SY/T 5037 Spiral Submerged Arc Welded Steel Pipe (SSAW)
Basic Overview
SY/T 5037 is the Chinese petroleum and natural gas industry standard for submerged arc-welded steel pipes for common fluid service pipelines . This standard specifically covers spiral submerged arc welded (SSAW/SAWH) pipes, also known as helical submerged arc welded pipes .
Key Specifications
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Standard Number | SY/T 5037 |
| Latest Version | SY/T 5037-2023 (effective April 11, 2024) |
| Previous Version | SY/T 5037-2018 (superseded) |
| Full Title | "Submerged arc-welded steel pipe for common fluid service pipeline" / "普通流体输送管道用埋弧焊钢管" |
| Industry | Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry Standard |
| Pipe Types Covered | Spiral submerged arc welded (SAWH/SSAW) and longitudinal submerged arc welded (SAWL) |
| Application | Water, air, heating steam, and other common fluid pipelines; also applicable to water engineering projects (long-distance water diversion, municipal water supply/drainage, agricultural irrigation) with socket joints |
Manufacturing Process
Spiral submerged arc welded pipes under SY/T 5037 are produced using the following method :
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Raw Material | Hot-rolled steel coils or strips |
| Forming | The steel strip is continuously spiral-formed at room temperature at a specific angle |
| Welding | Double-sided automatic submerged arc welding (inside and outside), with at least one pass on each side |
| Strip Butt Welds | Allows strip butt welds, which must be at least 300mm from pipe ends; if located at the end, requires minimum 150mm spiral seam spacing |
| Testing | Hydrostatic testing, non-destructive testing (ultrasonic/X-ray), and dimensional inspection |
Steel Grades
| Grade Type | Common Grades | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Steel | Q195, Q215, Q235 | General low-pressure service |
| Low-Alloy Steel | Q345, Q295 | Higher strength for demanding applications |
Dimensional Tolerances
| Parameter | Tolerance | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Diameter (D < 508mm) | ±0.75% D | Pipe body |
| Outside Diameter (D ≥ 508mm) | ±1.00% D | Pipe body |
| Outside Diameter (D < 508mm, pipe ends) | ±0.75% D (max ±2.5mm) | 100mm from pipe end |
| Outside Diameter (D ≥ 508mm, pipe ends) | ±0.50% D (max ±4.5mm) | 100mm from pipe end |
| Wall Thickness (D < 508mm) | ±12.5% t | |
| Wall Thickness (D ≥ 508mm) | ±10.0% t | |
| Straightness | ≤ 0.2% of total length | |
| Out-of-Roundness | ≤ 1% D | At pipe ends |
| Length | 6 m to 12 m standard; custom lengths by agreement | |
| End Bevel | 30° (+5°/-0°), root face 1.6±0.8mm |
Testing Requirements
| Test Type | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Chemical Analysis | Per GB/T 223 or GB/T 4336 |
| Tensile Test | Per GB/T 2651 |
| Impact Test | Per GB/T 229 (when specified) |
| Hydrostatic Test | Each pipe individually tested |
| Ultrasonic Testing (UT) | Per SY/T 6423.2 for weld seam inspection |
| Radiographic Testing (RT) | Per Appendix A for X-ray inspection |
| Guided Bend Test | Per GB/T 2653 |
| Flattening Test | Required |
Comparison with Related Standards
| Aspect | SY/T 5037 | GB/T 3091 | GB/T 9711 / API 5L |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Type | Petroleum industry standard | National standard (GB) | National / International |
| Title | "Common fluid service pipeline" | "Low-pressure fluid transmission" | "Petroleum and natural gas industries" |
| Pressure Range | Low-pressure | Low-pressure (≤1.6 MPa typical) | Medium to high-pressure |
| Typical Grades | Q195, Q215, Q235, Q295, Q345 | Q195, Q215, Q235, Q275 | L245-L555 (API 5L grades) |
| Application | Water, air, steam, low-pressure gas | General utilities, construction | Oil & gas transmission pipelines |
| NDT Requirements | 100% UT for weld seam | Standard | Mandatory for higher grades |
SY/T 5037 Versions
| Version | Status | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SY/T 5037-2023 | Current | Latest version, effective April 2024 |
| SY/T 5037-2018 | Superseded | Replaced by 2023 version |
| SY/T 5037-2012 | Superseded | Previous version |
| SY/T 5037-2000 | Obsolete | Replaced, still referenced in some older documents |
| SY/T 5037-92 | Obsolete | First revision, replaced SY 5037-83 |
| SY 5037-83 | Obsolete | Original version |
Applications
SY/T 5037 spiral welded pipes are widely used for :
| Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Water Transmission | Municipal water supply, drainage, long-distance water diversion, irrigation |
| Low-Pressure Gas | Natural gas, coal gas distribution (low pressure) |
| Air Systems | Compressed air lines for industrial use |
| Heating Steam | Low-pressure steam lines |
| Industrial Pipelines | General fluid transportation |
| Sewage Systems | Wastewater and drainage |
Advantages of SSAW under SY/T 5037
| Advantage | Description |
|---|---|
| Cost-Effective | More economical than LSAW or seamless for large diameters |
| Large Diameter Capability | Produces pipes up to 4000mm+ OD |
| Long Lengths | Standard 6-12m, custom lengths available |
| Wide Material Range | Q195 through Q345 grades available |
| 100% NDT | Mandatory ultrasonic or X-ray inspection of weld seam |
Summary
SY/T 5037 spiral submerged arc welded steel pipes are the standard choice for low-pressure common fluid transmission applications in China. The latest SY/T 5037-2023 version (effective April 2024) specifies technical requirements for SSAW pipes manufactured from hot-rolled steel coils using double-sided automatic submerged arc welding .
Key features:
Covers spiral submerged arc welded (SAWH) pipes explicitly
Applicable to low-pressure fluid transmission (water, air, steam, low-pressure gas)
Available grades: Q195, Q215, Q235, Q295, Q345
Suitable for large diameters (219mm to 4000mm+)
100% NDT of weld seam (ultrasonic or X-ray)
Current standard: SY/T 5037-2023 (effective April 11, 2024)
When ordering, specify: SY/T 5037, Grade (e.g., Q235B), SSAW (spiral submerged arc welded), Size (OD x WT), Length, End Finish (plain/beveled), Coating Requirements, and Standard Version (2023).
