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An American National Standard

Designation: A 270 – 02a

Standard Specification for

Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Sanitary
Tubing1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 270; 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.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope * SAE J1086 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys

1.1 This specification covers grades of seamless and welded (UNS)5
austenitic stainless steel sanitary tubing intended for use in the 3. Terminology
dairy and food industry and having special surface finishes.
Pharmaceutical quality may be requested, as a supplementary 3.1 Definition:
requirement. 3.1.1 roughness average, Ra, n—arithmetic average surface
1.2 This specification covers tubes in sizes up to and roughness normally reported in microinches or microns; a
including 12 in. (304.8 mm) in outside diameter. measurement of surface roughness usually performed by mov-
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded ing a stylus in a straight line along the surface, although other
as the standard. methods may be used.
1.4 Optional supplementary requirements are provided, and 4. Ordering Information
when one or more of these are desired, each shall be so stated
in the order. 4.1 Orders for material under this specification should
include the following, as required, to describe the desired
2. Referenced Documents material adequately:
2.1 ASTM Standards: 4.1.1 Quantity (feet, metres, or number of lengths),
A 262 Practices for Detecting Susceptibility to Intergranu- 4.1.2 Name of material (seamless or welded tubes),
lar Attack in Austenitic Stainless Steels2 4.1.3 Size (outside diameter and average wall thickness),
A 1016/A 1016M Specification for General Requirements 4.1.4 Length (specific or random),
for Ferritic Alloy Steel, Austenitic Alloy Steel, and Stain- 4.1.5 Surface finish (Section 13),
less Steel Tubes 3 4.1.6 Optional requirements (product analysis, see Section
A 480/A 480M Specification for General Requirements for 9; hydrostatic or nondestructive electric test, see Section11).
Flat Rolled Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel Plate, Sheet, 4.1.7 Test report required (Certification Section of Specifi-
and Strip2 cation A 1016/A 1016M),
A 967 Specification for Chemical Passivation Treatments 4.1.8 Specification designation,
for Stainless Steel Parts2 4.1.9 Special requirements, and
E 527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys (UNS)3 4.2 Any supplementary requirements.
2.2 ASME Standard: 5. General Requirements
B46.1 Surface Texture (Surface Roughness, Waviness, and
Lay)4 5.1 Material furnished under this specification shall con-
2.3 Other Standard: form to the applicable requirements of the current edition of
Specification A 1016/A 1016M, unless otherwise provided
herein.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys, and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee 6. Manufacture
A01.10 on Stainless and Alloy Steel Tubular Products. 6.1 The tubes shall be made by the seamless or welded
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 2002. Published December 2002. Originally
approved in 1944. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as A 270 – 02.
process.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.01.
4 5
Available from ASME International, Three Park Avenue, New York, NY Available from Society of Automotive Engineers, 400 Commmonwealth Drive,
10016–5990. Warrendale, PA 15096.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

1
 NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
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A 270 – 02a
6.2 At the manufacturer’s option, tubing may be furnished shall be at the option of the manufacturer, unless otherwise
either hot finished or cold finished. specified in the purchase order.

7. Heat Treatment 12. Permissible Variations in Dimensions

7.1 All material shall be furnished in the heat-treated 12.1 The following variations in dimensions shall apply:
condition. The heat treatment procedure, except for N08926 12.1.1 For tubes with a specified wall thickness of 0.049 in.
and N08367, shall consist of heating the material to a minimum (1.24 mm) and greater, variations in outside diameter from
temperature of 1900°F (1040°C) and quenching in water or those specified shall not exceed the amount prescribed in Table
rapid cooling by other means. 2. For tubes with a specified wall thickness less than 0.049 in.
7.2 N08926 shall be heat-treated to a minimum temperature (1.24 mm), the diameter tolerances shall be a matter for
of 2010°F [1100°C] followed by quenching in water or rapidly agreement by the manufacturer and the purchaser.
cooling by other means. UNS N08367 should be solution 12.1.2 When tubing >4 in. (101.6 mm) outside diameter is
annealed from 2025°F (1107°C) minimum followed by rapid ordered, additional ovality may be required for thin wall
quenching. tubing. Thin wall tubing applies when the specified wall is less
than 0.150 in. (3.81 mm). When thin wall tubing is ordered, the
8. Chemical Composition maximum and minimum outside diameter at any cross section
8.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements as to shall deviate from the specified outside diameter by no more
chemical composition as prescribed in Table 1. than twice the permissible variation in outside diameter given
in Table 2; however, the mean diameter at that cross section
9. Product Analysis must still be within the given permissible variation.
9.1 When specified on the purchase order, a product analy- 12.1.3 The wall thickness at any point shall not vary more
sis of either one billet (when seamless material is supplied) or than 12.5 %, from the specified wall thickness.
one coil (when welded product is supplied), or from each of 12.1.4 Variations in length shall meet the requirements in
two finished tubes per heat shall be supplied. The product Table 2, except when the Pharmaceutical Quality Tubing
analysis tolerance of Specification A 480/A 480M shall apply. (Supplementary Requirement S2) is specified.
9.2 If the analysis of one of these test specimens does not
conform to the requirements specified, an analysis of two 13. Surface Finishes
billets or two lengths of flat-rolled stock from the same heat or 13.1 The following surface finishes may be specified:
an analysis of two tubes from the same lot may be made, each 13.1.1 Mill Finish— A finish without additional polishing or
of which shall conform to the requirements specified. operations intended to smooth the surface.
13.1.2 Mechanically Polished Surface Finish—The pur-
10. Mechanical Tests Required chaser may specify one of the following finish numbers for a
10.1 Reverse Flattening Test—For welded tubes, one re- mechanically polished surface:
verse flattening test shall be made on a specimen from each 13.1.2.1 Finish No. 80—A ground finish produced by pol-
1500 ft (457 m) of finished tubing. ishing a tube with an abrasive media impregnated with No. 80
grit.
11. Hydrostatic or Nondestructive Electric Test 13.1.2.2 Finish No. 120—A ground finish produced by
11.1 Each tube shall be subjected to the nondestructive polishing a tube with an abrasive media impregnated with No.
electric test or the hydrostatic test. The type of test to be used 120 grit.

TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements

Element Grade TP 304 TP 304L ... TP 316 TP 316L ... ...
UNS S30400 S30403 S31254 S31600 S31603 N08926 N08367
DesignationA
Composition, %
Carbon, max 0.08 0.035B 0.020 0.08 0.035B 0.020 0.030
Manganese, 2.00 2.00 1.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00
max
Phosphorus, 0.045 0.045 0.030 0.045 0.045 0.030 0.040
max
Sulfur, max 0.030 0.030 0.010 0.030 0.030 0.010 0.030
Silicon, max 1.00 1.00 0.80 1.00 1.00 0.50 1.00
Nickel 8.0–11.0 8.0–12.0 17.5–18.5 10.0–14.0 10.0–14.0 24.0–26.0 23.5–25.5
Chromium 18.0–20.0 18.0–20.0 19.5–20.5 16.0–18.0 16.0–18.0 19.0–21.0 20.0–22.0
Molybdenum ... ... 6.0–6.5 2.00–3.00 2.00–3.00 6.0–7.0 6.0–7.0
NitrogenC ... ... 0.18–0.22 ... ... 0.15–0.25 0.18–0.25
Copper ... ... 0.50–1.00 ... ... 0.50–1.5 0.75 max
A
New designation established in accordance with ASTM E 527 and SAE J 1086.
B
For small diameter or thin walls or both, where many drawing passes are required, a carbon maximum of 0.040 % is necessary in grades TP304L and TP316L. Small
outside diameter tubes are defined as those less than 0.500 in. (12.7 mm) in outside diameter and light wall tubes as those less than 0.049 in. (1.24 mm) in average wall
thickness (0.044 in. (1.12 mm) in minimum wall thickness).
C
The method of analysis for nitrogen shall be a matter of agreement between the purchaser and manufacturer.

2
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A 270 – 02a
TABLE 2 Permissible Variations in Dimensions
Size, Outside Permissible Variations in Outside Permissible Variations in Cut
Diameter, Diameter, in. (mm) Length, in. (mm)A
in. (mm)
Over Under Over Under
1.000 (25.4) and under 0.005 (0.13) 0.005 (0.13) ⁄ (3.2)
18 0
1 1⁄2(38.1) to 2 (50.8) 0.008 (0.20) 0.008 (0.20) 1⁄8(3.2) 0
2 1⁄2(63.5) to 3 (76.8) 0.010 (0.25) 0.010 (0.25) 1⁄8(3.2) 0
Over 3 (76.2) to 4 (101.6), excl. 0.015 (0.38) 0.015 (0.38) 1⁄8(3.2) 0
Over 4 (101.6) to 5 1⁄2 (139.7), excl 0.015 (0.38) 0.015 (0.38) 3⁄16(4.8) 0
5 1⁄2(139.7) to 8 (203.2), excl 0.030 (0.76) 0.030 (0.76) 3⁄16(4.8) 0
8 (203.2) to 12 (304.8) 0.050 (1.27) 0.050 (1.27) 3⁄16(4.8) 0
A
The cut tolerances do not apply to Pharmaceuitical Tubing in S2 (see paragraph S2.7).

13.1.2.3 Finish No. 180—A ground finish produced by 13.2.1.2 Circumferential (Rotary) Polished Finish—This
polishing a tube with an abrasive media impregnated with No. can be performed on either the inside surface, outside surface,
180 grit. or both.
13.1.2.4 Finish No. 240—A ground finish produced by 13.2.1.3 When the surface is finished by circumferential
polishing a tube with an abrasive media impregnated with No. mechanical polishing, the Ra measurement shall be measured
240 grit. in the longitudinal direction. Roughness measurement of a
13.1.2.5 Other mechanically polished finishes may be longitudinal mechanical polished surface shall be a matter of
agreed upon between the purchaser and manufacturer. agreement between the manufacturer and the purchaser.
13.1.3 Electropolished Finish—A bright reflective finish 13.3 Acceptance criteria for minor surface imperfections
produced by electropolishing. The manufacturer may use other shall be a matter for agreement by the manufacturer and the
polishing operations prior to electropolishing. purchaser.
13.1.4 Maximum Roughness Average (Ra) Surface Finish— 13.4 Combinations of the above finishes for internal and
The customer may specify a maximum Ra on the inside external surfaces may be specified. When tubes are polished on
surface, outside surface, or both. The measurement of surface one surface only, the other surface may be the regular mill
roughness shall be in accordance with ASME B46.1. finish.
13.1.4.1 When no agreement is made regarding Ra mea-
surement of longitudinally polished tube, disputes shall be 14. Product Marking
resolved using measurements made in accordance with ASME
B46.1. 14.1 In addition to the marking prescribed in Specification
13.2 The manufacturer shall select a manufacturing method A 1016/A 1016M and specified in the order, the marking shall
to produce the specified finish. The operations may or may not include whether the tubing is seamless or welded, and the
include polishing. surface finish.
13.2.1 The purchaser may specify the polishing type for
either the inside surface, outside surface or both for the final 15. Packaging
desired effect. 15.1 Unless otherwise specified in the order, all tubing shall
13.2.1.1 Longitudinally Polished Finish— It is usually per- be protected for shipment by bundling, paper or burlap
formed on the inside surface only. wrapping, or boxing at the discretion of the manufacturer.

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A 270 – 02a
16. Keywords
16.1 austenitic stainless steel; seamless steel tube; stainless
steel tube; steel tube; welded steel tube

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

The following supplementary requirements shall apply only when specified by the purchaser in the
inquiry, contract, or order.

S1. Intergranular Corrosion Test S2.4.2 One flange test shall be made on specimens from
S1.1 When specified on the order, intergranular corrosion each end of one finished tube, not the one used for the
tests shall be performed by the manufacturer on specimens flattening test, from each lot (see Note S2.2).
representative of the as-shipped condition. Tubes shall be S2.5 Finish:
capable of passing intergranular corrosion tests in the as- S2.5.1 Requirements for surface finish shall be stated on the
shipped condition. Tests shall be performed in accordance with purchase order.
Practice E of Practices A 262. S2.6 Packaging:
S2.6.1 Unless the customer specified otherwise, all tubing
S2. Pharmaceutical Quality Tubing shall be end capped, plastic sleeved, and boxed.
S2.1 Chemistry: S2.7 Permissible Variations in Dimensions:
S2.1.1 When S31600 and S31603 are ordered, sulphur
S2.7.1 The wall thickness shall not vary from the specified
content shall be restricted to the range of 0.005 to 0.017 %.
wall thickness by more than 10 %.
S2.2 Tensile Requirements:
S2.2.1 The material shall conform to the tensile require- S2.7.2 The cut length shall not vary over the specified
ments in Table S2.1. length by more than 2 in. (50.8 mm) or less than 0 in. (0 mm).
S2.2.2 Tensile Test—One tension test shall be made on a NOTE S2.1—For tension and hardness test requirements, the term lot
specimen of lots not more than 50 tubes. Tension tests shall be applies to all tubes prior to cutting, of the same nominal diameter and wall
made on specimens from two tubes for lots of more than 50 thickness that are produced from the same heat of steel. When final heat
tubes (see Note S2.1). treatment is in a batch-type furnace, a lot shall include only those tubes of
the same size and the same heat that are heat treated in the same furnace
S2.3 Hardness Requirements:
charge. When the final heat treatment is in a continuous furnace, a lot shall
S2.3.1 The hardness shall meet the requirements in Table include all tubes of the same size and heat, annealed in the same furnace
S2.1. at the same temperature, time at heat, and furnace speed.
S2.3.2 Rockwell hardness tests shall be made on specimens NOTE S2.2—For flattening and flange requirements, the term lot applies
from two tubes from each lot (see Note S2.1). to all tubes prior to cutting of the same nominal size and wall thickness
S2.4 Manipulation Tests: that are produced from the same heat of steel. When final heat treatment
S2.4.1 One flattening test shall be made on specimens from is in a batch-type furnace, a lot shall include only those tubes of the same
each end of one finished tube, not the one used for the flange size and from the same heat that are heat treated in the same furnace
charge. When the final heat treatment is in a continuous furnace, the
test, from each lot (see Note S2.2).
number of tubes of the same size and from the same heat in a lot shall be
determined from the size of the tubes as prescribed in Table S2.2.
TABLE S2.1 Tensile and Hardness Requirements
Tensile Yield
Elongation
Rockwell S3. Chemical Cleaning (Passivation)
UNS Strength Strength Hardness
Grade in 2 in. S3.1 When specified on the purchase order, the tubing shall
Designation min, ksi min, ksi Number,
min, %
(MPa) (MPa) max. be chemically cleaned in accordance with a chemical treatment
TP304 S30400 75 (515) 30 (205) 35 B90 listed in Specification A 967 following the final polishing
TP304L S30403 70 (485) 25 (170) 35 B90 operation. When tubing is supplied in an unpolished condition,
TP316 S31600 75 (515) 30 (205) 35 B90
TP316L S31603 70 (485) 25 (170) 35 B90 the cleaning shall be performed after the final finishing
operation.

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A 270 – 02a
TABLE S2.2 Number of Tubes in a Lot Heat Treated by the
Continuous Process
Size of Tube Size of Lot
2 in. [50.8 mm] and over in outside not more than 50 tubes
diameter and 0.200 in. [5.1 mm] and
over in wall thickness

Less than 2 in. [50.8 mm] but over 1 in. not more than 75 tubes
[25.4 mm] in outside diameter or over 1
in.[25.4 mm] in outside diameter and
under 0.200 in. [5.1 mm] in wall
thickness

1 in. [25.4 mm] or less in outside not more than 125 tubes
diameter

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This section identifies the location of changes to this specification that have been incorporated since the last
issue, A 270–02.

(1) Modified OD tolerances to 4 inch and less to match the (3) Elininated Table S2.3, as it is no longer required.
requirements of S2. (4) Remove Table S2.3 from Note S2.2.
(2) Clarify wording of the thickness requirement.

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