Indian Steel Pipe and tube Terms & Terminologies!

Any steel pipe supplier or manufacturer quote/ catalogue comes along with numerous abbreviations, terms and terminologies and we rarely do realize that a better understanding of it will help us to select better quality of steel pipes and tubes and make sound decisions.
Here’s a quick guide to brush up some of the most commonly used terms and terminologies.
Ductility
It’s a measure of a material’s ability to undergo significant plastic deformation before rapture occurs. 
Brittle
It’s the tendency of the material to fracture or fail upon the application of a relatively small force.
Tensile Strength
It’s the maximum amount of stress a metal can hold until the necking occurs.

Yield Strength
Maximum stress that steel can take before it will take plastic deformation (Cannot return to the original shape) Understanding pipe sizes and pipe schedules

Pipe Schedule
It’s  the way pipe thickness is mentioned, ASME committee has introduced pipe schedule number to simplify the purchase of pipes and standardize it across.
Schedule Number
It’s the approximate value of expression 1000 * p/s
P = Service pressure
S = Allowable stress
Allowable stress is constant for a given temperature and service pressure only varies from pipe to pipe, for instance Schedule 40 can withstand a certain amount of pressure. Greater the schedule number, greater the thickness of the pipe.

Nominal Pipe Size (NPS)  & Outer Diameter (OD)
Nominal Pipe Size is the number that defines the size of pipe. For NPS 14 and above usually OD is considered to be the same as NPS.
 
Abbreviations
Some of the common abbreviations in our industry and what they actually represent (Full form)
ASTM –  American Standards for Testing MaterialsBSR –  Boiler Standards Regulation
ASME – American Society for Mechanical Engineers
ISI – Indian Standards Institute
API –  American Petroleum Institution
About Madras Steels:
From the humble beginnings back in the year 1988, Madras Steels & Tubes has reinvented the idea of traditional Pipe & Tube suppliers in India delivering standard and customized piping and tubing solutions in Galvanized steel, mild steel, stainless steel, Seamless, ERW/SAW, Boiler Tubes, CRCA Round tubes etc.,
We are a leading exporter/ importer/ authorized dealer for tubes and pipes with branches in cities like Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kochi, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Ahmedabad, and Delhi.

FAQs – Steel Pipe Terms and Terminologies

1. Why is it important to understand steel pipe terms and terminologies?

Understanding steel pipe terminology helps buyers and engineers make informed decisions, select the right specifications, and avoid costly procurement mistakes.

2. What is ductility in steel pipes?

Ductility refers to a material’s ability to undergo deformation without breaking, which is important for applications requiring flexibility and durability.

3. What does brittleness mean in steel materials?

Brittleness is the tendency of a material to fracture under stress without significant deformation, making it unsuitable for high-impact applications.

4. What is tensile strength in steel pipes?

Tensile strength is the maximum stress a steel pipe can withstand before failure, indicating its load-bearing capacity.

5. What is yield strength in steel pipes?

Yield strength is the stress level at which steel begins to deform permanently and cannot return to its original shape.

6. What is a pipe schedule and why is it important?

Pipe schedule refers to the thickness of the pipe wall, which determines its pressure handling capacity and suitability for different applications.

7. How is the schedule number of a pipe calculated?

The schedule number is calculated using the formula 1000 × (P/S), where P is service pressure and S is allowable stress.

8. What is Nominal Pipe Size (NPS)?

Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) is a standardized reference used to define pipe size, which may not directly represent the actual dimensions.

9. What is the difference between NPS and Outer Diameter (OD)?

NPS is a nominal reference size, while Outer Diameter (OD) is the actual measured diameter of the pipe, especially consistent for NPS 14 and above.

10. What are common abbreviations used in the steel pipe industry?

Common abbreviations include ASTM (American Standards for Testing Materials), ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), ISI (Indian Standards Institute), API (American Petroleum Institute), and BSR (Boiler Standards Regulation).