Products Description
ASTM A333 is the standard specification for seamless and welded carbon and alloy steel pipe intended for low-temperature service and other applications requiring notch toughness. It covers several grades of ferritic steel: Grade 1, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, and Grade 11.
The pipe shall be made by the seamless or welding process with the addition of no filler metal in the welding operation. All pipes are treated to control their microstructure and must pass mandatory Charpy V-notch impact testing at the designated minimum service temperature for each grade. This specification is specifically designed for operating temperatures down to −196°C (−320°F), making it the go-to choice for cryogenic piping in LNG plants, air separation units, and cold-climate pipelines.
1.Size Range
| Parameter | Seamless Range |
| Outer Diameter (OD) | 1/4″ to 36″ (19.05 mm – 914.4 mm) |
| Wall Thickness | 2.0 mm – 50 mm (SCH 10, SCH 20, SCH 40, STD, SCH 80, XS to SCH 160, XXS) |
| Length | Fixed: 5.8 m / 6 m / 9 m / 12 m; Random: 5–12 m |
| Pipe Ends | Plain ends or beveled ends (30° +5°/−0°) |
2.Frequently Exported Grades
| Grade | Typical Export Destinations |
| ASTM A333 Grade 6 / ASME SA333 Gr.6 | Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, South America |
| ASTM A333 Grade 3 | Europe, North America, Middle East |
| ASTM A333 Grade 1 | Southeast Asia, Africa, South America |
| ASTM A333 Grade 8 | LNG project markets (Europe, Middle East, Asia) |
3.Grades & Mechanical Properties
| Grade | Min. Service Temp. | Material Type | Tensile Strength (min) |
Yield Strength (min) |
Elongation (min) |
| Grade 1 | −46°C (−50°F) | C-Mn steel | 380 MPa (55 ksi) | 205 MPa (30 ksi) | 0.35 |
| Grade 3 | −101°C (−150°F) | 3.5% Nickel steel | 450 MPa (65 ksi) | 240 MPa (35 ksi) | 0.3 |
| Grade 4 | −101°C (−150°F) | Alloy steel | 415 MPa (60 ksi) | 240 MPa (35 ksi) | 0.3 |
| Grade 6 | −46°C (−50°F) | C-Mn steel (killed, fine grain) | 415 MPa (60 ksi) | 240 MPa (35 ksi) | 0.3 |
| Grade 7 | −62°C (−80°F) | 2.5% Nickel steel | 450 MPa (65 ksi) | 240 MPa (35 ksi) | 0.3 |
| Grade 8 | −196°C (−320°F) | 9% Nickel steel | 690 MPa (100 ksi) | 515 MPa (75 ksi) | 0.22 |
| Grade 9 | −73°C (−100°F) | Ni-Cu-Cr-Mo alloy | 435 MPa (63 ksi) | 315 MPa (46 ksi) | 0.28 |
| Grade 10 | −46°C (−50°F) | C-Mn-Si steel | 550 MPa (80 ksi) | 450 MPa (65 ksi) | 0.22 |
| Grade 11 | −46°C (−50°F) | C-Mn-Si-Cb steel | 450 MPa (65 ksi) | 240 MPa (35 ksi) | 0.18 |
Grade 6 is the most widely purchased grade for low-temperature carbon steel piping. Its chemistry and mechanical properties are similar to ASTM A106 Grade B, but it is produced as killed, fine-grain steel and must pass Charpy impact tests at −46°C with a minimum absorbed energy of 18 J (average of three specimens) .
4.Standard Packing Methods
| Method | Description |
| Bare Packing | Pipes without wrapping, suitable for bulk orders |
| Bundle Packing | Hexagonal or round bundles tied with steel strips, bundle weight up to 5,000 kg |
| Crate Packing | Packed in wooden crates, wrapped in plastic, with wooden protection at both ends |
| Customized Packing | As per customer requirements |
FAQ
1. What is ASTM A333?
ASTM A333 is a standard specification developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for seamless and welded steel pipes used in low-temperature service. It specifies the chemical composition, mechanical properties, and impact test requirements for steel pipes operating at low temperatures (typically from −45°C to −196°C).
2. What is the difference between ASTM A333 and ASTM A106?
The key difference is the temperature range and testing requirements. A106 is suitable for high temperatures (−29°C to +425°C), while A333 is designed for low temperatures. A333 requires mandatory low-temperature Charpy V-notch impact testing, whereas A106 does not have this requirement. A333 is used for LNG, refrigeration equipment, and cold-climate pipelines, while A106 is mostly used for boilers and thermal pipelines.
3. Which grade is most commonly used?
Grade 6 is the most commonly used grade for low-temperature carbon steel piping, suitable for service down to −46°C. Grade 3 is also very common for service down to −101°C. For true cryogenic applications (−101°C to −196°C), Grade 8 (9% nickel steel) is the standard choice.
4. Why does ASTM A333 steel pipe require impact testing?
Steel is prone to brittle fracture in low-temperature environments. Charpy V-notch impact tests are used to verify the toughness of materials at low temperatures. The standard requires specific minimum impact energy values at the designated test temperature for each grade. This mandatory impact testing is what differentiates A333 from standard carbon steel specs like A106 and A53.
5. Can ASTM A333 Grade 6 be used as a substitute for ASTM A106 Grade B?
While the chemistry and mechanical properties of Grade 6 are similar to A106 Grade B, A333 Grade 6 is produced as killed, fine-grain steel and must pass Charpy impact tests at −46°C. If your application requires guaranteed low-temperature toughness, A333 Grade 6 is the correct choice. However, A333 Grade 6 is generally more expensive than A106 Grade B due to additional processing and testing requirements.
6. What is the maximum wall thickness available?
Heavier wall thicknesses can have an adverse effect on low-temperature impact properties, so some product sizes may not be available in all grades. Typical seamless range is up to 50 mm wall thickness, but availability depends on grade and size. Please confirm with our sales team for specific requirements.
Our address
Rm1406,14th/F No 208, Hongqi Road, Nankai Dist, Tianjin City ,China
Phone Number(WhatsApp/Wechat)
+8616622033809
alisa@tjshenzhoutong.com
Hot Tags: astm a333 seamless steel pipe for low-temperature and cryogenic service environments, China astm a333 seamless steel pipe for low-temperature and cryogenic service environments manufacturers, suppliers, factory, api 5l steel pipe, low pressure seamless steel pipe, seamless gas pipe, seamless pipe for air conditioning systems, seamless pipe for bridge connection, seamless pipe for hydraulic systems
