Differences between ASTM A53 Pipe Vs ASTM A106 Pipe

Author: Lvy Lee

What is the Difference Between A53 Pipe vs A106 Pipe?

We compare the differences between A53 Pipe and A106 Pipe in the following aspects: scope of application, grade evaluation, mechanical properties, differences in chemical composition and Industry applications etc.

ASTM A106 seamless pipe are usable on high elevated temperature and high pressure applications. As elevated temperature environments and high pressure needs ASTM A106 pipes to less the risk of stress against the high pressure. Subsequently, it performs well under these kind of environments.

  1. 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.

  1. 2. Grade evaluation

ASTM A106 is available in consistent pipes in three evaluations, which are a,b,c. Astm A53 pipe has two grades and 3 types of pipes. A53 is available in seamless pipe (A53 grade a type s (seamless) and A53 grade b type s (seamless) or as a welded product (A53 grade b type e (welded), A53 grade a type e (welded) or A106 seamless pipe, A53 grade a type f (furnace-welded)).

  1. 3. Applied Type of Pipe

A53 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.

  1. 4. 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.
  1. 5. Industry applications

There are lots of options for selecting the types of carbon steel pipe a106 vs a53 for industry applications but all pipes are similar with some few specific differences. ASTM A53 and ASTM A106 standards is one of them. They are well demanded pipe materials in industries. To ensures you are buying the right ASTM A106 grade pipe materials for your industrial applications, you need to understand the basic differences between the standard specification of ASTM A53 and ASTM A106. Both the materials suited as per their specifications. ASTM A53 used in industries like on transport of air, steam, water and oil under low and medium pressure applications. Likewise, ASTM a53 usage is compatible on structural steel.