• Stainless steel pipes
  • Stainless steel pipes and tubes
  • Stainless steel pipes
Technical Reference

ASTM Standards for Pipes & Tubes

Dimensional tolerances, wall thickness, exact length and testing requirements — the specifications every MBM tube is manufactured and inspected against.

9 StandardsA-213 to A-778
OD ToleranceAllowable variation in mm
Wall ToleranceAllowable variation in %
TestingRequired tests per standard

Select a Standard

Choose an ASTM specification to see its allowable outside diameter and wall variation, exact length tolerance and the tests it requires.

Full Tolerance Reference

Every standard, band by band, as published in the MBM technical data sheet.

ASTM Pipe & Tube Standards — OD tolerance (mm) · wall tolerance (%) · exact length (mm) · testing
ASTM Standard Nominal Diameter Allowable OD Variation (mm) Allowable Wall (%) Exact Length (mm) Testing
OverUnder OverUnder OverUnder
ASTM A-213Seamless Boiler, Superheater & Heat Exchanger TubesUnder 25.4.1016.1016+20-03.1750• Tension Test
• Flattening Test
• Flaring Test
• Hardness Test
• 100% Hydrostatic Test
• Refer to ASTM A-1016
25.4–38.1 incl..1524.1524+20-03.1750
38.1–50.8 excl..2032.2032+22-03.1760
50.8–63.5 excl..254.254+22-03.760
63.5–76.2 excl..3048.3048+22-04.760
76.2–101.6 incl..381.381+22-04.760
ASTM A-249Welded Boiler, Superheater, Heat Exchanger & Condenser TubesUnder 25.4.1016.1016+10-103.1750• Tension Test
• Flattening Test
• Flaring Test
• Reverse Bend Test *
• Hardness Test
• 100% Hydrostatic Test
• Reverse Flattening Test *
• Refer to ASTM A-1016

Minimum wall tubes +18% −0 available on request. * Whenever applicable.
25.4–38.1 incl..1524.1524+10-103.1750
38.1–50.8 excl..2032.2032+10-103.1750
50.8–63.5 excl..254.254+10-103.1750
63.5–76.2 excl..3048.3048+10-104.760
76.2–101.6 incl..381.381+10-104.760
ASTM A-269Seamless & Welded Tubing for General ServiceUp to 12.7.13.13+15-153.20• Flare Test (seamless tube)
• Flange Test (welded only)
• Hardness Test
• Reverse Flattening Test (welded only)
• 100% Hydrostatic Test
• Refer to ASTM A-1016
12.7–38.1 excl..13.13+10-103.20
38.1–88.9 excl..25.25+10-104.80
88.9–139.7 excl..38.38+10-104.80
139.7–203.2 excl..76.76+10-104.80
ASTM A-312Seamless & Welded Austenitic Pipe10.29–48.260.400.80+20 %-12.5 %——• Tension Test
• Flattening Test
• 100% Hydrostatic Test
48.3–73.030.800.80+20 %-12.5 %——
73.03–114.30.800.80+22.5 %-12.5 %——
114.3–219.081.600.80+22.5 %-12.5 %——
ASTM A-270Seamless & Welded Austenitic Pipes25.4.05.20+12.5-12.53.20• Reverse Flattening Test
• 100% Hydrostatic Test
• External polish on all tubes
• Refer to ASTM A-1016
38.1.05.20+12.5-12.53.20
50.8.05.28+12.5-12.53.20
63.5.05.28+12.5-12.53.20
76.2.08.30+12.5-12.53.20
101.6.08.38+12.5-12.53.20
ASTM A-268Seamless & Welded Ferritic & Martensitic Stainless Steel TubesUnder 12.7.13.13+15-153.20• Tension Test
• Flaring Test
• Flange Test (ERW only)
• Hardness Test
• Reverse Flattening Test
• 100% Hydrostatic Test
• Refer to ASTM A-450
12.7–38.1 incl..13.13+10-103.20
38.1 excl.–88.9 incl..25.25+10-104.80
88.9–168.3 excl..38.38+10-104.80
ASTM A-358Welded Large Diameter PipesFor all sizes 5" NB & above+0.5%-0.5%—-0.3 mmCustomer's specification—• Transverse tension test
• Transverse guided bend test
• Hydrostatic test
• Radiographic examination (as specified)
• Dye penetrant (optional)
ASTM A-688Welded Feed Water Heater ‘U’ TubesUnder 25.4 mm.1016.1016+20 / +10-0 (min wall thk.) / -10 (avg. wall thk.)3 to 130• Tension
• Hardness
• Corrosion
• Reverse bend
• Flange
• Flattening
• Hydrostatic Test
• Pneumatic Test
• Non Destructive Test
ASTM A-778Austenitic Stainless Steel Tubular ProductAs per Table 1, welded unannealed (ASTM A-530)——12.5%12.5%RL 10 ft > 3 metre; FL 6 metre +6 mm −0 mm—• Transverse Tension Test
• Transverse Guided Test

Eddy current non-destructive test and intergranular corrosion test can be offered on request.

Note: values are reproduced from the MBM technical data sheet for reference. Confirm against the current edition of the governing ASTM specification and your project requirement before ordering.
Equivalent EN Specifications
EN 10216-5Seamless stainless steel tubes for pressure purposes
EN 10297-2Seamless stainless steel for mechanical & general engineering purposes
EN 10246-2Non-destructive testing of steel tubes
EN ISO 1127Dimensions & tolerances of stainless steel tubes
OD & Wall Thickness Tolerance Classes
ODDeviation
D1±1.5 % or ±0.75 mm
D2±1 % or ±0.5 mm
D3±0.75 % or ±0.3 mm
D4±0.5 % or ±0.1 mm
THKDeviation
T1±15 % or ±0.6 mm
T2±12.5 % or ±0.4 mm
T3±10 % or ±0.2 mm
T4±7.5 % or ±0.15 mm

Permissible deviation is whichever of the two figures is greater for the size concerned.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ASTM A-213 and A-249?

A-213 covers seamless boiler, superheater and heat exchanger tubes; A-249 covers the welded equivalents plus condenser tubes. The wall tolerance differs accordingly — A-213 allows +20/+22 % with no minus, while A-249 is ±10 %.

Why does A-312 have no exact length tolerance?

A-312 is a pipe specification and is normally supplied in random or double random lengths, so the source chart lists tolerances on diameter and wall only. Cut lengths are agreed order by order.

What does “whichever is greater” mean in the tolerance classes?

Each class gives both a percentage and an absolute figure — D2 is ±1 % or ±0.5 mm. The permitted deviation is whichever of the two is larger for the size in question, which keeps small diameters workable.

Can you supply eddy current or IGC testing?

Yes. Eddy current non-destructive testing and intergranular corrosion testing are offered on request, in addition to the tests listed against each standard.

Which EN specifications correspond to these ASTM standards?

EN 10216-5 for seamless pressure tubes, EN 10297-2 for mechanical and general engineering, EN 10246-2 for non-destructive testing, and EN ISO 1127 for dimensions and tolerances. They are listed in full further down this page.

Are minimum wall tubes available?

Yes — for ASTM A-249, minimum wall tubes to +18 % −0 are available on request. Tell us the wall basis you need when you enquire.

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