ASTM A139 & ASME SA139 Carbon Steel Pipes – Grade A to E EFW / Spiral Welded Pipe
ASC LLP, Mumbai, supplies ASTM A139 pipe (often written ASTM A139 / ASME SA139) – electric-fusion (arc)-welded carbon steel pipe, straight-seam or spiral-seam, from NPS 4″ (114.3 mm) up to large diameters, in Grades A, B, C, D and E. It is supplied bare or coated, with EN 10204 3.1 certificates. See our full carbon steel range.
What is ASTM A139 Pipe?
ASTM A139 is the standard specification for electric-fusion (arc)-welded steel pipe, NPS 4 and over. The pipe is formed from plate or coil and welded with a full-penetration submerged-arc weld. The seam can be straight (longitudinal) or helical (spiral). The specification covers walls up to 25.4 mm (1″) and is intended for conveying liquid, gas or vapour – water mains, low-pressure gas and air lines, slurry and similar services.
A139 is a pipe-mill specification. It is not seamless and not a boiler, pressure-vessel or high-temperature pipe. For pressure service at higher temperatures, specifications such as ASTM A671, A672 or A691 are used. Whether A139 suits a particular service depends on the design code and service conditions.
ASTM A139 Pipe – Quick Facts
- Process: electric-fusion (submerged-arc) welded – straight seam (LSAW) or spiral seam (SSAW / HSAW)
- Size: NPS 4″ and over; wall up to 25.4 mm (1″)
- Grades: A, B, C, D, E (minimum yield 205 – 360 MPa)
- Testing: hydrostatic test on every length; tensile tests on base metal and weld
- Coatings: bare, black paint, coal-tar epoxy, FBE, 3LPE or cement lining on request
- Certificate: EN 10204 3.1; third-party inspection on request
Straight-Seam vs Spiral-Seam A139 Pipe
- Straight seam (LSAW): plate is formed and welded along one (or two) longitudinal seams. Usually chosen for heavier walls and tighter dimensional requirements.
- Spiral / helical seam (SSAW): coil is wound into a helix and welded. Very large diameters can be made from narrower coil, which makes it economical for water transmission and piling-type uses.
Both are covered by ASTM A139. See also our carbon steel SAW pipes.
Properties & Limits of A139 Pipe
- Choice of strength: five grades, from Grade A (205 MPa yield) to Grade E (360 MPa yield).
- Large diameters: economical in sizes where seamless or ERW pipe is not available.
- Weldable: low-carbon steel (0.25 – 0.30% C max.) that is easy to field-weld and fabricate.
- Corrosion: plain carbon steel – buried or water service needs external coating and, usually, internal lining.
- Not for high temperature: for elevated-temperature pressure piping use A671, A672 or A691 EFW pipe instead.
ASTM A139 Pipe Size & Weight Chart
| Size | OD (mm) | 6.35 mm wall (kg/m) | 7.92 mm wall (kg/m) | 9.53 mm wall (kg/m) | 12.70 mm wall (kg/m) |
| 8″ | 219.1 | 33.3 | 41.2 | 49.3 | 64.6 |
| 10″ | 273.1 | 41.8 | 51.8 | 61.9 | 81.6 |
| 12″ | 323.9 | 49.7 | 61.7 | 73.9 | 97.5 |
| 16″ | 406.4 | 62.6 | 77.8 | 93.3 | 123.3 |
| 20″ | 508.0 | 78.6 | 97.7 | 117.1 | 155.1 |
| 24″ | 609.6 | 94.5 | 117.5 | 141.0 | 186.9 |
| 30″ | 762.0 | 118.3 | 147.3 | 176.8 | 234.7 |
| 36″ | 914.4 | 142.2 | 177.0 | 212.7 | 282.4 |
| 42″ | 1066.8 | 166.1 | 206.8 | 248.5 | 330.1 |
| 48″ | 1219.2 | 189.9 | 236.6 | 284.3 | 377.9 |
Plain-end mass per ASTM A139: kg/m = 0.02466 × (D − t) × t (D = OD, t = wall, both in mm). Common sizes shown – other ODs from 4″ up and walls up to 25.4 mm on request. Spiral pipe is usually supplied in 12 m lengths or to order.
ASTM A139 Mechanical Properties (Grades A – E)
| Property | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C | Grade D | Grade E |
| Tensile strength, min. | 330 MPa (48 ksi) | 415 MPa (60 ksi) | 415 MPa (60 ksi) | 415 MPa (60 ksi) | 455 MPa (66 ksi) |
| Yield strength, min. | 205 MPa (30 ksi) | 240 MPa (35 ksi) | 290 MPa (42 ksi) | 315 MPa (46 ksi) | 360 MPa (52 ksi) |
| Elongation in 50 mm, min.* | 35% | 30% | 25% | 23% | 22% |
*Basic values for walls of 7.9 mm (5/16″) and over; a lower minimum applies to thinner walls. Tensile tests are also made across the production weld. A139 does not specify hardness or impact tests – these can be added as purchase requirements.
ASTM A139 Pipe Specifications & Tolerances
| Item | Requirement / Details |
| Specification | ASTM A139 / A139M (commonly quoted as ASTM A139 / ASME SA139) |
| Process | Electric-fusion (arc) welded, straight or helical seam, full-penetration weld |
| Size | NPS 4″ and over |
| Wall thickness | Up to 25.4 mm (1″); minimum wall not more than 12.5% under nominal |
| Mass tolerance | +10% / −5% per length (−5.5% for walls over 4.78 mm) |
| Circumference | ±1% of nominal (max. ±19 mm / ¾”) |
| Out-of-roundness | Within 100 mm of the ends: max. 1% difference from specified OD |
| Ends | Plain end or bevelled for welding |
| Hydrostatic test | Every length (test pressure as agreed on the order) |
| Certificate | EN 10204 3.1; third-party inspection on request |
ASTM A139 Chemical Composition (Grades A – E)
| Element (max. %) | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C | Grade D | Grade E |
| Carbon (C) | 0.25 | 0.26 | 0.28 | 0.30 | 0.30 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.20 | 1.30 | 1.40 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.035 | 0.035 | 0.035 | 0.035 | 0.035 |
| Sulphur (S) | 0.035 | 0.035 | 0.035 | 0.035 | 0.035 |
Heat analysis is reported for each heat; product analysis on request.
ASTM A139 vs A53, A252, A671 & API 5L
| Spec | Pipe type | Size | Main use |
| ASTM A139 | EFW / SAW – straight or spiral | NPS 4″ and over | Water, gas, air and slurry conveying |
| ASTM A53 | Seamless or ERW | ⅛” – 26″ | General pressure and utility piping |
| ASTM A252 | Welded or seamless | Large diameters | Piling (structural, not for fluids) |
| ASTM A671 / A672 | EFW from pressure-vessel plate | 16″ and over | Pressure service (low / moderate temperature) |
| API 5L PSL1 / PSL2 | Seamless, ERW, LSAW, SSAW | Up to large diameters | Oil & gas pipelines |
Also see our carbon steel welded pipes.
Applications of ASTM A139 Pipes
| Industry | ASTM A139 pipe applications |
| Water & wastewater | Transmission mains, intake and outfall lines, pumping-station headers |
| Hydropower | Penstocks and water conduits (to design) |
| Gas & air | Low-pressure gas distribution, compressed-air and ventilation ducts |
| Mining & dredging | Slurry and tailings lines |
| Fire protection & drainage | Fire mains, storm-water and culvert pipe |
Why Buy ASTM A139 Pipe from ASC LLP?
- Correct grade: A139 Grade A – E with mill test certificates showing chemistry, base-metal and weld tensile results and hydro test.
- Straight or spiral seam: sourced to suit the size, wall and project specification.
- Coating and lining: FBE, 3LPE, coal-tar epoxy or cement-mortar lining arranged on request.
- Related products: SAW pipes, LSAW pipes, A671 EFW pipes and A252 piling pipes.
Send OD, wall, grade, seam type, length, coating and quantity to sales@amardeepsteel.com, call 022-67439130 or contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions – ASTM A139 Pipe
What is ASTM A139 pipe?
ASTM A139 is the specification for electric-fusion (arc)-welded steel pipe, NPS 4 and over, with a straight or spiral (helical) seam. It is intended for conveying liquid, gas or vapour, such as water mains, low-pressure gas lines and slurry lines.
What grades does ASTM A139 cover?
ASTM A139 has five grades: A, B, C, D and E. Minimum yield strength is 205 MPa for Grade A, 240 MPa for Grade B, 290 MPa for Grade C, 315 MPa for Grade D and 360 MPa for Grade E.
Is ASTM A139 pipe seamless?
No. ASTM A139 covers only electric-fusion (arc)-welded pipe, made from plate or coil with a straight or spiral seam. For seamless pipe, specifications such as ASTM A106 or A53 Type S are used.
What is the chemical composition of ASTM A139 Grade B?
ASTM A139 Grade B has carbon 0.26% max., manganese 1.00% max., phosphorus 0.035% max. and sulphur 0.035% max.
What is the difference between ASTM A139 and ASTM A252?
ASTM A139 pipe is for conveying liquids and gases and is hydrostatically tested. ASTM A252 covers steel pipe piles used as structural foundation members, not for carrying fluids.
Can ASTM A139 pipe be used at high temperature?
A139 is not a high-temperature pressure-piping specification. For elevated-temperature pressure service, EFW pipe to ASTM A671, A672 or A691 is normally specified.
Global Reach
ASC LLP supplies carbon steel welded and seamless pipes to water, infrastructure and industrial projects in the USA, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, with secure packing and full documentation. Buyers worldwide rely on our ASTM A139 carbon steel pipes for certified material and traceability.
Countries We Export To
UNITED STATES, EUROPE, UK, UAE, SAUDI ARABIA, OMAN, KUWAIT, JORDAN, QATAR, INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, BRAZIL, SPAIN, ITALY, FRANCE, GERMANY, BAHRAIN, SRI LANKA, AZERBAIJAN, AUSTRALIA, AUSTRIA, PHILIPPINES, TURKEY, RUSSIA, IRAN, IRAQ, CANADA, KOREA, JAPAN, YEMEN, FINLAND, ZIMBABWE, HUNGARY, PORTUGAL, VIETNAM, MOROCCO, THAILAND, SOUTH AFRICA, MEXICO, SINGAPORE, GREECE, KUWAIT, POLAND, NEW ZEALAND, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, BELGIUM, BHUTAN, BANGLADESH, TAIWAN, ROMANIA, CAMBODIA, KAZAKHSTAN, AFGHANISTAN.
