Schedule 40 Carbon Steel Pipe is named for both the "Schedule" pipe wall thickness standard and the carbon steel material.
In US standards, "Schedule" indicates the wall thickness grade of the pipe. Schedule 40 is one of the most common standards, suitable for pressure-bearing and structural applications. It features medium wall thickness and can withstand higher pressures and temperatures.
Carbon steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, typically with a carbon content between 0.12% and 2.0%, and contains small amounts of elements such as manganese and silicon. Its high strength, good workability, and low cost make it one of the most commonly used steels in the manufacturing and construction industries.
Thus, SCH 40 carbon steel pipe combines economy, strength, and durability, finding widespread use in water supply, oil and gas, structural support, and machinery manufacturing.
The chemical composition of SCH 40 carbon steel pipe typically contains specific proportions of various elements that determine its properties and performance.
While the specific composition may vary slightly depending on the specific grade and manufacturing standards, the carbon steel chemical composition typically used for SCH 40 pipe includes the following elements (according to standards such as ASTM A53 / A106):
Element |
Content Range |
Function |
Carbon (C) |
0.12% – 0.25% |
Higher contents increase strength and hardness. |
Manganese (Mn) |
0.60% – 1.65% |
Contributes to the steel's strength and machinability. |
Silicon (Si) |
≤0.60% |
Improves the steel's strength and heat resistance. |
Phosphorus (P) |
≤0.05% |
Excessive amounts can make the steel brittle. |
Sulfur (S) |
≤0.05% |
Improves machinability, but excessive amounts reduce toughness. |
Other elements may also be present in trace amounts, depending on the specific manufacturing process and the desired steel properties. In addition, different grades of carbon steel vary in their specific composition, and the percentages of these elements also vary to achieve desired properties, such as higher strength, improved weldability, and enhanced corrosion resistance.
ASTM A53 (Grade A/B)
ASTM A106 (Grade A/B)
API 5L (Grade B and above)
Nominal Size |
Outer Diameter |
Wall Thickness |
Weight |
Inches |
Inches |
Inches |
Lbs / ft |
1/8 |
0.405 |
0.068 |
0.24 |
1/4 |
0.54 |
0.088 |
0.42 |
1/2 |
0.84 |
0.109 |
0.85 |
3/4 |
1.05 |
0.113 |
1.13 |
1 |
1.315 |
0.133 |
1.68 |
1 1/4 |
1.66 |
0.14 |
2.27 |
1 1/2 |
1.9 |
0.145 |
2.72 |
2 |
2.375 |
0.154 |
3.65 |
2 1/2 |
2.875 |
0.203 |
5.79 |
3 |
3.5 |
0.216 |
7.58 |
3 1/2 |
4 |
0.226 |
9.11 |
4 |
4.5 |
0.237 |
10.79 |
5 |
5.563 |
0.258 |
14.62 |
6 |
6.625 |
0.28 |
18.97 |
8 |
8.625 |
0.322 |
28.55 |
10 |
10.75 |
0.365 |
40.48 |
12 |
12.75 |
0.406 |
53.52 |
14 |
14 |
0.375 |
54.57 |
16 |
16 |
0.5 |
82.77 |
18 |
18 |
0.562 |
104.67 |
20 |
20 |
0.594 |
123.11 |
24 |
24 |
0.688 |
171.29 |
32 |
32 |
0.688 |
230.08 |
SCH 40 CS pipe is known for several notable properties that make it a popular choice for a wide range of applications across various industries. Key features include:
SCH 40 carbon steel pipe can withstand high pressures, temperatures, and complex operating conditions.
SCH 40 carbon steel pipe is more economical and practical than alloy steel or stainless steel pipe.
Carbon steel is known for its excellent weldability and can be easily fabricated into various shapes and sizes, customizable to meet specific project requirements.
SCH 40 CS pipe can be used in a variety of applications, including fluid transport, structural support, and general piping.
Schedule 40 carbon steel pipe's size, length, and surface treatment (galvanizing, coating) can be adjusted to meet project requirements.
Schedule 40 carbon steel pipe can be used in corrosive environments with an anti-corrosion coating or lining.
SCH 40 carbon steel pipe is widely used in various industries due to its durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. The following are its five main applications:
SCH 40 carbon steel pipe is used for municipal water supply, drainage, and gas transmission.
Schedule 40 carbon steel pipe is generally used to transport crude oil, natural gas, and chemical media, and complies with API standards.
Used for fluid and steam transportation in chemical plants, power plants, and shipyards.
SCH 40 carbon steel pipe is commonly used in steel structural frames, bridges, scaffolding, and other applications.
SCH 40 carbon steel pipe is used in machining, machinery manufacturing, and engineering equipment piping.
SCH 40 carbon steel pipe is an extremely cost-effective and versatile industrial pipe material, combining strength, pressure resistance, machinability, and economy. When selecting, it is important to consider the specific requirements of each application, such as temperature, pressure, and environmental conditions, to ensure that the appropriate Schedule 40 carbon steel pipe is selected for optimal performance and safety.
Read more: Carbon Steel Pipe Schedules