SPECIFICATION FOR SEAMLESS AND WELDED

FERRITIC /AUSTENITIC STAINLESS STEEL TUBING

FOR GENERAL SERVICE

SA-789 /SA-789M

(Identical with ASTM Specification A 789 /A 789M-95.)

1. Scope 2.2 SAE Standard:

SAE J1086
1.1 This specification covers grades of nominal wall
thickness, stainless steel tubing for services requiring
general corrosion resistance, with particular emphasis
on resistance to stress corrosion cracking. These steels 3. General Requirements
are susceptible to embrittlement if used for prolonged
3.1 Material furnished under this specification shall
periods at elevated temperatures.
conform to the applicable requirements of Specification
NOTE 1 — For tubing smaller than 1⁄2 in. [12.7 mm] in outside A 450 /A 450M, unless otherwise provided herein.
diameter, the elongation values given for strip specimens in Table
1 shall apply. Mechanical property requirements do not apply to
tubing smaller than 1⁄8 in. [3.2 mm] in outside diameter or with
walls thinner than 0.015 in. [0.4 mm]. 4. Ordering Information
1.2 The values stated in either inch-pound units or 4.1 Orders for material under this specification should
SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. include the following as required, to describe the desired
Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The material adequately:
values stated in each system are not exact equivalents;
4.1.1 Quantity (feet, metres, or number of lengths),
therefore, each system must be used independently of
the other. Combining values from the two systems may 4.1.2 Name of material (seamless or welded tubes),
result in nonconformance with the specification. The
inch-pound units shall apply unless the “M” designation 4.1.3 Grade (Table 2),
of this specification is specified in the order. 4.1.4 Size (outside diameter and nominal wall
thickness),
4.1.5 Length (specific or random),
2. Referenced Documents
4.1.6 Optional requirements (product analysis for
2.1 ASTM Standard: welded tubes, Section 9; hydrostatic or electric test,
A 450 /A 450M Specification for General Requirements 10.7),
for Carbon, Ferritic Alloy, and Austenitic Alloy Steel
Tubes 4.1.7 Test report required (section on Inspection
A 480 /A 480M Specification for General Requirements of Specification A 450 /A 450M),
for Flat-Rolled Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel 4.1.8 Specification designation, and
Plate, Sheet, and Strip
E 527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys (UNS) 4.1.9 Special requirements.

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 PART A — FERROUS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS SA-789 /SA-789M

5. Manufacture tubes of the same size and heat, heat treated in the same furnace
at the same temperature, time at heat, and furnace speed.
5.1 The tubes shall be made by the seamless or
welded process with no filler metal added.
9. Mechanical Tests Required

6. Heat Treatment 9.1 Tension Tests — One tension test shall be made
on a specimen for lots of not more than 50 tubes.
6.1 All tubes shall be furnished in the heat-treated Tension tests shall be made on specimens from two
condition in accordance with the procedures shown in tubes for lots of more than 50 tubes (Note 3).
Table 3.
9.2 Flaring Test (for Seamless Tubes) — One test
shall be made on specimens from one end of one tube
7. Chemical Composition from each lot (Note 2) of finished tubes. The minimum
expansion of the inside diameter shall be 10%.
7.1 The steel shall conform to the chemical require-
ments prescribed in Table 2. 9.3 Flange Test (for Welded Tubes) — One test
shall be made on specimens from one end of one tube
from each lot (Note 2) of finished tubes.
8. Product Analysis 9.4 Hardness Test — Brinell or Rockwell hardness
8.1 An analysis of either one billet or one length tests shall be made on specimens from two tubes from
of flat-rolled stock or one tube shall be made from each lot (Note 3).
each heat. The chemical composition thus determined
9.5 When more than one heat is involved, the tension,
shall conform to the requirements specified.
flaring, flanging, and hardness test requirements shall
8.2 A product analysis tolerance of Table A1.1 in apply to each heat.
Specification A 480 /A 480M shall apply. The product
9.6 Reverse Flattening Test — For welded tubes,
analysis tolerance is not applicable to the carbon content
one reverse flattening test shall be made on a specimen
for material with a specified maximum carbon of 0.04%
from each 1500 ft [450 m] of finished tubing.
or less.
8.3 If the original test for product analysis fails, 9.7 Hydrostatic or Nondestructive Electric Test —
retests of two additional billets, lengths of flat-rolled Each welded tube shall be subjected to either the
stock, or tubes shall be made. Both retests for the hydrostatic or nondestructive electric test. The purchaser
elements in question shall meet the requirements of may specify which test is to be used. Each seamless
this specification; otherwise all remaining material in tube shall be subjected to the hydrostatic test, or instead
the heat or lot (Note 2) shall be rejected or, at the of this test, a nondestructive electric test may be used
option of the producer, each billet or tube may be when specified by the purchaser. The hydrostatic test
individually tested for acceptance. Billets, lengths of shall be in accordance with Specification A 450 /A 450M
flat-rolled stock, or tubes that do not meet the require- with the calculated test pressure twice that calculated in
ments of this specification shall be rejected. accordance with the procedure in the Hydrostatic Test
Section of Specification A 450 / A 450M.
NOTE 2 — For flange and flaring requirements, the term “lot”
applies to all tubes prior to cutting of the same nominal size and
wall thickness that are produced from the same heat of steel. When
final heat treatment is in a batch-type furnace, a lot shall include 10. Tensile and Hardness Properties
only those tubes of the same size and from the same heat that are
heat treated in the same furnace charge. When the final heat treatment 10.1 The material shall conform to the tensile and
is in a continuous furnace, the number of tubes of the same size
and from the same heat in a lot shall be determined from the size hardness properties prescribed in Table 1.
of the tubes as prescribed in Table 4.

NOTE 3 — For tension and hardness test requirements, the term

“lot” applies to all tubes prior to cutting, of the same nominal 11. Permissible Variations in Dimensions
diameter and wall thickness that are produced from the same heat
of steel. When final heat treatment is in a batch-type furnace, a lot 11.1 Variations in outside diameter, wall thickness,
shall include only those tubes of the same size and the same heat
that are heat treated in the same furnace charge. When the final and length from those specified shall not exceed the
heat treatment is in a continuous furnace, a lot shall include all amounts prescribed in Table 5.

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 SA-789 /SA-789M 2001 SECTION II

11.2 The permissible variations in outside diameter will not be considered as scale. Any special finish
given in Table 5 are not sufficient to provide for ovality requirements shall be subject to agreement between the
in thin-walled tubes, as defined in the table. In such manufacturer and the purchaser.
tubes, the maximum and minimum diameters at any
cross section shall deviate from the nominal diameter
by no more than twice the permissible variation in 13. Product Marking
outside diameter given in Table 5; however, the mean 13.1 In addition to the marking prescribed in Specifi-
diameter at that cross section must still be within the cation A 450 /A 450M, the marking shall indicate
given permissible variation. whether the tubing is seamless or welded.

14. Keywords
12. Surface Condition
14.1 duplex stainless steel; ferritic/austenitic stainless
12.1 All tubes shall be free of excessive mill scale, steel; seamless steel tube; stainless steel tube; steel
suitable for inspection. A slight amount of oxidation tube; welded steel tube

TABLE 1
TENSILE AND HARDNESS REQUIREMENTS
Tensile Yield Elongation Hardness, max
Strength, Strength, in 2 in. or
min, ksi min, ksi 50 mm,
UNS Designation [MPa] [MPa] min, % Brinell Rockwell C
S31803 90 [620] 65 [450] 25 290 30.5
S31500 92 [630] 64 [440] 30 290 30.5
S32550 110 [760] 80 [550] 15 297 31.5
S31200 100 [690] 65 [450] 25 280 ...
S31260 [Note (1)] 100 [690] 65 [450] 25 290 30.5
S32304
OD 1 in. [25 mm] and
under 100 [690] 65 [450] 25 ... ...
OD over 1 in. [25 mm] 87 [600] 58 [400] 25 290 30.5
S39274 116 [800] 80 [550] 15 310 ...
S32750 116 [800] 80 [550] 15 310 32
S32760 109–130 80 [550] 25 270 ...
[750–895]
S32900 90 [620] 70 [485] 20 271 28
S32950 [Note (2)] 100 [690] 70 [480] 20 290 30.5
S39277 120 [825] 90 [620] 25 290 30
NOTES:
(1) Prior to A 789/A 789M - 87, the values for S31260 were: 92 ksi tensile strength, 54 ksi yield strength,
and 30% elongation.
(2) Prior to A 789/A 789M - 89, the tensile strength value was 90 ksi for UNS S32950.

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TABLE 2
CHEMICAL REQUIREMENTS
UNS
Designation

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[Note (1)] C Mn P S Si Ni Cr Mo N Cu Others
S31803 0.030 max 2.0 max 0.030 max 0.020 max 1.0 max 4.50–6.50 21.0–23.0 2.50–3.50 0.08–0.20 ... ...
S31500 0.030 max 1.20–2.00 0.030 max 0.030 max 1.40–2.00 4.25–5.25 18.0–19.0 2.50–3.00 0.05–0.1 ... ...
S32550 0.040 1.5 max 0.040 max 0.030 max 1.0 max 4.50–6.50 24.0–27.0 2.90–3.90 0.10–0.25 1.5–2.5 ...
S31200 0.030 max 2.0 max 0.045 max 0.030 max 1.0 max 5.50–6.50 24.0–26.0 1.20–2.00 0.14–0.20 ... ...
S31260 0.030 max 1.00 max 0.030 max 0.030 max 0.75 max 5.50–7.50 24.0–26.0 2.50–3.50 0.10–0.30 0.20–0.80 W 0.10–0.50
S32304 0.030 max 2.50 max 0.040 max 0.040 max 1.0 max 3.0–5.5 21.5–24.5 0.05–0.60 0.05–0.20 0.05–0.60 ...

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S39274 0.030 max 1.0 max 0.030 max 0.020 max 0.80 max 6.0–8.0 24.0–26.0 2.50–3.50 0.24–0.32 0.20–0.80 W 1.50–2.50
S32750 0.030 max 1.2 max 0.035 max 0.020 max 0.8 max 6.0–8.0 24.0–26.0 3.0–5.0 0.24–0.32 0.5 max ...
S32760 0.05 max 1.00 max 0.030 max 0.010 max 1.00 max 6.00–8.00 24.00–26.00 3.00–4.00 0.20–0.30 0.50–1.00 W 0.50–1.00
40 min
[Note (2)]
S32900 0.08 max 1.00 max 0.040 max 0.030 max 0.75 max 2.50–5.00 23.00–28.00 1.00–2.00 ... ... ...
S32950 0.03 max 2.00 max 0.035 max 0.010 max 0.60 max 3.50–5.20 26.00–29.00 1.00–2.50 0.15–0.35 ... ...
S39277 0.025 max 0.80 max 0.025 max 0.002 max 0.80 max 6.50–8.00 24.00–26.00 3.00–4.00 0.23–0.33 1.2–2.0 W 0.8–1.2
NOTES:
(1) New designation established in accordance with Practice E 527 and SAE J1086.
PART A — FERROUS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS

(2) % Cr + 3.3 × % Mo + 16 × % N.
SA-789 /SA-789M
 SA-789 /SA-789M 2001 SECTION II

TABLE 3
HEAT TREATMENT
UNS
Designation Temperature Quench
S31803 1870–2010°F Rapid cooling in air or water
[1020–1100°C]
S31500 1800–1900°F Rapid cooling in air or water
[980–1040°C]
S32550 1900°F Rapid cooling in air or water
[1040°C] min
S31200 1920–2010°F Rapid cooling in water
[1050–1100°C]
S31260 1870–2010°F Rapid cooling in water
[1020–1100°C]
S32304 1700–1920°F Rapid cooling in air or water
[925–1050°C]
S39274 1920–2060°F Rapid cooling in air or water
[1025–1125°C]
S32750 1880–2060°F Rapid cooling in air or water
[1025–1125°C]
S32760 2010–2085°F Rapid cooling in air or water
[1100–1140°C]
S32900 1700–1750°F Rapid cooling in air or water
[925–955°C]
S32950 1820–1880°F Air cool
[990–1025°C]
S39277 1975–2155°F Rapid cooling in air or water
[1080–1180°C]

TABLE 4
NUMBER OF TUBES IN A LOT HEAT TREATED BY
THE CONTINUOUS PROCESS
Size of Tube Size of Lot
2 in. [50.8 mm] and over in outside not more than 50 tubes
diameter and 0.200 in. [5.1 mm] and
over in wall thickness
Less than 2 in. [50.8 mm] but over 1 not more than 75 tubes
in. [25.4 mm] in outside diameter or
over 1 in. [25.4 mm] in outside
diameter and under 0.200 in. [5.1
mm] in wall thickness
1 in. [25.4 mm] or less in outside not more than 125 tubes
diameter

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TABLE 5
PERMISSIBLE VARIATIONS IN DIMENSIONS

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Permissible Variations in Cut
Size, Outside Permissible Variations in Permissible Length, in. [Note (2)] [mm]
Diameter, in. Outside Diameter, in. Variations in Wall
Group [mm] [mm] Thickness, [Note (4)] % Over Under Thin Walled Tubes [Note (3)]
1 1
1 Up to ⁄2 [12.7], excl ±0.005 [0.13] ±15 ⁄8 [3] 0 ...
1 1
2 ⁄2 to 11⁄2 [12.7 to 38.1], excl ±0.005 [0.13] ±10 ⁄8 [3] 0 less than 0.065 in. [1.6 mm] nominal
3
3 11⁄2 to 31⁄2 [38.1 to 88.9], excl ±0.010 [0.25] ±10 ⁄16 [5] 0 less than 0.095 in. [2.4 mm] nominal

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3
4 31⁄2 to 51⁄2 [88.9 to 139.7], excl ±0.015 [0.38] ±10 ⁄16 [5] 0 less than 0.150 in. [3.8 mm] nominal
3
5 51⁄2 to 8 [139.7 to 203.2], incl ±0.030 [0.76] ±10 ⁄16 [5] 0 less than 0.150 in. [3.8 mm] nominal
NOTES:
(1) When tubes as ordered require wall thicknesses 3⁄4 in. [19 mm] or over, or an inside diameter 60% or less of the outside diameter, a wider variation in wall thickness is required. On such
sizes a variation in wall thickness of 12.5% over or under will be permitted. For tubes less than 1⁄2 in. [12.7 mm] in inside diameter which cannot be successfully drawn over a mandrel,
the wall thickness may vary ±15% from that specified.
(2) These tolerances apply to cut lengths up to and including 24 ft [7.3 m]. For lengths greater than 24 ft [7.3 m], the above over-tolerances shall be increased by: 1⁄8 in. [3 mm] for each
10 ft [3 m] or fraction thereof over 24 ft or 1⁄2 in. [13 mm], whichever is the lesser.
(3) Ovality provisions of 11.2 apply.
PART A — FERROUS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS
SA-789 /SA-789M
 SA-789 /SA-789M 2001 SECTION II

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENT

The following supplementary requirement shall apply only when specified by the
purchaser in the inquiry, contract, or order.

S1. Air-Underwater Pressure Test

S1.1 Each tube, with internal surface clean and dry,
shall be internally pressurized to 150 psi [1000 kPa]
minimum with clean and dry compressed air while
being submerged in clear water.
S1.2 The tube shall be well-lighted, preferably by
underwater illumination.
S1.3 Any evidence of air leakage of the pneumatic
couplings shall be corrected prior to testing.
S1.4 After holding the pressure for not less than 5
s after the surface of the water has become calm, an
inspection shall be made of the entire external surface
of the tube.
S1.5 If any tube leaks during the air-underwater test,
it shall be rejected. Any leaking areas may be cut out
and the tube retested as in S1.1 through S1.4.

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