Mild steel tube refers to steel pipe products with low carbon content, generally less than 0.25%. Due to its excellent weldability, plasticity and toughness, and relatively low price, mild steel tubes are widely used in the steel pipe industry. Its specifications and sizes vary depending on the standards and application environments. Therefore, understanding the common specifications and sizes of mild steel tubes is crucial for engineering and procurement decisions.
Common specifications and sizes of mild steel tubes
Standard |
OD |
WT |
Application |
ASTM A53 |
1/2" (15mm) - 24" (610mm) |
Schedule 10 - Schedule 160 |
General use, such as water transmission, gas transmission, construction pipelines, etc. |
ASTM A106 |
1/2" (15mm) - 36" (914mm) |
Schedule 40 - Schedule 160 |
Applications under high temperature and high pressure environments, such as boiler tube, heat exchanger tube, etc. |
API 5L |
1/2" (15mm) - 24" (610mm) |
Schedule 40 - Schedule 160 |
Oil and gas industry, oil and gas pipelines |
DIN 2391 |
4mm - 500mm |
1mm - 20mm |
General mechanical pipeline, precision tube, structural pipe |
EN 10210 |
20mm - 400mm |
2mm - 20mm |
Structural steel pipes, used in construction and bridge engineering |
JIS G3452 |
15mm - 300mm |
1mm - 20mm |
Building pipes, water pipe systems |
API 5CT |
2-3/8" (60mm) - 20" (508mm) |
0.5" - 1.5" |
Oil and gas industry, oilfield pipeline, drilling pipe |
5 key factors for selecting specifications and sizes
When selecting the specifications and sizes of mild steel tubes, the following key factors need to be considered comprehensively:
1. Working pressure
Working pressure is an important basis for selecting steel pipe specifications. According to the design pressure of the system, combined with the relationship between wall thickness and pressure (such as calculated by formula or referring to the pressure-wall thickness table in the standard), select the appropriate wall thickness. For example, in a high-pressure environment, a steel pipe with a higher wall thickness, such as Schedule 160 or higher specifications, should be selected.
2. Fluid medium
The properties of the fluid medium (such as corrosiveness, temperature, etc.) directly affect the material selection and wall thickness of the steel pipe. For example, when conveying corrosive liquids, it may be necessary to select a material with better corrosion resistance or increase the wall thickness to extend the service life.
3. System temperature
Temperature has a significant impact on the strength and performance of steel pipes. In high temperature environments, steel pipe standards that can withstand high temperatures (such as ASTM A106) should be selected, and the appropriate wall thickness should be selected according to the temperature range.
4. Installation environment
The complexity of the installation environment will also affect the selection of steel pipes. For example, in underground or humid environments, anti-corrosion measures need to be considered; in occasions where space is limited, steel pipes with smaller outer diameters may need to be selected.
5. Cost and economy
On the premise of meeting the use requirements, cost is also an important consideration. The prices of steel pipes of different standards and specifications vary greatly, and the most cost-effective solution should be selected according to the project budget.
Summary
Mild steel tube is a very common and widely used pipeline material. Understanding its common specifications and sizes is crucial to ensuring the smooth progress of the project. Whether it is used in construction, petroleum, chemical or mechanical fields, choosing the right steel pipe specifications can not only improve the stability of the system, but also ensure long-term economy and safety.