SPECIFICATION FOR SEAMLESS, WELDED

FERRITIC, AND MARTENSITIC STAINLESS STEEL

PIPE
SA-731/SA-731M

(Identical with ASTM Specification A 731/A 731M-91.)

1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This specification covers seamless, welded ferritic, 2.1 ASTM Standards:
and martensitic stainless steel pipe intended for high- A 530/A 530M Specification for General Requirements
temperature and general corrosive service. for Specialized Carbon and Alloy Steel Pipe
A 763 Practices for Detecting Susceptibility to Intergran-
1.2 Most of the grades are commonly known as the ular Attack in Ferritic Stainless Steels
straight chromium type and are characterized as being E 340 Method for Macroetching Metals and Alloys
ferromagnetic. E 527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys

2.2 ANSI Standards:

1.3 High-chromium, ferritic alloys are highly sensitive B1.20.1 Pipe Threads, General Purpose
to notch brittleness on slow cooling to ordinary tempera- B36.10 Welded and Seamless Wrought Steel Pipe
tures. This feature should be recognized in the use of B35.19 Stainless Steel Pipe
this material in the as-welded condition in sections
thicker than 0.250 in. [6.3 mm].

1.4 Optional supplementary requirements are provided 3. General Requirements

for pipe where a greater degree of testing is desired. 3.1 Material furnished under this specification shall
These supplementary requirements call for additional conform to the applicable requirements of the current
tests to be made and, when desired, one or more of edition of Specification A 530/A 530M, unless otherwise
these may be specified in the order. provide herein.

1.5 The values stated in either inch-pound units or

SI units are to be regarded separately as standard.
4. Ordering Information
Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The
values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; 4.1 Orders for material under this specification should
therefore, each system must be used independently of include the following, as required, to describe the desire
the other. Combining values from the two systems may material adequately:
result in nonconformance with the specification. The
inch-pound units shall apply unless the “M” designation 4.1.1 Quantity (feet, metres, or number of lengths).
of this specification is specified in the order. 4.1.2 Name of material (ferritic stainless steel pipe).

NOTE 1 — The dimensionless designator NPS (nominal pipe size) 4.1.3 Process (seamless or welded).
has been substituted in this standard for such traditional terms as
“nominal diameter,” “size,” and “nominal size.” 4.1.4 Grade (see Table 1).

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4.1.5 Size (NPS or outside diameter and schedule stock, or tubes shall be made. Both retests for the
number or average wall thickness). elements in question shall meet the requirements of
this specification; otherwise all remaining material in
4.1.6 Length (specific or random, Section 11).
the heat or lot shall be rejected or, at the option of
4.1.7 End finish (see Section on Ends of Specifica- the producer, each billet or tube may be individually
tion A 530/A 530M). tested for acceptance. Billets, lengths of flat-rolled stock,
or tubes that do not meet the requirements of this
4.1.8 Optional requirements (Section 10, and Sup-
specification shall be rejected.
plementary Requirements S1 to S6).
7.3.1 The lot size for the same NPS of each heat
4.1.9 Test report required (see Section on Certifica-
of steel shall be as follows:
tion of Specification A 530/A 5/30M).
NPS Designator Lengths of Pipe in Lot
4.1.10 Specification designation.
Under 2 400 or fraction thereof
4.1.11 Special requirements. 2 to 5 200 or fraction thereof
6 and over 100 or fraction thereof

5. Materials and Manufacture

8. Tensile Requirements
5.1 Manufacture:
8.1 The material shall conform to the tensile require-
5.1.1 The pipe shall be made by the seamless or ments prescribed in Table 2.
by an automatic welding process, with no addition of
filler metal in the welding operation.
5.1.2 The pipe shall be pickled free from scale. 9. Mechanical Requirements
5.2 Heat Treatment — As a final heat treatment, 9.1 Transverse or Longitudinal Tension Test — The
pipe shall be heated to a temperature of 1400°F [760°C] tension test shall be performed on 1% of the pipe from
or higher and cooled (as appropriate for the grade) to each lot.
meet the requirements of this specification.
NOTE 2 — The term “lot” for mechanical tests applies to all pipe
5.2.1 The martensitic Grade UNS S41500 shall of the same nominal size and wall thickness (or schedule) that is
produced from the same heat of steel and subjected to the same
be heated to a temperature of 950°F (510°C) or higher finishing treatment: (1) in a continuous heat treatment furnace, or
and cooled as appropriate to meet the requirements of (2) in a batch-type, heat-treatment furnace, in which case the lot shall
this specification. include only that pipe heat treated in the same batch furnace charge.

9.2 Flattening Test — For material heat treated in

a batch-type furnace, flattening tests shall be made on
6. Chemical Composition 5% of the pipe from each heat-treated lot. For material
6.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements as heat treated by the continuous process, this test shall
to chemical composition prescribed in Table 1. be made on a sufficient number of pipe to constitute
5% of the lot, but in no case less than two lengths
of pipe.
7. Product Analysis 9.3 Hydrostatic Test — Each length of finished pipe
7.1 At the request of the purchaser, an analysis of shall be subjected to the hydrostatic test.
either one billet, one length of flat-rolled stock, or one
tube shall be made from each heat. The chemical
composition thus determined shall conform to the re- 10. Lengths
quirements specified.
10.1 Pipe lengths shall be in accordance with the
7.2 The results of these analyses shall be reported following regular practice:
to the purchaser or the purchaser’s representative, and
10.1.1 Unless otherwise agreed upon, all sizes are
shall conform to the requirements specified in Section 6.
generally available in a length up to 24 ft (Note 3)
7.3 If the original test for product analysis fails, with the permissible range of 15 to 24 ft (Note 3).
retests of two additional billets, lengths of flat-rolled Short lengths are acceptable; however, the number and

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 SA-731/SA-731M 2001 SECTION II

minimum length shall be agreed upon between the measured with a 6 ft [2 m] straight edge. Imperfections
manufacturer and the purchaser. may be removed by grinding provided the outside
diameter or the wall thickness are not decreased to
NOTE 3 — This value(s) applies when the inch-pound designation
of this specification is the basis of purchase. When the “M” designation less than that permitted, in accordance with the Section
of this specification is the basis of purchase, the corresponding metric on Permissible Variations in Wall Thickness or the
value(s) shall be agreed upon between the manufacturer and purchaser. Table on Permissible Variations in Outside Diameter
of Specification A 530/A 530M.
10.1.2 If definite cut lengths are desired, the lengths
required shall be specified in the order. No pipe shall
be under the specified length and not more than 1⁄4 in. 12. Product Marking
[6 mm] over that specified.
12.1 In addition to the marking specified in Specifica-
10.1.3 No jointers are permitted unless otherwise tion A 530/A 530M, the marking shall include the
specified. manufacturer’s private identifying mark and whether
the material is seamless or welded.
12.2 The marking shall also include the heat number
11. Finish
and heat-treatment lot identification. If specified in the
11.1 The finished pipes shall be straight to within purchase order, the marking for pipe larger than NPS
3
⁄16 in. [5 mm] maximum bow in any 6 ft [2 m] as 4 shall include the mass.

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TABLE 1
CHEMICAL REQUIREMENTS
Grade 18Cr-2Mo TP XM-33 TP XM-27 TP 439 29-4 29-4-2 26-3-3

UNS
Desig-
Element nation A S44400 S44626 S44527 S43035 S41500 B S44700 S44800 S44660
C
Carbon, max, % 0.025 0.06 0.01 0.07 0.05 0.010 0.010 0.030
Manganese, max, % 1.0 0.75 0.40 1.00 0.05–1.0 0.30 0.30 1.00
Phosphorus, max, % 0.040 0.04 0.02 0.040 0.03 0.025 0.025 0.040
Sulfur, max, % 0.030 0.02 0.02 0.030 0.03 0.020 0.020 0.030
Silicon, max, % 1.00 0.75 0.40 1.00 0.06 0.20 0.20 1.00
Nickel,D max, % 1.00 0.50 0.50 0.50 3.5–5.5 0.15 max 2.0–2.5 1.0–3.50
Chromium, % 17.5–19.5 25.0–27.0 25.0–27.5 17.00–19.00 11.5–14.0 28.0–30.0 28.0–30.0 25.0–28.0
Molybdenum, % 1.75–2.50 0.75–1.50 0.75–1.50 ... 0.5–1.0 3.5–4.2 3.5–4.2 3.0–3.50
Aluminum, max, % ... ... ... 0.15 ... ... ... ...
Copper, max, % ... 0.20 0.20 ... ... 0.15 0.15 ...
Nitrogen, max, % 0.035 0.040 0.015 0.04 ... 0.020 E 0.020 E 0.040
Titanium, % Ti + Cb p 7 × (C + N) ... 0.20 + 4 × (C ... ... ... (Ti + Cb) p
0.20 + 4 × but not + N) min; 0.20–100 and 6
(C + N) less than 1.10 max × (C + N) min
min; 0.80 0.20 min;
max 1.00 max
Columbium, % ... ... 0.05–0.20 ... ... ... ... ...
A
New designation established in accordance with ASTM E 527 and SAE J1066, Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys (UNS).
B
Plate version of CA6NM.
C
For small-diameter piping, where many reduction passes may be required, a carbon maximum of 0.015% is necessary. Small-diameter pipes
are defined as those less than 1.315 in. [33.4 mm] in outside diameter.
D
Nickel plus copper.
E
Carbon plus nitrogen p 0.025% max.

TABLE 2
TENSILE REQUIREMENTS
Grade

TPXM-33, 29-4
Property 18Cr-2Mo TPXM-27 TP439 S41500 29-4-2 28-3-3
Tensile strength, min, psi [MPa] 60 000 [415] 65 000 [450] 60 000 [415] 115 [795] 80 000 [550] 85 [585]
Yield strength, min, psi [MPa] 40 000 [275] 40 000 [275] 30 000 [205] 90 [620] 60 000 [415] 65 [450]
Elongation in 2 in. or 50 mm (or 20 20 20 15 20 20
4D) min, %

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 SA-731/SA-731M 2001 SECTION II

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS FOR PIPE REQUIRING SPECIAL

CONSIDERATION

The supplementary requirements in Sections S1 to S6 shall not be considered unless

specified in the order. Those specified in the order shall be made at the mill, unless
otherwise agreed upon, and may be witnessed by the purchaser’s inspector before
shipment of the material.

S1. Product Analysis conform to the specified requirement, that length shall
be rejected.
S1.1 For all pipe NPS 5 and larger there shall be
one product analysis made of a representative sample
from one piece for each ten lengths or fraction thereof S4. Etching Tests
from each heat of steel.
S4.1 An etching test shall be made on a transverse
S1.2 For pipe smaller than NPS 5 there shall be section from one end of each length and shall show
one product analysis made from ten lengths per heat sound, homogeneous, and reasonably uniform material,
of steel or from 10% of the number of lengths per free from injurious laminations, cracks, and similar
heat of steel, whichever number is smaller. objectionable defects. An etching test in accordance
S1.3 Individual lengths failing to conform to the with Method E 340 shall be made. If the specimen of
chemical requirements specified in Section 6 shall be any length shows objectionable defects, one retest shall
rejected. be permitted from the same end. If this fails, the length
shall be rejected. The rings for the flattening tests
(Supplementary Requirement S3) may be used for etch
tests either before or after flattening.
S2. Transverse Tests
S2.1 There shall be one transverse tension test made
from one end of 10% of the lengths furnished per heat S5. Nondestructive Electric Test
of steel. This applies only to NPS 8 and larger. S5.1 Each seamless or welded pipe shall be subjected
to a nondestructive electric test as agreed upon between
S2.2 If a specimen from any length fails to conform
the manufacturer and purchaser.
to the tensile properties specified, that length shall be
rejected.
S6. Intergranular Corrosion Test
S6.1 When specified in the purchase order, intergranu-
S3. Flattening Test
lar corrosion tests shall be run on ferritic stainless
S3.1 The flattening test shall be made on specimens steel specimens as described in Practices A 763. The
from one end of each length of pipe. Crop ends may particular corrosion test to be used shall be as specified
be used. If the specimen from any length fails to in Practices A 763.

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APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. TABLE X1.1 IS BASED ON TABLE 1 OF

THE AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD
FOR STAINLESS STEEL PIPE (ANSI
B36.19-1965)

TABLE X1.1
DIMENSIONS OF WELDED AND SEAMLESS STAINLESS STEEL PIPE
NOTE — The decimal thickness listed for the respective pipe sizes represents their nominal or average wall dimensions.
Nominal Wall Thickness

Outside Diameter Schedule 5S A Schedule 10S A Schedule 40S A Schedule 80S A

NPS
Designator in. mm in. mm in. mm in. mm in. mm
1
⁄8 0.405 10.29 ... ... 0.049 1.24 0.068 1.73 0.095 2.41
1
⁄4 0.540 13.72 ... ... 0.065 1.65 0.088 2.24 0.119 3.02
3
⁄8 0.675 17.15 ... ... 0.065 1.65 0.091 2.31 0.126 3.20
1
⁄2 0.840 21.34 0.065 1.65 0.083 2.11 0.109 2.77 0.147 3.73
3
⁄4 1.050 26.67 0.065 1.65 0.083 2.11 0.113 2.87 0.154 3.91
1.0 1.315 33.41 0.065 1.65 0.109 2.77 0.133 3.38 0.179 4.55
11⁄4 1.660 42.16 0.065 1.65 0.109 2.77 0.140 3.56 0.191 4.85
11⁄2 1.900 48.26 0.065 1.65 0.109 2.77 0.145 3.68 0.200 5.08
2 2.375 60.03 0.065 1.65 0.109 2.77 0.154 3.91 0.218 5.54
21⁄2 2.875 73.03 0.083 2.11 0.120 3.05 0.203 5.16 0.276 7.01
3 3.500 88.90 0.083 2.11 0.120 3.05 0.216 5.49 0.300 7.62
31⁄2 4.000 101.60 0.083 2.11 0.120 3.05 0.226 5.74 0.318 8.08
4 4.500 114.30 0.083 2.11 0.120 3.05 0.237 6.02 0.337 8.56
5 5.563 141.30 0.109 2.77 0.134 3.40 0.258 6.55 0.375 9.52
6 6.625 168.28 0.109 2.77 0.134 3.40 0.280 7.11 0.432 10.97
8 8.625 219.18 0.109 2.77 0.148 3.76 0.322 8.18 0.500 12.70
10 10.750 273.05 0.134 3.40 0.165 4.19 0.365 9.27 0.500 B 12.70 B
12 12.750 323.85 0.156 3.96 0.180 4.57 0.375 B 9.52 B 0.500 B 12.70 B
14 14.000 355.60 0.156 B 3.96 B 0.188 4.78 ... ... ... ...
16 16.000 406.40 0.165 B 4.19 B 0.188 4.78 ... ... ... ...
18 18.000 457.20 0.165 B 4.19 B 0.188 4.78 ... ... ... ...
20 20.000 508.00 0.188 B 4.78 B 0.218 B 5.54 B ... ... ... ...
22 22.000 558.80 0.188 B 4.78 B 0.218 B 5.54 B ... ... ... ...
24 24.000 609.60 0.218 B 5.54 B 0.250 6.35 ... ... ... ...
30 30.000 762.00 0.250 6.35 0.312 7.92 ... ... ... ...
A
Schedules 5S and 10S wall thicknesses do not permit threading in accordance with the American National Standard for Pipe Threads (ANSI
B1.20.1).
B
These do not conform to the American National Standard for Welded and Seamless Wrought Steel Pipe (ANSI B36.10-1975).

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