ASTM Steel Is Critical to Numerous Industries

Steel pipe (measured on the basis of inside diameter) and steel tubing (measured on the basis of outside diameter) are critical to numerous industries. Tubes are considered structural, while pipes are considered as transport vessels, but both are found in numerous applications, from processing industries to consumer products. In many industries, these products must meet strict criteria set out by industry standards organizations like the American Petroleum Institute (API) or the ASTM (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials).

Welded Pipe and Tubing

Welded pipe or tubing may be made from a hot rolled or cold rolled steel coil. Cold-rolled steel gives the finished product closer tolerances and a smoother surface finish. Welded pipe or tubing is made when the steel coil is slit to a precise width and then formed, welded, sized, and cut. Today, laser welding can be used for applications in industries with higher purity requirements.

Seamless Pipe and Tubing

Seamless pipe or tubing is made from a metal bar that is pierced, extruded, or gun drilled. The process used depends on the metal alloy used. Further processing after piercing, extrusion, or gun drilling may be required to meet dimensional or metallurgical requirements. Cold drawing and cold pilgering are methods that can reduce a pipe or tube's diameter or change its shape.

Process Industries and ASTM Steel Standards

The chemical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, food, beverage, and dairy industries are industries that generally require steel tubing or pipe that meets various ASTM standards. These standards specify things like which alloys the tubes must be made of, nominal wall thickness of the tubing or pipe, or the alignment of tube-to-tube fitting required for orbital welding in the industry.

API Pipe and ASTM Standards

Steel pipe and tubing suppliers must be conversant in the various industry standards. For example, API 5L pipe is a type of API pipe that must meet more stringent criteria than a comparable ASTM pipe. Some pipe is made to meet stringent standards, but it automatically meet less stringent standards as well. Therefore, you may see pipe stamped with markings indicating more than one standard that it meets.