ASME SA213 TP304L Stainless Steel Tube ASTM A213 TP304L Stainless Steel Tube

ASME SA213 TP304L Stainless Steel Tube is a variation of the 18% chromium – 8% nickel austenitic alloy, the most familiar and most frequently used alloy in the stainless steel family. This alloy may be considered for a wide variety of applications and exhibits good corrosion resistance, ease of fabrication, excellent formability, and high strength with low weight. Type 304L is a lower carbon variant of Grade 304 – the steel can be welded without the resulting issue of carbon precipitation precipitation of chromium carbide as heat is applied during the welding process which depletes the chromium element of the steel thus reducing its anti-corrosive/oxidation effectiveness, and because of low carbon percentage, can minimizing Intergranular corrosion attack.

As a result, Type 304L Stainless Steel Tube is a sort after material for use in severely corrosive conditions. Weld annealing is only necessary in applications where stress loads are excessive. This steel Grade is found in a variety of commercial sectors, particularly in the chemical industry. 304 & 304L have similar properties and in certain cases are stocked with Dual Certification, where it is concluded that each item has properties and a composition which comply with both steel types. Grade 304H cannot be included in this equation due to the steel’s higher carbon content which is intended for use in elevated temperature applications.

What does the L mean?

L-grades have 0.035% carbon maximum. L-grades are resistant to sensitization in short-term exposures or heat treatments. L-grade often have slightly lower (typically 5,000 psi less) minimum strengths than standard stainless steel.

Benefits of using 304L Stainless Steel Tube

• Low carbon content eliminates carbon precipitation in the welding process
• Can be used in severe corrosive environments
• Weld annealing only required in high stress applications
• Very similar to Type 304

Heat Treatment Requirements

Referenced Documents

1 Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee A01.10 on Stainless and Alloy Steel Tubular Products. Current edition approved April 1, 2009. Published April 2009. Originally approved in 1939. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as A 213/A 213M – 09.

2 For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications see related Specification SA-213 in Section II of that Code.

ASTM A262 Practices for Detecting Susceptibility to Intergranu lar Attack in Austenitic Stainless Steel
A 941 Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Re lated Alloys, and Ferroalloys
A 1016/A 1016M Specification for General Requirements for Ferritic Alloy Steel, Austenitic Alloy Steel, and Stainless Steel Tubes
ASTM E112 Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size

Nominal Pipe Size (NPS): 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1 1/4, 1 1/2, 2, 2 1/2 inch
Outside Diameter: 10,3 – 73 mm (0,405 – 2,875 inch)
Wall Thickness: 1,24 – 7,01 (0,049 – 0,276 inch)

Tensile Requirements

Flattening Test

One flattening test shall be made on specimens from each end of one finished tube, not the one used for the flaring test, from each lot.

Flaring Test

One flaring test shall be made on specimens from each end of one finished tube, not the one used for the flattening test, from each lot.

Hydrostatic or Nondestructive Testing

Each pipe shall be subjected to the nondestructive 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.

Markings

Markings will adhere to prescribed specifications in A999/A999M and shall include the NPS or OD and schedule number or average wall thickness, heat number, and NH (when hydrotesting is not performed) and ET (when eddy-current testing is performed) or UT (when ultrasonic testing is performed). The marking shall also include the manufacturer’s private identifying mark, the marking requirement of section 12.3 on Hydrostatic or Nondestructive Electric Test, if applicable, and whether seamless (SML), welded (WLD), or heavily cold-worked (HCW). For Grades TP304H, TP316H, TP321H & TP347H, the marking shall also include the heat number and heat-treatment lot identification.

Note:

• Mill test certificates will be issued according to EN10204.3.
• All tubes shall be supplied as per applicable ASTM A213 /A213M Specification.

Notes:

1. Steel Grades – TP 304, TP 304L, TP 316, TP 316L, TP 321
2. Technical requirements acc. to ASTM A 450.
3. Size of pipes in accordance with ANSI/ASME B36.19M.
4. The quality of pipes is ensured by manufacturing process and non-destructive test.
5. Hardness of metal not less than 100 HB.
6. Length tolerance of measured pipes not greater than +10 mm.
7. Monitoring of continuity of metal by pneumotest with pressure of 6 bar is available.
8. Intergranular corrosion test in accordance with ASTM A262, Practice E is available.