Schedule 10 Stainless Steel Pipe Guide: Specifications, Applications & China Manufacturers

Understanding Schedule 10 Stainless Steel Pipe

Schedule 10 stainless steel pipe refers to welded or seamless stainless steel pipe with wall thicknesses defined by ASME B36.19M standards for stainless steel pipes. Schedule 10 offers a balance between material economy and pressure resistance, making it ideal for moderate-pressure fluid transfer, structural applications, and chemical processing where corrosion resistance is critical.

Unlike carbon steel pipes (ASME B36.10M), stainless Schedule 10 pipes use austenitic grades like 304/304L, 316/316L, 321, and duplex 2205. Common standards include ASTM A312 (seamless/welded pipe), ASTM A312 TP304/316, and EN 10216-5 for pressure purposes. Wall thicknesses range from 0.109" (2.77mm) for 2" NPS to 0.188" (4.78mm) for 4" NPS, providing good flow capacity with adequate strength.

Schedule 10 stainless steel pipe China manufacturers like WENZHOU ZHEHENG STEEL INDUSTRY Co., Ltd produce these to global specifications with approvals from ABS, DNV, GL, BV, PED 97/23/EC, serving heat exchanger, petrochemical, and marine markets.

 

Top 12 Questions Schedule 10 Stainless Steel Pipe Customers Always Ask

1. What are the key dimensions of Schedule 10 stainless steel pipe?

Schedule 10 Dimensions (ASME B36.19M):

2. Which material grades are available in Schedule 10 stainless steel pipe?

Common Grades:

• 304/304L: General corrosion resistance

• 316/316L: Marine, chloride environments

• 321: Heat exchanger, weld stabilization

• 310S: High temperature

• 2205 Duplex: High strength, corrosion

• 904L: Severe corrosion

• Inconel 625/Hastelloy C276: Extreme environments

All meet ASTM A312/A213/A269 specifications.

 

3. Seamless vs Welded Schedule 10 stainless steel pipe—which is better?

Seamless: Superior pressure rating, no weld seam weakness, preferred for high-pressure/cyclic service. Welded: Cost-effective, adequate for moderate pressure, 100% RT or UT tested per ASTM A312.

For heat exchangers and pressure vessels, seamless Schedule 10 is standard.

 

4. What pressure ratings can Schedule 10 stainless steel pipe handle?

Pressure Rating Formula: P = 2 × S × t / D (ASME B31.3)

Where S = allowable stress (304L: 20 ksi @ 100°F), t = wall thickness, D = OD.

Example: 4" Schedule 10 316L @ 300°F ≈ 1200 psi

Actual ratings vary by code, temperature, and safety factor.

 

5. What tolerances apply to Schedule 10 stainless steel pipe?

ASME B36.19M Tolerances:

• OD: ±0.5% (min 1.6mm)

• Wall: ±12.5%

• Straightness: 0.2% of length

• Ovality: Max 1.5% of OD

• Cut Length: ±1/8" (short), +1/8" (long)

Premium schedule 10 stainless steel pipe China manufacturers achieve tighter tolerances.

 

6. How is schedule 10 stainless steel pipe manufactured?

Welded Process:

1. Strip → Forming rolls → TIG weld

2. Weld bead removal

3. Annealing (solution treat)

4. Pickling/passivation

5. Straightening/cut

Seamless Process:

1. Billet → Hot pierce → Cold draw

2. Anneal → Pickle → Finish

 

7. What testing/certification should schedule 10 pipe have?

• Mill Test Report (MTR): Chemistry, mechanicals

• Hydrotest: 1.5x WP min

• NDT: 100% UT/RT for welded

• PMI: Positive material ID

• Third-party: ABS/DNV/BV inspection

 

8. What applications use Schedule 10 stainless steel pipe?

• Heat exchangers: Shell/tube

• Chemical processing: Transfer lines

• Food/pharma: Sanitary transfer

• Marine: Fire mains, bilge

• HVAC: Chilled water

 

9. How does Schedule 10 compare to other schedules?

Wall Thickness Comparison:

10. Can schedule 10 stainless steel pipe be customized?

Yes: Thin/ultra-thick walls, long lengths (single random 20-24ft), custom ends (beveled/threaded), special alloys.

 

11. What packaging/shipping standards apply?

• Seaworthy: Wooden boxes, plywood cases

• Marking: Grade, size, heat#, standard

• Protection: Caps, anti-rust paper

 

12. What's the lead time from China schedule 10 pipe manufacturers?

Stock: 1-2 weeks Production: 4-6 weeks Custom: 6-10 weeks

 

Comparison Table: Schedule 10 vs Other Stainless Schedules

Case Study: Petrochemical Plant Heat Exchanger Project

Challenge: Middle East refinery needed 10,000m 316L Schedule 10 pipe (4"-8") for shell & tube exchangers.

Solution: WENZHOU ZHEHENG supplied seamless ASTM A213 TP316L:

• Wall tolerance: ±10%

• Straightness: 0.15%

• PMI verified

• BV third-party inspection

• PED 97/23/EC compliant

Results:

• On-time delivery (5 weeks)

• Zero rejections

• 15% cost savings vs European

 

Client Testimonial: Marine Engineering Firm

"As a schedule 10 stainless steel pipe China manufacturer, Zheheng delivered 321 Schedule 10 pipe exceeding ABS/DNV specs. Surface finish, straightness, and wall uniformity perfect for fire mains. 20+ years experience shows—reliable schedule 10 stainless steel pipe manufacturer."

 

Technical Deep Dive: Manufacturing Excellence

Key Quality Metrics:

Wall Variation: ≤10%

Concentricity: ≥92% Surface Ra: 0.8μm max

Grain Size: ASTM 5+ Intergranular

Corrosion: Pass ASTM A262

Heat Treatment:

Solution anneal 1900-2100°F, water quench.

 

Recommended Reliable Schedule 10 Stainless Steel Pipe China Manufacturer

WENZHOU ZHEHENG STEEL INDUSTRY Co., Ltd is the premier schedule 10 stainless steel pipe China manufacturer and schedule 10 stainless steel pipe manufacturer. With 20+ years specializing in heat exchanger tubing, large diameter/thin wall pipe, and approvals from ABS/DNV/GL/BV/PED/AD2000, they deliver:

• 304/316L/321/310S/2205/904L grades

• ASTM A312/A213/A269, EN 10216

• Seamless/welded Schedule 10

• Tight tolerances, full testing

• Global exports, competitive pricing

 

 

Sources:

1. ASTM International: astm.org

2. ASME: asme.org

3. University of Washington Materials Science: washington.edu

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