Pipe & Tube Grades and Standards

Find the right pipe or tube

Choose the line that matches your drawing. The product page gives the dimensions, material and documentation to include in your quote.

Find the specification that matches your drawing

Start with the dimensions on the order

If the line item shows NPS or NB and a schedule, look for a pipe specification. Check the outside diameter and wall against the dimensional standard before matching fittings. If the line shows actual outside diameter and wall, start with tubing. Rectangular and square sections use their outside side dimensions and wall instead. An old order that only says “½ inch stainless” needs clarification before a supplier can price it reliably.

Use the application to narrow the shortlist

For an austenitic process pipe, start with ASTM A312. For general-service austenitic tubing, look at A269. A270 is the route to check for sanitary tubing, including the finish requirements. A213 and A249 are separate starting points for seamless and welded heat-transfer tubes respectively. If a drawing calls for duplex, look at the duplex grade pages to distinguish A790 pipe from A789 tubing.

Keep Indian Standards on a separate purchase line

Use the IS 1239 page for Part 1 steel tubes ordered by nominal bore, class, finish and ends. Use IS 3589 for the larger water or sewage pipe specification, with the steel designation, actual OD, wall and coating stated separately. Fe 330 and Fe 410 are steel designations under IS 3589. They belong on different lines when both are permitted as alternatives.

If your order calls for	Start here	Dimension to provide
Process pipe in TP304L or TP316L	ASTM A312 / ASME SA-312 Stainless Steel Pipe	NPS and schedule or specified wall
Austenitic general-service tubing	ASTM A269 / ASME SA-269 Stainless Steel Tubing	Actual outside diameter and wall
Tubing with a sanitary bore finish	ASTM A270 Sanitary Tubing	Actual outside diameter, wall and internal finish
A retube or replacement bundle	Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tubes	Actual OD, wall basis and finished length
Black or galvanised steel tube to IS 1239	IS 1239 Steel Pipes	Nominal bore, class and end condition
Water or sewage steel pipe to IS 3589	IS 3589 Steel Pipes	Actual OD, wall and required Fe grade

Example enquiry

A maintenance team replacing an exchanger bundle should start with the exchanger page and the original tube schedule. A purchaser replenishing a process pipe rack should start with the pipe standard, grade, NPS and schedule. Send mixed orders as one list with a separate specification for every line.

What should I send if the drawing and old certificate disagree?

Share both documents, mark the conflicting line and ask for it to be flagged in the quotation. Keep alternate offers separate until the purchase specification is confirmed.

Technical references ASME B36.19 pipe dimensions · ASTM steel standards directory · BIS IS 3589 product manual

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