ASME SA material in B31.3 piping
ASME SA material in B31.3 piping
(OP)
Hi Everyone,
I couldn't any previous discussions on this issue. The question is: Can we use ASME SA material (for instance, SA-106B instead of A-106B) in B31.3 piping? Is this can be done? If so, what changes shall be followed during design process? What allowable stress values (from Section II or Appendix A of B31.3) do we need to use? Anything else do we need to be aware of?
It is for Normal fluid service, 3" x Sch 40 Natural Gas line.
Thanks,
Curtis
I couldn't any previous discussions on this issue. The question is: Can we use ASME SA material (for instance, SA-106B instead of A-106B) in B31.3 piping? Is this can be done? If so, what changes shall be followed during design process? What allowable stress values (from Section II or Appendix A of B31.3) do we need to use? Anything else do we need to be aware of?
It is for Normal fluid service, 3" x Sch 40 Natural Gas line.
Thanks,
Curtis





RE: ASME SA material in B31.3 piping
RE: ASME SA material in B31.3 piping
Thanks for quick response.
As I said, it is 3" natural gas line going to 50 MMBTU/hr burner. Gas pressure is 45 psig, which is well below class 150 flanges rating.
Do I need to do calculations or stress analysis for this one? It is ambient temperature.
Thanks,
Curtis
RE: ASME SA material in B31.3 piping
RE: ASME SA material in B31.3 piping
I think, on this particular case it seems it doesn't make a difference. Now, lets changes a bit our conditions. We have 600F Thermal Oil System, with Class 150 flanges on it. Line sizes are from 1" x Sch80 to 14" x Sch40. And someone decided that it is better to use SA-106B material on B31.3 piping. I have the following questions:
1. What stress values are we going to use for calculations and stress analysis? SA-106B Section II ( 17.1 ksi) or A106B B31.3 (changes from 20 to 17.9 ksi).
2. How about SA-234 WPC Section II (17.1 ksi) or B31.3 (changes from 23.3 to 17.9)?
3. How about flanges SA105N vs. A105N? Are they going to have the same rating from B16.5?
Thanks,
Curtis
RE: ASME SA material in B31.3 piping
Is SA-106B is considered really "Unlisted" or not? Certainly, you can't find this material in Appendix A of B31.3. However, there is A106B, and as we know it SA-106 is identical to A106 according to Section II.
I'm not trying to ask these tricky questions. I want just to understand what is best course of action in these circumstances.
Thanks,
Curtis
RE: ASME SA material in B31.3 piping
Yes, it could be more expensive to buy SA-106B instead of A106B. Do you know what is premium for SA material in this case? Is it 10% more, 25% more, or 40% more?
I have seen dual certified material SA-106B/A-106B. I think, it should be SA material, which manufacturer decided to add A certification in order to deal with this kind of stupid situations. Am I right?
Thanks,
Curtis
RE: ASME SA material in B31.3 piping
Typically, SA-material is driven by BPV Code requirements; I'd avoid it if you're not dealing with BPV Code piping (unless you just have a pile laying around about to be thrown out).
RE: ASME SA material in B31.3 piping
RE: ASME SA material in B31.3 piping
Without the extra cost, I won't mind to use dual certified SA/A material. Otherwise, why to pay extra if A material is acceptable for the service.
RE: ASME SA material in B31.3 piping
Material for Sec III is different, the documentation requirements cost more than the material in most cases. And often the quantities are very low, which adds more cost.
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube
RE: ASME SA material in B31.3 piping
Thanks for your feedback. Let's decide, for the sake of argument, SA-106B material was already purchased. If it was SA-106B/A-106B dual certified material, there will not be any question, all is straightforward. Let's assume that it is single certified material to SA-106B. Questions are:
1. Is this material can be used for B31.3 pipe? Under what conditions?
2. Is it Listed material or Unlisted?
3. For code calculations and stress analysis what values shall be used? Is it from Section II, Part D, Table 1A or is it from Appendix A, Table A-1?
Regards,
Curtis
RE: ASME SA material in B31.3 piping
you can't pick and choose mixing rules.
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube
RE: ASME SA material in B31.3 piping
323.1.2 Unlisted Materials. Unlisted materials may be used provided they conform to a published specification covering chemistry, physical and mechanical properties, method and process of manufacture, heat treatment, and quality control, and otherwise meet the requirements of this Code. Allowable stresses shall be determined in accordance with the applicable allowable stress basis of this Code or a more conservative basis
I don't see why the SA106B would not be allowed.
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube
RE: ASME SA material in B31.3 piping
RE: ASME SA material in B31.3 piping
Do you have other opinion on this subject.
Thanks,
Curtis
RE: ASME SA material in B31.3 piping
RE: ASME SA material in B31.3 piping
Thanks,
Curtis