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Pipe Inspection, Testing & Marking

Product Analysis – Chemical & Mechanical Testing of Pipe
During manufacturing, different types of pipe inspection and testing are done to
ensure the quality of the pipes.

Metallurgical Tests

Metallurgical Tests confirm that the chemical requirements of pipe are as per the
material standard.

 Metallurgical Tests are normally known as Micro and Macro pipe inspection &
testing.
 Micro Analysis or Chemical Analysis of
 Raw material
 Product
 And Weld ensures that all the alloying elements are within the range as
specified in the material standard
 Macro Analysis for Weld will check proper fusion of weld material with pipe
material.

There are some Special pipe inspection tests also carried out on the material when it is
going to be used in aggressive environments. These tests will ensure that pipe material
is able to withstand in such aggressive environments also. Some of the tests are

 Grain size (AS & SS)

 IGC- Intergranular Corrosion Test(SS)
 Ferrite (SS)
 HIC- Hydrogen-induced Cracking
 SSC- Sulfide Stress Corrosion Cracking

These tests are performed when it is asked by the purchaser in his specification.

Destructive test

The mechanical / Destructive test type of pipe inspection confirms the mechanical
requirements of pipe are as per the material standard.
 In Destructive Testing- a sample from the pipe is cut to performed tests

 The tensile test is done to check yield and ultimate tensile of the pipe. If
required by the purchaser or by standard high or low-temperature tensile test
are also performed.
 Bend test / Guided bend test are used to check integrity of weld joint
 Flattening test examines ability of plastic deformation in pipe
 Impact test / Charpy V-Notch Test, check the ability of material to withstand
under low-temperature conditions
 Creep test is done to check long term effect of temperature under constant
load.

pipe-destructive-testing

Pipe Inspection – Hydro Test, NDT, Visual and

Dimension
To ensure product quality, during and after the production certain pipe inspection and
non-destructive testing are performed on the body & weld of the pipe. These
pipe inspection will check whether any physical defects are present in the pipe/weld,
which may affect its performance during the service. These testing are

 Flux leakage examination or Magnetic flaw detection

 Eddy current
 Ultrasonic – can be done on full body or only for weld seam
 Radiography (Only for Weld)
 Magnetic particle test for pipe ends & weld seam
 And Positive Material Identification.
Hydrotest of Pipe

Hydrostatic Test or Hydrotest of pipe is carried out to

 Ensure that pipe is 100% leak proof

 It also ensures the ability of pipe to withstand under pressure
 Hydro test pressure is calculated based on equation given in ASTM A530,

P = 2St/D or S = PD/2t

 P = hydrostatic test pressure in psi or Mpa,

 S = pipe wall stress in psi or Mpa,
 t = specified nominal wall thickness, nominal wall thickness corresponding to
specified ANSI schedule number, or 1.143 times the specified minimal wall
thickness, in. [mm], and
 D = specified outside diameter, outside diameter corresponding to specified
ANSI pipe size, or outside diameter calculated by adding 2t (as defined above) to
the specified inside diameter, in. [mm].

Holding time for the hydro test is minimum 5 sec as per ASTM A530. Pressure is
monitored by the computerizing system. For welded pipe inspection, the test pressure
should be held for a time, sufficient to permit the inspector to examine the entire
length of the welded seam. Hydrostatic test can be waived under certain conditions as
set in the ASTM standard
pipe-hydro-test

Pipe Visual Inspection

 Visual Inspection is one of the most effective inspection method used to check
overall product quality. During the visual inspection, you will check for overall
product finish. You will check for surface imperfections such as mechanical marks,
lamination, tears or any other visual imperfections and also check weld defects
such as porosity, undercuts, uneven weld bead, and excess or under fill of weld
material. Acceptance of these imperfections is as per applicable ASTM standard

Pipe Dimension Inspection

 Dimension inspection of the pipe is carried out based on the Dimension Standard,
final dimension of the pipe must confirm the following standard or it should be as
specified in purchaser’s specification.
 For Welded and Seamless Wrought Steel Pipe dimensional requirements are
cover in ASME B36.10
 For Stainless Steel Pipe dimensional requirements are cover in ASME B36.19

During dimensional inspection, following to be confirmed with standard

 Diameter
 Length
 Thickness
 Straightness
 Ovality &
 Weight

Permissible Variations depends on manufacturing standard.

 pipe dimension check
Tolerances for Pipe Outside Diameter

NOMINAL PIPE NOMINAL PIPE CARBON CARBON STAINLESS

SIZE SIZE STEEL STEEL STEEL

NPS DN ASTM A53M ASTM ASTM A999M

A106M

⅛ to 1½ 6 to 40 ±0.4 mm ±0.4 mm +0.4 / -0.8 mm

NOMINAL PIPE NOMINAL PIPE CARBON CARBON STAINLESS

SIZE SIZE STEEL STEEL STEEL

Over 1½ to 4 Over 40 to 100 ±1% ±0.8 mm ±0.8 mm

Over 4 to 8 Over 100 to 200 ±1% +1.6 / -0.8 mm +1.6 / -0.8 mm

Over 8 to 18 Over 200 to 450 ±1% +2.4 / -0.8 mm +2.4 / -0.8 mm

Over 18 to 26 Over 450 to 650 ±1% +3.2 / -0.8 mm +3.2 / -0.8 mm

Over 26 to 34 Over 650 to 850 ±1% +4.0 / -0.8 mm +4.0 / -0.8 mm

Over 34 to 48 Over 850 to 1200 ±1% +4.8 / -0.8 mm +4.8 / -0.8 mm

Tolerances for Pipe Wall Thickness

NOMINAL PIPE NOMINAL PIPE STAINLESS

CARBON STEEL
SIZE SIZE STEEL

NPS DN ASTM A53M & 106M ASTM

A312M

6 to 65 ⅛ to 2½ -12.5% minimum +20.0 / -

12.5%
 NOMINAL PIPE NOMINAL PIPE STAINLESS
CARBON STEEL
SIZE SIZE STEEL

3 to 18, t/D ≤ 5% 80 to 450, t/D ≤ 5% -12.5% minimum +22.5 / -

12.5%

3 to 18, t/D > 5% 80 to 450, t/D > 5% -12.5% minimum +15.0 / -

12.5%

20 and over - welded 500 and over - welded -12.5% minimum +17.5 / -

12.5%

20 and over - 500 and over - -12.5% minimum +22.5 / -

seamless, t/D ≤ 5% seamless, t/D ≤ 5% 12.5%

20 and over - 500 and over - -12.5% minimum +15.0 / -

seamless, t/D > 5% seamless, t/D > 5% 12.5%

t = nominal wall D = ordered outside (maximum wall thickness

thickness diameter limited only by mass)

Tolerances for Pipe Mass/weight

The mass of all carbon steel pipe and seamless stainless steel pipe is limited to +10%
and a minus limit that varies depending on size – refer to standards for more details.

Straightness Tolerances for Pipe

The carbon steel pipe standards require only that “the finished pipe shall be reasonably
straight”.
ASTM A312M (in ASTM A999M) requires welded stainless steel pipe to be straight to
within 3.2 mm over 3.0 m lengths. Generally, thumb rule is that 1 mm per meter is
acceptable. However, most purchaser clearly specified a maximum acceptable limit for
straightness.
Pipe Marking Inspection

Once the pipe is cleared all test and inspection, it is marked as per the standard
requirements

 Following shall be marked on pipe

 Manufacturer logo
 ASTM material code
 Material Grade
 Size
 Thickness- schedule no.
 Length
 Heat No
 Special marking WR for weld repair or NH for the non-hydro tested pipe.
 These Marking can be done by paint or by Hard punching
 For stainless steel, pipe stenciling is also used

Please note that

 For carbon steel no hard punching below 6 mm thickness

 For stainless steel no hard punching below 12 mm thickness

Pipe Packing Inspection

To prevent the damage during transportation, pipe ends are covered with a cap. Spider
supports at the end of the pipe are also installed in Large diameter pipe to protect
circularity of pipe.
pipe-packing
Supplementary Requirements for Pipe Inspection

Supplementary requirements are optional that purchaser has to specify along with
purchase requisition. Mainly these requirements are related to additional testing of the
product such as low-temperature tensile, transverse tensile, restriction on Carbon
Equivalent, etc.

Each standard lists these requirements at the end of the standard product
requirements.

Refer Table for Supplementary requirements of ASTM A106 & ASTM A312,

ASTM A106 ASTM A312

Product Analysis Product Analysis

Transverse Tension Test Transverse Tension Test

Flattening Test, standard Flattening Test

Flattening Test, Enhanced Etching Tests

Metal Structure and Etching Test Radiographic

Examination
ASTM A106 ASTM A312

Carbon Equivalent Stabilizing Heat

Treatment

Heat Treated Test Specimens Intergranular Corrosion

Test

Internal Cleanliness–Government Orders Minimum Wall Pipe

Requirements for Carbon Steel Pipe for Hydrofluoric Acid Weld Decay Test

Alkylation Service