What is ASTM A252 specification?
ASTM A252 is the standard specification for welded and seamless steel pipe piles. It covers the nominal wall thickness of cylinder shape steel pipe, rectangular pipe is not included. These round pipes are used for piling purposes, playing as a permanent role of load carrying and bearing the pressure.
What is lsaw steel pipe?
LSAW is an abbreviation for Longitudinal Submerged Arc Welding. The LSAW pipe production process begins with a plate which is formed into a pipe by joining each side of the plate/strip longitudinally according to the required diameter, then welded with filler metal.
A252 GR1 GR2 pipe pile Specification
| Standard | ASTM A252 |
| Steel Grade | Gr.1 |
| Gr.2 | |
| Gr.3 | |
| Diamensions | 6" – 56" |
| O.D | 168.3mm – 1422mm |
| DN | DN150 – DN1400 |
| Wall Thickness | 0.134"- 1" |
| 3.40mm – 25.4mm | |
| Pipe Length | R1 (4.88m – 7.62m) |
| R2(7.62m – 10.67m) | |
| Up to Request | |
| Pipe End | Plain, Bevelled |
| Process | Open-hearth, Basic-oxygen, or Electric-furnace |
| Manufacturing | SMLS, ERW, Flash welded, or Fusion welded process |
| Corrosion Prevention | Lacquer, Varnish, Oiling, Galvanizing |
| FBE, 2LPP, 3LPP, 2LPE, 3LPE |
Chemical Composition of ASTM A252 Steel Piling Pipe
| Chemical Requirements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Composition, % | ||||
| Grades B and D | Grade C | ||||
| Heat Analysis | Product Analysis | Heat Analysis | Product Analysis | ||
| Carbon, maxA | 0.26 | 0.30 | 0.23 | 0.27 | |
| Manganese, maxA | 1.35 | 1.40 | 1.35 | 1.40 | |
| Phosphorus, max | 0.035 | 0.045 | 0.035 | 0.045 | |
| Sulfur, max | 0.035 | 0.045 | 0.035 | 0.045 | |
| Copper, minB | 0.20 | 0.18 | 0.20 | 0.18 | |
| A For each reduction of 0.01 percentage point below the specified maximum for carbon, an increase of 0.06 percentage point above the specified maximum for manganese is permitted, up to a maximum of 1.50% by heat analysis and 1.60% by product analysis. B If copper-containing steel is specified in the purchase order. |
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Tensile Requirements of ASTM A252 Grades
| Tensile Requirements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Properties | Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 3 |
| Tensile strength, min, psi [MPa] | 50 000 [345] | 60 000 [415] | 66 000 [455] |
| Yield point or yield strength, min, psi [MPa] | 30 000 [205] | 35 000 [240] | 45 000 [310] |
| Basic minimum elongation for nominal wall thicknesses 5⁄16 in. [7.9 mm] or more: | – | – | – |
| Elongation in 8 in. [203.2 mm], min, % | 18 | 14 | – |
| Elongation in 2 in. [50.8 mm], min, % | 30 | 25 | 20 |
| For nominal wall thicknesses less than 5⁄16 in. [7.9 mm], the deduction from the basic minimum elongation in 2 in. [50.8 mm] for each 1⁄32 – in. [0.8 mm] decrease in nominal wall thickness below 5⁄16 in. [7.9 mm], in percentage points | 1.50A | 1.25A | 1.0A |
| A Table 2 gives the computed minimum values: | |||
What is the difference between API 5L and ASTM A252?
| Parameter | ASTM A106 (Seamless Carbon Pipe for High-Temp Service) | ASTM A252 (Welded Steel Pipe Piles) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ASTM A106/A106M-19a | ASTM A252/A252M-22 |
| Manufacturing | Hot-rolled/Cold-drawn seamless pipe (no weld defects) | Longitudinal (EFW)/Spiral (SAW) welding (requires UT inspection) |
| Grade System | A (Low-C), B (Standard), C (High-Strength) | GR1 (Light-Load), GR2 (Medium-Load), GR3 (Heavy-Load) |
| Yield Strength | Grade A: ≥205 MPa Grade B: ≥240 MPa Grade C: ≥275 MPa |
GR1: ≥207 MPa GR2: ≥241 MPa GR3: ≥345 MPa |
| Temperature Range | -29°C to 650°C ✅ Superior creep resistance |
-45°C to 100°C ✅ GR3 mandates -45°C Charpy test |
| Primary Applications | Pressure Piping Systems: • Boiler/heat exchanger tubes • Refinery process pipes (replaces Q235B >400°C) |
Foundation Structures: • GR3 + Q235B connectors (cross-sea bridge piles) • GR2 bridge piers (cost-effective) • GR1 temporary shoring |
| Impact Toughness | Grade B/C: Charpy V-notch at -29°C | GR3: Charpy V-notch at -45°C (stricter than Q235B's 20°C) |
| Corrosion Control | Anti-oxidation: • Insulation + internal lining |
Soil/seawater protection: • Epoxy coating + cathodic protection |
| Synergy with Q235B | ❌ No direct synergy | ✅ Core Synergy GR3 main pile + Q235B connector ring (stress transfer optimization) |
| Cost Reference | Grade B: $1,200/ton (40% > Q235B) | GR3: $900/ton (30% < all-Q235B structures) |
| Prohibited Uses | ❌ Pile foundations (cost-prohibitive) | ❌ Pressure piping (ASME B31.1 prohibition) |
ASTM A252 GR1 and GR2 welded pipes are primarily used in the following areas:
Building Foundation Engineering
GR1: Shallow foundation piles for small structures (hard clay strata, bearing capacity ≤120 kN/m²)
GR2: Friction piles for high-rise buildings (sandy soil, requires Q235B connectors)
Transportation Infrastructure
GR2: Highway bridge piers/abutments (moderate corrosion environments, matching ASTM A252 Class 2 corrosion protection)
Industrial Facilities
GR2: Pipe rack supports in petrochemical plants (neutral soil, 20% lower cost than GR3)
Test and inspection
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