ASME Section II, B31.1 $ B31.3 pptx

CASTI Guidebook
ASM E Se c t ion I I , B3 1 .1 & B3 1 .3
2001 Materials Index
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CASTI Guidebook to
ASME Section II, B31.1 & B31.3 2001 Materials Index
(Covering the 2000 Addenda to 1998 Edition of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code - Section II
Parts A, B & D; the 2000 Addenda to 1998 Edition of ASME B31.1 - Power Piping Code;
and the 2000 Addenda to 1999 Edition of ASME B31.3 - Process Piping Code)

CASTI Guidebook Series - Vol. 1

Richard A. Moen

Executive Editor
John E. Bringas, P.Eng

Published By:

CAST I
C
CASTI Publishing Inc.
10566 - 114 Street
Edmonton, Alberta, T5H 3J7, Canada
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ISBN 1-894038-56-8
Printed in Canada


ii

National Library of Canada cataloguing in publication data
Moen, Richard A.
ASME section II. Materials index

(CASTI guidebook series ; v. 1)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISSN 1486-7249
1. Metallic composites--Standards. 2. Boilers--Specifications. 3. Pressure vessels--Specifications. I.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers. II. Title. III. Series.
TA418.9.C6M63

620.1
CS99-302017-8

CASTI Guidebook to ASME Section II, B31.1 & B31.3 - 2001 Materials Index


iii

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CASTI Guidebook to ASME Section II, B31.1 & B31.3 - 2001 Materials Index


iv

FROM THE PUBLISHER

IMPORTANT NOTICE
The material presented herein has been prepared for the general information of the reader and
should not be used or relied upon for specific applications without first securing competent technical
advice. Nor should it be used as a replacement for current complete engineering codes and
standards. In fact, it is highly recommended that the appropriate current engineering codes and
standards be reviewed in detail prior to any decision-making.
While the material in this book was compiled with great effort and is believed to be technically
correct, CASTI Publishing Inc. and its staff do not represent or warrant its suitability for any general
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CASTI Guidebook to ASME Section II, B31.1 & B31.3 - 2001 Materials Index


v

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Grammatical editing and layout consulting was performed by Jade DeLang Hart, B.A. Initial data
entry done by Denise Lamy, P.Eng. Revisions done by Michael Ling, E.I.T.
These acknowledgments cannot, however, adequately express the publisher’s appreciation and
gratitude for their valued assistance.

CASTI Guidebook to ASME Section II, B31.1 & B31.3 - 2001 Materials Index


vi

DEDICATION
This work is dedicated to the many colleagues, past and present, who I have had the privilege to

serve with on various ASME Boiler and Pressure Code Committees and who have been an inspiration
to me for twenty-five years. These include people such as the late Dr. George Smith, the late Paul
Brister, Domenic Canonico, Tom Cullen, Bill Leyda, Bill Apblett, Mike Gold and many more. More
recently, students who use the book have been an inspiration for new subjects to make this
Guidebook even more useful. And to my dear wife, Mary Jo, thank you for the time and
encouragement to pursue this “labor of love”. Thank you all.
Richard A. Moen

CASTI Guidebook to ASME Section II, B31.1 & B31.3 - 2001 Materials Index


vii

PREFACE
The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and the B31.1/B31.3 Piping Codes are large compilations
of rules and guidance covering numerous types of construction. Those rules pertain to various issues
within each construction type encompassing design, materials selection and procurement, fabrication,
inspection and testing, overpressure protection, and stamping. There are numerous other subsets of
these issues, each having its own degree of complexity. Then there are simply those precautions
noted throughout that should be considered. To the novice first-time user of the Code, this is an
awesome task, trying to find all the rules and guidelines that apply to a given application. Even to
the veteran user of the Code, it is surprising what one finds in other parts of the Code that can be of
general use elsewhere.
I was a "novice" first-time user of the Code in the late 1960s and, like all others, was overwhelmed by
the complexity, strange terminology, and shear dimension of the Code. As a metallurgical engineer,
my primary interest was in materials but in a broad sense ranging from selection and specification to
properties and environmental effects. And like the typical well organized engineer, I started making
my own checklists, indexes, and cross references to ensure that my work would be done in the most
efficient and proficient ways possible.
In 1969, I started what became a long association with the committees that write the Boiler and

Pressure Vessel Code. Affiliations have included: Task Groups on Materials Behavior, Physical
Properties, Inspection of Reactor Internal Structures, and Environmental Effects; Subgroups on
Strength of Ferrous Alloys and Materials, Fabrication, and Examination (SC III); Subcommittees on
Specifications, Materials, and Nuclear Power; and the Main Committee of the ASME Boiler and
Pressure Vessel Code. In the mid 1970s, my first materials index found its way into Code committee
work. Its primary use was in achieving consistency in the use of nominal composition designations
throughout the Code. The format of that index led to numerous improvements over the years.
During this time, peers started to recognize the usefulness of the index and they encouraged me to
publish it so others might also benefit from its many useful features.
The first editions of CASTI Guidebook to ASME Section II, B31.1 & B31.3 - 2001 Materials Index
concentrated primarily on the features of the original "Moen Index". Recognizing that materialssupport people for Code construction would benefit from additional guidance on materials issues, the
1998 Edition provided additional help in understanding broader aspects of the Code as well as
focusing on the location of materials requirements and guidance within the various Code sections.
The 2001 Edition of the “Moen Index” goes one step further by extending the scope of the materials
index to cover materials for Section IV, Section VIII – Div. 3 and B31.1/B31.3 construction. It is my
desire to make this the ultimate "primer" for anyone dealing with Code materials issues, benefiting
everyone from the "novice" to the "veteran."
Richard A. Moen

CASTI Guidebook to ASME Section II, B31.1 & B31.3 - 2001 Materials Index


ix

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Introduction
Historical Perspective
Materials Index Development
Nominal Composition Designation

Index Revision

1
1
1
3
4

Chapter 2
Classification of Materials Used in Code Construction
Background
Ferrous Versus Nonferrous
Ferrous
Nonferrous
Summary

5
5
5
6
8
11

Chapter 3
Organization of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code from a Materials Standpoint
Scope
A Brief History of the Code
Content of the 1998 Edition
Common Introductory Portions of Code Sections
Common Appendices Involving Materials

Other Related Codes
Summary

13
13
13
14
30
34
36
36

Chapter 4
Organization of the ASME Piping Code from a Materials Standpoint
A Brief History of the Piping Code
Current Scope of the Piping Code
Scope of B31.1 and B31.3 Codes
Coverage of Materials in B31.3
Coverage of Materials in B31.1

37
37
37
38
40
46

Chapter 5
Organization and the Use of Section II, Part D
Scope

A Brief History of the Development of Section II, Part D
Structure of Section II, Part D
Specific Features of Tables 1 and 2
Specific Features of Tables 3 and 4
Table U, Tensile Strength Values
Table U-2, Tensile Strength Values for Section VIII, Div. 3
Table Y-1, Yield Strength Values
Table Y-2, Factors for Limiting Permanent Strain
Table Y-3, Yield Strength Values (for Section VIII, Div. 3)
Subpart 2, Physical Property Tables
Subpart 3, Charts and Tables for External Pressure Applications
Section II, Part D Appendices
Stress Criteria – Appendices 1 and 2
Summary

53
53
53
54
57
67
67
67
68
68
68
68
69
69
72

76

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Chapter 6
Evolution, Organization and Use of ASME Materials Specifications
Scope
Evolution of ASME Specifications
Organization of Parts A and B of Section II
Organization of Typical Specifications

77
77
77
78
78

Chapter 7
Code Alloys By UNS Numbers
Aluminum-Base Alloys
Copper-Base Alloys
Cast Irons
AISI and SAE Carbon and Alloy Steels
Cast Steels
Miscellaneous Steels and Ferrous Alloys
Nickel Base Alloys
Special Metals (Co, Ti, Zr)

Heat and Corrosion Resistant Steels

85
86
86
88
89
89
91
96
98
99

Chapter 8
Code Specifications by Nominal Composition & by Common Name
ASME General Requirement Specifications
Code Specifications By Nominal Compositions for Grouped Alloys
Carbon Steels
Clad Steels
Cast Irons
Low Alloy Steels (C-Mo)
Low Alloy Steels (¹⁄₂ Cr - 1 ¹⁄₄ Cr)
Low Alloy Steels (1 ³⁄₄ Cr - 3 Cr)
Low Alloy Steels (5 Cr - 9 Cr)
Low Alloy Steels (Mn, Mn-Mo, and Si Steels)
Low Alloy Steels (Nickel Steels)
High Alloy Steels (Including Stainless Steels)
Aluminum Base Alloys
Copper Base Alloys
Nickel Base Alloys

Special Alloys (Cobalt-Base)
Titanium Base Alloys
Zirconium Base Alloys

105
110
110
110
111
115
116
118
119
122
145
148
153
164
164
168

Chapter 9
Ferrous Alloys Specifications by Common Name or Trade Name

171

Chapter 10
Nonferrous Alloys Specifications by Common Name or Trade Name

197

Chapter 11
Ferrous Materials Specifications by Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section Use

221

CASTI Guidebook to ASME Section II, B31.1 & B31.3 - 2001 Materials Index

103
104


xi
Chapter 12
Nonferrous Materials Specifications by Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section Use

297

Chapter 13
Listing of ASTM and API Specifications/Grades for Materials Found in B31.1/B31.3 Stress Tables 349
Part A – Ferrous Alloys
350
Part B – Nonferrous Alloys
373
Chapter 14
Specification Designations and Titles
Ferrous Specification Designations and Titles Listed by Product Form
Steel Pipe
Steel Tubes
Steel Flanges, Fittings, Valves and Parts

Steel Plates, Sheets and Strip for Pressure Vessels
Structural Steel
Steel Bars
Steel Bolting Materials
Steel Billets and Forgings
Steel Castings
Corrosion-Resisting and Heat-Resisting Steels
Wrought Iron, Cast Iron, and Malleable Iron
Methods
Ferrous Specification Designations and Titles Listed by Numeric Sequence
Nonferrous Specification Designations & Titles Listed by Alloy Groups and Product Form
Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys
Copper Alloys
Nickel Alloys
Titanium Alloys
Zirconium Alloys
Nonferrous Specification Designations and Titles Listed by Numeric Sequence

397
397
397
398
398
398
401
401
402
402
403
403

405
405
406
412
412
412
413
416
416
417

Appendix 1
Unit Conversions Tables

423

Appendix 2
Hardness Conversion Tables

427

CASTI Guidebook to ASME Section II, B31.1 & B31.3 - 2001 Materials Index


Chapter

1
INTRODUCTION
The Materials Index (Moen Index)
Historical Perspective

The “Moen Index” has evolved over a period of nearly twenty-five years, appearing in various forms.
This latest format is keyed to Part D of Section II of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
(B&PVC) with an expanded scope to now cover the use of materials in Section IV, Section VIII –
Div. 3, and the B31.1/B31.3 Piping Code. As with earlier versions, the primary reason for developing
such an index is to assist the various users of the ASME Code with a better understanding of the
identification of materials used in ASME Code construction.
In the mid 1970s, when the author was involved in ASME Code committee work associated with
thermophysical properties, it was noted that the four principal sections of the ASME Code (I, III,
VIII, and IX) on occasion referred to materials in their individual stress tables by different nominal
composition designations. Since there was a necessity at that time to tie thermophysical properties to
nominal compositions, there was first a need to identify and resolve nominal composition designation
differences within the Code. That exercise resulted in the first version of the Moen Index.
Once the merits of such a materials index were recognized as a tool for maintaining consistency in
nominal composition designations, there were logical “next steps” that included the addition of
corresponding common trade names, ASME Code section usage, minimum specified tensile
properties, and Unified Numbering System (UNS) numbers.
These first few editions of the Moen Index were updated yearly, with significant changes every three
to four years. During those early years, colleagues continuously encouraged the author to publish the
Moen Index. In 1994, the first version of this book was assembled and published. The latest version
(this one) now covers materials used in Section IV and Section VIII, Division 3 construction, as well
as B31.1 and B31.3 piping systems. This additional coverage was driven by a need for a more
complete depiction of materials used in all boiler, pressure vessel, and piping system construction.
Materials Index Development
The first step in developing the Materials Index is to list all specifications contained in Section II,
Part A - Ferrous Specifications and Part B - Nonferrous Specifications, as well as the ASTM
specifications referenced in B31.1 and B31.3 stress tables showing material grades, types, and/or
classes within each specification. Heat treatment, product form, and size limits are also included. In
some cases for a given material, separate entries are made as a function of size or heat treatment
condition. Tensile strength requirements are also shown as ultimate tensile strength (UTS) or yield
strength (YS). Values in ksi (1000 psi) are minimum values unless noted otherwise. For ASME

CASTI Guidebook to ASME Section II, B31.1 & B31.3 - 2001 Materials Index


2

Introduction

Chapter 1

specifications, this listing results in the inclusion of materials that are not yet approved for use in
Code construction, but are materials simply included in ASTM specifications adopted by ASME.
The second step is to go through each of the stress tables found in Section II, Part D, Section IV,
B31.1, B31.3 and the permitted materials lists in Section VIII – Div. 3 and place a check ( ) under
each column heading whenever a particular material is found within the stress tables.

√

Within the boiler and pressure vessel portion of the Materials Index, the Section II, Part D table
headings are as follows:
Table 1A

Section I; Section III, Classes 2 and 3; and Section VIII, Division 1 Maximum Allowable Stress Values for Ferrous Materials.

Table 1B

Section I; Section III, Classes 2 and 3; and Section VIII, Division 1 Maximum Allowable Stress Values for Nonferrous Materials.

Table 2A

Section III, Class 1 and Section VIII, Division 2 - Design Stress Intensity
Values for Ferrous Materials.

Table 2B

Section III, Class 1 and Section VIII, Division 2 - Design Stress Intensity
Values for Nonferrous Materials.

Table 3

Section III, Classes 2 and 3 and Section VIII, Divisions 1 and 2 - Maximum
Allowable Stress Values for Bolting Materials.

Table 4

Section III, Class 1 and Section VIII, Division 2 - Design Stress Intensity
Values for Bolting Materials.

The materials permitted for Section IV construction−Tables HF300 and HLW 300, and Section VIII,
Division 3−Tables KCS-1, and KHA-1 and KNF-1 are also covered with separate table headings.
Section II, Part D contains tables of tensile strength, yield strength, thermal expansion, thermal
conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and modulus of elasticity, but none of these are specific to
particular ASME Code book sections, with the exception of Tables U-2 and Y-3 which are specific to
Section VIII, Division 3. Thus, the Materials Index does not indicate ASME Code usage for these
tables−only what is reflected within the stress tables of Section II, Part D, the stress tables of
Section IV, and the three tables of permitted materials from Section VIII, Division 3.
The third step is to go through Table QW/QB-422 of Section IX, checking whether the materials are
assigned welding P-Numbers. If so, the welding P-Numbers are listed under the column heading
Weld No./P-Gr.
The fourth step is to review every current Code Case, for both non-nuclear and nuclear construction,

to define which materials are covered by these cases. When a case references a new material, that
Code case is identified in the appropriate “Code Case Coverage” column. The goal of the Code is to
incorporate the provisions of these cases into the body of the Code as soon as the materials are
adequately covered by ASME specifications and adequate use experience is achieved.
The last step is to ensure that nominal compositions are properly identified and uniformly applied
throughout the specification listing. For those materials not yet described by Unified Numbering
System numbers within the specifications, ASTM DS56G (Eighth Edition with 1999 update) is used
to supplement and correct, if necessary, the ASME Code. Trade names are included whenever they
CASTI Guidebook to ASME Section II, B31.1 & B31.3 - 2001 Materials Index


Chapter 1

Introduction

3

are known and when the grade or type designation gives little clue as to the real identity. This is all
collectively portrayed in Chapters 11 through 13 of this guide for ferrous and nonferrous materials.
Issues surrounding assignment of nominal composition and UNS numbers will be discussed in more
detail in the next subsection of this chapter and in Chapter 5 under Alloy Designation/UNS No.
Another important feature of the Materials Index serves those who have a nominal composition and
simply need to know all of the specifications associated with that composition. The first portion of
Chapter 8 is limited to ferrous materials, primarily because these materials are better known by
nominal composition than by UNS number. The second portion lists nonferrous alloys by their UNS
number and then lists the corresponding specifications for those unique materials. For the
nonferrous materials, most users are more familiar with UNS designations than with nominal
compositions. Also included in Chapter 8 are general requirements specifications applicable to
products covered by specifications listed in Chapters 11 through 13.
Chapter 7 of the Materials Index contains an abbreviated cross index, primarily associating UNS

numbers for 10 classes of alloys with their common designation (if it exists). Where specific names
for steels do not exist, the Materials Index simply provides the applicable specifications. For some
ferrous materials in the tables where specifications are referenced, only the ASTM designations are
listed, even though ASME specifications exist for most of the materials listed by UNS numbers.
Chapter 14 of the Materials Index lists the ASME Code material specification titles and designations
found in ASME Section II Parts A and B. This information is first divided into ferrous and
nonferrous materials, then is listed by product form, alloy group, and finally by specification number
sequence. Sometimes, knowing the title of a specified material designation can provide the user with
valuable information to deal with the issue at hand.
Nominal Composition Designation
Since the original motivation for the Materials Index was to achieve some consistency in the nominal
composition of ASME Code materials, it is appropriate at this point to explain how those
compositions are derived. For ferrous alloys, usually the principal alloying ingredients other than
iron are listed. Note that “usually” is underlined; that means there are cases where alloys have had a
particular nominal composition for twenty-five years or more, which is not totally indicative of the
actual composition. With the long term recognition of a material by that nominal composition, there
is now no compelling reason to change. Cast versions of a given wrought product may be assigned
the same nominal composition as the wrought product, even though particular elements may differ
by one to two percent from the nominal composition of the wrought product. This has caused some
concern, but it was done with a good purpose in mind, namely there was a desire to tie
thermophysical data to both the wrought and cast materials. Thus a single composition was usually
selected and it was typically that of the wrought product materials.
In the nickel-base system of alloys, nominal compositions can be long and detailed due to the
complexity of these alloys. Thus, liberty is taken in showing percentages of only the principle
alloying elements, generally not for more than four elements. Throughout the Materials Index, it
should be obvious that there is no absolute system for developing nominal compositions. It is mostly
a case of following in the footsteps of those who initially came upon the idea and not deviating very
far from that “system.”
Development of nominal compositions has never been “standardized” and several committees and/or
individuals within ASTM or ASME committee structures may develop such an identifier. This may

explain why there may appear to be different approaches for this task. Until there are rules for
developing nominal composition designations, there will inevitably be differences. The Materials
CASTI Guidebook to ASME Section II, B31.1 & B31.3 - 2001 Materials Index


4

Introduction

Chapter 1

Index will help to achieve some degree of consistency through its various cross-indexes and relatively
close tie to the Code itself.
Index Revision
The 2001 Materials Index is based on the 2000 Addenda to the 1998 Edition of ASME Boiler and
Pressure Vessel Code. The initial 1998 Edition uniquely contained the 1998 Addenda which became
mandatory on January 1, 1999. The 2000 Materials Index is also based on the 1998 Edition/99
Addenda to B31.1, Power Piping, and the 1999 Edition/2000 Addenda to B31.3, Process Piping Code.
The ASME Codes are revised yearly, thus the Materials Index, to be fully useful, will match the
current ASME Code edition with the most recent addenda issued and will also be issued yearly. Due
to publication timing, the Materials Index will always show a date differing from the actual ASME
Code Edition or Addenda.
Changes to the ASME Code that commonly appear in these new editions or addenda may involve:
1. Addition or deletion of material grades or classes in specifications; or
2. Addition or deletion of specifications/grades/classes to/from stress tables for a given ASME Code
section; or
3. Changes in the minimum specified tensile properties; or
4. Other further restrictions on size, heat treatment, etc.
These will be the primary reasons for revising the Materials Index. There may also be changes in
welding P-Numbers by Section IX, revisions to UNS numbers, revisions to assigned external pressure

chart numbers, or there may be new, revised, or deleted/annulled Code cases.
Lastly, there will simply be editorial errors in the Code or this Index that creep in, no matter how
extensive the review. Thus, the author cautions the user that there are no guarantees as to the
degree of completeness or accuracy of the Materials Index. The Index is intended solely as an aide in
better understanding the materials of ASME Code construction as they are depicted in Section II of
the ASME Code. The identification of such errors or suggestions for improvements in format or style
should be forwarded to the author in care of CASTI Publishing Inc.

CASTI Guidebook to ASME Section II, B31.1 & B31.3 - 2001 Materials Index


Chapter

2
CLASSIFICATION OF MATERIALS
USED IN CODE CONSTRUCTION
Background
One of the fundamental aspects of each construction Code is materials. Classification of materials
used within B31.1 and B31.3 would seem, at first glance, to be a simple matter of following some
internationally recognized system such as the use of UNS numbers. Unfortunately, the situation is
not that clear and, more unfortunately, there are currently changes underway in the basic scheme
for differentiating between ferrous and nonferrous alloys. Within the ferrous alloy grouping, it also
appears there are different methods of grouping carbon steels, low and intermediate alloy steels and
high alloy steels. These differences will be compared to what is now used within the listings of
materials in the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. This will be done without any attempt to conclude
that one system is more correct than the other.

Ferrous Versus Nonferrous
Starting in 1993, the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) – the source for most of the
specifications referenced for B31.1 and B31.3 construction – adopted the European definition for

what constitutes a ferrous material. A ferrous material is now any material which contains more
iron than any single element, having a carbon content generally less than 2%, and containing other
elements. Correspondingly, nonferrous alloys are materials where aluminum, copper, cobalt, nickel,
titanium, or zirconium are present in weight percents higher than the amount of iron.
The main area where this is going to present some problem is in the series of nickel-base alloys
where iron is actually present in amounts greater than the amount of nickel. For those alloys, ASTM
is in the process of redesignating those alloys “ferrous alloys” and relocating the grades into
corresponding product ASTM “A” specifications for ferrous materials. This changeover is occurring
over a ten-year transitional period; hence, one can expect to see grades such as Alloy 800 (UNS
N08800) listed in both ASTM “A” and ASTM “B” specifications for ferrous and nonferrous alloys,
respectively.
The following is a listing of materials used in Code construction, where this new definition of ferrous
alloys might affect where these materials are placed in the stress tables in the future.

CASTI Guidebook to ASME Section II, B31.1 & B31.3 - 2001 Materials Index


6

Classification of Materials Used in Code Construction

Chapter 2

Material

Fe vs Ni Content

Material

Fe vs Ni Content

N08800
N08810
N08367
N08320

42Fe – 33Ni
42Fe – 33Ni
46Fe – 24Ni
43Fe – 26Ni

N08904
N08926
N09926
N08700

44Fe – 25Ni
39Fe – 28Ni
39Fe – 27Ni
47Fe – 25Ni

Alloys N08020 and N08031 have essentially identical amounts of iron and nickel, so it is unclear at
this time how the new definition of ferrous alloy will affect these two materials.

Ferrous Alloys
Carbon Steels
Carbon steels are ferrous alloys for which there is no minimum specified content of the elements
which are normally considered to be alloying elements. These alloying elements are:
chromium
cobalt

molybdenum

niobium
nickel
titanium

tungsten
vanadium
zirconium

Carbon steels are generally comprised of small amounts of carbon, phosphorus, and sulfur, plus:

•
•
•

less than 1.65% manganese
less than 0.60% silicon
less than 0.60% copper

Carbon steels can be further subdivided into low, medium, and high carbon steels using the following
limits:

•
•
•

Low carbon steels have 0.10 to 0.30% carbon and tends to be non-heat treatable
Medium carbon steels have 0.30 to 0.60% carbon
High carbon steels have carbon levels over 0.60%

Most, if not all, of the carbon steel materials permitted in B31.1 and B31.3 construction have carbon
levels of 0.30% or less, thus are low carbon steels.
In Chapter 5 under Nominal Compositions, the issue of subdividing carbon steels by silicon and
manganese content is addressed. Carbon steels listed in Table A-1 of B31.1 currently are subdivided
into C, C-Si, C-Mn, and C-Mn-Si. These same materials in Table A-1 of B31.3 do not carry this
distinction. The Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code in their stress tables of Section II, Part D and the
stress tables in Section IV is in the process of reverting back to simply referring to all of these
materials as “carbon steels”.

CASTI Guidebook to ASME Section II, B31.1 & B31.3 - 2001 Materials Index


Chapter 2

Classification of Materials Used in Code Construction

7

Low and Intermediate Alloys Steels
Alloys steels are iron-base alloys that contain manganese, silicon, and copper in excess of the
amounts shown above for carbon steel and have specified ranges or minimums for one or more other
alloying elements, including carbon. Within Tables A-2 of B31.1 and A-1 of B31.3, there is no
attempt to distinguish between Low and Intermediate. Some use 5% total alloying elements as the
break between Low and Intermediate, but from a B31 materials standpoint, the distinction is not
really important.
Examining what is listed now in B31.1 and B31.3 stress tables, under the general heading of Low
and Intermediate Alloy Steels, it shows that 9% chromium – 1% molybdenum is about the highest
combination of alloying elements in these iron-base or ferrous materials.
High Alloy Steels

These materials are commonly thought of as the family of stainless steels and generally contain
more than 10% alloying elements. Of the materials listed in Table A-3 of B31.1 or Table A-1 of B31.3,
the lowest total alloy content found is for 11Cr-Ti (ASTM A 268 Grade 409) in Table A-1. The next
closest material is 12Cr-1Al (ASTM A 268 Grade 405) found in Tables A-3 of B31.1 and A-1 of B31.3.
The category of high alloy or stainless steels is subdivided into five generally recognized groupings as
follows:

•
•
•
•
•

Austenitic
Austenitic-Ferritic (Duplex)
Ferritic
Martensitic
Precipitation Hardening

Within Table A-3 of B31.3, Stainless Steels are only subdivided into two groupings – austenitic and
ferritic/martensitic. Table A-1 of B31.1 lists all of these high alloy steels as simply “Stainless Steels”.
Austenitic stainless steels possess a face-centered cubic structure and are hardenable only by cold
working. Common examples of austenitic grades include 304SS, 316SS, 321SS and 347SS. These
grades are moderately strong (75 ksi UTS and 30 ksi YS) and are nonmagnetic in the solution heat
treated condition.
Austenitic-Ferritic (Duplex) stainless steels contain a mixture of austenitic and ferritic structures,
with at least one-fourth of the lesser phase. These materials are hardenable only by cold working. As
supplied, these materials are moderately strong (100 – 130 ksi UTS and 70 – 90 ksi YS). Due to the
presence of ferrite, they tend to be moderately magnetic. Examples of these materials include:

•
•
•

SAE 2304 – UNS S39230
Zeron 100 – UNS S39276
7Mo Plus – UNS S39295
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Classification of Materials Used in Code Construction

Chapter 2

At this time, there appears to be little, if any, use of these materials in B31.1 or B31.3 construction.
Ferritic stainless steels are body-centered cubic in structure (with little, if any, tempered
martensite) and hardenable only slightly by cold working (responding little or only slightly to
conventional heat treatment by quenching and tempering). Common examples include:

•
•
•

S40900 – 409SS
S43000 – 430SS
S44627 – XM-27

Martensitic stainless steels have a distorted body-centered cubic structure produced by

conventional heat treating and quenching, with followup tempering used to achieve specific strength
levels. Martensitic grades may be provided in the annealed (ferritic) condition or in the quenched
and tempered (martensitic) condition. Common examples are:

•
•
•

S41600 or 416SS
S41000 or 410SS
S40300 or 403SS

Precipitation-Hardened stainless steels are generally either austenitic or martensitic in structure
and are hardenable by heating at some intermediate temperature to selectively precipitate out in the
grain structure one or more phase. Usually, lower precipitation temperatures (900 – 1000°F) result
in higher strengths, with higher precipitation temperatures (1050 – 1150°F) resulting in lower
strengths. Common examples of these alloys are:

•
•
•

S17400 – 17-4PH SS
S13800 – XM-13
S44500 – XM-25

Again, it appears that there is little, if any, use of these materials per the stress tables in B31.1 and
B31.3.

Nonferrous Alloys

Nonferrous alloys shown in Section II, Part D stress tables 1B and 2B, and in B31.1 and B31.3 stress
tables are limited to aluminum, copper, nickel, titanium and zirconium-base alloys. All of the alloys
listed under each of these categories (with the exception of some of the current NXXXXX alloys
mentioned earlier in this Chapter) contain more of the principle alloying element than the element
iron. The following is a brief overview of the alloys comprising each of these groupings, starting with
aluminum.

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Chapter 2

Classification of Materials Used in Code Construction

9

Aluminum-Base Alloys
Either the aluminum grade designation found in the stress tables or the last four digits of the UNS
numbers assigned to various grades of aluminum alloys reveal much about the basic composition of
the alloys.
For wrought aluminum products, the “system” works as follows:
1XXX – 99.00% aluminum
2XXX – copper added
3XXX – manganese added
4XXX – silicon added
5XXX – magnesium added
6XXX – magnesium and silicon added
7XXX – zinc added
8XXX – other elements added
Three cast grades are commonly used in Code construction. Their chemical makeup is as follows:

204.0 or UNS A02040 – copper added
443.0 or UNS A24430 – silicon added (4XX.X)
356.0 or UNS A03560 – silicon with added copper and/or magnesium (3XX.X)
Stress tables in the various ASME Codes tend to list aluminum alloys by increasing UNS numbers,
but some Codes may first differentiate by product form and then by increasing UNS number within
those subdivisions.
Copper-Base Alloys
Code stress tables identify copper alloys by their assigned UNS number and arrange the listings by
increasing UNS number within a given product form heading or simply by increasing UNS number.
Table A-1 uses, in addition to UNS numbers, the older, more commonly recognized, common names,
such as “Composition Bronze” for C83600 and “Leaded Naval Brass” for C48500.
There is a scheme or logic to the copper alloy identification system; the most recent version appeared
in ASM’s “Advanced Materials and Processes”, December 1999.

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10

Classification of Materials Used in Code Construction

Chapter 2

The following is the generic classification for wrought copper alloys.
UNS No. Range

Generic Names

Composition

C10100 – C15760
C16200 – C19600
C20500 – C28580
C31200 – C38590
C40400 – C49080
C50100 – C52400
C53200 – C54800
C55180 – C55284

Coppers, essentially pure
High-copper alloys
Brasses
Leaded brasses
Tin brasses
Phosphor bronzes
Leaded phosphor bronzes
Copper-phosphorous and Copper-silverphosphorous alloys
Aluminum bronzes
Silicon bronzes
Other copper-zinc alloys
Copper-nickel alloys
Nickel-silver alloys

> 99% Cu
> 96% Cu
Cu-Zn
Cu-Zn-Pb
Cu-Zn-Sn-Pb
Cu-Sn-P
Cu-Sn-Pb-P

Cu-P-Ag

C60600 – C64400
C64700 – C66100
C66400 – C69900
C70000 – C79900
C73200 – C79900

Cu-Al-Ni-Fe-Si-Sn
Cu-Si-Sn
--Cu-Ni-Fe
Cu-Ni-Zn

Cast copper alloys are restricted to C8XXXX and C9XXXX designations as follows:
UNS No. Range

Generic Names

Composition

C80100 – C81100
C81300 – C82800
C83300 – C85800

Coppers
High-copper alloys
Red and leaded red brasses

C85200 – C85800

Yellow and leaded yellow brasses

C86100 – C86800

Manganese bronzes and leaded
manganese bronzes
Silicon bronzes, silicon brasses
Tin bronzes and leaded tin bronzes
Nickel-tin bronzes
Aluminum bronzes
Copper-nickels
Nickel silvers
Leader coppers
Special cast copper alloys

> 99% Cu
> 94% Cu
Cu-Zn-Sn-Pb
(75 – 89% Cu)
Cu-Zn-Sn-Pb
(57 – 74% Cu)
Cu-Zn-Mn-Fe-Pb

C87300 – C87900
C90200 – C94500
C94700 – C94900
C95200 – C95810
C96200 – C96800
C97300 – C97800
C98200 – C98800

C99300 – C99750

Cu-Zn-Si
Cu-Sn-Zn-Pb
Cu-Ni-Sn-Zn-Pb
Cu-Al-Fe-Ni
Cu-Ni-Fe
Cu-Ni-Zn-Pb-Sn
Cu-Pb
---

The hazard in citing this American Society for Materials (ASM) reference is that several of the
common names for copper alloys found in B31.3’s Table A-1 may not totally agree with these generic
names. Fortunately, the generic or common name does not control the alloy identity. Thus, any
discrepancies are only minor nuisances to be resolved in time.

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Chapter 2

Classification of Materials Used in Code Construction

11

Nickel-Base Alloys
Nickel-base alloys listed in Table A-4 of B31.1 and Table A-1 of B31.3 use both the more modern
UNS number and the older nominal composition-type of identifier for each nickel alloy. None of the
nominal composition-type designations contain the quantitative values for each element found in the
various Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code stress tables for the nominal compositions of comparable

alloys. Before UNS numbers were used, it was extremely difficult to figure out the actual identity for
something identified only as “Ni-Fe-Cr-Mo-Cu” (which happens to be Alloy 825 or UNS N08825). As
discussed earlier in this Chapter, some of the alloys now identified as nickel-base alloys will
eventually be re-designated ferrous alloys and eventually moved to new locations in stress tables.

Titanium-Base Alloys
Titanium-base alloys are categorized into the following groupings:

•
•
•
•
•

Commercially pure titanium
Alpha alloys
Near-alpha alloys
Alpha-beta alloys
Beta alloys

All of the currently used titanium alloys in Code construction fall under the first categorization –
commercially pure titanium, but many new grades of titanium are being added to specifications and
may eventually find their way into Code construction.
Zirconium-Base Alloys
There are only two grades of zirconium-base alloys that have assigned stresses for Code construction.
The first is Grade R60702 which is essentially commercially pure zirconium and the second is Grade
R60705 which has a nominal 2.5% niobium added to impart a higher strength than available with
Grade R60702.

Summary

Much of what has been presented in this Chapter will be helpful to those specifying materials for use
in various Codes. It may also help in realizing some of the difference in Code stress tables.

CASTI Guidebook to ASME Section II, B31.1 & B31.3 - 2001 Materials Index


Chapter

3
ORGANIZATION OF THE
ASME BOILER & PRESSURE VESSEL CODE
FROM A MATERIALS STANDPOINT
The “heart” of the CASTI Guidebook to ASME Section II, B31.3 & B31.3 is the tabulation of ferrous
and nonferrous materials specifications by Code section use. However, this Index is only part of the
story with respect to Section II and Code materials in general. The focus of this guide is also on how
Section II relates to the rest of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, how Section II - Part D is
organized, and on some of the common metallurgical issues and terms encountered in the
specifications conveyed in Section II, Parts A and B.
The word Code in this portion of the guide refers to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (see
General Overview of the Code for a list of the Code Sections.) Construction book committees refers to
SC I, SC III, SC IV, SC VIII, and SC X (where SC is the abbreviation for Subcommittee). Service
book committees refers to SC II, SC V, and SC IX who provide service to all construction book
committees. All of these Subcommittees are responsible for Code books (or Code Sections) covering
the specific subject areas.

Scope
Section II is an integral part of the 11 section ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, hereafter
referred to simply as the Code. This chapter focuses on how Section II interacts with the rest of the
Code, and other related Codes. Important features common to all or most Code sections are
discussed. Presentations focus on the “materials person” who should be an integral part of any

engineering task. This materials person may be an experienced metallurgical or materials engineer
whose role is to provide expert guidance on materials issues, or it may simply be an engineer of
another discipline who assumes the broader role of a materials specialist, along with his/her other
areas of expertise. The current trends within industry, and practice of engineering in particular,
have underscored the need to broaden the skill base and become even more versatile. This Materials
Index is evolving with this trend in mind.

A Brief History of the Code
A series of tragedies in the late 1800s and early 1900s precipitated what would become the first set of
steam boiler construction rules. During a 14 year period between 1889 and 1903, approximately 1,200
people were killed in 1,600 boiler explosions in the United States. First recognizing a way to halt this
tragic loss of life was the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In 1907, it enacted the first set of steam

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14

Organization of the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code from a Materials Standpoint

Chapter 3

boiler construction rules, all of which were conveyed in just three pages. Four years later in 1911, New
York and Ohio published similar boiler construction laws. By 1920, nine other states had followed suit.
Each state had developed slightly different rules, however. For a manufacturer who desired to
market a standard boiler in all states, this presented a severe hardship. Recognizing this
unfavorable situation in 1911, the American Society for Mechanical Engineers Council appointed a
committee to formulate standard specifications for the construction of steam boilers and other
pressure vessels. The Council was also concerned about the care of boilers in service. The first
published version of the ASME Code appeared in 1914, covering power and heating boilers. By 1937,

nine sections had been issued covering procedures for all phases of fabrication, materials selection,
maintenance, and inspection of pressure vessels.
The late 1940s brought about newer design methods and advances in materials technology. In the
early 1950s, the Code committee completed a comprehensive review of stress tables. Later in that
decade, demands for higher temperatures and pressures pushed the envelope into the regime where
creep considerations became significant. Within a few years, particularly in the case of Grade 321
stainless steel, failures began to appear, indicating a need to reevaluate the bases for setting stresses.
These events led to a renewed emphasis on materials testing. An important step was taken in 1966
with formation of the Metals Properties Council. This organization worked closely with the Code
committee to improve the databases and the analytical processes used to set Code allowable stresses.
As the Code takes on a more international “flavor”, a major step was taken in 1998 to reduce the
factor on tensile strength used in deriving allowable stresses for Sections I, III (Classes 2 and 3) and
VIII – Div. 1 vessels. This step aligns the ASME B & PV Code with comparable European codes.
The problem of state-specific boiler codes was gradually rectified as states began to adopt the ASME
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Today, the Code has been adopted by nearly every state in America
and all 10 provinces in Canada, and is now well on the way to become a truly international Code.
A more complete history of the development of rules for construction of boilers appears in a three part
article in Power Engineering, Vol. 100, No. 2, February 1996 (pp 15 - 30). These articles provide
further insight into the involvement of the American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA),
ASME, and the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBI).

Content of the 1998 Code Edition
Today’s Code (the 1998 Edition) is made up of the following sections:
Section
I
II

III

IV

V
VI

Title
Rules for Construction of Power Boilers
Part A - Ferrous Materials Specifications
Part B - Nonferrous Materials Specifications
Part C - Specifications for Welding Rods, Electrodes and Filler Metals
Part D - Properties
Division 1 - Rules for Construction of Nuclear Power Plant Components
Division 2 - Code for Concrete Reactor Vessels and Containments
Division 3 - Containment Systems and Transport Packagings for
Spent Nuclear Fuel and High Level Radioactive Waste
Rules for Construction of Heating Boilers
Nondestructive Examination
Recommended Rules for the Care and Operation of Heating Boilers

CASTI Guidebook to ASME Section II, B31.1 & B31.3 - 2001 Materials Index

No. Pages
283
1447
1015
652
717
2187
255
207
298
736

102


Chapter 3

Organization of the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code from a Materials Standpoint

Section

Title (Continued)

VII
VIII

Recommended Guidelines for the Care of Power Boilers
Division 1 - Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels
Division 2 - Alternative Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels
Division 3 - Alternative Rules for Construction of High Pressure Vessels
Welding and Brazing Qualifications
Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Pressure Vessels
Rules for Inservice Inspection of Nuclear Power Plant Components
Code Cases for Boilers and Pressure Vessels (Nonnuclear)
Code Cases for Nuclear Components
Total Pages:

IX
X
XI

15

No. Pages
161
689
530
338
267
253
785
615
1054
12,591

No attempt will be made to update this page tally for each new addenda−it is shown here to simply
illustrate the general magnitude of the Code. This is quite a change from the three page Code that
first appeared in 1914! This phenomenal growth has been driven mostly by technological advances in
materials, testing, inspection, design and analysis methodology, fabrication, and overpressure
protection, as well as demands for rules covering new service conditions.
Sections II, V, and IX are “service sections” providing rules and guidance for both nonnuclear and
nuclear construction. These sections constitute 4,834 pages or 38% of the 12,591 total pages in the
Code. Rules for nonnuclear components (Sections I, IV, VI, VII, VIII, X, and their Code cases) involve
3,269 pages or 26%. The remainder of the Code covers nuclear construction (Sections III, XI, and
Code cases) with a total of 4,488 pages or about 36% of the Code. Section II alone, with 3,831 pages,
represents 30% of the entire Code.
Constructing a component in accordance with Code rules requires, first, a basic decision on which
category of rules apply. General categories are:

•
•
•

•
•

power boilers (fired),
heating boilers,
unfired pressure vessels,
nuclear systems, or
fiber-reinforced plastic pressure vessels.

One important issue to understand is that each category has unique materials requirements for that
type of construction. Within each of the governing Code books are additional factors that must be
addressed as the design, fabrication, testing, inspection, and installation processes progress. The
following outlines show the organization of the various Code sections with particular emphasis on
materials requirements. These outlines may serve as checklists or quick references for the materials
specialist in Code construction.
Section I - Power Boilers
Part PG - General Requirements for Power Boilers and High Pressure, High Temperature Water Boilers
General
Materials
PG-5 General
PG-6 Plate
PG-7 Forgings
PG-8 Castings
PG-9 Pipes, Tubes and Pressure Containing Parts

CASTI Guidebook to ASME Section II, B31.1 & B31.3 - 2001 Materials Index