ASTM A53 schedule 80 pipe

ASTM A53 Sch 80 is a high-strength carbon steel pipe certified by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), specially designed for harsh working conditions. ASTM A53 standard is a widely recognized specification for steel pipes, applicable to black or hot-dip galvanized, welded or seamless steel pipes, and is widely used in fields such as steam, water, gas and air transportation. Among them, the Schedule 80 (thickened type) is more suitable for use in high-pressure and harsh environments due to its higher wall thickness design.

What is ASTM A53 Schedule 80 tube?

ASTM A53 (also written as ASME SA53) is a standard specification for carbon steel pipes, covering black pipes and hot-dip galvanized pipes, including both welded pipes and seamless pipes, and is suitable for the transportation of mechanical and pressure media (steam, water, gas, etc.). Schedule 80 indicates a thicker wall thickness (i.e., stronger pressure-bearing capacity) than Schedule 40 and is often used in pipeline systems with higher pressure or more demanding working conditions.

Pressure resistance capacity: The wall thickness of schedule 80 pipe is 30% higher than that of schedule 40, providing stronger pressure resistance capacity. It is suitable for high-pressure scenarios such as oil and gas transportation and chemical pipelines.
Technical standards: Comply with ASME B36.10 size standards and some specifications of API 5L, and be compatible with the requirements of international projects.
Material selection: There are two grades of carbon steel, Grade A (σs≥205MPa) and Grade B (σs≥240MPa), among which Grade B is more commonly used in infrastructure.

Type and level analysis

According to ASTM A53 standard, the following categories and grades of this pipe material are available for selection

Type:
Type F: Furnace butt welded or continuous welded
Type E: Electric-resistance welded (ERW)
Type S: Seamless

Level
Grade A: Lower carbon content, suitable for general pressure applications
Grade B: Slightly higher carbon content, greater strength, and more suitable for industrial and high-pressure applications.

Note: Type F is not applicable to flanging. Grade A is generally recommended for close bending.

Size and wall thickness information

According to Wheatland Tube data, the outer diameter, wall thickness and weight of Schedule 80 (Extra-Heavy) in common sizes are as follows (only some are listed)

Dimensions (NPS)	Outside diameter (in)	Wall thickness (in)	Weight (lb/ft)
½	0.84	0.147	1.09
¾	1.05	0.154	1.48
1	1.315	0.179	2.17
2	2.375	0.218	5.03
4	4.5	0.337	15.00

For detailed information, please read SCH 40/80 pipe sizes

A comparison between Schedule 80 and Schedule 40

Wall thickness and pressure-bearing capacity: The wall thickness of Schedule 80 is significantly greater than that of Schedule 40, and it has a stronger pressure-bearing capacity under the same diameter.

Weight and cost: A thicker wall thickness means an increase in weight per unit length and material cost; The installation and transportation costs have also increased accordingly.

Applicable scenarios: Schedule 40 is suitable for general conveying (low and medium pressure) applications; Schedule 80 is suitable for high-pressure, abrasive or higher mechanical strength scenarios (such as certain chemical, oil and gas, and high-temperature steam systems).

Typical applications

Industrial high-pressure fluid transportation (steam, compressed air, certain chemical transportation).
Intra-factory connections and branch lines of oil and gas pipelines (non-long-distance lines).
Scenarios that require higher intensity, such as fire protection, boilers, and the inlet and outlet of heat exchangers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ

Q1: How to choose between Sch80 and Sch40?
A: The Sch80 is suitable for scenarios with a pressure of ≥300psi. If the budget is limited and the pressure is relatively low (< 150psi), the Sch40 can be chosen.

Q2: What are the differences between ASTM A53 and A106?
A: A106 is specially designed for high temperatures (-29℃ to 425℃), while A53 is suitable for normal temperature transportation. Moreover, A106 only contains seamless steel pipes, while A53 includes both seamless and welded steel pipes.

Q3: Can Schedule 80 tubes be welded into a pressure-bearing system?
A: Yes, but the welding process, welding materials and heat treatment (if necessary) must meet the design and specification requirements, and necessary non-destructive testing and pressure tests must be carried out to ensure safety.