ASME Base Metal Specifications

ASME / ASTM

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) have cooperated for more than fifty years in providing material specifications adequate for materials in the field of pressure equipment and piping for ferrous and non-ferrous materials.

ASME material specifications are contained in Section II of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.

  • ASME Section II Part A : Ferrous Material Specifications

  • ASME Section II Part B : Non-ferrous Material Specifications

  • ASME Section II Part C : Specifications for Welding Rods, Electrodes, and Filler Metals

ASME adopts ASTM material specifications, and signifies that by adding the “SA” as the prefix to the material specification.

  • A - ASTM Specification compliant for ferrous alloys

  • SA - ASME Specification compliant for ferrous alloys

  • B - ASTM Specification compliant for non-ferrous alloys

  • SB - ASME Specification compliant for non-ferrous alloys

The specifications for materials given in ASME Section II are identical with, or essentially identical to those of specifications published by ASTM, AWS, and other recognized national or international organizations.

Revisions or changes to material specifications are originated by the governing body of the source documents such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and other recognized national or international organizations, and are usually adopted by ASME, after changes are made through a formal code committee process.

ASME material specifications approved for use in each construction Code are listed in the Guideline for Acceptable ASTM Editions and in the Guideline for Acceptable Non-ASTM Editions, in Section II, Parts A and B. These Guidelines list, for each specification, the latest edition adopted by ASME, and earlier and later editions considered by ASME to be identical for ASME construction.

Multiple Marking of ASME Materials

Dual or multiple marking of materials is acceptable, as long as the material so marked meets all of the requirements of all the specifications, grades, classes, and types with which it is marked.

All of the measured and controlled attributes of the multiply-marked grades or specifications must overlap (e.g., chemistry, mechanical properties, dimensions, and tolerances) and the material so marked must exhibit values that fall within the overlaps. Other attributes of the specifications or grades also play a factor and also need to overlap, items such as melting practices, heat treatments, and inspection.

Many specifications or grades have significant overlap of chemistry ranges or properties. It is common for material manufacturers to produce materials that satisfy more than one specification, grade, class, or type.

Examples for acceptable multiple marked materials:

  • SA-53 and SA-106 (some grades and classes);

  • SA-213 TP304L and TP304

  • SA-213 TP304 and 304H

  • SA-106 B and SA-106 C

  • SA-516 Gr 60 and SA-516 Gr 70

Dual or multiple marking is not acceptable if two or more specifications to which the material is marked have mutually exclusive requirements. This prohibition includes more than just chemistry and property requirements.

Examples for Un-acceptable multiple marked materials:

  • SA-515 and SA-516

    • Grain refinement of the two specifications is different

    • Former requires melting to coarse grain practice while the latter requires melting to fine grain practice.

  • Another example is SA-213 TP304L and TP304H

    • The carbon content ranges of these grades have no overlap.

Base Metal Specification Prefix & Suffix

The base metal specification and the alloy designation Type or Grade portion of the material includes prefixes and suffixes that have the following meanings.

Specification Prefixes

  • C = Cast

  • F = Forged

  • P = Pipe

  • T = Tube

  • W = Wrought or Welded depending on the application

Specification Suffixes

  • H = High Carbon / Heat Treatment

    • Grades containing the letter, H, in their designation, have requirements different from those of similar grades not containing the letter, H. These different requirements provide higher creep-rupture strength than normally achievable in similar grades without these different requirements.

  • L = Low Carbon

  • M = Metric or “SI units”

    • When “M” is not present the specification is in “inch-pound” units or Non-Metric units aka U.S. Customary units.

  • N = Nitrogen enriched or Normalized

  • QT = Quench and Tempered

  • Ti = Titanium enriched

  • W = Forgings repaired by welding shall be marked with the letter “W” following the specification number

  • WNS = When repair-welded austenitic stainless steel forgings have not been post weld heat treated as required in Section II the letters “WNS” shall be marked following the specification designation.

  • U = If Ultrasonic NDE is performed on the welds of welded fittings in lieu of radiography

Base Metal Specification Type or Grade

The base metal specification follows a pattern, with intelligence built into its parts, some of which is summarized below.

  • “A” signifies it meets the requirements of an ASTM standard

  • “SA” signifies it meets the requirements of an ASME standard, and was adopted from ASTM

  • “SA-XXX” represents the specification portion of the material designator

    • Examples include: SA-53, SA-106, SA-105, SA-213, SA-240, SA-335, SA-516, etc…

  • “YZZ” represents the alloy designation Type or Grade

    • Examples include: P5, P9, P11, P22, P91, T2, T11, T22, Gr. 60, Cl. 1

The following provides an example of how the type or grade provides the alloy designation for the different material specifications with the corresponding ASME P-Number.

Here are some examples of ASME base metal specifications and what the parts of the designations mean with common materials.

Common Base Metal Specifications with their Product Forms

Product Form ASTM Specification ASME Specification Type or Grade P-Number Group Number Spec Description 
PipeA 53SA-53Type F Grade A11Furnace Butt Welded
PipeA 53SA-53Type E Grade A11Electric Resistance Welded
PipeA 53SA-53Type E Grade B11Electric Resistance Welded
PipeA 53SA-53Type S Grade A11Seamless
PipeA 53SA-53Type S Grade B11Seamless
PipeA 106SA-106A11Seamless
PipeA 106SA-106B11Seamless
PipeA 106SA-106C12Seamless
PipeA 312SA-312TP30481Seamless & Welded Stainless
PipeA 312SA-312TP31681Seamless & Welded Stainless
PipeA 312SA-312TP31781Seamless & Welded Stainless
PipeA 312SA-312TP32181Seamless & Welded Stainless
PipeA 312SA-312TP34781Seamless & Welded Stainless
PipeA 312SA-312TP309H82Seamless & Welded Stainless
PipeA 312SA-312TP310H82Seamless & Welded Stainless
PipeA 312SA-312TP201LN83Seamless & Welded Stainless
PipeA 312SA-312TPXM-1183Seamless & Welded Stainless
PipeA 312SA-312TPXM-1983Seamless & Welded Stainless
PipeA 333SA-333111Seamless & Welded Low Temp Service
PipeA 333SA-33339B1Seamless & Welded Low Temp Service
PipeA 333SA-333442Seamless & Welded Low Temp Service
PipeA 333SA-333611Seamless & Welded Low Temp Service
PipeA 333SA-33379A1Seamless & Welded Low Temp Service
PipeA 333SA-333811A1Seamless & Welded Low Temp Service
PipeA 333SA-33399A1Seamless & Welded Low Temp Service
PipeA 333SA-3331013Seamless & Welded Low Temp Service
PipeA 335SA-335P131Seamless Alloy High Temp Service
PipeA 335SA-335P231Seamless Alloy High Temp Service
PipeA 335SA-335P55B1Seamless Alloy High Temp Service
PipeA 335SA-335P95B1Seamless Alloy High Temp Service
PipeA 335SA-335P1141Seamless Alloy High Temp Service
PipeA 335SA-335P1241Seamless Alloy High Temp Service
PipeA 335SA-335P215A1Seamless Alloy High Temp Service
PipeA 335SA-335P225A1Seamless Alloy High Temp Service
PipeA 335SA-335P9115E1Seamless Alloy High Temp Service
PipeA 335SA-335P9215E1Seamless Alloy High Temp Service
PipeA 369SA-369FPA11Forged & Bored High Temp Service
PipeA 369SA-369FPB11Forged & Bored High Temp Service
PipeA 369SA-369FP131Forged & Bored High Temp Service
PipeA 369SA-369FP231Forged & Bored High Temp Service
PipeA 369SA-369FP55B1Forged & Bored High Temp Service
PipeA 369SA-369FP95B1Forged & Bored High Temp Service
PipeA 369SA-369FP1141Forged & Bored High Temp Service
PipeA 369SA-369FP1241Forged & Bored High Temp Service
PipeA 369SA-369FP215A1Forged & Bored High Temp Service
PipeA 369SA-369FP225A1Forged & Bored High Temp Service
PipeA 369SA-369FP9115E1Forged & Bored High Temp Service
PipeA 369SA-369FP9215E1Forged & Bored High Temp Service
PipeA 376SA-376TP30481Seamless Stainless High Temp Service
PipeA 376SA-376TP31681Seamless Stainless High Temp Service
PipeA 376SA-376TP32181Seamless Stainless High Temp Service
PipeA 376SA-376TP34781Seamless Stainless High Temp Service
PipeA 376SA-376TP34881Seamless Stainless High Temp Service
PipeA 376SA-376S3456584Seamless Stainless High Temp Service
PipeA 376SA-376S3172584Seamless Stainless High Temp Service
PipeA 376SA-376S3172684Seamless Stainless High Temp Service
PipeA 409SA-409TP30481Welded Stainless Corrosive or High Temp
PipeA 409SA-409TP309S82Welded Stainless Corrosive or High Temp
PipeA 409SA-409TP310S82Welded Stainless Corrosive or High Temp
PipeA 409SA-409TP31681Welded Stainless Corrosive or High Temp
PipeA 409SA-409TP31781Welded Stainless Corrosive or High Temp
PipeA 409SA-409TP32181Welded Stainless Corrosive or High Temp
PipeA 409SA-409TP34781Welded Stainless Corrosive or High Temp
PipeA 409SA-409S3125484Welded Stainless Corrosive or High Temp
PipeA 409SA-409S3172584Welded Stainless Corrosive or High Temp
PipeA 409SA-409S3172684Welded Stainless Corrosive or High Temp
TubeA 209SA-209T131Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 209SA-209T1a31Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 209SA-209T1b31Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 210SA-210A-111Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 210SA-210C12Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 213SA-213T231Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 213SA-213T55B1Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 213SA-213T95B1Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 213SA-213T1141Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 213SA-213T1241Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 213SA-213T215A1Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 213SA-213T225A1Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 213SA-213T95B1Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 213SA-213T9115E1Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 213SA-213T9215E1Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 213SA-213TP20183Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 213SA-213TP20283Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 213SA-213TP30481Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 213SA-213TP309H82Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 213SA-213TP310H82Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 213SA-213TP31681Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 213SA-213TP31781Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 213SA-213TP32181Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 213SA-213TP34781Seamless Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 249SA-249TP20183Welded Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 249SA-249TP20283Welded Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 249SA-249TP30481Welded Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 249SA-249TP309H82Welded Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 249SA-249TP310H82Welded Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 249SA-249TP31681Welded Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 249SA-249TP31781Welded Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 249SA-249TP32181Welded Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 249SA-249TP34781Welded Boiler & Superheater Tubes
TubeA 334SA-334111Seamless & Welded Low Temp Service
TubeA 334SA-33439B1Seamless & Welded Low Temp Service
TubeA 334SA-334611Seamless & Welded Low Temp Service
TubeA 334SA-33479A1Seamless & Welded Low Temp Service
TubeA 334SA-334811A1Seamless & Welded Low Temp Service
TubeA 334SA-33499A1Seamless & Welded Low Temp Service
PlateA 240SA-24020183Plate, Sheet, Strip for General & Vessel
PlateA 240SA-24020283Plate, Sheet, Strip for General & Vessel
PlateA 240SA-240220510H1Plate, Sheet, Strip for General & Vessel
PlateA 240SA-24030481Plate, Sheet, Strip for General & Vessel
PlateA 240SA-240309H82Plate, Sheet, Strip for General & Vessel
PlateA 240SA-240310H82Plate, Sheet, Strip for General & Vessel
PlateA 240SA-24031681Plate, Sheet, Strip for General & Vessel
PlateA 240SA-24031781Plate, Sheet, Strip for General & Vessel
PlateA 240SA-24032181Plate, Sheet, Strip for General & Vessel
PlateA 240SA-24034781Plate, Sheet, Strip for General & Vessel
PlateA 240SA-24041061Plate, Sheet, Strip for General & Vessel
PlateA 240SA-240410S71Plate, Sheet, Strip for General & Vessel
PlateA 240SA-24043072Plate, Sheet, Strip for General & Vessel
PlateA 387SA-3872 Cl. 131Pressure Vessel Plate ChroMoly
PlateA 387SA-3872 Cl. 232Pressure Vessel Plate ChroMoly
PlateA 387SA-3875 Cl. 15B1Pressure Vessel Plate ChroMoly
PlateA 387SA-3879 Cl. 15B1Pressure Vessel Plate ChroMoly
PlateA 387SA-38711 Cl. 141Pressure Vessel Plate ChroMoly
PlateA 387SA-38712 Cl. 241Pressure Vessel Plate ChroMoly
PlateA 387SA-38721 Cl. 15A1Pressure Vessel Plate ChroMoly
PlateA 387SA-38722 Cl. 15A1Pressure Vessel Plate ChroMoly
PlateA 387SA-38791 Cl. 215E1Pressure Vessel Plate ChroMoly
PlateA 516SA-5165511Pressure Vessel Plate
PlateA 516SA-5166011Pressure Vessel Plate
PlateA 516SA-5166511Pressure Vessel Plate
PlateA 516SA-5167012Pressure Vessel Plate
FittingA 234SA-234WPB11Piping Fittings Moderate & High Temp
FittingA 234SA-234WPC12Piping Fittings Moderate & High Temp
FittingA 234SA-234WP131Piping Fittings Moderate & High Temp
FittingA 234SA-234WP11 Cl. 141Piping Fittings Moderate & High Temp
FittingA 234SA-234WP11 Cl. 341Piping Fittings Moderate & High Temp
FittingA 234SA-234WP22 Cl. 15A1Piping Fittings Moderate & High Temp
FittingA 234SA-234WP22 Cl. 35A1Piping Fittings Moderate & High Temp
FittingA 234SA-234WP9115E1Piping Fittings Moderate & High Temp
FittingA 403SA-403WP30481Piping Fittings
FittingA 403SA-403WP310S82Piping Fittings
FittingA 403SA-403WP31681Piping Fittings
FittingA 403SA-403WP32181Piping Fittings
FittingA 403SA-403WP34781Piping Fittings
FittingA 420SA-420WPL39B1Piping Fittings Low Temp
FittingA 420SA-420WPL611Piping Fittings Low Temp
FittingA 420SA-420WPL811A1Piping Fittings Low Temp
FittingA 420SA-420WPL99A1Piping Fittings Low Temp
ForgingA 105SA-105-12Forging Carbon Steel
ForgingA 181SA-181Cl. 6011Forging Carbon Steel
ForgingA 181SA-181Cl. 7012Forging Carbon Steel
ForgingA 182SA-182F132Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F232Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F3V5C1Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F55B1Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F6a Cl. 161Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F95B1Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F1082Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F11 Cl. 141Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F11 Cl. 241Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F22 Cl. 15A1Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F22 Cl. 35A1Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F22V5C1Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F4484Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F4582Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F4681Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F5845 -Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F6010H1Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F30481Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F31082Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F31681Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F32181Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F34781Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F42962Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 182SA-182F43072Forged Fittings & Valves High Temp
ForgingA 350SA-350LF111Forgings with Notch Toughness
ForgingA 350SA-350LF212Forgings with Notch Toughness
ForgingA 350SA-350LF6 Cl. 213Forgings with Notch Toughness
CastingA 216SA-216WCA11Castings High Temp
CastingA 216SA-216WCB12Castings High Temp
CastingA 216SA-216WCC12Castings High Temp
CastingA 217SA-217WC131Castings High Temp
CastingA 217SA-217WC441Castings High Temp
CastingA 217SA-217WC95A1Castings High Temp
CastingA 217SA-217C55B1Castings High Temp
CastingA 217SA-217C12A15E1Castings High Temp
CastingA 217SA-217CA1563Castings High Temp
CastingA 351SA-351CF381Castings
CastingA 351SA-351CF881Castings
CastingA 351SA-351CF8M81Castings
CastingA 351SA-351CH882Castings
CastingA 351SA-351CN7M45-Castings


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Stainless Steel