A333 Grade 6 Low Temp Pipe description
ASTM A333/A333M-2011 Gr.6 low-alloy steel seamless pipe is an international standard primarily used for pipelines transporting goods in cryogenic environments. This type of pipe exhibits good low-temperature toughness and resistance to hydrogen embrittlement, ensuring safe operation in extreme low-temperature environments.
ASTM A333 Grade 6 Equivalent
|
Former |
New |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Execution |
Standard |
Material |
Standard |
Material |
|
Seamless |
ASTM A333 |
GRADE 6 |
EN 10216-4 |
P265NL |
A333 Gr 6 Chemical Composition
| Carbon | Silicon | Manganese | Phosphorous | Sulphur | Molybdenum | Nickel | Chromium | Copper | Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| max 0.30 | min 0.10 | 0.29 – 1.06 | 0.025 | 0.025 | – | – | – | – | – |
A333 Gr 6 Mechanical Properties
| Grade | Yield strength, min, psi (MPa) | Tensile strength, min, psi (MPa) | Elongation (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A333 Gr.6 | 35 000 (240) | 60 000 (415) | 30 min |
A333 Grade 6 Pipe Wall Thickness
| ASTM A333 Grade 6 Pipe Types | Out diameter | Wall thickness | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| A333 Grade 6 Seamless Pipe (Custom Sizes) | 1/2" NB – 60" NB | SCH 5 / SCH 10 / SCH 40 / SCH 80 / SCH 160 | Custom |
| Welding A333 Grade 6 Pipe (in Stock + Custom Sizes) | 1/2" NB – 24" NB | As per requirement | Custom |
| ASTM A333 Grade 6 ERW Pipe (Custom Sizes) | 1/2" NB – 24" NB | As per requirement | Custom |
| ASTM A333 Grade 6 SAW Pipe | 16" NB – 100" NB | As per requirement | Custom |
Applications
1. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Industry Chain
LNG Receiving Terminals and Storage & Transportation
Pre-cooling and Transition Pipelines: During the liquefaction process of LNG from ambient temperature to -162°C, GR.6 steel pipes are commonly used in pre-cooling sections (such as sections cooled to -45°C to -110°C) because their toughness at -45°C covers this temperature range, and their cost is lower than that of materials used at even lower temperatures.
Storage Tank Connections and Loading/Unloading Arms: Connecting LNG storage tanks to loading and unloading equipment, these arms withstand the dual effects of low-temperature media and the external environment, ensuring safe transportation.
LNG Ships and Land-Based Facilities
The cargo hold connection pipes of LNG carriers and the piping systems of land-based LNG refueling stations both require materials that maintain toughness at low temperatures; GR.6 is an economical and practical choice.
2. Cryogenic Oil and Gas Extraction and Processing
Polar and Cold-Region Oil and Gas Fields: Oil and gas extraction and gathering pipelines in extremely cold regions such as the Arctic and Siberia, where external ambient temperatures can drop below -50°C, coupled with the cryogenic temperature of the medium (such as dehydrated natural gas), require GR.6 to provide reliable cryogenic toughness.
Subsea Cryogenic Pipelines: In deep-sea oil and gas transportation, some pipeline sections are in extremely cold conditions due to the cryogenic temperature of the medium or the subsea environment. GR.6 is used to withstand the coupling effect of high pressure and low temperature, and its cost is superior to higher-grade materials.
3. Industrial Refrigeration and Cryogenic Experiments
Large-Scale Refrigeration Systems
Chemical and Food Industries: Used for transporting refrigerants such as ammonia and Freon, with operating temperatures as low as -50°C (e.g., quick-freezing tunnels, cryogenic storage). GR.6 steel pipes stably support the refrigeration process.
Cryogenic Laboratories: For cooling pipes in particle accelerators and cryogenic physics experimental devices (such as liquid nitrogen and liquid argon cooling systems), GR.6 is commonly used for pre-cooling or auxiliary pipe sections (because the extreme temperatures are close to their standard values, the core cryogenic section may be made of stainless steel).
Ice Storage and District Cooling: In ice storage air conditioning systems, where cryogenic refrigerants (such as ethylene glycol solutions) are transported, and operating temperatures may be as low as -20°C to -30°C, GR.6 provides a safety margin.
Test and inspection
Packaging and shipping
