AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS

1916 Race St•• Philadelphia 3. P••

Reprinted from Copyrlpted 1964 Supplement to Book of ASTM Standard.. Part 1.

APPROVED AS
AMERICAN STANDARD B36.1l·1964
BY A~IERICAN STANDARDS ASSOCIATIO~
UDC 621.774.2 :669.14

Tentative Specifications for

ELECTRIC-FUSION-WELDED STEEL PIPE FOR HIGH-
TEMPERATURE SERVICEl

ASTM Designation: A 155 - 63 T

ISSUED, FEBllUAllY 1952; REVISED, JUNE 1952, 1955, 1956, 1962, 1963.1
These Tentative Specifications have been approved by the sponsoring com-
mittee and accepted by the Society in accordance with established proce-
dures, for use pending adoption as standard. Suggestions for revisions
should be addressed to the Society at 1916 Race St., Philadelphia 3, Pa.

Scope (b) Several grades of carbon steel and

alloy steel plates are covered, of different
1. (a) These specifications cover
minimum specified tensile strengths
electric-fusion-welded steel pipe suit-
and of flange or firebox quality; also,
able for high temperature or high
two different classes of welded joint
pressure service, or both. (Although no
quality as defined by heat treatment
restrictions are placed on the sizes of
and radiographic requirements. The
pipe which may be furnished under
selection of grade and .plate quality of
these specifications, commercial practice
material and the class of quality of
is commonly limited to sizes not less
welded joints shall be at the discretion
than 16 in. in outside diameter.) Pipe
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of the purchaser, dependent on the

ordered under these specifications shall
service conditions to be encountered.
be suitable for bending, flanging (van- (c) Two classes of pipe are covered
stoning), corrugating, and similar form- as follows, and the class desired shall be
ing operations. included in the purchase order:
Class I.-All piping to be heat treated
1 Under the standardization procedure of the and radiographed.
Sooiety, these specifications are under the j uris- Class 2.-All alloy steel piping to be
diotion of the ASTM Committee A-Ion Steel,
and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee heat treated and carbon steel piping
IX on Steel Tubina and Pipe.
I Latest revision accepted by the Society at
I in. and over in thickness to be
the Annual Meetina:, June, 1963. heat trejloted.
Prior to their present publication .. tenta- (cI) Optional requirements of a sup-
tive, these specifications were publilhed .. ten·
tative from 1934 to 1936. They were adopted in plementary nature are provided for
1936 and published al standard from 1986 to pipe where a greater degree of exami·
1962, beina: reviled in 1942 and 1961 and reo
viled and reverted to tentative in 1962. nation is desired. These supplementary
77
11·63
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 78 SPECIFICATIONS FOR ELECTRiC-FuSION-WELDED PIPE (A 155)

TABLE I.-PLATE SPECIFICATIONS.

Grade . Material Specification Number. Grade. and Quality"

C 45 ....... . carbon steel. ............... . A 285, erade A (danee or firebox as specified)

COO ....... . carbon steej ...~ ............ . A 285, &fade B (danee or firebox as specified)
C 55 ...... .. carbon 8teel:~.............. . A 285, &fade C (danee or firebox aa apecified)
KC55 .... .. killed carbon steel. ......... . A 201, erade A (danee or firebo~ as specified)
KC60 .... .. killed carbon steel. ......... . A 201, erade B (danie or firebox as apecified)
KC65 .... .. killed carbon steel. ......... . A 212, &fade A (danie or firebox aa apecified)
KC70 .... .. killed carbon steel. ......... . A 212, erade B (danee or firebox as specified)
CM65 ..... . carbon-molybdenum steel .... . A 204, &fade A (danee or firebox aa specified)
CM70 .... .. carbon-molybdenum steel. ... . A 204, &fade B (danie or firebox aa apeoified)
CM75 .... .. carbon-molybdenum steel. ... . A 204, &fade C (fianie or firebox aa specified~
~CR ..... . ~ per cent chromium, ~ per
cent molybdenum ateel. .... A 387, &fade A (danee or firebox as specified)
1 CR ...... . 1 per cent chromium, ~ per
cent molybdenum steel. .... A 387, erade B (danie or firebox as .pecified)
I~CR ... .. 1~ per cent chromium, ~ per
cent molybdenum steeL ... A 387, erade C
2XCR ... .. 2~ per cent chromium, 1 per
cent molybdenum eteel. .... A 387, &fade D
5CR ...... . 5 per cent chromium, ~ per
cent molybdenum ........ . A 357
a These deejenationll refer to the followine specificationll of the American Society for Teetine
Materials:
A 285, Low and Intermediate Teneile Streneth Carbon-Steel Plates of Flanee and Firebox Qualities
(Plates 2 in. and Under in Thicknees),'
A 201, Carbon-Silicon Steel Plates of Intermediate Tenme Ranees for Fusion-Welded Boilers and
Other Pre8l!ure Veuele,'
A 212, Hieh Tensile Streneth Carbon-Silicon Steel Plates for Boilers and Other Preasure Veseela,'
A 204, Molybdenum-Steel Plates for Boiler. and Other Preesure Veuela,'
A 357, 5 Per Cent Chromium, 0.5 Per Cent Molybdenum Steel Plate. for Boilers and Other Pr88lure
Vessels,' and
A 387, Chromium-Molybdenum Steel Plates for Boilers and Other Pr88lure Veuela.·

requirements call for additional tests process involving the deposition of

to be made at the expense of the pur- filler metal.
chaser, and when desired, one or more of (d) The joints shall be reinforced at
these may be specified in the order. the center of the weld on each side of
the plate by at least -hi in. but not more
Process and Manufacture than 1 in. This reinforcement may be
removed at the manufacturer's option
2. (a) The steel plate material shall or by agreement between the manu-
conform to the requirements of one of facturer and purchaser. The contour of
the specifications listed in Table I. the reinforcement shall be smooth,
(b) The joints s~all be double-welded, with no valley or groove along the edge
full penetration welds made in accord-
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or in the center of the weld, and the

ance with procedures and by welders or deposited metal shall be fused smoothly
welding operators qualified in accordance and uniformly into the plate surface.
with the ASME Boiler and Pressure The finish of the welded joint shall be
Vessel Code, Section IX. reasonably smooth and free from ir-
(c) The welds shall be made either regularities, grooves, or depressions.
manually or automatically by an electric (e) Weld defects shall be repaired by
removal to sound metal and rewelding.
I 1964 Book of ASTM Standards. Part 4. Subsequent heat treatment and in-
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 SPECIFICATIONS FOR ELECTRIC-FuSION-WELDED PIPE (A 155) 79

spection shall be as required on the Check Analysis

original welds. 6. (a) For each heat or lot of 500 ft of
Basis of Purchase pipe or fraction thereof, analysis shall
be made by the manufacturer from the
3. Orders for material under this finished pipe of the plate and of the
specification shall include the following, weld deposit. Drillings for analysis may
as required, to describe the desired be taken from the mechanical test
material adequately: specimens. The results of these analyses
(1) Quantity (feet or number of shall be reported to the purchaser or
lengths), his representative, and shall conform to
(2) Name of material (electric- the requirements of Section 4.
fusion-welded steel pipe), (b) If the analysis of one of the tests
(3) Grade (Table I), specified in Paragraph (a) does not con-
(4) Class (Section l( c», form to the requirements specified in Sec-
(5) Size (outside diameter and tion 4, analyses shall be made on addi-
nominal wall thickness), tional pipes of double the original number
(6) Length (specific or random), from the same lot, each of which shall
(7) End finish (Section 18), conform to the requirements specified.
(8) Optional requirement (supple-
mentary requirements S1 to S4), Heat Treatment
(9) ASTM Designation, 7. (a) For class 1 welded joint quality,
(10) End use of material, and all welded pipe shall be heat treated.
(11) Special requirements. (b) For class 2 welded joint quality,

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all alloy steel welded pipe and all carbon
Chemical Composition steel welded pipe, ! in. and over in wall
4. (a) The chemical composition of thickness, shall be heat treated.
the plate shall conform to the require- (c) Heat treatment for carbon steel
ments of the applicable specifications shall consist of heating the welded pipe
and grade listed in Table 1. to a temperature between 1100 and 1250
(b) The alloy content (chromium and F, holding for a period of time not less
molybdenum) of the deposited weld than 1 hr per in. in thickness, or !
metal shall conform to that required for hr, whichever is greater, and cooling
the plate. uniformly.
(d) Heat treatment for alloy steels
Ladle Analysis
shall consist of heating the welded pipe
5. An analysis of each heat of steel to a temperature not less than 1100 F,
shall be made by the plate manu- holding for the necessary time and
facturer to determine the percentages cooling at the necessary rate to develop
of the elements prescribed in the ap- the required mechanical properties. Un-
plicable specifications listed in Table I. less otherwise agreed upon, the exact
This analysis shall be made from a test details of heat treatment shall be left to
ingot taken during the pouring of the the discretion of the pipe manufacturer.
heat. The chemical composition thus
determined shall be reported to the Tensile Properties
purchaser or his representative, and 8. (a) The plate used in making the
shall conform to the requirements pre- pipe shall conform to the requirements
scribed in the applicable specifications as to tensile properties of the applicable
listed in Table I. specifications listed in Table I. Tension
16-10

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 80 SPECifICATIONS lOR ELECTlUo-FUSION-WELDED PIPE (A 155)

r-- 6"mt" 1R d.IIS"mox r-- 6"""" -;Rot I/S"moa

1;""--1-'-1- .....11112"
'-~t~
I II 11I/2 m
'-41':
-HT~ :;t:--t
C-..-..-.._\...,1.-__-.-,_J~ t- - - - .. Of - ,. - • - -"I
I 37,1+f
. foel etnd SptCllnln Roof alnd Sptcimln

Pipe wan Thlcir.nul (I). ID. i-1:I~r.:.':'\~~

Up to U. inol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . t
Over..... .................... U

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FlO. l.-Tranlvl;rse Face- ..;,' R,lOt-Bend Test Specimens.

Hordentd Rollers, 1112" diom

Tapped Hole to Suit moy be Substiluted for
Ttltlno Mochillt Jig Shoulde,.

".

~--7112"

....- - - 9.. - - -.....

~
TblckD... of B. C. D,
SptclmlD In. ID. ID. ID.

'" In....... 1~ ~ 2'" 1'f~

t. ......... 4t 2t 6t+~ 3t + 8

FIG, 2.-Guided-Bend Teat Jig.

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 SPECIFICATIONS FOR ELECTRIC-FuSION-WELDED PIPE (A 155) 81

tests made by the plate manufacturer metal after bending. Cracks which origi.
shall qualify the plate material. nate along the edges of the specimen ..
(b) Transverse tension tests taken· during testing, and that are less than i
across the welded joint shall meet the in. measured in any direction shall not
same minimum tensile strength require- be considered.
ments as the plate.
Test Specimens and Methods of Testing
Transverse Guided Weld Bend Teata 10. (a) The test specilnens and the
9. (a) Two bend test specimens shall tests required by these specifications
be taken transversely from the pipe. One shall conform to those described in the.
shall be subject to a face guided bend test Methods and Definitions for Mechan- .
and the second to a root guided bend test. ical Testing of Steel Products (ASTM
These specimens shall be approximately Designation: A 370).'
Ma<hln, ,h, Minimum Amou,,' _ A
N"d,d to O~f.'~ '!"". ""/'til'"
r..., wu HI, I Will' '"
,ll
/I,dVtHI $',..<';,;:./""--------1--110.

L ...·-l""'P'-t-··-·_·__ ·
-•••• --•••••• __....+.."..+-:-.;.;0.;:
~---~
I. 1
rll', $Hfion Madlin."
p,..r".lIly lIy Millj",
FIG. 3.-Reduced·Section Tension Test Specimen .

........--Not Less Than d

Wtld ShOllld at (If Ctnltrof' H~tluc~" Stt:'lion

Tilt Ends may /;I! of any ShQ~ to fif til. Hllld,rJ' of lilt T,sling
Ma(llIn, in SII(h R _Y '"at '''~ loa/1 i& App/I,d Axlal/y.
FIG. 4.-Altemate Reduced-Section Tension Test Specimen.
1i-in. wide, at least 6 in. in length with (b) Transverse tension and bend test
the weld in the center and shall be ma- specimens shall be taken from the end of
chined in accordance with Fig. 1. One finished pipe; the transverse tension and
specimen shall be bent with the inside bend test specimens shall be flattened
surface of the pipe against the plunger, cold before final machining to size.
and the other with the outside surface (c) As an alternate to the require-
against the plunger. The dimensions of ments of Paragraph (b), the test speci.
the plunger and the bending jig shall be mens may be taken from a test plate of
in accordance with Fig. 2. the same material as the pipe, which
(b) The bend test shall be acceptable
is attached to the end of the cylinder
if no cracks or other defects exceeding i
in. in any direction be present in the weld
metal or between the weld and the pipe 'Bee p. 318.
--`,,,``,,`,`,,,`,``,`,,,,``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

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 82 SPECIltICATIONS FOR ELECTRIC-FuSION-WELDED PIPE (A 155)

and welded as a prolongation of the pipe made on additional pipes of double the
longitudinal seam. original number from the same lot, each
(d) Tension and bend test specimens of which shall conform to the require-
shall be the full thickness of the material ments specified.
as rolled and shall be machined to the (b) If the results of the mechanical
form and dimensions shown in Figs. 1, tests of any lot do not conform to the
2,3, and 4. requirement specified, such lot may be
(e) The test specimens shall not be heat treated, but no more than twice.
cut from the pipe or test plate until In the case of re-heat treatment and
after final heat treatment. retest, the same number of tests as
originally specified shall be required.
Number of Tilts
11. (a) One transverse tension test Hydrostatic Tests
(Section 8(b» and two transverse 13. (a) Each length of pipe shall be
guided weld bend tests (Section 9) shall tested by the manufacturer to a hydro-
be made to represent each lot of pipe. A static pressure which will produce in the
lot shall consist of all pipe of the same pipe wall a stress of 75 per cent of the
material (may include more than one minimum specified yield point at room
heat of steel) and wall thickness which is temperature. This pressure shall be de-
heat treated in one furnace charge termined by the following formula:

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(Note). For pipe which is not heat
p _ 2S,
treated, or is heat treated in continuous
type furnaces, a lot shall consist of each D
200 ft or fraction thereof of all pipe of where:
·the same material and wall thickness,
subjected to the same heat treatment. P - minimum hydrostatic test pres-
sure in pounds per square inch,
NOTE.-For pipe which is heat treated in a S - 0.75 times the minimum specified
batch type furnace which i, automatically con- yield point at room temperature
trolled within a SO·F range and is equipped with
recording PYJ'ometers so that heating records are in pounds per square inch,
available, by agreement between the purchaser t = speciied wall thickness, in inches,
and the pipe manufacturer, a lot may be defined and
the same as for continuous type furnaces. D = specified or calculated (from the
specified inside diameter and wall
(b) If any test specimen shows de-
thickness) outside diameter, in
fective machining or develops flaws not
inches.
associated with welding, it may be dis-
(b) The hydrostatic test pressure shall
carded and another specimen substi-
be held for a sufficient length of time
tuted.
for the inspector to completely examine
(c) Each length of finished pipe shall
the entire length of the pipe and welded
be subjected to the hydrostatic test
joint.
specified in Section 13.
Radiographic Examination
Retests
14. (a) For class 1 welded joint qual-
12. (a) If the results of any mechan- ity, all welded joints shall be completely
ical tests of pipe material of any lot do examined by radiography.
not conform to the requirements speci- (b) For class 2 welded joint quality,
fied in Sections 8 and 9, retests shall be radiographic examination is not re-
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 SPECIFICATIONS FOR ELECTRIC-FuSION-WELDED PIPE (A 155) 83

quired except when and to the extent burrs at the ends of the pipe shall be
specified by the purchaser in the order removed.
or contract.
(c) Radiographic examination shall Finish
be in accordance with the requirements 19. (a) The finished pipe shall be free
of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel from injurious defects, and shall have
Code, Section I (1959) Power Boilers, a workmanlike finish.
Paragraph P 102 (h). (b) Repair oj Plate Dejects by Machin-
Thickness and Weights ing or Grinding.-Pipe showing moderate
slivers may be machined or ground in-
15. The wall thickness and weights for side or outside to a depth which shall
welded pipe furnished under these sp~ci­ insure the removal of all included scale
fications shall be governed by the re- and slivers, providing the wall thickness
quirements of the specifications to which is not reduced below the specified mini-
the manufacturer ordered the plate. mum wall thickness. Machining or grind-
Permissible Variations in Dimensions ing shall follow inspection of the pipe as
rolled, and shall be followed by sup-
16. (a) Permissible variations in di- plementary visual inspection.
mensions at any point in a length of (c) Repair oj Plate Dejects by Welding.
pipe shall not exceed the following: Repair of injurious defects shall be
(1) Outside Diameter.-Based on cir- permitted only subject to the approval
cumferential measurement, ±O.S per of the purchaser. Defects shall be thor-
cent of the nominal outside diameter. oughly chipped out before welding. The
(2) Out-oJ-Roundness.-Difierence be- repairs shall be radiographed and if the
tween major and minor outside diam- pipe itself has already been stress re-
eters, 1 per cent. lieved, it shall then be stress relieved
(3) Alignment.-Using a 10-ft straight- again except in the case of small welds
edge placed so that both ends are in that, in the estimation of the purchaser's
contact with the pipe, i in. inspector, do not require stress relief.
(b) Thickness.-The minimum wall Hydrostatic tests made on pipe repaired
thickness at any point in the pipe shall in this mann~r shall be made on the
not be more than 0.01 in. under the finished pipe.
nominal thickness.
Lengths Marking
17. Pipe lengths shall be in accord- 20. (a) Each length of pipe manu-
ance with the following regular practice: factured in accordance with these speci-
(a) The lengths required shall be fications shall bear the following identi-
specified in the order. fying marking within 12 in. of one end
(b) Circumferential welded joints of the pipe manufacturer's name or identi·
the same qvality as the longitudinal fying mark, the symbol A 155, the plate
joints shall be permitted by agreement material designation as shown in Table
between the manufacturer and the I, the plate quality (flange or firebox),
purchaser. and the class number ( 1 or 2).
(b) On carbon steel pipe the marking
Ends shall be legibly stamped with steel dies.
18. Unless otherwise specified, pipe On alloy steel pipe the marking shall be
--`,,,``,,`,`,,,`,``,`,,,,``,,-`-`,,`,,

shall be furnished with plain ends. All stenciled with a suitable heat resistant
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 811 SPECIJ'ICATIONS FOR ELECTRIC-FuSION-WELDED PIPE (A 155)

paint except when otherwise specified of manufacture prior to shipment and

by the purchaser. at the manufacturer's expense, unless
(c) When pipe marked as specified in otherwise specified, and shall be so
this section is rejected, the symbol A 155 conducted as not to interfere unneces-
shall be cancelled. sa~y with the operation of the works.

Inspection Rejection
, 21. The inspector representing the 22. Each length of pipe that develops
purchaser shall have free entry, at all injurious defects during shop working
times while work on the contract of the or application operations will be re-
'purchaser is being performed, to all jected and the manufacturer shall be
parts of the manufacturer's works that notified. No rejections under these or
concern the manufacture of the material any other specifications shall be marked
ordered. The manufacturer shall a1ford as specified in Section 20 for sale under
the inspector, without charge, all reason~ these specifications except where such
able facilities to satisfy him that the pipe fails to comply with the weight
material is being. furnished in accordance requirements alone, in which case it may
with these specifications. All tests and be sold under the weight specifications
inspection shall be made at the place with which it does comply. .

SUPPLBMBNTARY RBQUIUMBNTS FOR PIPB RBQUIlUNG SPBCIAL

CONSIDBRATION
These requirements shall not be considered unless specified in the order, in which
event the specified tests shall be made by the manufacturer and witnessed by the
purchaser or his representative before shipment of the pipe.
Check Analy.i. Hardne •• Teets
S1. Check. analysis may be made on S3. Hardness determinations shall be
any length of pipe. Individual lengths made across the welded joint at both
failing to conform to the chemical reo ends of each length of pipe. The maxi·
quirements prescribed in the applicable mum acceptable hardness shall be as
specifications listed in Table I shall be agreed upon between the manufacturer
rejected. and the purchaser.
Magnetic Particle Examination
Tenmon and Bend Te.ts
S4. All welded joints shall be sub·
S2. Tension tests (Section 8(b)) and jected to magnetic particle inspection.
bend tests (Section 9) shall be made on Such inspection shall be in accordance
specimens to represent each length of with the latest commercial practice
pipe. Failure of any test specimen to meet and shall be performed by experienced
the requirements shall be cause for the operators. Defects so located shall be
--`,,,``,,`,`,,,`,``,`,,,,``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

rejection of the pipe length represented. repaired in accordance with Section 2(e).

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