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Is A-53 Type S fully replaced by A-106? Low Si Sulfidation

Is A-53 Type S fully replaced by A-106? Low Si Sulfidation

Is A-53 Type S fully replaced by A-106? Low Si Sulfidation

(OP)
Greetings fellow engineers,

Some of you may be familiar with the problem low silicon (<0.1%) carbon steel presents in sulfidation services: unpredictable (and possibly much higher) uniform corrosion rates.

Fortunately, A-106 has a minimum Silicon spec of 0.10%, which eliminates the concern of accelerated corrosion. Unfortunately, however, A-53 does not have a minimum Silicon spec, so the possibility exists that A-53 material put in high temperature services can experience this problem. And as you know, A-53 looks just like A-106 piping once installed.

One possibility is to PMI these services to determine Silicon content. This will certainly have to be done on older piping, with low silicon piping that is identified being replaced with A-106.

On "newer" piping, however, I'm hoping that it might be simpler--I have seen on internet fabrication sites that A-53 Type S (seamless) has been discontinued and A-106 is used in its place.

My question is simple: 1. Is it true that A-53 Type S is no longer fabricated, and if so, 2. is this officially documented somewhere and 3. when did this occur (i.e what year did they stop making A-53 S)?

Knowing this with a high degree of certainty would allow me to potentially eliminate retro-PMI of newer piping installed after xx year, as well as avoid PMI of new carbon steel piping going into these sulfidation services which would be otherwise required to ensure that A-53 is not installed accidentally.

Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated!

x/0

x/0

RE: Is A-53 Type S fully replaced by A-106? Low Si Sulfidation

As far as I know in my dealings with vendors and ASME B&PV Code, seamless grades of ASTM A 53 and ASME SA 53 are still being produced. This pipe material is for general purpose and should not have been selected for sulfidation service. When piping is being replaced at your facility, it should be ordered based on service conditions and not assuming a particular grade will be discontinued or unavailable.

RE: Is A-53 Type S fully replaced by A-106? Low Si Sulfidation

For the most part, seamless carbon steel pipe is stamped A/SA-53, A/SA-106, API 5LB & API 5LX-42.

RE: Is A-53 Type S fully replaced by A-106? Low Si Sulfidation

(OP)
Thanks for the thoughtful responses. Yes, you are both correct: A-106 should be used in sulfidation service and a-53 should be easily identified as not meeting spec since it is stamped.

However, given the criticality, most folks in industry will have to resort to PMI verification (unless MTR paper work can be traced back to that particular part) similar to how 316ss and 304ss are handled, for example. They look the same, and PMI is required to ensure the correct material is actually installed.

So I guess there is no truth to the A-53 being obsolete rumor.

x/0

RE: Is A-53 Type S fully replaced by A-106? Low Si Sulfidation

Quote:

So I guess there is no truth to the A-53 being obsolete rumor.

Correct.

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