ASTM A333 Pipe Specifications
ASTM A333 pipe specification covers nominal (average) wall seamless and welded carbon and alloy steel pipe intended for use at low temperatures. Some product sizes may not be available under this specification because heavier wall thicknesses have an adverse affect on low-temperature impact properties.
Normalize by heating to a uniform temperature of not less than 1500°F [815°C] and cool in air or in the cooling chamber of an atmosphere controlled furnace.For the seamless process only, reheat and control hot working and the temperature of the hot-finishing operation to a finishing temperature range from 1550 to 1750°F [845 to 945°C] and cool in air or in a controlled atmosphere furnace from an initial temperature of not less than 1550°F [845°C].Seamless pipe of Grades 1, 6, and 10 may be heat treated by heating to a uniform temperature of not less than 1500°F [815°C], followed by quenching in liquid and reheating to a suitable tempering temperature, in place of any of the other heat treatments provided
Product Analysis At the request of the purchaser, an analysis of one billet or two samples of flat-rolled stock from each heat or of two pipe from each lot shall be made by the manufacturer. A lot of pipe shall consist of the following:
| NPS Designator | Length of Pipe in Lot |
|---|---|
| Under 2 | 400 or fraction thereof |
| 2 to 6 | 200 or fraction thereof |
| Over 6 | 100 or fraction thereof |
The results of these analyses shall be reported to the purchaser or the purchaser-s representative and shall conform to the requirements specified. If the analysis of one of the tests specified in 6.1 does not conform to the requirements specified, an analysis of each billet or pipe from the same heat or lot may be made, and all billets or pipe conforming to the requirements shall be accepted.
ASTM A333 pipe shall conform to the requirements as to chemical properties as prescribed below.
ASTM A333 pipe shall conform to the requirements as to tensile properties as prescribed below.
For ASTM A333 Grades 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10, 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, when tested at temperatures in conformance with 14.1 shall be not less than the values as per prescribed requirements.
If the impact value of one specimen is below the minimum value, or the impact values of two specimens are less than the minimum average value but not below the minimum value permitted on a single specimen, a retest shall be allowed. The retest shall consist of breaking three additional specimens and each specimen must equal or exceed the required average value. When an erratic result is caused by a defective specimen, or there is uncertainty in test procedures, a retest will be allowed.
When the average lateral expansion value for the three impact specimens equals or exceeds 0.015 in. [0.38 mm] and the value for one specimen is below 0.015 in. [0.38 mm] but not below 0.010 in. [0.25 mm], a retest of three additional specimens may be made. The lateral expansion of each of the retest specimens must equal or exceed 0.015 in. [0.38 mm].Lateral expansion values shall be determined by the procedure in Test Methods and Definitions A 370.
Except when the size of the finished pipe is insufficient to permit obtaining subsize impact specimens, all material furnished to this specification and marked in accordance with Section 16 shall be tested for impact resistance at the minimum temperature for the respective grades.Special impact tests on individual lots of material may be made at other temperatures as agreed upon between the manufacturer and the purchaser.When subsize Charpy impact specimens are used and the width along the notch is less than 80 % of the actual wall thickness of the original material, the specified Charpy impact test temperature for Grades 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10 shall be lower than the minimum temperature shown in Table 5 for the respective grade. Under these circumstances the temperature reduction values shall be by an amount equal to the difference between the temperature reduction corresponding to the actual material thickness and the temperature reduction corresponding to the Charpy specimen width actually tested.The notched bar impact test shall be made in accordance with the procedure for the simple beam, Charpy-type test of Test Methods E 23. Impact tests specified for temperatures lower than 70°F [20°C] should be made with the following precautions. The impact test specimens as well as the handling tongs shall be cooled a sufficient time in a suitable container so that both reach the desired temperature. The temperature shall be measured with hermocouples, thermometers, or any other suitable devices and shall be controlled within 3°F [2°C]. The specimens shall be quickly transferred from the cooling device to the anvil of the Charpy impact testing machine and broken with a time lapse of not more than 5 s.
If definite lengths are not required, pipe may be ordered in single random lengths of 16 to 22 ft (Note 3) with 5 % 12 to 16 ft (Note 4), or in double random lengths with a minimum average of 35 ft (Note 4) and a minimum length of 22 ft (Note 4) with 5 % 16 to 22 ft (Note 3).
Wall thickness of ASTM A333 pipe measurements shall be made with a mechanical calliper or with a properly calibrated non-destructive testing device of appropriate accuracy. In case of dispute, the measurement determined by use of the mechanical calliper shall govern. Weld repair shall be permitted only subject to the approval of the purchaser and in accordance with Specification A 999/A 999M.
Each pipe shall be subjected to the non-destructive electric test or the hydrostatic test. The type of test to be used shall be at the option of the manufacturer, unless otherwise specified in the purchase order.The hydrostatic test shall be in accordance with Specification A 999/A 999M. Non-destructive Electric Test – Non-destructive electric tests shall be in accordance with Specification A 999/A 999M, with the following addition: If the test signals were produced by visual imperfections (listed in 15.3.2), the pipe may be accepted based on visual examination, provided the imperfection is less than 0.004 in. (0.1 mm) or 12½ % of the specified wall thickness.
Except as modified in addition to the marking prescribed in Specification A 999/A 999M, ASTM A333 pipe marking shall include whether hot finished, cold drawn, seamless or welded, the schedule number and the letters -LT- followed by the temperature at which the impact tests were made, 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 should be marked.
When the size of the finished ASTM A333 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 S1 is specified.
When the pipe is furnished in the quenched and tempered condition, the marking shall include the letters QT and the heat treatment condition shall be reported to the purchaser or his representative.