Welded 253MA Pipe
253MA welded pipe is a high-temperature industrial piping solution made from an austenitic stainless steel alloy.
Unlike seamless 253MA pipe,the “welded” type is manufactured by rolling flat plate into a tube and welding the longitudinal seam.
Specification of Welded 253MA Pipe
| Product | Welded 253MA Pipe |
| Working Temperature | up to 1150℃(2100℉) |
| Dimension Range | Outside Diameter (OD): 6 – 200 mm Wall Thickness (THK): 0.35 – 6 mm Length (L): 0.5 – 12 m The size can be customized according to ASME B36.10 / ASME B36.19 |
| Schedules | SCH 5, 10, 40, 80, 160, XXS, XXH |
| Materials | 253MA | UNS S30815 | W.Nr. 1.4835 | DIN X9CrNiSiNCe21-11-2 |
| Standards | ASTM A312 / ASME SA312 / EN 10217-7 |
| Surface Finish |
No. 1 Finish 2B Finish Bright Annealed 180 Grit / 240 Grit / 320 Grit Satin Finish Mirror Polish |
| Corrosion Resistance Specifications |
Excellent Resistance To: Oxidation Resistance Creep Strength High-Temperature Corrosion Intergranular Corrosion |
| Applications | Industrial Furnaces Heat Treatment Petrochemical Chemical Processing Power Generation |
| Our Strength | Over 10 Years Experience Exporting Pipes & Tubings Stock Available In Common Sizes Customized Fabrication Available Package Supplying of Piping Materials Strict QC With PMI Testing For Every Batch Experience in Exporting to the US,Germany,UAE,etc. Third Party Inspection Available |
For more information on stainless tubings and other products, please contact us.
Welded 253MA Pipe Chemical Composition (%)
| Cr | Ni | Si | N | Ce |
| 20.0 – 22.0 | 10.0 – 12.0/td> | 1.40 – 2.00 | 0.14 – 0.20 | 0.03 – 0.08 |
| C | Mn | P | S | Fe |
| 0.05 – 0.10 | ≤ 0.80 | ≤ 0.040 | ≤ 0.030 | Balance |
Is 253MA a “low-carbon” alloy?
253MA is generally considered a moderate-to-high carbon alloy rather than a “low-carbon” stainless steel.253MA steel requires a minimum carbon content of 0.05%.In high-temperature alloys,carbon is essential for providing creep rupture strength,which prevents the pipe from deforming under its own weight at high temperatures.
Do welded 253MA tubes and seamless 253MA tubes have the same chemical composition?
Yes.Welded and seamless 253MA stainless steel tubes generally adhere to the same base chemical composition specifications,typically defined under UNS S30815,ensuring they both offer the same high-temperature oxidation and strength properties.
Welded 253MA Pipe Mechanical Properties
| Tensile Strength | Yield strength | Elongation | Hardness |
| 600 – 760 MPa (87 – 110 ksi) | ≥ 310 MPa (45 ksi) | ≥ 40% | ≤ 210 HB (95 HRB) |
How much pressure can a welded pipe withstand?
This depends on the pressure reduction factor (Joint Efficiency Factor).In pressure vessel design,welded pipes are typically multiplied by a factor of 0.85.If the welded pipe has undergone 100% radiographic testing (X-ray/RT),its design pressure can be treated as equivalent to that of seamless pipes (factor of 1.0).
Why is the elongation requirement for 253MA welded pipes so high (40%)?
High-temperature equipment is subject to significant thermal expansion and contraction.High elongation indicates that the material has excellent ductility,enabling it to absorb thermal stresses caused by sudden temperature changes and prevent pipe fractures resulting from stress concentration.
Physical Properties of Welded 253MA Pipe
Density:7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³)
Melting Range:1370 – 1430°C (2500 – 2605°F)
Specific Heat:500 J/kg·°C
Poisson’s Ratio:0.30
Magnetic Permeability:1.01,non-magnetic
Thermal Properties of Welded 253MA Pipe
Thermal Properties Overview
The high silicon (Si) and rare earth metal (cerium) content in 253MA allows it to form a dense,protective oxide layer that remains stable even under cyclic heating and cooling.| Property | Value at 20°C (68°F) | Value at 800°C (1472°F) | Value at 1000°C (1832°F) |
| Thermal Conductivity | 15 W/m·K | 25.5 W/m·K | 29 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat | 500 J/kg·K | 650 J/kg·K | 700 J/kg·K |
| Mean CTE (20°C to T) | 17.0 × 10-6/K | 18.5 × 10-6/K | 19.5 × 10-6/K |
Manufacturing Process for Welded 253MA Pipe
The manufacturing of welded 253MA pipe follows a precision-controlled process to ensure the alloy’s unique chemical balance—specifically the nitrogen and cerium content—remains intact to provide high-temperature stability.
Raw Material Preparation
Inspect the original high-quality 253MA hot-rolled or cold-rolled steel strip (coil) or steel plate to ensure it complies with the ASTM A240 or EN 10088-2 standards.
Slitting or milling the edges of the steel strip to precisely match the width requirements for the target pipe diameter.
Cold Forming
The flat strip is fed into a series of forming rolls.These rolls gradually bend the steel into a cylindrical shape.For 253MA steel,the forming process must be precise,as the high nitrogen content of this alloy makes it slightly harder than standard 304 stainless steel.
Welding
TIG Welding:
Commonly used for thinner walls,it produces clean,high-quality welds.
PAW:
Used to achieve deeper penetration on thicker walls.
Filler Metal:
Unlike some stainless steels,253MA typically requires a compatible filler metal (such as 22.12.HT) to ensure that the weld has the same oxidation resistance and creep strength as the base material.
Weld Bead Removal
Remove excess weld metal from both the inside and outside of the pipe to create a smooth surface.For 253MA material,this is critical to preventing stress concentrations during high-temperature expansion.
Heat Treatment
The welded pipe is heated to approximately 1050°C – 1150°C (1920°F – 2100°F) and then rapidly quenched in water or air.
This dissolves any carbides,restores a fully austenitic microstructure,and ensures uniform distribution of cerium and silicon to achieve maximum oxidation resistance.
Sizing and Straightening
After heat treatment,the pipe may slightly distort.It is passed through a sizing mill to achieve the exact outer diameter and then a straightening machine to ensure it meets API or ASTM tolerances.
Finishing and Inspection
Pickling & Passivation:
Removing the dark oxide scale from the heat treatment to ensure a clean surface.
NDT (Non-Destructive Testing):
Eddy Current or Hydrostatic testing to check for leaks or weld defects.
X-Ray (Radiography):
Used if the pipe is intended for high-pressure service (achieving a joint efficiency of 1.0).
Can 253MA welded pipes be welded using standard welding materials?
Not recommended.To ensure that the weld has the same oxidation and creep resistance as the base material,compatible welding consumables must be used,such as Avesta 253 MA or Grade 22.12.HT.Using 309 or 310 welding consumables will cause the weld to become a weak point at high temperatures.
Can 253MA welded pipe be used as a substitute for 310S?
Yes,and it’s usually a better choice.253MA has a lower nickel content and is more cost-effective.However,due to the addition of nitrogen,its creep strength at high temperatures is typically twice that of 310S.
How does it perform in sulfur-containing environments?
253MA performs exceptionally well in oxidative environments.However,in strongly reducing or high-sulfide environments,since it still contains approximately 11% nickel,it is recommended to conduct a specific operating condition assessment first.
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