ASTM A312/A312M-24
Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes

Standard No.

ASTM A312/A312M-24

Release Date

2024

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)  US  /  ASTM

Status

Be replaced

Replace By

ASTM A312/A312M-24a

Latest

ASTM A312/A312M-25

Introduction

Introduction to ASTM A312/A312M-24 Standard

This specification establishes requirements for austenitic stainless steel pipes used in high-temperature and corrosive service applications. The standard covers three manufacturing processes: seamless (SML), welded (WLD), and heavily cold worked (HCW) pipes.

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Material Grades and Chemical Composition

Table 1 of the standard defines 60+ austenitic stainless steel grades with their UNS designations and chemical requirements. Key alloying elements include:

Element	Typical Range	Key Function
Chromium	16-26%	Corrosion resistance
Nickel	8-38%	Austenite stabilization
Molybdenum	0-8%	Pitting resistance
Carbon	0.015-0.24%	Strength (H grades for creep)

Example: Grade TP316L (UNS S31603) contains 16-18% Cr, 10-14% Ni, and 2-3% Mo for enhanced corrosion resistance in chloride environments.

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Mechanical Property Requirements

Table 4 specifies minimum tensile and yield strengths for all grades. Typical requirements include:

Grade Type	Tensile (min)	Yield (min)	Elongation
Standard (eg, TP304)	75 ksi [515 MPa]	30 ksi [205 MPa]	35%
L Grades (eg, TP316L)	70 ksi [485 MPa]	25 ksi [170 MPa]	35%
H Grades (eg, TP321H)	75 ksi [515 MPa]	30 ksi [205 MPa]	35%

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Manufacturing and Testing Requirements

The standard details rigorous quality control measures:

Heat Treatment

All pipes must undergo solution annealing per Table 2 requirements (typically 1900-2280°F [1040-1250°C]) followed by rapid cooling to prevent carbide precipitation.

Testing Protocols

• Hydrostatic/Nondestructive Testing: Each pipe must pass either hydrostatic test (per A999/A999M) or electric test
• Mechanical Testing: Includes tension tests, flattening tests, and grain size determinations
• Weld Examination: HCW pipes require 100% radiographic inspection prior to cold working

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Dimensional Tolerances

Table 3 specifies wall thickness tolerances ranging from ±12.5% to +22.5% depending on pipe size and thickness-to-diameter ratio. Table X1.1 provides standard dimensions for welded and seamless pipes.

Example: For NPS 2 pipe (2.375" OD), Schedule 40S has nominal wall of 0.154" with permitted variation of +22.5%/-12.5%.

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Implementation Considerations

Material Selection Guidance

Service Condition	Recommended Grade
General corrosion	TP304/TP304L
Chloride exposure	TP316/TP316L
High temperature (creep)	TP321H/TP347H
Severe corrosion	S31254/S32654

Ordering Specifications

Purchasers should clearly specify:

• Grade and UNS designation
• Manufacturing process (SML/WLD/HCW)
• Dimensions (NPS/schedule or OD/wall)
• Testing requirements (eg, Supplementary S7 for intergranular corrosion testing)
• Special requirements (eg, passivation, stabilization heat treatment)

ASTM A312/A312M-24 Referenced Document

• ASTM A1016/A1016M Standard Specification for General Requirements for Ferritic Alloy Steel, Austenitic Alloy Steel, and Stainless Steel Tubes*， 2024-10-15 Update
• ASTM A262 Standard Practices for Detecting Susceptibility to Intergranular Attack in Austenitic Stainless Steels
• ASTM A370 Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
• ASTM A941 Standard Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Related Alloys, and Ferroalloys*， 2025-11-01 Update
• ASTM A999/A999M Standard Specification for General Requirements for Alloy and Stainless Steel Pipe
• ASTM E112 Standard Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size
• ASTM E381 Standard Method of Macroetch Testing Steel Bars, Billets, Blooms, and Forgings
• ASTM E527 Standard Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys (UNS)
• SAE J1086 Numbering Metals and Alloys

ASTM A312/A312M-24 history

• 2025 ASTM A312/A312M-25 Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2024 ASTM A312/A312M-24b Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2024 ASTM A312/A312M-24a Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2024 ASTM A312/A312M-24 Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2022 ASTM A312/A312M-22a Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2022 ASTM A312/A312M-22 Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2021 ASTM A312/A312M-21 Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2019 ASTM A312/A312M-19 Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2018 ASTM A312/A312M-18a Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2018 ASTM A312/A312M-18 Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2017 ASTM A312/A312M-17 Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2016 ASTM A312/A312M-16a Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2016 ASTM A312/A312M-16 Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2015 ASTM A312/A312M-15b Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2015 ASTM A312/A312M-15a Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2015 ASTM A312/A312M-15 Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2014 ASTM A312/A312M-14b Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2014 ASTM A312/A312M-14a Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2014 ASTM A312/A312M-14 Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2013 ASTM A312/A312M-13b Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2013 ASTM A312/A312M-13a Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2013 ASTM A312/A312M-13 Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2012 ASTM A312/A312M-12a Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2012 ASTM A312/A312M-12 Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2011 ASTM A312/A312M-11 Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2009 ASTM A312/A312M-09 Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2008 ASTM A312/A312M-08a Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2008 ASTM A312/A312M-08 Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2007 ASTM A312/A312M-07 Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2006 ASTM A312/A312M-06 Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2005 ASTM A312/A312M-05a Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2005 ASTM A312/A312M-05 Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2004 ASTM A312/A312M-04b Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2004 ASTM A312/A312M-04a Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2004 ASTM A312/A312M-04 Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2003 ASTM A312/A312M-03 Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2002 ASTM A312/A312M-02 Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2001 ASTM A312/A312M-01a Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2001 ASTM A312/A312M-01 Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 2001 ASTM A312/A312M-00c Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• 1995 ASTM A312/A312M-95ae1 Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes

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