ASTM A312 TP321H Stainless Steel Seamless Pipe Pickeld and Annealed

ASTM A312 is an American Society for Testing and Materials standard entitled "Seamless and Welded Nominal Tubing of Austenitic Stainless Steel". It is one of the most fundamental and widely used standards in the field of stainless steel process piping. TP321H is a grade under the American standard. Compared to ordinary TP321, grade H has a lower limit requirement for carbon content of 0.04% to ensure higher creep strength and endurance strength at high temperatures. It is manufactured seamlessly through piercing and cold drawing/cold rolling, resulting in a uniform overall structure and stronger pressure resistance. Pickling is a critical post-treatment step in the surface treatment process.

ASTM A312 Stainless Steel Seamless Pipe Chemical Composition

The main role of Titanium: Within the sensitization temperature range of austenitic stainless steel (450°C - 850°C), carbon diffuses towards the grain boundaries. Without titanium, carbon combines with chromium to form chromium carbide, resulting in chromium depletion near the grain boundaries and thus inducing intergranular corrosion. The addition of titanium prevents this phenomenon, making TP321H particularly suitable for welded components and equipment operating at high temperatures.

The Significance of Pickling

The acid pickling process for stainless steel pipes typically involves immersing the pipe in a pickling solution composed of nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid. Through a chemical reaction, the oxide scale dissolves, exposing a uniform, silvery-white metallic substrate. The main purpose is to remove the oxide scale that forms on the stainless steel surface after high-temperature heat treatment, as well as trace contaminants embedded in the surface.

After removing the oxide scale through pickling, a complete, dense, and chromium-rich passivation film can be reformed on the steel pipe surface, thereby restoring the pipe's corrosion resistance. Simultaneously, the cleaned surface facilitates non-destructive testing such as liquid penetrant testing, allowing for clearer detection of surface cracks, folds, and other defects.

ASTM A312 TP321H Stainless Steel Seamless Pipe Mechanical Properties

ASTM A312 TP321H Stainless Steel Seamless Pipe Main Application

• Petrochemical Industry: Process piping for catalytic cracking units, reforming units, and heating furnaces, especially suitable for pipe sections requiring frequent welding.

• Power Generation (Thermal Power): Superheater and reheater piping in boilers, as well as high-temperature and high-pressure systems such as main steam piping.

• Thermal Engineering: Heat exchangers and high-temperature flue gas piping.

• Food and Pharmaceutical Industry: Due to its smooth, clean pickling surface and corrosion resistance, it can be used for certain process piping applications.