Designation: A134 – 96 (Reapproved 2005)

Standard Specification for

Pipe, Steel, Electric-Fusion (Arc)-Welded (Sizes NPS 16 and
Over)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A134; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope A283/A283M Specification for Low and Intermediate Ten-

1.1 This specification covers electric-fusion (arc)-welded sile Strength Carbon Steel Plates
straight seam or spiral seam steel pipe NPS 16 and over in A285/A285M Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Car-
diameter (inside or outside as specified by purchaser), with bon Steel, Low- and Intermediate-Tensile Strength
wall thicknesses up to 3⁄4 in. (19.0 mm), inclusive. Pipe having A370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
other dimensions may be furnished provided such pipe com- of Steel Products
plies with all other requirements of this specification. A570/A570M Specification for Steel, Sheet and Strip, Car-
bon, Hot-Rolled3
NOTE 1—Acceptability for many services may be controlled by codes 2.2 ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code:
or standards such as those published by the American National Standards
Section IX Welding Qualifications 4
Institute and American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
NOTE 2—For testing methods not specifically covered in this specifi- 2.3 American National Standards Institute Standard:
cation, reference can be made to Test Methods and Definitions A370, with B 16.25 Buttwelding Ends5
particular reference to Annex A2 on Steel Tubular Products. B 36.10 Welded and Seamless Wrought Steel Pipe5
NOTE 3—A comprehensive listing of standardized pipe dimensions is
contained in ANSI B 36.10. 3. Ordering Information
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 3.1 Orders for material under this specification should
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical include the following, as required, to describe the desired
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only material adequately:
and are not considered standard. 3.1.1 Quantity (feet, metres, or number of lengths),
3.1.2 Name of material (electric-fusion (arc)-welded pipe),
NOTE 4—The dimensionless designator NPS (nominal pipe size) has
been substituted in this standard for such traditional terms as “nominal
3.1.3 Grade (Section 4),
diameter,” “size,” and “nominal size.” 3.1.4 Size (inside or outside diameter and nominal wall
thickness),
1.3 The following caveat pertains specifically to Section 5 3.1.5 Length (specified or random),
of this specification. This standard does not purport to address 3.1.6 Specific straightness requirements (see 12.3),
all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is 3.1.7 End finish (Section 15),
the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish 3.1.8 Hydrostatic test pressure (Section 11),
appropriate safety and health practices and determine the 3.1.9 ASTM designation, and
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.1.10 End use of material.
2. Referenced Documents 4. Material
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 4.1 The steel from which the pipe is made shall conform to
A36/A36M Specification for Carbon Structural Steel Specifications A283/A283M, A285/A285M, A570/A570M, or
A36/A36M or to other ASTM specifications for equally
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
suitable weldable material, as specified. For purposes of
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.09 on Carbon Steel Tubular Products.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2005. Published October 2005. Originally
3
approved in 1931. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as A134 – 96 (2001). Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
DOI: 10.1520/A0134-96R05. on www.astm.org.
2 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 345 E. 47th St.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM New York, NY 10017.
5
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd St., 13th
the ASTM website. Floor, New York, NY 10036.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 A134 – 96 (2005)
marking and certification, when required, the pipe grade of Procedure6 or ASME Section IX of the Boiler and Pressure
material shall be established by the A xxx plate specification Vessel Code as agreed to between the manufacturer and the
designation and plate grade, when applicable. purchaser using the tests and test values specified in 9.2 and
9.3. Thicknesses less than 3⁄8 in. (10 mm) shall be qualified for
5. Manufacture each wall thickness of pipe manufactured. Thicknesses 3⁄8 to 3⁄4
in. (10 mm to 19.0 mm), inclusive, shall be qualified in 3⁄8-in.
5.1 The longitudinal edges of the steel shall be shaped to
(10-mm) thickness.
give the most satisfactory results by the particular welding
9.2 Two reduced-section tension specimens (transverse
process employed. The steel shall then be properly formed and
weld) made in accordance with Fig. 21 of Test Methods and
may be tacked preparatory to welding. The weld shall be made
Definitions A370, with the weld reinforcement removed, shall
by automatic means (except tack welds) and shall be of
show a tensile strength not less than 100 % of the minimum
reasonably uniform width and height for the entire length of the
specified tensile strength of the base material used.
pipe. By agreement between the purchaser and the manufac-
9.3 Two face-bend test specimens shall be prepared in
turer, manual welding by qualified procedure and welders may
accordance with Fig. 2(a) of Test Methods and Definitions
be used as an equal alternate under this specification.
A370 and shall withstand being bent 180° in a jig substantially
5.2 All longitudinal seams, spiral seams, and shop girth in accordance with Fig. 30 of Test Methods and Definitions
seams shall be butt-welded. A370. The bend test shall be acceptable if no cracks or other
defects exceeding 1⁄8 in. (3.2 mm) in any direction be present in
6. Number of Production Weld Tests the weld metal or between the weld and the pipe metal after
6.1 One weld test specimen specified in Section 8 shall be bending. Cracks that originate along the edges of the speci-
made from each lot of 3000 ft (900 m) of pipe or fraction mens during testing and that are less than 1⁄4 in. (6.3 mm) in
thereof of each size and wall thickness. any direction, shall not be considered.
6.2 If any test specimen shows defective machining or
develops flaws not associated with the welding, it may be 10. Tensile Properties of Production Welds
discarded and another specimen substituted. 10.1 Reduced-section tension test specimens required in
6.3 Each length of pipe shall be subjected to the hydrostatic Section 8, taken perpendicularly across the weld with the weld
test specified in Section 11, unless otherwise specified in 11.3. reinforcement removed, shall show a tensile strength not less
than 95 % of the specified minimum strength of the steel. At
7. Retests the manufacturer’s option, the test may be made without
removing the weld reinforcement, in which case the tensile
7.1 If any specimen tested in accordance with Section 10 strength shall be not less than the specified minimum tensile
fails to meet the requirements, retests of two additional strength for the grade of steel used.
specimens from the same lot of pipe shall be made, each of
which shall meet the requirements specified. If any of the 11. Hydrostatic Test (Note 5)
retests fail to conform to the requirements, test specimens may
be taken from each untested pipe length at the manufacturer’s 11.1 Each length of pipe shall be tested by the manufacturer
option. Each specimen shall meet the requirements specified, to a hydrostatic pressure that will produce in the pipe wall a
or that pipe shall be rejected. stress of 60 % of the specified minimum yield point of the steel
used at room temperature. The pressure shall be determined by
the following equation:
8. Test Specimens of Production Welds
P 5 2St / D
8.1 The weld-test specimens for the reduced-section tension
test shall be taken perpendicularly across the weld and from the where:
end of the pipe or, alternatively, from flat test pieces of material P = minimum hydrostatic test pressure, psi (Note 6) (not to
conforming to the requirements in the specifications used in the exceed 2800 psi (19 MPa)),
manufacture of the pipe. The alternative weld-test specimens S = 0.60 times the minimum specified yield point of the
shall be welded with the same procedure and by the same steel used, psi (MPa),
operator and equipment, and in sequence with the welding of t = specified wall thickness, in. (mm), and
the longitudinal joints in the pipe. The test pieces shall have the D = specified outside diameter, in. (mm).
weld approximately in the middle of the specimen. The
specimens shall be straightened cold, and shall be tested at NOTE 5—A hydrostatic sizing operation is not to be considered a
room temperature. hydrostatic test or a substitute for it.
8.2 Reduced-section tension-test specimens shall be pre- NOTE 6—When the diameter and wall thickness of pipe are such that
pared in accordance with Fig. 21 of Test Methods and the capacity limits of testing equipment are exceeded by these require-
ments, the test pressures may be reduced by agreement between the
Definitions A370.
purchaser and the manufacturer.

9. Qualification of Welding Procedure

9.1 The welding procedure shall be qualified in accordance 6
Available from American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Rd., Miami, FL
with the American Welding Society Standard Qualification 33135.

2
 A134 – 96 (2005)
11.2 Test pressure shall be held for not less than 5 s, or for NOTE 8—Joints are defined for the purpose of this specification as a
a longer time as agreed upon between the purchaser and the circumferential welded seam lying in one plane, used to join lengths of
manufacturer. straight pipe.

NOTE 7—When agreed upon between the purchaser and the manufac- 14. Ends
turer and so stated on the order, pipe may be tested to one and one half 14.1 Pipe shall be furnished with a plain right-angle cut or
times the specified working pressure, except that the maximum test
with bevel ends as specified. All burrs at the ends of pipe shall
pressure shall not exceed 2800 psi (19 MPa) nor shall the maximum fiber
stress exceed 85 % of specified minimum yield point of steel or to a fiber be removed.
stress that does not exceed 85 % of the specified minimum yield point of 14.1.1 Unless otherwise specified, pipe with beveled ends
the steel or 2800-psi (19-MPa) test pressure. shall meet the requirements of ANSI B 16.25.
14.2 Unless otherwise specified, the outside circumference
11.3 When specified in the order, pipe may be furnished of pipe ends for a distance of not less than 4 in. (100 mm) shall
without hydrostatic testing and each length so furnished shall not vary more than 660 % of the nominal wall thickness of the
include the mandatory marking of the letters “NH.” Addition- pipe from the nominal outside circumference based on the
ally, the certification, when required, shall state “Not Hydro- diameter specified, except that the tolerance shall not be less
statically Tested” and the specification number and material than 63⁄16 in. (5 mm).
grade, as shown on the certification, shall be followed by the 14.3 By agreement between the manufacturer and the pur-
letters “NH.” chaser the ends of the pipe may be sized within agreed-upon
tolerances if necessary to meet the requirements of special
12. Permissible Variations in Weights and Dimensions installations.
12.1 Thickness and Weight—The wall thickness and weight
for welded pipe under this specification shall be governed by 15. Finish
the requirements of the specifications to which the steel was 15.1 Repair by Welding—The welding of injurious defects
ordered. in the pipe wall, provided their depth does not exceed one third
12.2 Circumference—The outside circumference of the pipe the specified wall thickness, will be permitted. Defects in the
shall not vary more than 60.5 % from the nominal outside welds, such as sweats or leaks, shall be repaired or the piece
circumference based upon the diameter specified, except that rejected at the option of the manufacturer. Repairs of this
the circumference at ends shall be sized, if necessary, to meet nature shall be made by completely removing the defect,
the requirements of Section 14. cleaning the cavity, and then welding.
12.3 Straightness—Finished pipe shall be commercially 15.2 All repaired pipe shall be tested hydrostatically in
straight. When specific straightness requirements are desired, accordance with Section 11, unless otherwise specified in 11.3.
the order should so state, and the tolerances shall be a matter of
agreement between the purchaser and the manufacturer. 16. Inspection
12.4 Ovality—Out-of-roundness—The difference between 16.1 The inspector representing the purchaser shall have
major and minor outside diameter shall not exceed 1 %. Closer entry at all times while work on the contract of the purchaser
tolerances may be established by agreement between the is being performed, to all parts of the manufacturer’s works
manufacturer and the purchaser. Where the D/T (outside that concern the manufacture of the material ordered. The
diameter/wall thickness) is over 120, internal bracing should be manufacturer shall afford the inspector all reasonable facilities
utilized to achieve sizing of ends and ovality shall be by to satisfy him that the material is being furnished in accordance
agreement between the manufacturer and purchaser. with this specification. All tests and inspection shall be made at
the place of manufacture prior to shipment and unless other-
13. Lengths wise specified, shall be so conducted as not to interfere
13.1 Pipe lengths shall be supplied in accordance with the unnecessarily with the operation of the works. If agreed upon,
following regular practice: the manufacturer shall notify the purchaser in time so that he
13.1.1 The lengths shall be as specified on the order with a may have his inspector present to witness any part of the
tolerance of 61⁄2 in. (13 mm), except that the shorter lengths manufacture or tests that may be desired. The certification shall
from which test coupons have been cut may also be shipped. include reference to this specification and the pipe grade
13.1.2 When random lengths are specified, pipe shall be (ASTM plate specification designation and plate grade, when
furnished in lengths having a minimum average of 29 ft (9 m) applicable).
with a minimum length of 20 ft (6 m), but not more than 5 % 16.2 Certification—Upon request of the purchaser in the
may be under 25 ft (8 m). contract or order, a manufacturer’s certification that the mate-
13.2 Pipe lengths containing circumferentially welded joints rial was manufactured and tested in accordance with this
(Note 8) shall be permitted by agreement between the manu- specification together with a report of the chemical and tensile
facturer and the purchaser. Tests of these welded joints shall be tests shall be furnished. When hydrostatic test is omitted, the
made in accordance with the procedure tests specified in certificate shall include the letters “NH.”
Section 9 and the production weld tests specified in Section 10.
The number of production weld tests shall be one per each lot 17. Rejection
of 100 joints or fraction thereof, but not less than one for each 17.1 Each length of pipe received from the manufacturer
welder or welding operator. may be inspected by the purchaser and, if it does not meet the

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 A134 – 96 (2005)
requirements of this specification based on the inspection and year date, together with a report of the chemical and tensile
test method as outlined in the specification, the length may be tests shall be furnished. The pipe grade shall be identified by
rejected, and the manufacturer shall be notified. Disposition of the plate specification designation (year date not required) and
rejected pipe shall be a matter of agreement between the the plate grade (where applicable).
manufacturer and the purchaser.
19. Product Marking
17.2 Pipe found in fabrication or in installation to be
unsuitable for the intended use, under the scope and require- 19.1 Each section of pipe shall be marked with the manu-
ments of this specification, may be set aside and the manufac- facturer’s distinguishing marking, this specification number,
turer notified. Such pipe shall be subject to mutual investiga- and the pipe grade. The marking need not include the year date
tion as to the nature and severity of the deficiency and the of the pipe or plate specification.
forming or installation, or both, conditions involved. Disposi- 19.2 Bar Coding—In addition to the requirements in 19.1,
tion shall be a matter of agreement between the purchaser and bar coding is acceptable as a supplemental identification
the manufacturer. method. The purchaser may specify in the order a specific bar
coding system to be used.
18. Certification 20. Protective Coating
18.1 Upon request of the purchaser in the contract or order, 20.1 If agreed upon between the purchaser and the manu-
a manufacturer’s certification that the material was manufac- facturer, the pipe shall be given a protective coating of the kind
tured and tested in accordance with this specification, including and in the manner specified by the purchaser.

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