LTCS ASTM A333 Pipe

ASTM A333 Grade 6 specification cover seamless and welded carbon and alloy steel pipe which used in low temperature working condition. Also gas compression pipeline which are cryogenic equipment manufacturing, cold storage, and pipes for conveying ultra-low temperature liquefied gas.

ASTM A333 Pipe Dimensions

Size: 1/2″ NPS to 36″ NPS

Thickness: Sch 20, STD, 40, 60, 80, 120, 160, XXS

Grade: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

Dimensions Tolerance : ±12.5%

Manufacturing Process: Seamless and ERW

Property of ASTM A333 Grade 6

• Machinability

Good and similar to law alloy 4032 steel.

• Welding

Weldable by conventional methods.

• Heat Treatment

A333 Grade 6 Normalized at 1500 F and air cooled.
Quenched and tempered by heating to 1475 F.
Temper by re-heating to 1100 F and rapid air cooling.

• Applications

Used for low temperature service piping down to minus 50 F.

What is LTCS material?

Low Temperature Carbon Steel (LTCS) is used in piping system when there is a possibility of process fluid temperature falling below -29 degree centigrade during operation. In typical refinery A 106 Gr B material is used for carbon steel and A 333 Grade 6 is used for LTCS in normal operation

Difference ASTM A106 and A333 Grade 6

ASTM A333 is a good substitute for A106-B for a broad range of temperatures. Based on ASME B31.3 (Table A-1) the allowable stress for A106 Grade B is 16ksi to 500F; for A333 grade 6 is 20Ksi to 400F and 18.9ksi to 500F It would be fair to say that, given the application has an operating temperature greater than -20F, either A106 or A333 materials will be accceptable. (This assumes that the piping is the same schedule, configuration, etc) However, below -20F, only the A333 will be acceptable to -50F.

Equivalent Grade to ASTM A333 GR6

When the pipes, fittings, valves, bolts and nuts are matching with each other, usually the material grades should be equivalent.

Material	Pipes	Buttweld Fittings	Forged Steel Fittings	Valves	Bolts and Nuts
Low Temp Carbon Steel	A333 GR6	A420 WPL6	ASTM A350 LF2	A352 LCB	A320 Gr L7 /A194 Gr 7