It is commonly used in pipeline systems in refineries, petrochemical plants, power plants, and other industrial facilities. ASTM A106 pipes come in three different grades: Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C, with Grade B being the most common, known for its higher strength and pressure resistance.
Scope of ASTM A106 Pipe
This specification covers seamless carbon steel pipe for high-temperature service, ranging from NPS 1/8 to NPS 48 [DN 6 to DN 1200], inclusive, with nominal (average) wall thickness as specified in ASME B 36.10M.
ASTM A106 Pipe Ordering Information
- Quantity (feet, meters, or number of lengths),
- Name of material (seamless carbon steel pipe),
- Grade,
- Manufacture (hot-finished or cold-drawn),
- Size (NPS [DN] and weight class or schedule number, or both; outside diameter and nominal wall thickness; or inside diameter and nominal wall thickness),
- Special outside diameter tolerance pipe,
- Inside diameter tolerance pipe, over 10 in. [250 mm] ID,
- Length,
- Optional requirements,
- Test report required (Section on Certification of Specification A530/A530M),
- Specification designation (A106 or A106M, including year-date),
- End use of material,
- Hydrostatic test in accordance with Specification A530/A530M or 13.3 of this specification, or NDE in accordance with Section 14 of this specification,
- Special requirements.
Process
For pipe NPS 1 1/2 [DN 40] and under, it is permissible to furnish hot finished or cold drawn.
Unless otherwise specified, pipe NPS 2 [DN 50] and over shall be furnished hot finished.
When agreed upon between the manufacturer and the purchaser, it is permissible to furnish cold-drawn pipe.
ASTM A106 Pipe Heat Treatment
Hot-finished pipe does not require heat treatment. However, if it is heat treated, it shall be done at a temperature of 1200 °F [650 °C] or higher.
Cold-drawn pipe shall be heat treated after the final cold draw pass at a temperature of 1200 °F [650 °C] or higher.
ASTM A106 Pipe Chemical Composition
| Chemical Requirements | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C |
| Carbon,max | 0.25 (1) | 0.30 (2) | 0.35 (2) |
| Manganese | 0.27-0.93 | 0.29-1.06 | 0.29-1.06 |
| Phosphorus,max | 0.035 | 0.035 | 0.035 |
| Sulfur,max | 0.035 | 0.035 | 0.035 |
| Silicon,min | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 |
| Chrome,max(3) | 0.40 | 0.40 | 0.40 |
| Copper,max(3) | 0.40 | 0.40 | 0.40 |
| Molybdenum,max(3) | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.15 |
| Nickel,max(3) | 0.40 | 0.40 | 0.40 |
| Vanadium,max(3) | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.08 |
1: For each reduction of 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 1.35%.
2: Unless otherwise specified by the purchaser, for each reduction of 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%.
3: These five elements combined shall not exceed 1%.
Tensile Requirements
| Property | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C |
| Tensile strength,min,psi [MPa] Yield strength,min,psi [MPa] | 48000 [330] 30000 [205] | 60000 [415] 35000 [240] | 70000 [485] 40000 [275 |
ASTM A106 Pipe Permissible Variations
Permissible Variations in Mass
The mass of any length of pipe shall not vary more than 10% over and 3.5% under the specified mass.
Unless otherwise agreed upon between the manufacturer and the purchaser:
- Pipe NPS 4 [DN 100] and smaller may be weighed in convenient lots.
- Pipe larger than NPS 4 [DN 100] shall be weighed separately.
Permissible Variations in Weights
If definite lengths are not required, pipe may be ordered:
- In single random lengths of 16 to 22 ft [4.8 to 6.7 m] with 5% of lengths between 12 to 16 ft [3.7 to 4.8 m],
- Or in double random lengths with a minimum average of 35 ft [10.7 m] and a minimum length of 22 ft [6.7 m] with 5% of lengths between 16 to 22 ft [4.8 to 6.7 m].
Permissible Variations in Wall Thickness
- Thickness: The minimum wall thickness at any point shall not be more than 12.5% under the specified wall thickness.
Permissible Variations in Outside Diameter & Inside Diameter
- For pipe over 10 in. [250 mm] OD ordered as special outside diameter tolerance pipe, the outside diameter shall not vary more than 1% over or 1% under the specified outside diameter.
- For pipe over 10 in. [250 mm] ID ordered as inside diameter tolerance pipe, the inside diameter shall not vary more than 1% over or 1% under the specified inside diameter.
Marking Requirements
In addition to the marking prescribed in Specification A530/A530M, the marking shall include the following information:
- Heat number
- Information as per Table 1
- An additional symbol “S” if one or more of the supplementary requirements apply
- Length (marked in feet and tenths of a foot [metres to two decimal places])
- Outside Diameter (OD) ± 1%, if ordered as special outside diameter tolerance pipe
- Inside Diameter (ID) ± 1%, if ordered as special inside diameter tolerance pipe
- Schedule number, weight class, or nominal wall thickness
- For sizes larger than NPS 4 [DN 100], the weight
| TABLE 1 Marking | ||
| Hydro | NDE | Marking |
| Yes | No | Test Pressure |
| No | Yes | NDE |
| No | No | NH |
| Yes | Yes | Test Pressure/NDE |
For sizes NPS 1½, 1¼, 1, and ¾ [DN 40, 32, 25, and 20], each length shall be marked as prescribed in Specification A530/A530M. These sizes shall be bundled according to standard mill practice, and the total bundle footage shall be marked on the bundle tag. Individual lengths of pipe need not be marked with footage.
For sizes less than NPS ¾ [DN 20], all required markings shall be on the bundle tag or on each length of pipe and shall include the total footage; individual lengths of pipe need not be marked with footage. If not marked on the bundle tag, all required marking shall be on each length.
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FAQ
ASTM A53 and ASTM A106 are both specifications for carbon steel pipes, but they differ in their applications and characteristics.
ASTM A53 is suitable for low-pressure applications and offers both welded and seamless types, primarily used for water, gas, and steam lines.
In contrast, ASTM A106 is specifically designed for high-temperature and high-pressure service, providing only seamless pipes, suitable for oil and gas pipelines and chemical processing under severe conditions.
Both specifications include material grades A, B, and C, with Grade B being the most commonly used. ASTM A106 has stricter chemical composition and testing requirements to ensure strength and durability at elevated temperatures. Therefore, A53 is more suitable for general purposes, while A106 is ideal for high-temperature and high-pressure applications.
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