Piping Engineering Curriculum
Module from the Piping Engineering Curriculum curriculum.
Module 2 — Piping Materials & Spec Selection · Learning Objectives · 1. Select carbon steel, low-alloy, stainless, and duplex for common refinery services · 2. Apply MDMT and impact test rules per B31.3 §323.2.2 and Table A-1 · 3. Recognize galling, chloride SCC, HTHA, and wet H2S service limits · 4. Read a piping line class sheet and decode material spec codes · 5. Identify when to require NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 hardness control · Material Selection by Service
| Service | Primary Material | Alt / Upgrade | Key Concerns | Reference | Typical Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrocarbon (low-S, <500 °F) | A106-B / A53-B CS | A333-6 for cold | Corrosion allowance 0.125" | IPE-EP-5-2-1 | 150-300 |
| Hot oil (500–750 °F) | A335 P5 or P11 | A335 P22 at creep | HTHA above 450 °F H2 | API RP 941 | 300-600 |
| Sour gas/liquid (wet H2S) | NACE-compliant CS | A312 TP316L if severe | SSC, SOHIC, HIC, HB ≤22 Rockwell | NACE MR0175 | 300-600 |
| Amine service | CS with PWHT | Upgrade to 304L | Alkaline SCC, velocity ≤5 ft/s | API RP 945 | 150-300 |
| Caustic (>50 °C, >50% NaOH) | 304L/316L SS | Monel 400 | Caustic SCC above thresholds | NACE SP0403 | 150 |
| Hydrogen > 1000 psig, > 430 °F | A335 P11/P22, P91 | 321H or 347H SS | HTHA (Nelson Curve) | API RP 941 | 900-1500 |
| Cryogenic (–50 to –150 °F) | A333-6 low-temp CS | A312 TP304 / 304L | Charpy impact at MDMT | B31.3 §323.2.2 | 300-600 |
| Chloride service | Duplex 2205 | Super duplex 2507 | Pitting / CSCC | NACE SP0175 | 300 |
| Air / nitrogen (utility) | A53-B galvanized | CS painted | External corrosion | IPE-EP-5-2-2 | 150 |
| Instrument air | 304/316 SS tubing | Copper (legacy) | Dew-point < –40 °F | ISA 7.0.01 | 150 |
| Common ASTM Specs Quick Reference | |||||
| Spec | Form | Grade | Max Temp °F | Use | MDMT Basis |
| A106 | Seamless pipe | Gr. B | 800 | CS process piping | Impact per B31.3 |
| A53 | ERW/seamless pipe | Gr. B | 750 | CS low-temp limited utility | –20 °F without impact |
| A333 | Low-temp CS | Gr. 6 | 650 | Cryo & cold service | –50 °F, tested |
| A335 | Alloy pipe seamless | P5, P11, P22, P91 | 1100+ | Hot oil, hydrogen | Per grade |
| A312 | Stainless pipe | TP304/304L/316/316L/321/347 | 1500 | Corrosive / high-temp | –425 °F many grades |
| A790 | Duplex stainless | 2205, 2507 | 600 | Chloride/offshore | –50 °F |
| A358 | EFW stainless | Class 1 or 3 | 1500 | Large diameter SS | Per grade |
| A234 | Butt-weld fittings | WPB, WP11, WP22 | Match pipe | Elbows, tees, reducers | Match base |
| A105 | Forged CS flanges/fittings | — | 800 | Flanges | Impact if < 32 °F |
| A182 | Forged alloy/SS | F11, F22, F304, F316, F321 | Match pipe | Flanges, forged fittings | Per grade |
Source: Piping_Engineering_Curriculum_v1.xlsx · Sheet: Materials
© 2026 Inflection Point Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved. The content of this page — including calculation methods, reference data, written analysis, interactive tools, and source code — is the intellectual property of Inflection Point Engineering, LLC and is protected under applicable copyright, trademark, and trade secret laws. Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, modification, or derivative use in whole or in part is prohibited without prior written consent.
Disclaimer. This material is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Calculations, reference data, and methodologies are based on published standards and accepted engineering practice but are not a substitute for engineering judgment, site-specific analysis, or review by a licensed Professional Engineer. Inflection Point Engineering, LLC makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or fitness for a particular purpose of any content presented here, and shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from its use. Users assume all risk associated with applying this content to real-world design, operations, or decisions.
© 2026 Inflection Point Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved.