ASTM B161-05(2019)

Standard Specification for Nickel Seamless Pipe and Tube

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the standard requirements for nickel (UNS N02200) and low-carbon nickel (UNS N02201) in the form of cold-worked seamless pipe and tube. The material shall conform to the specified chemical composition limits for nickel, copper, iron, manganese, carbon, silicon, and sulfur which shall be determined by chemical analysis. Tension test shall be performed; wherein, the tensile properties for the material specified as small-diameter and light-wall tube shall be in conformity with the tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation requirements. Each pipe or tube shall also be subjected to nondestructive electric test or hydrostatic test in accordance with a referenced ASTM document to determine the allowable fiber stress for the annealed and stress-relieved materials.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification2 covers nickel (UNS N02200)3 and low-carbon nickel (UNS N02201)3 in the form of cold-worked seamless pipe and tube in the conditions shown in Table 1 and Table X1.1.  
1.1.1 Hot-worked material is available. Properties are to be agreed upon between the manufacturer and purchaser.  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2019
• ICS: 77.150.40 - Nickel and chromium products
• Technical Committee: B02 - Nonferrous Metals and Alloys
• Drafting Committee: B02.07 - Refined Nickel and Cobalt and Their Alloys

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM B161-05(2014) - Standard Specification for Nickel Seamless Pipe and Tube
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Refers: ASTM B829-19 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Nickel and Nickel Alloys Seamless Pipe and Tube
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Refers: ASTM B829-18 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Nickel and Nickel Alloys Seamless Pipe and Tube
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2018
• Refers: ASTM B829-04a(2017) - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Nickel and Nickel Alloys Seamless Pipe and Tube
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2017
• Refers: ASTM B829-04a(2009) - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Nickel and Nickel Alloys Seamless Pipe and Tube
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2009
• Refers: ASTM B829-04a - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Nickel and Nickel Alloys Seamless Pipe and Tube
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2004
• Refers: ASTM B829-04 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Nickel and Nickel Alloys Seamless Pipe and Tube
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2004
• Refers: ASTM B829-99 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Nickel and Nickel Alloys Seamless Pipe and Tube
• Effective Date: 10-May-1999
• Referred By: ASTM E747-18 - Standard Practice for Design, Manufacture and Material Grouping Classification of Wire Image Quality Indicators (IQI) Used for Radiology
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Referred By: ASTM B366/B366M-23 - Standard Specification for Factory-Made Wrought Nickel and Nickel Alloy Fittings
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Referred By: ASTM E1647-16(2022) - Standard Practice for Determining Contrast Sensitivity in Radiology
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019

Overview

ASTM B161-05(2019): Standard Specification for Nickel Seamless Pipe and Tube provides internationally recognized requirements for cold-worked seamless pipe and tube made from nickel (UNS N02200) and low-carbon nickel (UNS N02201). Developed by ASTM International, this standard ensures that nickel alloy piping products are manufactured with consistent chemical compositions and mechanical properties, making them suitable for demanding industrial environments. ASTM B161 is widely utilized in industries that require corrosion-resistant and high-performance piping, such as chemical processing, power generation, and marine engineering.

Key Topics

• Material Coverage: Specifies seamless pipe and tube manufactured from nickel and low-carbon nickel in various conditions, including annealed and stress-relieved.
• Chemical Composition: Requires conformity to specified limits for nickel, copper, iron, manganese, carbon, silicon, and sulfur. Chemical analysis procedures ensure material purity and consistency.
• Mechanical Properties: Sets minimum requirements for tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation based on the condition and size of the pipe or tube. Provides mechanical properties for both standard and small-diameter, light-wall tubing.
• Testing Procedures:
  • Tension Tests: Verifies mechanical properties according to specified values.
  • Nondestructive Electric or Hydrostatic Tests: Ensures the structural integrity and leak resistance of each pipe or tube.
• Dimensional Tolerances: Outlines permissible variations in outside diameter, wall thickness, and ovality, particularly for small-diameter and light-wall converter-size tubing.
• Ordering Guidance: Lists critical parameters purchasers must specify, such as UNS designation, condition, dimensions, finish, quantity, and required certifications to guarantee product suitability for end use.

Applications

ASTM B161 seamless nickel pipe and tube are preferred in applications where superior corrosion resistance and high mechanical strength are essential. Common uses include:

• Chemical Processing: Suitable for conveying corrosive chemicals due to excellent resistance to acids, alkalis, and neutral salts.
• Power Generation: Used in heat exchangers, condensers, and boilers where resistance to high temperatures and corrosive environments is critical.
• Oil and Gas: Employed in refinery and offshore installations for transporting aggressive fluids and gases.
• Pharmaceuticals & Food Processing: Ensures product purity and system reliability because of nickel’s inert and non-reactive nature.
• Marine Engineering: Used in piping systems exposed to seawater and harsh weather conditions.

The standard’s recognized requirements for both seamless tubing and pipe enable its adoption in safety-critical and high-integrity systems, satisfying industry codes and regulatory demands.

Related Standards

Several ASTM and international standards complement or relate to ASTM B161 in the manufacturing and acceptance of nickel seamless pipe and tube:

• ASTM B829: General Requirements for Nickel and Nickel Alloys Seamless Pipe and Tube - provides additional guidance on manufacture and testing.
• ASME SB-161: Equivalent specification for boiler and pressure vessel code applications.
• ASTM B163: Covers seamless tubes for heat exchanger and condenser service.
• ASTM B725: Specification for welded, unannealed nickel and nickel alloy pipe.

Keywords: ASTM B161, nickel seamless pipe, nickel seamless tube, UNS N02200, UNS N02201, nickel alloy pipe, low-carbon nickel tube, nondestructive testing, hydrostatic test, corrosion-resistant piping.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:B161 −05 (Reapproved 2019) Used in USNRC-RDT Standards
Standard Specification for
Nickel Seamless Pipe and Tube
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B161; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. General Requirement
2 3
1.1 This specification covers nickel (UNS N02200) and
3.1 Material furnished under this specification shall con-
low-carbon nickel (UNS N02201) in the form of cold-worked form to the applicable requirements of Specification B829
seamless pipe and tube in the conditions shown in Table 1 and
unless otherwise provided herein.
Table X1.1.
1.1.1 Hot-worked material is available. Properties are to be
4. Ordering Information
agreed upon between the manufacturer and purchaser.
4.1 It is the responsibility of the purchaser to specify all
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
requirements that are necessary for the safe and satisfactory
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
performance of material ordered under this specification.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
Examples of such requirements include, but are not limited to,
and are not considered standard.
the following:
4.1.1 Alloy name or UNS number.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1.2 ASTM designation and year of issue.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1.3 Condition (see Appendix X2).
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1.4 Finish (see Appendix X2).
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.1.5 Dimensions:
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1.5.1 Tube—Specify outside diameter and nominal or
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
minimum wall.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.1.5.2 Pipe—Specify standard pipe size and schedule.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 4.1.5.3 Length—Cut to length or random.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 4.1.6 Quantity—Feet or number of pieces.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 4.1.7 Hydrostatic Test or Nondestructive Electric Test—
Specify test (see 6.2).
2. Referenced Documents
4.1.8 Hydrostatic Pressure Requirements—Specify test
2.1 ASTM Standards: pressure if other than required by Specification B829.
B829 Specification for General Requirements for Nickel and
4.1.9 Certification—State if certification is required.
Nickel Alloys Seamless Pipe and Tube 4.1.10 Samples for Product (Check) Analysis—State
whether samples for product (check) analysis should be fur-
nished (see 5.2).
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B02 on
4.1.11 Purchaser Inspection—If purchaser wishes to wit-
Nonferrous Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
B02.07 on Refined Nickel and Cobalt and Their Alloys.
ness tests or inspection of material at place of manufacture, the
Current edition approved April 1, 2019. Published April 2019. Originally
purchase order must so state indicating which tests or inspec-
approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 20014 as B161 – 05 (2014).
tions are to be witnessed.
DOI: 10.1520/B0161-05R19.
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications see related Specifi- 4.1.12 Small-Diameter and Light-Wall Tube (Converter
cation SB-161 in Section II of that Code.
Sizes)—See Appendix X1.
New designation established in accordance with Practice E527 and SAE J1086,
Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys (UNS).
5. Chemical Composition
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.1 The material shall conform to the composition limits
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
specified in Table 2.
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B161−05 (2019)
TABLE 1 Mechanical Properties
Yield Strength (0.2 % offset), min, psi Elongation in 2 in. or 50 mm (or
Tensile Strength, min, psi (MPa)
(MPa) 4 D), min, %
Condition and Size
Low-Carbon
Nickel (UNS Low-Carbon Nickel Nickel (UNS Low-Carbon Nickel Nickel (UNS
Nickel (UNS
N02200) (UNS N02201) N02200) (UNS N02201) N02200)
N02201)
Annealed:
5 in. (127 mm) and under 55 000 (380) 50 000 (345) 15 000 (105) 12 000 (80) 35 35
outside diameter
Over 5 in. (127 mm) in 55 000 (380) 50 000 (345) 12 000 (80) 10 000 (70) 40 40
outside diameter
Stress-Relieved:
All sizes 65 000 (450) 60 000 (415) 40 000 (275) 30 000 (205) 15 15
TABLE 2 Chemical Requirements
8. Number of Tests
Composition,%
8.1 Chemical Analysis—One test per lot.
Low-Carbon
Element
Nickel
Nickel
(UNS N02200) 8.2 Tension—One test per lot.
(UNS N02201)
A
Ni, min 99.0 99.0
8.3 Hydrostatic or Nondestructive Electric Test—Eachpiece
Cu, max 0.25 0.25
in each lot.
Fe, max 0.40 0.40
Mn, max 0.35 0.35
C, max† 0.15 0.02
9. Test Methods
Si, max 0.35 0.35
S, max 0.01 0.01
9.1 Hydrostatic Test—Each pipe or tube with an outside
A
Element shall be determined arithmetically by difference.
diameter ⁄8 in. (3 mm) and larger and with wall thickness of
0.015in.(0.38mm)andovershallbetestedinaccordancewith
†Corrected editorially.
Specification B829. The allowable fiber stress, for material in
5.2 If a product (check) analysis is performed by the the condition furnished, is as follows:
purchaser, the material shall conform to the product (check)
UNS N02200 UNS N02201
Annealed:
analysis variations in Specification B829.
5 in. (127 mm) outside 10 000 psi (70 MPa) 8000 psi (55 MPa)
diameter and under
6. Mechanical and Other Properties
Over 5 in. outside diam- 8000 psi (55 MPa) 6700 psi (45 MPa)
eter
6.1 Tension Test—The material shall conform to the tensile
Stress-Relieved:
properties specified in Table 1. The sampling and specimen
All sizes 16 200 psi (110 MPa) 15 000 psi (105 MPa)
preparation are as covered in Specification B829.
9.1.1 When so agreed upon by the manufacturer and
6.1.1 Tensile properties for material specified as small-
purchaser, pipe or tube may be tested to 1 ⁄2 times the
diameter and light-wall
...