Designation: A 984 – 98

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS

100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM

Standard Specification for

Steel Line Pipe, Black, Plain-End, Electric-Resistance-
Welded1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 984; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope ANSI/ASME B36.10M Welded and Seamless Wrought

1.1 This specification covers electric resistance welded, Steel Pipe4
black, plain-end-steel pipe for use in the conveyance of fluids 2.3 API Standard:
under pressure. Pipe in sizes NPS 1 to 26, inclusive, with API RP 5L3 Recommended Practice for Conducting Drop-
nominal wall thickness 0.750 in. (19 mm) or less, as given in Weight Tear Tests on Line Pipe5
ANSI-ASME B. 36.10M is included. Pipe having other 3. Terminology
dimensions, in this size range, may be furnished provided such
pipe complies with all other requirements of this specification. 3.1 Definitions—For terminology used in this specification,
1.2 It is intended that the pipe shall be capable of being see Terminologies A 919 and A 941.
circumferentially welded in the field when welding procedures 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
in accordance with the requirements of the applicable pipeline 3.2.1 electric resistance welding, n—electric resistance
construction code are used. welding is a process of forming a longitudinal seam wherein
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound units or in SI the edges are pressed together mechanically after the heat for
(metric) units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within welding has been generated by the resistance to the flow of
the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values in each electric current.
system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall 3.2.2 lot, n—a quantity of pipe of the same ordered
be used independently of the other, without combining values diameter, heat, wall thickness, and grade as show in Table 1.
in any way. 3.2.3 specified OD, n—the outside diameter shown in
ANSI/ASME B36.10M.
2. Referenced Documents
4. General Requirements
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing 4.1 Material furnished under this specification shall
of Steel Products2 conform to the applicable requirements of Specification of A
A 450/A 450M Specification for General Requirements for 530/A 530M unless otherwise provided herein.
Carbon, Ferritic Alloy and Austenitic Alloy Steel Tubes2 5. Ordering Information
A 530/A 530M Specification for General Requirements for
Specialized Carbon and Alloy Steel Pipe2 5.1 It is the purchaser’s responsibility to specify in the
A 751 Test Methods, Practices and Terminology for purchase order all information necessary to purchase the
Chemical Analysis of Steel Products3 needed material. Examples of such information include, but are
A 919 Terminology Relating to Heat Treatment of Metals3 not limited to, the following:
A 941 Terminology Related to Steel, Stainless Steel, 5.1.1 Specification designation,
Related Alloys and Ferroalloys3 5.1.2 Quantity (feet or meters),
2.2 ANSI Standard: 5.1.3 Grade (see Table 2 or 8.6),
5.1.4 Size (either nominal (NPS) or outside diameter and
wall thickness),
5.1.5 Length,
5.1.6 End finish, plain-end beveled or special, (see Section
16),
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-1 on Steel,
Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
4
A01.09 on Carbon Steel Tubular Products. Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St. 13th
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 1998. Published September 1998. Floor, New York, NY 10036.
2 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.01. Available from the American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L Street NW,
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.02. Washington, DC 20005.

1
 A 984
TABLE 1 Lot Size and Sample Size for Mechanical and 7.5 All analyses shall be in accordance with Test Methods,
Toughness Testing Practices, and Terminology A 751, and shall include all
Size Designation Lot Size Sample Size elements required in the carbon equivalent equation of 7.3, in
<NPS2 50 tons or fraction thereof 1 addition to titanium, phosphorus, sulfur, and boron.
NPS 2 through NPS 5 400 lengths 1 7.6 If one or both of the product analyses representing a heat
NPS 6 through NPS 12 200 lengths 1
>NPS 12 100 lengths 1 fails to conform to the specified requirements, the heat shall be
rejected, or analyses shall be made on double the original
number of test samples that failed, each of which shall conform
TABLE 2 Tensile Requirements
to the specified requirements.
Grade Yield Strength Yield StrengthA Tensile Strength
Min psi MPa Max psi MPa Min psi MPa 8. Tensile Requirements
35 35 000 245 70 000 450 60 000 415
45 45 000 315 72 000 500 65 000 450
8.1 The material shall conform to the requirements for
55 55 000 380 80 000 520 70 000 485 tensile properties shown in Table 2 and in 8.6. The yield
65 65 000 450 85 000 570 75 000 520 strength maxima apply only to NPS 8 and larger.
80 80 000 550 97 000 670 90 000 625
8.2 The yield strength corresponding to a total extension
A
See 8.1. under load of 0.5 % of the gage length shall be determined.
8.3 A test specimen taken across the weld shall show a
5.1.7 End use of the material,
tensile strength not less than the minimum tensile strength
5.1.8 Special requirements,
specified for the grade of pipe required. Neither yield strength
5.1.9 Supplementary requirements, and
nor elongation determinations are required for transverse weld
5.1.10 Bar coding.
specimens. This test is not required for pipe under NPS 8.
6. Manufacture 8.4 Transverse tension tests shall be performed on NPS 8
6.1 Pipe shall be manufactured by the electric resistance and larger and the specimens shall be taken opposite the weld.
welding process. The weld seam and its heat affected zones All transverse test specimens shall be approximately 1 1⁄2 in.
shall receive either a normalizing heat treatment or a (38 mm) wide in the gage length and shall represent the full
continuous in-line heat treatment above the Ac3 temperature. wall thickness of the pipe from which the specimen was cut.
Complete penetration and coverage of the weld and the weld 8.5 For pipe smaller than NPS 8, longitudinal tests shall be
heat affected zone by this heat treatment shall be confirmed by performed. Such tests shall be either strip specimens taken 90°
periodic metallographic examination of weld area cross-section from the weld or full section specimens, at the option of the
specimens. manufacturer.
6.2 The internal and external flash resulting from the 8.6 Grades intermediate to those shown in Table 2 may be
welding process shall be removed, in accordance with the furnished. The maximum yield strength range of such grades
requirements of 17.1 and 17.2. shall be the same as the next higher listed grade. The tensile
strength of intermediate grades shall be higher than the yield
7. Chemical Composition strength by the same amount as the next higher grade shown in
7.1 The steel for any grade shall contain no more than Table 2. The minimum elongation in 2 in. [50 mm] for all
0.22 % carbon, 0.015 sulfur, and 0.025 phosphorus by heat and grades shall be that determined by the following equation:
product analysis. A0.2
7.2 The steel shall contain no more than 0.0005 boron. e 5 C 0.9 (2)
U
7.3 The carbon equivalent (CE) shall not exceed .40,
calculated from the product analysis using the following where:
equation: e 5 minimum elongation in percent rounded to the nearest

CE 5 C 1 F F Mn Si Cu Ni Cr 1 Mo 1 V 1 Cb
6 1 24 1 15 1 20 1 5 G (1)
0.05 %,
C 5 constant 5 625 000 (1942.57),
A 5 cross-sectional area of the tensile test specimen in in.2,
Where: mm2, based on specified outside diameter or nominal
F is a compliance factor that is dependent on the carbon specimen width and specified wall thickness rounded
content as shown below: to the nearest 0.01 in.2[6.5 mm2]. If the area thus
Carbon Content, % F Carbon Content, % F
calculated is greater than 0.75 in.2[485 mm2] the value
< 0.06 0.53 0.15 0.88 of 0.75 in.2[485 mm2] shall be used.
0.06 0.54 0.16 0.92
0.07 0.56 0.17 0.94
U 5 specified minimum tensile strength, psi [MPa]
0.08 0.58 0.18 0.96
0.09 0.62 0.19 0.97 9. Fracture Toughness Requirements
0.10 0.66 0.20 0.98
0.11 0.70 0.21 0.99
9.1 Charpy V-Notch Testing:
0.12 0.75 0.22 1.00 9.1.1 All pipe shall be Charpy V-notch tested in accordance
0.13 0.80 with Test Methods A 370, except as shown in 9.1.2. For pipe
0.14 0.85
smaller than NPS 5, such tests shall be longitudinal, taken 90°
7.4 Product analyses shall be made on at least two samples from the weld. For pipe NPS 5 and larger, the tests shall be
from each heat of steel. transverse, taken 90° from the weld.
2
 A 984
9.1.2 The basic specimen is full size Charpy V-Notch. where:
Where full size specimens, either conventional or containing H 5 distance between flattening plates, in. [mm],
the original OD surface, cannot be obtained due to a t 5 specified wall thickness, in. [mm], and
combination of diameter and wall thickness, two-thirds size, D 5 specified outside diameter, in. [mm].
half-size, or one-third size specimens shall be used. Where
combinations of diameter and wall do not permit the smallest 11. Hydrostatic Test
specimen size, there is no requirement for fracture toughness. 11.1 Each length of pipe shall be subjected to the
In all cases, the largest possible specimen size shall be used, hydrostatic test without leakage through the wall.
except where such a specimen size will result in energy values 11.2 Each length of pipe NPS 2 or larger shall be tested, by
greater than 80 % of the testing machine capacity. the manufacturer, to a minimum hydrostatic pressure
9.1.3 When specimens smaller than full size are used the calculated from the following relationship:
requirements of 9.1.4 shall be adjusted by one of the following St
U.S. Customary P52 D3C (6)
relationships:
2 St
For 3 size: N 5 R 3 0.67 (3) Metric: P52000D3C

1 where:
For 2 size: N 5 R 3 0.50
S 5 specified minimum yield strength, psi [MPa],
1 t 5 specified wall thickness, in. [mm],
For 3 size: N 5 R 3 0.33 D 5 specified outside diameter, in. [mm],
C 5 0.60 for pipe NPS 2 through NPS 5,
where: 0.75 for pipe larger than NPS 5 through NPS 8,
N 5 adjusted value, and 0.85 for pipe larger than NPS 8 through NPS 18,
R 5 calculated value from 9.1.4. 0.90 for pipe larger than NPS 18, and
9.1.4 Fracture toughness requirements are calculated from P 5 minimum hydrostatic test pressure.
the equation shown below for pipe NPS 5 through NPS 26. 11.3 For pipe sizes smaller than NPS 2 the test pressures
Values calculated by this equation as less than 15 ft/lb [20 J] shown in Table 3 are arbitrary. For pipe in sizes smaller than
shall be taken as 15 ft/lb [20 J]. For pipe smaller than NPS 5, NPS 2 with wall thicknesses lighter than those shown, the test
the requirement for fracture toughness is 15 ft/lb [20 J] for full pressure for the next heavier wall shall be used. For
size specimens. intermediate diameters smaller than NPS 2, the test pressures
CV ~fullsize! 5 Cx=DxS1.5 (4)
shown for the next smaller diameter shall be used.
11.4 When computed test pressures are not an exact
where: multiple of 10 psi [100 kPa], they shall be rounded to the
D 5 outside diameter, in. [mm], nearest 10 psi [100 kPa].
S 5 0.72 3 minimum specified yield strength, ksi [MPa], 11.5 The minimum hydrostatic test pressure required to
C 5 constant 0.024 (.0003538), and satisfy these requirements need not exceed 3000 psi [20 700
CV 5 minimum average value required, ft/lb [J]. kPa]. This does not prohibit testing at a higher pressure at the
9.1.5 The factor of 0.72 as shown in 9.1.4 may be increased manufacturer’s option. The hydrostatic test pressure shall be
by agreement between purchaser and manufacturer. maintained for not less than 5 s for all sizes.
9.1.6 All Charpy testing shall be performed at 32°F (0°C),
12. Nondestructive Electric Test
or lower as agreed upon between purchaser and manufacturer.
12.1 The weld seam of each length of pipe NPS 2 or larger
9.1.7 Each Charpy impact test shall exhibit at least 75 %
shall be inspected using a nondestructive electric test as
shear area average for the three specimens.
follows:
12.2 Ultrasonic and Electromagnetic Inspection—Any
10. Weld Ductility Test (Flattening Test)
10.1 The weld ductility shall be determined by tests on full TABLE 3 Hydrostatic Test Pressure
section specimens of 2 in. [50 mm] minimum length. The NPS OD in. (mm) Wall Thickness in. Test Pressure psi
specimens shall be flattened cold between parallel plates. The Designator [mm] [kPa]
(min)
weld shall be placed at 90° and at 0° from the direction of
applied force (point of maximum bending). No crack or breaks 1 1.315 (33.4) 0.133 (3.38) 700 (4800)
0.179 (4.55) 850 (5900)
exceeding 1⁄8 in. [3 mm] in any direction in the weld or in the 0.250 (6.35) 950 (6600)
parent metal shall occur on the outside surface until the 0.358 (9.09) 1000 (6900)
1 1⁄4 1.660 (42.2) 0.140 (3.56) 1300 (9000)
distance between the plates is less than the value of H in the
0.191 (4.85) 1900 (13 100)
following equation. Cracks that originate at the edge of the 0.250 (6.35) 2000 (13 800)
specimen and that are less than 0.025 in. [6.4 mm] shall not be 0.382 (9.70) 2300 (15 900)
1 1⁄2 1.900 (48.3) 0.145 (3.68) 1300 (9000)
cause for rejection: 0.200 (5.08) 1900 (13 100)
3.05t 0.281 (7.14) 2000 (13 800)
H5 (5) 0.400 (10.16) 2300 (15 900)
~.05 1 3 t/D!

3
 A 984
equipment utilizing the ultrasonic or electromagnetic principles TABLE 4 Acceptance Limits
and capable of continuous and uninterrupted inspection of the Type of Notch Size of Hole Acceptance Limit
weld seam shall be used. The equipment shall be checked with Signal %
in. mm
an applicable reference standard as described in 12.3 at least
N10, V10 ⁄
18 3.2 100
once every 8 h of inspection to demonstrate the effectiveness of B,P 80
the inspection procedures. The equipment shall be adjusted to
produce well-defined indications when the reference standard
is scanned by the inspection unit in a manner simulating the 12.5 Surface condition, operator qualification, extent of
inspection of the product. The location of the equipment shall examination and standardization procedure shall be in
be at the manufacturer’s option. accordance with the provisions of Specification A 450.
12.3 Reference Standards—Reference standards shall have
the same diameter and thickness as the product being inspected 13. Number of Tests
and may be of any convenient length as determined by the pipe
13.1 For pipe produced from coils, the weld-ductility test
manufacturer. Reference standards shall be either full sections
shown in Section 10 shall be performed on pipe from each end
or coupons taken from the pipe. Reference standards shall
of the coil length. In the event of a weld stop, the test shall be
contain machined notches as shown in Fig. 1, one on the inside
performed on each pipe end adjacent to the weld stop. For pipe
surface and one on the outside surface, or a drilled hole as
produced in single lengths, the test shall be performed on each
shown in Fig. 1, at the option of the pipe manufacturer. The
end of each length.
notches shall be parallel to the weld seam, and shall be
13.2 Tensile and toughness testing shall be performed on a
separated by a distance sufficient to produce two separate and
lot basis with the lot size and sample sizes as shown in Table
distinguishable signals. The 1⁄8 in. (3.2 mm) drilled hole shall
1.
be drilled through the wall and perpendicular to the surface of
the reference standard as shown in Fig. 1. Care should be taken 14. Dimensions and Weights
in the preparation of the standard to ensure freedom from fins
or other edge roughness, or distortion of the pipe. 14.1 The dimensions and weights of pipe included in this
specification are shown in ANSI/ASME B36.10M. The weight
NOTE 1—The reference standards defined in 12.3 are convenient of pipe having intermediate diameter, or wall thickness, or
standards for calibration of nondestructive testing equipment. The both, shall be calculated by the equation shown in 15.1.
dimensions of these standards should not be construed as the minimum
size imperfection detectable by such equipment.
15. Permissible Variation in Weight and Dimensions
12.4 Acceptance Limits—Table 4 gives the height of 15.1 Weight—The weight of a single length of pipe shall not
acceptance limit signals in percent of the height of signals vary more than +10 %, -3.5 % from its theoretical weight. Pipe
produced by reference standards. Imperfections in the weld weights not listed in ANSI/ASME B36.10M shall be calculated
seam that produce a signal greater than the acceptance limit from the following equation:
given in Table 4 shall be considered defects unless the pipe U.S. Customary
manufacturer can demonstrate that the imperfection does not
reduce the effective wall thickness to below 92 % of the W 5 t ~D 2 t! 3 10.69 (7)
specified wall thickness. Metric

FIG. 1 Reference Standards

4
 A 984
W 5 t ~D 2 t! 3 0.02466 (8) TABLE 6 Depth of Groove Tolerance
Specified Wall Thickness (t) Maximum Depth of Groove
where:
0.150 in. [3.8 mm] or less 0.10t
D 5 specified outside diameter, in. [mm], 0.151 in. [3.8 mm] to 0.301 in. [7.6 mm] 0.015in.[0.4mm]
t 5 specified wall thickness, in. [mm], and 0.301 in. [7.6 mm] or greater 0.05t
W 5 weight, lb/ft [kg/m].
The weight of any order item shall not be less than 1.75 % NOTE 2—It is acceptable for the outside diameter at the point of
under its theoretical weight. grinding to be reduced by the amount so removed. When imperfections or
defects are removed by grinding, a smooth curved surface shall be
15.2 Wall Thickness—The minimum wall thickness at any
maintained, and the wall thickness shall not be decreased below that
point shall not be more than 8 % under the specified wall permitted by this specification. The outside diameter at the point of
thickness. grinding may be reduced by the amount so removed.
15.3 Length—Unless otherwise agreed upon between the
17.3.2 The section of the pipe containing the defect shall be
purchaser and the manufacturer, pipe shall be furnished in the
cut off within the requirements for length.
nominal lengths and within the tolerances shown in Table 5, as
17.3.3 The length shall be rejected.
specified.
17.4 Wall thickness measurements shall be made with a
15.4 Diameter—Pipe sizes NPS 20 and smaller shall permit
mechanical caliper or with a properly calibrated nondestructive
the passage over the ends, for a distance of 4 in. [100 mm] of
testing device of appropriate accuracy. In case of a dispute, the
a ring gage that has a bore diameter no larger than the specified
measurement determined by the use of a mechanical caliper
diameter plus the diameter plus tolerance. Diameter
shall govern.
measurements of pipe larger than NPS 20 shall be made with
17.5 Repairs of the weld seam or pipe body, by welding, are
a diameter tape. Diameter measurements, away from the ends,
not permitted.
of pipe NPS 20 and smaller, shall be made with a snap gage,
17.6 Pipe smaller than NPS 4 shall be reasonably straight.
caliper, or other device that measures actual diameter in a
All other pipe shall be randomly checked for straightness.
single plane.
Deviation from a straight line shall not exceed 0.2 % of the
16. End Finish length.
17.7 The pipe shall contain no dents greater than 10 % of
16.1 Pipe furnished to this specification shall be plain-end
the specified diameter or 1⁄4 in. [6.4 mm], whichever is smaller,
beveled with ends beveled to an angle of 30°, +5°, -0°,
measured as the gap between the lowest point of the dent and
measured from a line drawn perpendicular to the axis of the
a prolongation of the original contour of the pipe. Cold formed
pipe, and with a root face of 1⁄16 in. [1.6 mm] 6 1⁄32 in. [0.8
dents deeper than 1⁄8 in. [3.2 mm] shall be free of sharp bottom
mm], or other plain end configurations furnished by agreement
gouges. The gouges may be removed by grinding provided the
between the purchaser and the manufacturer.
remaining wall thickness is within specified limits. The length
17. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance of the dent in any direction shall not exceed one half the pipe
diameter.
17.1 The depth of groove resulting from the removal of the
internal flash shall not be greater than that shown in Table 6 for 18. Certification
the various wall thicknesses. Depth of groove is defined as the 18.1 When specified in the purchase order or contact, the
difference between the wall thickness measured approximately purchaser shall be furnished certification that samples
1 in. [25 mm] from the weld line and the remaining wall under representing each lot have been either tested or inspected as
the groove. directed in this Specification and the requirements have been
17.2 The external flash shall not extend above the surface of met. When specified in the purchase order or contact, a report
the pipe by more than 0.010 in. [0.25 mm]. of the test results shall be furnished.
17.3 Surface imperfections that penetrate more than 8 % of 19. Product Marking
the nominal wall thickness or encroach on the minimum wall
thickness shall be considered defects. Pipe with defects shall be 19.1 Each length of pipe shall be marked legibly by
given one of the following dispositions: stencilling to show the specification number, the name or brand
17.3.1 The defect shall be removed by grinding, provided of the manufacturer, ERW, the grade, wall thickness, diameter,
that a smooth curved surface remains and the remaining wall heat number or heat code and the length, except as allowed in
thickness is within specified limits. 19.2. The length shall be marked in feet and tenths of a foot, or
meters to two decimal places, as applicable.
19.2 Pipe NPS 1 1⁄2 and smaller that is bundled, all of the
TABLE 5 Tolerance on Lengths required markings may be included on a tag, which is fastened
Nominal Length Minimum Length Minimum Average Maximum Length securely to each bundle.
Length for Each
Order Item
19.3 In addition to the requirements of 19.1 and 19.2, bar
ft m ft m ft m ft m coding is acceptable as a supplementary identification method.
20 6 9.0 2.74 17.5 5.33 22.5 6.86 The purchaser may specify in the order a specific bar coding
40 12 14.0 4.27 35.0 10.67 45.0 13.72 system to be used.
50 15 17.5 5.33 43.8 13.35 55.0 16.76
60 18 21.0 6.40 52.5 16.00 65.0 19.81 20. Keywords
80 24 28.0 8.53 70.0 21.34 85.0 25.91
20.1 black steel pipe; electric resistance welded; line pipe
5
 A 984

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

The following supplementary requirements shall apply only when specified in the purchase order.

S1. Drop Weight Tear Testing S1.2 The temperature selected for conducting the drop
S1.1 The drop weight tear test shall be conducted in weight tear test and the criteria for acceptance shall be
accordance with API RP5L3. specified by the purchaser.

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if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible
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views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428.