Difference Between Astm A106 and Astm A53 Pipes | Difference Between Astm A53 and Astm A106 Pipes

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ASTM A53 VS. A106 PIPES

What is the difference between API 5L and ASTM A106 steel pipe?

API 5L is a norme for both seamless pipe and welded pipe, A106 is specially for seamless pipe

API 5L is a more comprehensive specification mainly developed for line pipes used in oil and gas industry; the range of strength grades is much wider. While the lower strength grades grades A & B are comparable to A106, the other grades have much higher strengths (e.g. X42, X56, X60,…etc). Also, the quality grades are more stringent when API 5L Line Pipe PSL2 is applied where as rolled grades are not acceptable and rework is not allowed. Moreover, particular attention is given to toughness and toughness tests for sour services and higher pressure/ temperature classes.

DIFFERENCES A106 / A53 PIPES

What is the difference between A53 and A106 pipes? To answer this question, we need first to recap what these standards are all about:

ASTM A106: covers seamless carbon steel pipes for high pressure applications (and for temperatures up to 750 degrees F)
ASTM A53: covers black and hot dip galvanized carbon steel pipes for low / medium pressure and mechanical application

A last pipe specification that often overlaps with A53 / A106 is the API 5L Gr. B, which covers linepipes. These three specs are very close in terms of chemical composition, mechanical properties: some manufacturers actually mark the same lenght / budle of pipe with the three standards at the same time to indicate their interchangeability. For the same reason, it is also quite common that suppliers quote alternatively API 5L or A106 pipes if they receive an enquiry for A53 pipes.

That said, the main differences among A106 and A53 pipes are in terms of:

manufacturing process: A106 pipes are available only in seamless execution, whereas A53 pipes are either welded or seamless
pressure range: A106 pipes withstand higher pressure and temperature ranges
chemical composition and mechanical properties (see tables below)

As a rule of thumb, A106 pipes are supplied when seamless execution is requested, A53 when welded execution is preferred for cost reasons.

DIFFERENCES IN CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

Standard	Grade	Chemical Composition %
Standard	Grade	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, DIN 2448	St 37.0	≤0.17	–	≤0.040	≤0.040	–	–	–	–	–	–
DIN 1629, DIN 2448	St 44.0	≤0.21	–	≤0.040	≤0.040	–	–	–	–	–	–
EN10210	S235JRH	≤0.17	≤1.40	≤0.040	≤0.040	–	–	–	–	–	–
GB/T8163, GB/T8162	10#	0.07-0.13	0.35-0.65	≤0.035	≤0.035	0.07-0.37	≤0.15	≤0.25	≤0.30	–	–
GB/T8163, 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	–	–

DIFFERENCES IN 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	–

A53 Pipe vs A106 Pipe – (1) Scope

ASTM A53 is Standard Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-Dipped, Zinc-Coated, Welded and Seamless.
ASTM A106 is Standard Specification for Seamless Carbon Steel Pipe for High-Temperature Service.

A53 Pipe vs A106 Pipe – (2) Applied Type of Pipe

A 53 can be welded seam or seamless depending on how it is specificed for purchase. It is a general steel pipe spec and covers galvanized pipe as well as black pipe.
A106 is a similar pipe in chemical composition but is intened for high temperature service (up to 750 Degs F). It is a seamless pipe.
At least in the US, there is usually A53 for welded pipe while A106 is seamless. If you ask for A53 in the US they will quote A106 as an alternate.

A53 Pipe vs A106 Pipe – (3) Chemical Composition

For example when we compare between A106-B and A53-B seamless from chemical composition point of view, we find that :
1. A106-B contains silicon, min. 0.10% where A53-B has zero%, and silicon is the important element for improving the heat resistance criteria.
2. A106-B contains manganese 0.29-1.06%, where A53-B 1.2%.
3. A106-B contains low sulfur and phosphorus, max. 0.035% where A53-B contains 0.05 and 0.045% respectively.

A53 Pipe vs A106 Pipe – (4) Mechanical Properties

Spec	Mechanical Properties
		Grade A	Grade B	Grade C
ASTM A53	Tenside strength, min, psi (MPa)	48000(330)	60000(415)
ASTM A53	Yield strength, min, psi (MPa)	30000(205)	35000(240)
ASTM A106	Tenside strength, min, psi (MPa)	48000(330)	60000(415)	70000(485)
ASTM A106	Yield strength, min, psi (MPa)	30000(205)	35000(240)	40000(275)

Other difference for A53 Pipe vs A106 Pipe

Because they have different scope and specify different type of pipe, then the manufacturing process and required quality control test and inspection will be different to each other. Leave a comment if you have specified opinion.