ASTM A234

Wrought Carbon & Alloy Steel Fittings

ASTM A234 covers forged carbon steel (WPB) and alloy steel butt-weld fittings, ideal for high-temperature, high-pressure industrial pipelines.

ASTM A234/A234M specification covers wrought carbon steel and alloy steel fittings of seamless and welded construction. These fittings are for use in pressure piping and in pressure vessel fabrication for service at moderate and elevated temperatures. The material for fittings shall consist of killed steel, forgings, bars, plates, seamless or fusion-welded tubular products with filler metal added. Forging or shaping operations may be performed by hammering, pressing, piercing, extruding, upsetting, rolling, bending, fusion welding, machining, or by a combination of two or more of these operations. The forming procedure shall be so applied that it will not produce injurious imperfections in the fittings. Fittings, after forming at an elevated temperature, shall be cooled to a temperature below the critical range under suitable conditions to prevent injurious defects caused by too rapid cooling, but in no case more rapidly than the cooling rate in still air. The fittings shall be subjected to tension test, hardness test, and hydrostatic test.

What is A234 WPB steel pipe fitting?

A234 WPB steel pipe fittings mean the pipe fitting which material is ASTM A234 WPB,they are used for the pressure piping systems of moderate and high temperature services.ASTM A234 is the standard of pipe fittings material,it indicates the materials properties of different kinds of carbon steel and alloy steel,WPB is one of the steel grade in this standard.W means weldable,P means pressure,B is grade b,refer to the minimum yield strength,like the astm A106 A53,Gr.B or API 5L Gr.B.A234 WPB is the most common carbon steel pipe fittings material.

W = WELDABLE / wrought
P = RELATED TO P NUMBER OF ALLOY MATERIAL
B = REFER TO MINIMUM YIELD OF MATERIAL

What is the manufacturing process of ASTM A234 WPB pipe fittings?

The WPB is not short hand for any process. It is simply an identifier developed by ASTM. The fittings in question are manufactured in the same manner as the companion pipe for this specification.

In very large sizes, the fittings may be manufactured in pieces and welded together as is the case for many large fittings.

The term used for the manufacturing is called “wrought” which means it is worked as opposed to being cast or forged.

As to the W standing for weldable, I’m not sure that is correct since that are many, many pipe fittings that are weldable but carry designations other than a W. Note the reference below.

ASTM A234/A234M-07

Standard Specification for Piping Fittings of Wrought Carbon Steel and Alloy Steel for Moderate and High Temperature Service

This standard covers wrought carbon steel fittings of seamless and welded construction which are manufactured to the dimensional specifications of ASME B16.9 and B16.28. These fittings are primarily for use in pressure piping and in pressure vessel fabrication for service at moderate and elevated temperatures.

Types of A234 Pipe Fittings

ASTM A234 covers a full range of butt-weld fittings for pipeline direction, branching, size reduction and termination.

  • 90° / 45° Elbows (LR & SR)
  • Equal & Reducing Tees
  • Concentric & Eccentric Reducers
  • Pipe Caps & End Closures
  • 180° Returns
  • Lap Joint Stub Ends
  • Crosses (4-way)
  • Custom Bends & Special Shapes

Complied Standards & Size Range

Item Standard Range
Material Spec ASTM A234/A234M Carbon & alloy steel
Dimensions ASME B16.9 NPS 1/2" – 48"
Wall Thickness ASME B36.10 Sch 10, 20, 40, 80, 160
Testing ASTM A234, ASME B16.9 Hydro, NDT, PMI

ASTM A234/A234M is a standard specification for piping fittings of wrought carbon steel and alloy steel for moderate and high-temperature service. This specification covers several grades of fittings that are used in various applications in the oil and gas, petrochemical, and power generation industries.

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Chemical Composition (%) of ASTM A234/A234M

Grade Type C Si S P Mn Cr Ni Mo Other ób ós δ5
WPB 0.3 0.1min 0.058 0.05 0.29-1.06 0.4 0.4 0.15 V:0.06;Nb:0.02 415-585 240 22 197
WPC 0.35 0.1min 0.058 0.05 0.29-1.06 0.4 0.4 0.15 V:0.06;Nb:0.02 485-655 275 22 197
WP1 0.28 0.1-0.5 0.045 0.045 0.3-0.9 0.44-0.65 380-550 205 22 197
WP12 CL1 0.05-0.2 0.6 0.045 0.045 0.3-0.8 0.8-1.25 0.44-0.65 415-585 220 22 197
WP12 CL2 0.05-0.2 0.6 0.045 0.045 0.3-0.8 0.8-1.25 0.44-0.65 485-655 275 22 197
WP11 CL1 0.05-0.15 0.5-1 0.03 0.03 0.3-0.6 1-1.5 0.44-0.65 415-585 205 22 197
WP11 CL2 0.05-0.2 0.5-1 0.04 0.04 0.3-0.8 1-1.5 0.44-0.65 485-655 275 22 197
WP11 CL3 0.05-0.2 0.5-1 0.04 0.04 0.3-0.8 1-1.5 0.44-0.65 520-690 310 22 197
WP22 CL1 0.05-0.15 0.5 0.04 0.04 0.3-0.6 1.9-2.6 0.87-1.13 415-585 205 22 197
WP22 CL3 0.05-0.15 0.5 0.04 0.04 0.3-0.6 1.9-2.6 0.87-1.13 520-690 310 22 197
WP5 CL1 0.15 0.5 0.03 0.04 0.3-0.6 4-6 0.44-0.65 415-585 205 22 217
WP5 CL3 0.15 0.5 0.03 0.04 0.3-0.6 4-6 0.44-0.65 520-690 310 22 217
WP9 CL1 0.15 1 0.03 0.03 0.3-0.6 8-10 0.9-1.1 415-585 205 22 217
WP9 CL3 0.15 1 0.03 0.03 0.3-0.6 8-10 0.9-1.1 520-690 310 22 217
WPR 0.2 0.05 0.045 0.4-1.06 1.6-2.24 435-605 315 22/28 217
WP91 0.08-0.12 0.2-0.5 0.01 0.02 0.3-0.6 8-9.5 0.4 0.85-1.05 See sdandard 585-760 415 20 248
WP911 0.09-0.13 0.1-0.5 0.01 0.02 0.3-0.6 8.5-10.5 0.4 0.9-1.1 See sdandard 620-840 440 20 248
Notes:

For each reduction of 0.01% below the specified C maximum, an increase of 0.06% Mn above the specified maximum will be permitted, up to a maximum of 1.35%.

The sum of Cu, Ni, Cr, and Mo shall not exceed 1.00%.

The sum of Cr and Mo shall not exceed 0.32%.

The maximum carbon equivalent (C.E.) shall be 0.50, based on heat analysis and the formula C.E.=C+Mn/6+(Cr+Mo+V)/5+(Ni+Cu)/15.

Mechanical properties of ASTM A234

Tensile Requirements WPB WPC, WP11CL2 WP11CL1 WP11CL3
Tensile Strength, min, ksi[MPa]
(0.2% offset or 0.5% extension-under-load)
60-85
[415-585]
70-95
[485-655]
60-85
[415-585]
 75-100
[520-690]
Yield Strength, min, ksi[MPa] 32
[240]
40
[275]
30
[205]
45
[310]
Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM A234/A234M is the standard specification for wrought carbon steel and alloy steel butt-weld fittings used in moderate and high-temperature pressure piping and vessels.
WPB is the most common carbon steel grade under A234, offering good weldability and mechanical properties for general high-temperature service up to 425°C.
It includes elbows, tees, reducers, caps, bends, returns, lap joint stub ends and crosses, conforming to ASME B16.9, B16.11 and MSS standards.
Carbon steel: WPB, WPC; Alloy steel: WP11, WP22, WP5, WP9, WP91 for higher temperatures and creep resistance.
ASTM A234 WPB is typically used from -29°C up to 425°C for steam, process and utility pipelines.
Dimensional standards: ASME B16.9, B16.28; Forging and testing: ASTM A234; NDT: UT, RT, MT, PT as required.
Killed carbon steel, forgings, bars, plates and seamless tubulars; fully forged for maximum strength and reliability.
Oil & gas, petrochemical, power plants, refineries, boiler systems, and high-temperature process piping.
Tensile, hardness, hydrostatic, PMI, and NDT (UT/MT/PT); full MTR provided with each shipment.
Yes, including non-standard sizes, special wall thickness, alloy grades, and custom marking per drawings.
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