ASTM A178/A178M-19

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: A178/A178M − 02 (Reapproved 2012) A178/A178M − 19
Standard Specification for
Electric-Resistance-Welded Carbon Steel and Carbon-
Manganese Steel Boiler and Superheater Tubes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A178/A178M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This specification covers minimum-wall-thickness, electric-resistance-welded tubes made of carbon steel and carbon-
manganese steel intended for use as boiler tubes, boiler flues, superheater flues, and safe ends.
NOTE 1—Type C and D tubes are not suitable for safe-ending for forge welding.
1.2 This specification covers Grades A, C, and D with differing chemical requirements (Section 6 and Table 1), differing tensile
requirements (Section 9 and Table 2), and differing crush and mechanical testing requirements (Sections 10 and 11).
NOTE 1—Grades C and D tubes are not suitable for safe-ending for forge welding.
1.3 The tubing sizes and thicknesses usually furnished to this specification are ⁄2 to 5 in. [12.7 to 127 mm] in outside diameter
and 0.035 to 0.360 in. [0.9 to 9.1 mm], inclusive, in minimum wall thickness. Tubing having other dimensions may be furnished,
provided such tubes comply with all other requirements of this specification.
1.4 Mechanical property requirements do not apply to tubing smaller than ⁄8 in. [3.2 mm] in inside diameter or 0.015 in. [0.4
mm] in thickness.
1.5 Optional supplementary requirements are provided and when desired, shall be so stated in the order.
1.6 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units
are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used
independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification. The
inch-pound units shall apply unless the “M” designation of this specification is specified in the order.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A450/A450M Specification for General Requirements for Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Tubes
E213 Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of Metal Pipe and Tubing
E273 Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of the Weld Zone of Welded Pipe and Tubing
3. Ordering Information
3.1 Orders for material under this specification should include the following, as required, to describe the desired material
adequately:
3.1.1 Quantity (feet, metres, or number of lengths),
3.1.2 Name of material (electric-resistance-welded tubes),
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee A01.09
on Carbon Steel Tubular Products.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2012Nov. 1, 2019. Published November 2012November 2019. Originally approved in 1935. Last previous edition approved in 20072012
as A178/A178M – 02 (2012).(2007). DOI: 10.1520/A0178_A0178M-02R12.10.1520/A0178_A0178M-19.
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications see related Specification SA-178 in Section II of that Code.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
A178/A178M − 19
TABLE 2 Tensile Requirements
Grade C Grade D
Tensile strength, min, ksi [MPa] 60 [415] 70 [485]
Yield strength, min, ksi [MPa] 37 [255] 40 [275]
Elongation in 2 in. or 50 mm, min, % 30 30
A A
For longitudinal strip tests a deduction for 1.50 1.50
each ⁄32-in. [0.8 mm] decrease in wall
thickness below ⁄16 in. [8 mm] from the
basic minimum elongation of the
following percentage points shall be
made.
A
See Table 3 for the computed minimum values.
3.1.3 Grade (A, C, or D, see Table 1),
3.1.4 Size (outside diameter and minimum wall thickness),
3.1.5 Length (specific or random),
3.1.6 Optional requirements (product analysis, Section 7; crush test, Section 10; hydrostatic or nondestructive electric test,
11.6),
3.1.7 Test report required (Certification Section of Specification A450/A450M),
3.1.8 Specification designation,
3.1.9 Individual supplementary requirements, if required, and
3.1.10 Special requirements.
4. Manufacture
4.1 The steel for Grade D shall be killed.
4.2 Tubes shall be made by electric-resistance welding.
5. Heat Treatment
5.1 After welding, all tubes shall be heat treated at a temperature of 1650°F [900°C] or higher and followed by cooling in air
or in the cooling chamber of a controlled-atmosphere furnace. Cold-drawn tubes shall be heat treated after the final cold-draw pass
at a temperature of 1200°F [650°C] or higher.
6. Chemical Composition
6.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements as to chemical composition prescribed in Table 1.
6.2 When a grade is ordered under this specification, supplying an alloy grade that specifically requires the addition of any
element other than those listed in Table 1 is not permitted.
7. Product Analysis
7.1 When requested on the purchase order, a product analysis shall be made by the manufacturer or supplier from one tube per
100 pieces for sizes over 3 in. [76.2 mm] and one tube per 250 pieces for sizes 3 in. [76.2 mm] and under; or when tubes are
identified by heat, one tube per heat shall be analyzed. The chemical composition thus determined shall conform to the
requirements specified.
7.2 If the original test for product analysis fails, retests of two additional lengths of flat-rolled stock or tubes shall be made. Both
retests, for the elements in question, shall meet the requirements of the specification; otherwise all remaining material in the heat
or lot (Note 2) shall be rejected or, at the option of the producer, each length of flat-rolled stock or tube may be individually tested
for acceptance. Lengths of flat-rolled stock or tubes which do not meet the requirements of the specifications shall be rejected.
NOTE 2—A lot consists of 250 tubes for sizes 3 in. [76.2 mm] and under and of 100 tubes for sizes over 3 in. [76.2 mm], prior to cutting to length.
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
Composition, %
Grade A, Grade C, Grade D, Carbon-
Element
Low-Carbon Medium- Man-
Steel Carbon Steel ganese Steel
Carbon 0.06–0.18 0.35 max 0.27 max
Manganese 0.27–0.63 0.80 max 1.00–1.50
Phosphorus, max 0.035 0.035 0.030
Sulfur, max 0.035 0.035 0.015
Silicon . . 0.10 min
A178/A178M − 19
8. General Requirements
8.1 Material furnished under this specification shall conform to the applicable requirements of the current edition of
Specification A450/A450M unless
...