Stainless steel reducer

What is the ASTM A403?

ASTM A403 Stainless Steel Pipe Fittings refers to the material of forged and rolled austenitic stainless fittings for pressure pipes. Common grades are WP304/L, WP316/L. They can be used into many fields as engineering industry, energy conversion plants etc.

ASTM A403 Standard specification covers the standard for wrought austenitic stainless steel fittings for pressure piping applications.

ASTM A403 WP304L Stainless Steel Pipe Elbow

Premium quality ASTM A403 WP304L stainless steel pipe elbows for reliable plumbing connections.

A403 WPS304L Stainless Stub End

Durable A403 WPS304L stainless stub ends, designed for high-pressure applications.

90 Degree A403 Stainless Elbow

Precision-made 90-degree A403 stainless elbows for precise flow direction changes.

Chemical Composition (%) of ASTM A403

Notes:

For each reduction of 0.01% below the specified C maximum, an increase of 0.06% Mn above the specified maximum will be permitted, up to a maximum of 1.35%.

The sum of Cu, Ni, Cr, and Mo shall not exceed 1.00%.

The sum of Cr and Mo shall not exceed 0.32%.

The maximum carbon equivalent (C.E.) shall be 0.50, based on heat analysis and the formula C.E.=C+Mn/6+(Cr+Mo+V)/5+(Ni+Cu)/15.

Mechanical properties of ASTM A403

Material Furnished to this specification shall conform to the requirements of specifications A960/A960M including any supplementary requirements that are indicates in the purchase order. Failure to company with the common requirements of Specification A960/A960M constitutes non-conformance with this specification . In case of conflict between this specification and Specification A960/A960M , this specification shall prevail.

Material Furnished to this specification shall conform to the requirements of specifications A960/A960M including any supplementary requirements that are indicates in the purchase order. Failure to company with the common requirements of Specification A960/A960M constitutes non-conformance with this specification. In case of conflict between this specification and Specification A960/A960M , this specification shall prevail.

What grade of steel is ASTM A403?

The standard includes several grades of austenitic stainless steel alloys, and uses the WP or CR prefix to mark the grade of steel, depending on the applicable ASTM or MSS size and rated pressure standards. ASTM A403 is designed for forged steel pipe fittings, Cast pipe fittings are not suitable.

Special Features

Standard: ANSI B16.9 / 16.28, ASTM A53/A106, API 5L, ASME B36.10M---1996, DIN2605 / 2615 / 2616, JIS P2311/2312

Surface treatment: Transparent oil, rust-proof black oil or hot galvanized.

• Based on different materials, pipe reducers include carbon steel reducer, stainless steel reducer, and alloy steel reducer etc.
• Depending on their construction, pipe reducers contain threaded reducer, tapered reducer and anti-roll reducer etc.

Horizontal liquid reducers are usually eccentric, with a flat top that avoids the accumulation of air bubbles in the system. Eccentric reducers are used on the suction side of pumps to stop air trapping in the tubing. The gradual accumulation of air in a concentric reducer can result in a large bubble, causing the pump to stall or cavitation when drawn into the pump. Horizontal gas reducers are often eccentric with smooth bottoms, allowing condensed water or oil to drain at low stages.

Concentric Reducer vs Eccentric Reducer Differences

Concentric reducers are widely used while eccentric reducers are applied to maintain the top and bottom pipe level. Eccentric Reducers also avoids trapping of air inside the pipe, and Concentric Reducer removes noise pollution.

Manufacturing Process of Steel Pipe Reducer

There are versatile manufacturing processes for the reducers. These are made of welded pipes with the required filling material. However, EFW and ERW pipes cannot use the reducer. To manufacture forged parts, different kinds of methods are used including cold and hot forming processes. It includes the ‘Outer Die Method.’

Outer Dia Method

It is the most common method for manufacturing the steel pipe reducer. The pipe is cut and pressed in the outer die whereas, one end of the pipe is compressed into the smaller size. This method is fit for manufacturing small and medium-size reducers.

Connection Types of Pipe Reducer

Ranges from different connection types, pipe reducer could be classified with socket weld reducer and butt weld reducer.

Socket Weld Reducer vs Butt Weld Reducer

Socket weld reducer also called socket weld insert, it has three types 1, 2 and 3. Manufacturing standards comply to ASME B16.11.

The Socket Weld resists ½ of the strength of butt welding, so it is used for small-diameter pipes possessing a diameter of NPS 2 or less. Butt Weld has good strength, as it is suitable for high pressure and temperature pipelines.

Butt weld reducer ends in plan or beveled, manufactured in accordance with ASME B16.9 and welding process according ASME B16.25.

Pipe Reducer Material Types

• Carbon Steel Reducer vs Stainless Steel Reducer
  The reducers can be made of Carbon Steel, Alloy, or Stainless steel and much more. In comparison to the Stainless Steel Reducer, Carbon Steel Reducer possesses high-pressure resistance, higher strength, and wear resistant but this can be easily corroded.
• Carbon Steel Reducer material standards and grades
  A234 WPB, A420 WPL6, MSS-SP-75 WPHY 42, 46, 52, 56, 60, 65 and 70.
• For Stainless Steel Reducer
  ASTM A403 WP 304, 304L, A403, 316, 316L, 317, 317L, 321, 310 and 904L, etc.
• For Alloy Pipe Reducer A234 WP1, WP5, WP9, WP11, WP22, WP91 etc.

Welded Pipe Reducers

Butt weld fittings are available in concentric reducers and eccentric reducers to reduce the flow from one size of pipe to another.

• A concentric reducer butt weld fitting is symmetrical: both ends are aligned along the center.
• An eccentric reducer butt weld fitting is not symmetrical: ends are off center of one another.

We supply steel pipe reducer with below ranges

• Standard: ASME B16.9, DIN2615, JIS B2312, ASME B16.11
• Material: Carbon Steel ASTM A234 WPB,
• Alloy Steel ASTM A234 WP1, WP5, WP9, WP11, WP22
• Stainless Steel ASTM A403 304/316
• Types: Equal and Reducing
• Size Range: 1/2”x1/2”x1/4”-20”x20”x8”
• Wall thickness: Sch10, Sch40, Sch80
• Pressure Rations: 3000#, 6000#, 9000#
• Coating: Black Paint, Galvanized

Feature

The pipe reducer is one of the pipe fittings, which is used for connecting two pipes with varying diameters. A pipe reducer is used to change rate of fluids the flow through. Reducers are usually made by reducing pressing processes, or by expanding pressing processes or by both reducing and expanding pressing processes together, and we can also adopt stamping processes for reducers with some specifications. Reducers are categorized into types, Eccentric and Concentric Reducer. The pipe reducers are widely available in a various materials as per the demands of its applications and industries and also available in different dimensions too.

• Pipe reducer help to connect large diameter pipe with small diameter pipe.
• Noise and vibration are reduced by using these type of reducers.
• These reducers need a limited amount of setup space.
• The eccentric reducer absorbs sounds generated by the pipe wall as well as fluid tolerated.
• This reducers have the lowest amount of turbulence entrapment.

Size

Length of reducers

The length of a Reducer is very short in relation to the diameter, so in some dimensions the transition from one to another diameter is very abruptly. For example, a reducer 6″ x 2½” has a length of 140 mm. On this short distance a pipeline will be reduced from 168.3 mm O.D. to 73 mm O.D. During the design phase of a new pipe system, a piping designer certainly must think about it.

Standard

Pipe fitting dimensions are in either metric or Standard English.

Because pipe fitting covers Pipe Fitting Dimensions several aspects, only the most common pipe fitting sizes can be given here. The most applied version is the 90° long radius and the 45° elbow, while the 90° short radius elbow is applied if there is too little space. The function of a 180° elbow is to change direction of flow through 180°. Both, the LR and the SR types have a center to center dimension double the matching 90° elbows. These fittings will generally be used in furnesses or other heating or cooling units.

Some of the standards that apply to buttwelded fittings are listed below. Many organizations such as ASME, ASTM, ISO, MSS, etc. have very well developed standards and specifications for buttwelded fittings. It is always up to the designer to ensure that they are following the applicable standard and company specification, if available, during the design process.

Some widely used pipe fitting standards are as follows:

ASME: American Society for Mechanical Engineers
This is one of the reputed organizations in the world developing codes and standards.
The schedule number for pipe fitting starts from ASME/ANSI B16. The various classifications of ASME/ANSI B16 standards for different pipe fittings are as follows:

• ASME/ANSI B16.1 – 1998 – Cast Iron Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings
• ASME/ANSI B16.3 – 1998 – Malleable Iron Threaded Fittings
• ASME/ANSI B16.4 – 1998 – Cast Iron Threaded Fittings
• ASME/ANSI B16.5 – 1996 – Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings
• ASME/ANSI B16.11 – 2001 – Forged Steel Fittings, Socket-Welding and Threaded
• ASME/ANSI B16.14 – 1991 – Ferrous Pipe Plugs, Bushings and Locknuts with Pipe Threads
• ASME/ANSI B16.15 – 1985 (R1994) – Cast Bronze Threaded Fittings
• ASME/ANSI B16.25 – 1997 – Buttwelding Ends
• ASME/ANSI B16.36 – 1996 – Orifice Flanges etc.

ASTM International: American Society for Testing and Materials
This is one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world. It was originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

• ASTM A105/A105M – Specification for Carbon Steel Forgings for Piping Applications
• ASTM A234/A234M – Specification for Piping Fittings of Wrought Carbon Steel and Alloy Steel for Moderate and High Temperature Service
• ASTM A403/A403M – Specification for Wrought Austenitic Stainless Steel Piping Fittings
• ASTM A420/A420M – Standard Specification for Piping Fittings of Wrought Carbon Steel and Alloy Steel for Low-Temperature Service

AWWA: American Water Works Association

AWWA About – Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most important resource.

• AWWA C110 – Ductile-Iron and Gray-Iron Fittings, 3 Inch Through 48 Inch (75 mm Through 1200 mm), for Water and Other Liquids
• AWWA C208 – Dimensions for Fabricated Steel Water Pipe Fittings

ANSI: The American National Standards Institute

ANSI is a private, non-profit organization. Its main function is to administer and coordinate the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. It provides a forum for development of American national standards. ANSI assigns “schedule numbers”. These numbers classify wall thicknesses for different pressure uses.

MSS STANDARDS: Manufacturers Standardization Society
The Manufacturers Standardization Society (MSS) of the Valve and Fittings Industry is a non-profit technical association organized for development and improvement of industry, national and international codes and standards for: Valves, Valve Actuators, Valve Modification, Pipe Fittings, Pipe Hangers, Pipe Supports, Flanges and Associated Seals

• MSS SP-43 – Wrought Stainless Steel Butt-Welding Fittings Including Reference to Other Corrosion Resistant Materials
• MSS SP-75 – Specifications for High Test Wrought Buttwelding Fittings
• MSS SP-73 – Brazing Joints for Copper and Copper Alloy Pressure Fittings
• MSS SP-83 – Class 3000 Steel Pipe Unions, Socket-Welding and Threaded
• MSS SP-97 – Integrally Reinforced Forged Branch Outlet Fittings — Socket Welding, Threaded, and Buttwelding Ends
• MSS SP-106 – Cast Copper Alloy Flanges and Flanged Fittings Class 125,150, and 300
• MSS SP-119 – Factory-Made Wrought Belled End Socket Welding Fittings

Difference between “Standard” and “Codes”:

Piping codes imply the requirements of design, fabrication, use of materials, tests and inspection of various pipe and piping system. It has a limited jurisdiction defined by the code. On the other hand, piping standards imply application design and construction rules and requirements for pipe fittings like adapters, flanges, sleeves, elbows, union, tees, valves etc. Like a code, it also has a limited scope defined by the standard.

Factors affecting standards: “Standards” on pipe fittings are based on certain factors like as follows:

• Pressure-temperature ratings
• Size
• Design
• Coatings
• Materials
• Marking
• End connections
• Dimensions and tolerances
• Threading
• Pattern taper etc.

BSP: British Standard Pipe

BSP is the U.K. standard for pipe fittings. This refers to a family of standard screw thread types for interconnecting and sealing pipe ends by mating an external (male) with an internal (female) thread. This has been adopted internationally. It is also known as British Standard Pipe Taper threads (BSPT )or British Standard Pipe Parallel (Straight) threads (BSPP ). While the BSPT achieves pressure tight joints by the threads alone, the BSPP requires a sealing ring.

JIS: Japanese Industrial Standards

This is the Japanese industrial standards or the standards used for industrial activities in Japan for pipe, tube and fittings and published through Japanese Standards Associations.

NPT: National Pipe Thread

National Pipe Thread is a U.S. standard straight (NPS) threads or for tapered (NPT) threads. This is the most popular US standard for pipe fittings. NPT fittings are based on the internal diameter (ID) of the pipe fitting.

BOLTS & NUTS

We are manufacturer of Flange bolts & Nuts and supply high quality

• A193 = This specification covers alloy and stainless steel bolting material for pressure vessels, Valves, flanges, and fittings for high temperature or high pressure service, or other special purpose applications.
• A320 = Standard Specification for Alloy-Steel and Stainless Steel Bolting Materials for Low-Temperature Service.
• A194 = Standard specification for nuts in many different material types.

AN: Here, “A” stands for Army and “N” stands for Navy

The AN standard was originally designed for the U.S. Military. Whenever, a pipe fitting is AN fittings, it means that the fittings are measured on the outside diameter of the fittings, that is, in 1/16 inch increments.

For example, an AN 4 fitting means a fitting with an external diameter of approximately 4/16″ or ¼”. It is to be noted that approximation is important because AN external diameter is not a direct fit with an equivalent NPT thread.

Dash (-) size

Dash size is the standard used to refer to the inside diameter of a hose. This indicates the size by a two digit number which represents the relative ID in sixteenths of an inch. This is also used interchangeably with AN fittings. For example, a Dash “8” fitting means an AN 8 fitting.

ISO: International Organization for Standardization

ISO is the industrial pipe, tube and fittings standards and specifications from the International Organization for Standardization. ISO standards are numbered. They have format as follows:

“ISO[/IEC] [IS] nnnnn[:yyyy] Title” where

• nnnnn: standard number
• yyyy: year published, and
• Title: describes the subject

General standard

Wide variety for all areas of application

Delivery

Inspection

Visual Inspection is conducted on fittings to check any surface imperfections. Both fittings body and weld are checked for any visible surface imperfections such as dents, die marks, porosity, undercuts, etc. Acceptance as per applicable standard.

Packing

For packing of carbon steel flanges with painting,we would use the bubble wrap to protect the painting.For flanges without painting or oiled with long-term shipment,we would suggest client to use the anti-tarnish paper and plastic bag to prevent the rust.