Table of Contents
Introduction
ASTM A120 standards described that the tensile strength of pipes was 60,000 psi. Yield strength increases to 35,000 psi. This blog will make you comprehend these numbers. Find information about SCH 40, SCH 80, and heat treatment.
What Are ASTM A120 Standards?
ASTM A120 standards explain how pipes and tubes can be manufactured. They are quite large, about 10-12 inches in width. The material has high strength with 48,000 psi.
It can become very hot, even up to 200°F, for example. This standard refers to black and shiny pipes. Wall thickness can change. SCH 40 and SCH 80 are types. Each pipe is tested. A120 speaks of what carbon and hardness to be used. That makes pipes safe and good.
How Do ASTM A120 Standards Compare to ASTM A53?
Mechanical Properties
The ASTM A120 tubes are strong. Their tensile strength is 60,000 psi. Yield strength is 35,000 psi. It can stretch 25% before breaking. Charpy test at -20°F shows toughness.
Pipes are from 0.5 inches to 12 inches in diameter. Wall thickness is 0.5 inches. ASTM A120 is good for many uses. Rockwell hardness is B70. These numbers show how strong the pipes are.
Tensile Strength
These pipes are strong. Tensile strength is 60,000 psi. Yield strength is 35,000 psi. They stretch 25% before breaking. This makes ASTM A120 very strong. It works well in tough places.
These pipes have special numbers to show strength. ASTM A120 is good for building. The pipes will not break easily. This strength is great for many jobs.
Yield Strength
ASTM A120 pipes have yield strength of 35,000 psi. This means they can hold heavy loads. Safety factor is 2.5. They are good for building things. These pipes stay strong.
Yield strength is an important number. ASTM A120 is trusted by engineers. It helps build safe structures. These pipes do not break easily. The strength makes them useful.
Galvanized Coating
Pipes have a galvanized coating. Thickness is 1.8 mils. This protects them from rust. Zinc layer meets ASTM A123 rules. It lasts 20 years. ASTM A120 pipes are strong.
The coating keeps them safe from chemicals. These pipes last long. Galvanized coating is important. It makes pipes good for many uses. This coating helps them stay strong.
Heat Treatment
Pipes get heat treatment. Normalizing is at 1600°F. This makes them tough. It removes stress. Annealing at 1200°F helps too. Quenching at 1500°F makes them hard.
Tempering at 800°F finishes the job. ASTM A120 pipes are better this way. Heat treatment is key. It helps pipes stay strong. These steps make pipes good. The process is important.
Fire Protection
Pipes melt at 2,500°F. They are safe in fires. ASTM A120 pipes stay strong. This makes them good for buildings. Fire safety is important. The pipes do not melt easily.
They meet safety rules. ASTM A120 is trusted. Fire protection numbers are key. These pipes are safe to use. This helps in many jobs. Fire safety is very important.
Flexibility
Pipes bend easily. Bend radius is 4 x pipe diameters. This makes them flexible. They do not crack. ASTM A120 pipes are good for curves. Flexibility is important.
These pipes are strong and bendy. It helps in many jobs. They fit well in many places. ASTM A120 is trusted. These pipes are easy to use. Flexibility is a key feature.
What Are the Typical Applications of ASTM A120 Pipes?
Fire Protection
Fire pipes assist in extinguishing fires. The pipes can take heat up to 1,200°F. Water passes through 2 inch and 4 inch pipes. The pipes are made of strong steel. Rust can’t hurt them.
They connect with couplings, fittings, and flanges. Water pressure can be 150 pounds per square inch. Sprinklers get water fast. These pipes are used by buildings to remain safe.
Heat Exchangers
Tubes transfer heat in exchangers. They are capable of withstanding heat up to 750°F. Heat is transferred from one fluid to another. Thin pipes allow heat to be transported quickly.
The pipes could be 3 inches in diameter. They can accept up to 300 PSI. They connect with tubesheets and headers. These pipes help to cool the system.
Condenser Systems
Condensers revert steam back to water. The pipes are exposed to such temperatures as 600°F. They can be 1 inch or 2 inches wide. Pipes can withstand pressure up to 200 PSI.
The pipes connect through elbows and unions. ASTM A120 pipes make this easy. These pipes are used in power plants. Cooling is facilitated by pipes.
Boiler Tubes
Pipes are required for hot water in boiler tubes. They handle 1,000°F heat. These pipes are 1.5 inches or 3 inches in diameter. Rust can’t hurt them. These pipes are liked by engineers for boilers.
They connect with manifolds and drums. Pipes can bear 250 PSI pressure. ASTM A120 is great for this. They are filled with hot water or steam. These pipes are utilized in heating systems.
Aerospace Applications
Planes need strong pipes. These pipes withstand temperatures of up to 500°F. They are 0.5 inches or 1 inch wide. Rust can’t hurt them. The pipes have a pressure rating of 100 PSI. These pipes are used in fuel and hydraulic systems. They keep planes safe.
Plumbing Systems
Pipes transport water in homes. They handle 140°F heat. Water flows through 0.75 inches and 1.5 inches pipes. Rust can’t hurt them. Pipes can withstand pressure up to 125 PSI. They connect with valves and tees. Pure water runs through them. People require these pipes in their homes for water. They assist in preventing water pollution.
Heating Systems
Pipes are used to transport hot water for heating. They handle 180°F heat. Pipes could be of 1 inch or 2 inch diameter. Rust can’t hurt them. They are capable of withstanding pressures of up to 150 PSI. They connect with radiators and pumps. These pipes are necessary for heating systems.
How Are ASTM A120 Pipes Manufactured?
Rolling
Hot rollers press steel. These rollers are very large and generate heat up to 1500°F. They make flat sheets. The sheets are relatively thick, approximately 0.375 inches thick.
The force applied is high, typically up to 500 tons. Steel cools slowly. Machines trim edges. Length can be 40 feet. Smooth sheets are ready. This step makes sheets strong. Rollers are required for flat sheets. It assists in the subsequent processes. Rolling must be perfect.
Drawing
Rolls draw steel through a die. The force is strong; it reaches the pressure of up to 100,000 psi. Sheets become lengthy cylinders. These tubes are slender, and they are about three inches in diameter.
Cold temperatures, 70°F, are used. The length of tubes can be twenty feet. In turn, each die alters the tube diameter. This process also serves to smoothen the surface. Here ASTM A120 sheets are used. This step is precise. It helps in welding.
Welding
Welding employs high heat, 2700°F. Edges of tubes are melted and fused together. Electric currents create strong seams. The welding speed is 20 inches per minute. Gas shields the weld. The pipes cool down soon after the welding process. Joints are well done and sturdy. No gaps are allowed.
This step is crucial for strength. ASTM A120 pipes receive good welds. The pipes remain fully intact due to precision welding. Inspection checks every weld.
Heat Treating
Pipes enter hot furnaces. The temperature is 1600°F. Heat treating alters the metal in some way. It takes hours. Cooling happens slowly. This step makes pipes hard. Uniform heat is important.
It influences its strength. All these pipes go through this process. ASTM A120 pipes become stronger. It helps in durability. The step makes pipes ready for the subsequent process.
Quenching
Pipes go into water. Temperature decreases rapidly from 1600ºF to 70ºF. This step also causes the metal to be hardened. Quenching is very fast, it only takes a few seconds. It locks the microstructure.
Pipes come out strong. ASTM A120 pipes become strong. Rapid cooling prevents distortion. This step comes after heat treatment. It ensures uniform hardness. Quenching is precise. This is very important for strength.
Tempering
Pipes reheat to 1100°F. This step makes them a little less harsh. Tempering relieves stress. It takes hours. Cooling is done gradually. Pipes become stiffer but pliable. This step balances hardness.
Tempering affects durability. All pipes go through this process. It assists in the following step. Precision timing is key. This step is the final step in the strengthening process.
Galvanizing
Iron pipes pass through a bath of molten zinc. The temperature is 860°F. Zinc also forms a protection barrier. It prevents rust. Pipes cool quickly. The thickness of the coating is around 0.2 millimeters.
ASTM A120 pipes are coated. Uniform coating is important. This step increases the durability of pipes. Galvanizing ensures durability. It protects from extreme weather. Every pipe gets coated. This step is the last one.
| Process | Purpose | Method | Temperature (°C) | Time (mins) | Equipment | Output |
| Rolling | Shape steel | Hot/Cold roll | 900 | 30 | Roller mills | Steel sheets |
| Drawing | Reduce diameter | Cold draw | 20 | 10 | Draw bench | Pipes |
| Welding | Join metals | Fusion | 1500 | 60 | Welding machine | Seams |
| Heat Treating | Alter properties | Heating | 800 | 120 | Furnace | Treated steel |
| Quenching | Hardening | Rapid cooling | 0 | 5 | Quenching tank | Hardened steel |
| Tempering | Improve toughness | Reheating | 600 | 60 | Tempering furnace | Tempered steel |
| Galvanizing | Corrosion protection | Zinc coating | 450 | 30 | Galvanizing bath | Galvanized pipes |
Table on How Are ASTM A120 Pipes Manufactured!
What Are the Key Mechanical Properties of ASTM A120?
Tensile Stress
ASTM A120 steel withstands tensile stress of 45,000 psi. This kind of steel is used in big buildings. Tensile stress tests pull the steel hard on it. Engineers use it because it is not readily breakable.
ASTM A120 steel provides protection in buildings. It is used to determine the amount of load it can withstand through tests. ASTM A120 is used in many places.
Yield Stress
Yield stress in ASTM A120 is 33,000 psi. Yield stress is the stress level at which the steel deforms plastically but does not fracture. ASTM A120 makes it strong. They test it with strong machines.
Large structures require robust iron. ASTM A120 contributes to making them safe. This steel is popular because it is strong, according to engineers. It makes structures strong and secure.
Elongation
Steel with ASTM A120 can be elongated up to 20%. Elongation shows flexibility. It assists in bending without fracturing. ASTM A120 is used in bridges. Elongation enables the engineers to have confidence in the steel. It can be pulled to its limits before it snaps. ASTM A120 strengthens structures.
Steel is stretched to 20% and remains strong. ASTM A120 is good for construction. This steel is very flexible.
Carbon Content
ASTM A120 has 0.3% carbon. Carbon makes steel stronger. It is essential in construction materials. This steel is used in skyscrapers. ASTM A120 with 0.3% carbon is very strong.
Carbon assists the steel to have a longer life. ASTM A120 is well relied on in big projects. They know it’s reliable. Carbon strengthens the steel. ASTM A120 is strong due to the presence of carbon.
Manganese Content
ASTM A120 steel contains 0.8 % manganese. This makes the steel hard and strong. Manganese makes the steel wear-resistant. This steel is used by engineers in buildings. ASTM A120 is durable.
This steel is utilized in large machinery. This is due to manganese content making it last. ASTM A120 is of high quality. They prefer this steel for its hardness. It is used in many projects.
Silicon Content
Silicon content in ASTM A120 is 0.4%. Silicon makes steel stronger. ASTM A120 steel with silicon is highly resistant to breakage. It assists in the construction of safe structures.
Silicon makes it hard. Strength of the steel is proved through testing. ASTM A120 is widely adopted in various projects. They rely on it for safety. Use of silicon makes the steel to have a long life.
Phosphorus Content
ASTM A120 has a phosphorus content of 0.05%. This makes the steel strong. This steel is used in buildings by engineers. Phosphorus makes it to last long. ASTM A120 is very resistant.
This steel is used in large structures. Phosphorus makes it tough. Engineers prefer this steel because it is strong. ASTM A120 is used for safety. Phosphorus aids in strengthening the steel.
Why Was ASTM A120 Withdrawn?
Outdated Specifications
ASTM A120 had old regulation. It used pipe sizes such as 1/2 and 3/4. Design rules for tensile strength were 60 ksi. The carbon had to be 0.30%. It needed 25% elongation. New materials were different.
They needed new rules. ASTM A120 could not do that anymore. Therefore, they created new regulations. ASTM A120 was no longer useful. New rules assist in helping better.
Material Advancements
They didn’t match ASTM A120 for new materials. Special steels which required more than 50 ksi required high strength alloys. It was unable to quantify new stresses. Modern alloys were too complex.
They had advanced far. ASTM A120 could not encompass them. That is why it was withdrawn. New rules were needed. They are more useful for helping with new materials.
New Standards
ASTM A120 was replaced. New rules such as ASTM A53 and ASTM A106 emerged to replace the older ones. These had better details. Modern needs were different. ASTM A120 did not address them.
New rules used better tools. They ensure quality. This is why ASTM A120 went away. New standards are more effective now.
Industry Demands
Industry changed a lot. New methods such as high-frequency welding required a new set of rules. ASTM A120 didn’t cover them. Safety was also higher now. That is why it was outdated.
New rules like ASTM A53 helped. They cover new needs. ASTM A120 was not required. New rules will better suit the industry.
Compliance Issues
Old rules such as ASTM A120 were difficult to implement. New safety codes were different. It couldn’t keep up. Compliance was tough. That is why new rules like ASTM A53 came.
They make sure all players adhere to the same set of rules. ASTM A120 was withdrawn. New rules assist in compliance much better. That made things easier.
Technological Changes
Tech changed a lot. ASTM A120 had no provisions for laser welding. New techniques required new rules. ASTM A120 couldn’t adapt. This is why it was withdrawn. ”They use ASTM A106 now. It fits new tech better. Old rules were not good enough. New rules assist with technology shifts.
Regulatory Updates
New laws required higher standards. ASTM A120 did not meet new safety and quality requirements. It couldn’t change. That is why it was withdrawn. New standards correspond to legislation.
They ensure safety. This helps a lot. ASTM A120 was replaced. New rules are more suitable to meet regulations.
Conclusion
ASTM A120 standards state tensile strength of 60,000 psi and yield strength of 35,000 psi. The concept of heat treatment and sizes such as SCH 40 are described. For more, visit ALLOYXPERT.