Standard

Engineering Standards

4920
Page

1 of 2
GUIDELINES FOR CARBON AND STAINLESS STEEL
TUBING SIZE RANGES 1 O.D. AND SMALLER

Issue Date

06/86
1
06/91

Rev. No.
Date

1.

SCOPE

This standard provides guidelines to be used in the design and procurement of carbon and stainless steel tubing for
use in all Company facilities. Such tubing is generally used for instrument, control and sampling lines and related
components in sizes 1" O.D. and smaller.

2.

CODES AND STANDARDS

Steel tubing should be specified and manufactured in accordance with an applicable ASTM specification. ASTM
specifications referenced herein are applicable to tubing for general use in the Company's facilities. Steel tubing
manufactured under other ASTM specifications may be acceptable if it is determined that the materials, physical
and chemical properties and pressure testing are compatible with the design and service requirements.

3.

GUIDELINES

3.1

For design pressures (maximum operating pressure) of 0 to 1000 psig, a safety factor (S.F.) of 8:1 is
recommended. For design pressures of 1000 to 2500 psig a S.F. of 6.1 is recommended.

3.2

Reference Table I for carbon and stainless steel tubing wall thickness in various sizes and pressure ranges.
This is a guide since some manufacturers do not make all wall thicknesses or sizes. The Project Engineer
should review the application and vendor availability to determine if the desired size, wall thickness and
material are available.
TABLE I: Wall Thickness (WT) versus Working Pressure (WP)
WT vs WP for Carbon Steel
S.F.: 8:1
S.F.: 6:1
500
1000
1500
2000
psi
psi
psi
psi
.032
.032
.032
.032
.032
.032
.032
.032
.035
.035
.035
.035
.035
.035
.035
.035

WT vs WP for Stainless Steel

S.F.: 8:1
S.F.: 6:1
500
1000
1500
2000
psi
psi
psi
psi
.032
.032
.032
.032
.032
.032
.032
.032
.035
.035
.035
.035
.035
.035
.035
.035

3/8
1/2
5/8
3/4

.035
.035
.049
.049

.035
.035
.049
.049

.035
.035
.049
.065

.035
.049
.065
.095

.035
.035
.049
.049

.035
.035
.049
.049

.035
.035
.049
.049

.035
.035
.049
.049

7/8
1

.049
.049

.065
.065

.065
0.65

.095
.110

.049
.049

.049
.049

.065
.065

.065
.065

Tube O.D.
inches
1/8
3/16
1/4
5/16

* Indicates revised paragraph, this Rev. No.

Engineering Standards

Standard

4920
Page

2 of 2
GUIDELINES FOR CARBON AND STAINLESS STEEL
TUBING SIZE RANGES 1 O.D. AND SMALLER

Issue Date

Rev. No.
Date

3.3

06/86
1
06/91

Example Purchase Specifications

3.3.1

Carbon Steel
feet, steel tubing
in. O.D. x
in. wall thickness,
seamless or electric weld mandrel drawn, manufactured in accordance with ASTM A-214
(welded) or A-179 (seamless), latest edition. Maximum Operating Pressure
psig.

3.3.2

Type 304 Stainless Steel

feet, stainless steel tubing
in. O.D. x
in. wall
thickness, seamless or welded, manufactured in accordance with ASTM A-269 or ASTM A632, latest edition. Maximum Operating Pressure
psig. Material to be type 304.

Note:

ASTM A-632 applies for sizes less than 1/2" O.D. and ASTM A-269 applies for sizes 1/2"
O.D. and greater.

3.4

Tube fittings are ordered by manufacturer's part number indicating the type, material, size and pressure
rating. Catalogues for the various suppliers of acceptable fittings should be utilized in order to provide an
accurate fitting description on the purchase order. The material in the fitting should be comparable to the
tubing, e.g., only steel fittings should be used with steel tubing. Stainless steel tubing and fittings should
be specified for corrosive service or where the tubing will not otherwise be protected from atmospheric
corrosion.

* Indicates revised paragraph, this Rev. No.