Technical requirements for pipes according to ASTM/ASME A/SA 671M standard
The ASTM/ASME A/SA 671M specification establishes rigorous standards for steel pipes manufactured by electric-fusion welding with filler metal. This production is intended for use in piping systems and pressure vessels operating at ambient as well as cryogenic (low) temperatures. High requirements for the mechanical properties of the base metal and the welded joint ensure reliable operation in demanding industrial environments. Quality control includes mandatory strength and toughness tests, and heat treatment regimes are regulated based on the product class.
The standard covers pipes with an outside diameter of 400 mm (16 inches) and a wall thickness of 6 mm (1/4 inch), corresponding to ASME B 36.10 dimensional series. Products with non-standard geometric parameters are permitted for production provided that all strength and technological characteristics specified by this standard are strictly observed.
The classification of pipes is based on the type of steel plate used, the method of subsequent heat treatment, and the scope of non-destructive testing (radiography) and hydraulic testing, as clearly presented in Table 1.
Classification and heat treatment parameters (Table 1)
| Class | Heat treatment | Radiography | Pressure test |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | None | None | None |
| 11 | None | According to clause 9 | None |
| 12 | None | According to clause 9 | According to clause 8.3 |
| 13 | None | None | According to clause 8.3 |
| 20 | Stress relieved | None | None |
| 21 | Stress relieved | According to clause 9 | None |
| 22 | Stress relieved | According to clause 9 | According to clause 8.3 |
| 23 | Stress relieved | None | According to clause 8.3 |
| 30 | Normalized | None | None |
| 31 | Normalized | According to clause 9 | None |
| 32 | Normalized | According to clause 9 | According to clause 8.3 |
| 33 | Normalized | None | According to clause 8.3 |
| 40 | Normalized and tempered | None | None |
| 41 | Normalized and tempered | According to clause 9 | None |
| 42 | Normalized and tempered | According to clause 9 | According to clause 8.3 |
| 43 | Normalized and tempered | None | According to clause 8.3 |
| 50 | Quenched and tempered | None | None |
| 51 | Quenched and tempered | According to clause 9 | None |
| 52 | Quenched and tempered | According to clause 9 | According to clause 8.3 |
| 53 | Quenched and tempered | None | According to clause 8.3 |
| 60 | Normalized and precipitation hardened | None | None |
| 61 | Normalized and precipitation hardened | According to clause 9 | None |
| 62 | Normalized and precipitation hardened | According to clause 9 | According to clause 8.3 |
| 63 | Normalized and precipitation hardened | None | According to clause 8.3 |
| 70 | Quenched and precipitation hardened | None | None |
| 71 | Quenched and precipitation hardened | According to clause 9 | None |
| 72 | Quenched and precipitation hardened | According to clause 9 | According to clause 8.3 |
| 73 | Quenched and precipitation hardened | None | According to clause 8.3 |
Note: The choice of steel grade and heat treatment class should be based on the design operating temperature. It is recommended to use the A20/A20M standard guide for the correct selection of materials for specific environmental conditions.
Values in the inch-pound system and the SI system are independent quantities. To ensure compliance with the standard, it is recommended to stick to one measurement system chosen when placing an order with EV Group China.
Materials and welding production technologies
For pipe production, EV Group China uses steel plates that strictly comply with ASTM specifications. The welding process involves the formation of a double weld with full penetration of the edges. All personnel performing welding work undergo mandatory qualification according to ASME requirements (Section IX), which ensures high weld quality when manufacturing critical pressure vessels.
Material specifications (Table 2)
| Pipe Class | Steel Type | ASTM Standard | Grade/Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 55 | Carbon | A285/A285M | Gr C |
| CB 60 | Carbon, killed | A515/A515M | Gr 60 |
| CB 65 | Carbon, killed | A515/A515M | Gr 65 |
| CB 70 | Carbon, killed | A515/A515M | Gr 70 |
| CC 60 | Carbon, killed, fine-grained | A516/A516M | Gr 60 |
| CC 65 | Carbon, killed, fine-grained | A516/A516M | Gr 65 |
| CC 70 | Carbon, killed, fine-grained | A516/A516M | Gr 70 |
| CD 70 | Manganese-silicon, normalized | A537/A537M | Cl 1 |
| CD 80 | Manganese-silicon, quenched | A537/A537M | Cl 2 |
| CF 65 | Nickel | A203/A203M | Gr A |
| CF 70 | Nickel | A203/A203M | Gr B |
| CF 65 | Nickel | A203/A203M | Gr D |
| CF 70 | Nickel | A203/A203M | Gr E |
| CG 100 | 9% Nickel | A353/A353M | – |
| CH 115 | 9% Nickel | A553/A553M | Type 1 |
| CJA 115 | Alloy, quenched | A517/A517M | Gr A |
| CJB 115 | Alloy, quenched | A517/A517M | Gr B |
| CJE 115 | Alloy, quenched | A517/A517M | Gr E |
| CJF 115 | Alloy, quenched | A517/A517M | Gr F |
| CJH 115 | Alloy, quenched | A517/A517M | Gr H |
| CJP 115 | Alloy, quenched | A517/A517M | Gr P |
| CK 75 | Carbon-manganese-silicon | A299/A299M | Gr A |
| CP 85 | Alloy, quenched and accelerated cooled | A736/A736M | Gr A, Class 3 |