ASTM A106 Pipe Specifications Explained

December 1, 2025 | Categorized in:

a106 steel pipes

When it comes to steel tubes and pipes, choosing the right standard is critical — especially when you’re dealing with high-temperature and high-pressure applications. ASTM A106 seamless carbon steel pipe is a popular and widely-trusted specification for use in power plants, oil refineries, boilers, and more. Today, we’re going to discuss what A106 pipe actually is, cover its material composition, explore how it differs from similar standards, and more.

What is A106 Pipe?

ASTM A106 is the standard specification for seamless carbon steel pipes designed for high-temperature service (find the official definition from ASTM here). The “seamless” part of the product means that they were produced without any weld seams for higher strength and reliability under stress (there isn’t a weaker point to potentially fail). ASTM A106 covers nominal pipe sizes from NPS 1/8 to NPS 48, combined with wall thickness standards like ANSI B 36.10.

A106 Pipe Material

A106 pipes can come in three different grades:

  • A106 Grade A: ≤ 0.25% Carbon, 0.27 – 0.93% Manganese
  • A106 Grade B: ≤ 0.30% Carbon, 0.29 – 1.06% Manganese
  • A106 Grade C: ≤ 0.35% Carbon, 0.29 – 1.06% Manganese

This gives them slightly different characteristics, but all are especially resilient to high-temperature environments.

ASTM A53 vs. A106

ASTM A53 is another standard for steel pipe (but also includes seamless options), primarily designed for low-pressure applications like water, gas, steam, and structural use, although A500 is typically used instead of A53 for similar structural applications. A106 is designed for high-pressure applications, especially ones involving high heat, because the silicon bolsters this resistance. A106’s composition also grants it higher yield and tensile strength than A53, with stricter tolerances as well.

ASTM A105 vs. A106

While one might assume that A105 and A106 are closely related based on their numbering, they’re quite different on a number of fronts. In fact, ASTM A105 is forged carbon steel (instead of seamless) used for fittings and flanges (not pipe), and has a higher carbon content than A106 Gr A and Gr B. Think of A105 being used for the connectors in the piping system, while A106 commonly makes up the actual piping.

ASTM A106 Pipe Specifications

A016 pipe specifications cover carbon steel pipe for high-temperature service, NPS 1/8 to 48, and wall thickness per ANSI B 36.10. A more detailed breakdown of the specifications by grade (A106 Gr A, A106 Gr B, and A106 Gr C) can be found below:

Specification

A106 Gr A

A106 Gr B

A106 Gr C

NPS/Outer Diameter

NPS 1/8″ to 48″

NPS 1/8″ to 48″

NPS 1/8″ to 48″

Tolerance

Wall: Not more than 12.5% under nominal

O.D.: ±1 % OD (industry standard)

Wall: Not more than 12.5% under nominal

O.D.: ±1 % OD (industry standard)

Wall: Not more than 12.5% under nominal

O.D.: ±1 % OD (industry standard)

Schedule Ranges

Sch 10-160, STD, XS, XXS

Sch 10-160, STD, XS, XXS

Sch 10-160, STD, XS, XXS

Overall Chemical Composition
  • Carbon: 0.25%
  • Manganese: 0.27% – 0.93%
  • Phosphorus: 0.035%
  • Sulfur: 0.035%
  • Silicon: 0.10%
  • Chromium: 0.40%
  • Copper: 0.40%
  • Molybdenum: 0.15%
  • Nickel: 0.40%
  • Vanadium: 0.08%
  • Carbon: 0.30%
  • Manganese: 0.29% – 1.06%
  • Phosphorus: 0.035%
  • Sulfur: 0.035%
  • Silicon: 0.10%
  • Chromium: 0.40%
  • Copper: 0.40%
  • Molybdenum: 0.15%
  • Nickel: 0.40%
  • Vanadium: 0.08%
  • Carbon: 0.35%
  • Manganese: 0.29% – 1.06%
  • Phosphorus: 0.035%
  • Sulfur: 0.035%
  • Silicon: 0.10%
  • Chromium: 0.40%
  • Copper: 0.40%
  • Molybdenum: 0.15%
  • Nickel: 0.40%
  • Vanadium: 0.08%

Carbon (C)

0.25%

0.30%

0.35%

Manganese (Mn)

0.27% – 0.93%

0.29% – 1.06%

0.29% – 1.06%

Phosphorus (P)

0.035%

0.035%

0.035%

Sulfur (S)

0.035%

0.035%

0.035%

Silicon (Si)

0.10%

0.10%

0.10%

Chromium (Cr)

0.40%

0.40%

0.40%

Copper (Cu)

0.40%

0.40%

0.40%

Molybdenum (Mo)

0.15%

0.15%

0.15%

Nickel (Ni)

0.40%

0.40%

0.40%

Vanadium (V)

0.08%

0.08%

0.08%

Buy the full ASTM A106 Specification PDF here.

ASTM A106 Mechanical Properties

When it comes to mechanical properties, A106 Gr C tends to be stronger than Gr A or Gr B due to its higher carbon content. A breakdown of the mechanical properties for each grade of A106 steel pipe can be found below:

Property

A106 Gr A

A106 Gr B

A106 Gr C

Density

0.284 lb/in³

0.284 lb/in³

0.284 lb/in³

Yield Strength

30,000 psi

35,000 psi

40,000 psi

Tensile Strength

48,000 psi

60,000 psi

70,000 psi

Toughness

Most ductile, easiest to bend

Balanced strength and ductility, most widely used A106 grade

Highest strength but reduced toughness and weldability

Looking for an A106 Carbon Steel Pipe Supplier?

Service Steel Warehouse can procure A106 steel pipes if needed, but we also supply other steel pipe and tubing grades for structural projects like A500 (an updated pipe grade of A53 for structural applications). We supply steel tubing and HSS across the country, so get in touch with our sales reps today by calling or requesting an online quote!