What is AS/NZS 1163 Steel Pipe?
AS/NZS 1163 steel pipe is the current standarded pipe used by the Australian and New Zealand construction industry for all steel hollow sections used in any building construction. This standard includes some unique testing requirements, such as the direction of cutting test pieces for tensile and impact testing, the aging process of test pieces, the mass of the length of the hollow section, and the removal of external weld upset.
1. Scope
The scope of AS/NZS 1163 covers the requirements for cold-formed steel hollow sections for structural purposes. This includes specific guidelines for tensile and impact testing, cold flattening testing, and the mass of the hollow section.
2. Types and Grades of AS/NZS 1163 Steel Pipe
AS/NZS 1163 covers a variety of types and grades, including:
- Circular Hollow Sections (CHS) in grades C250, C250L0, C350, C350L0, C450, and C450L0
- Rectangular Hollow Sections (RHS) in grades C250, C250L0, C350, C350L0, C450, and C450L0
- Square Hollow Sections (SHS) in grades C250, C250L0, C350, C350L0, C450, and C450L0
Difference between AS/NZS 1163 and ASTM A53 B
While both AS/NZS 1163 and ASTM A53 B are standards for steel products, they differ in scope, application, chemical composition, and mechanical properties.
1. Scope
ASTM A53 B is a standard specification for pipe, steel, black and hot-dipped, zinc-coated, welded, and seamless. On the other hand, AS/NZS 1163 specifies the requirements for cold-formed steel hollow sections for structural purposes.
2. Application
ASTM A53 B is a general steel pipe specification that covers galvanized pipe and black pipe. It is available in Type S (seamless), Type E (ERW, electric resistance welded longitudinal seam), and Type F (furnace welded). AS/NZS 1163 is used in a variety of applications including pipe piling, fabrication, oil & gas, bollards, sign poles, water well drilling, and many more.
3. Chemical Compositions
AS/NZS 1163 and ASTM A53 B have different chemical compositions. For instance, AS/NZS 1163 C250 has a maximum carbon content of 0.12%, while ASTM A53 B has a maximum carbon content of 0.3%.
| Standard | Grade | Chemical Composition % max | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Si | Mn | P | S | Cr | Mo | AI | Ti | Micro-alloying elements | CE | ||
| AS/NZ 1163 | C250 | 0.12 | 0.05 | 0.5 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.15 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.25 |
| C250L0 | ||||||||||||
| C350 | 0.2 | 0.25 | 1.6 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.04 | 0.15 | 0.43 | |
| C350L0 | ||||||||||||
| C450 | 0.2 | 0.25 | 1.7 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.3 | 0.35 | 0.1 | 0.04 | 0.15 | 0.43 | |
| C450L0 | ||||||||||||
| ASTM A53 | B | 0.3 | – | 1.2 | 0.05 | 0.045 | 0.4 | – | – | – | – | – |
4. Mechanical Properties
The mechanical properties of AS/NZS 1163 and ASTM A53 B also differ. For example, AS/NZS 1163 C250 has a tensile strength of 320 MPa and a yield strength of 250 MPa, while ASTM A53 B has a tensile strength greater than 415 MPa and a yield strength of at least 240 MPa.
| Standard | Grade | Tensile Strength | Yield Strength | Impact Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (MPa) | (MPa) | (J) | ||
| AS/NZ 1163 | C250,C250L0 | 320 | 250 | mpact tests shall be performed at 0°C in accordance with AS 1544.2 |
| C350,C350L0 | 430 | 350 | ||
| C450,C450L0 | 500 | 450 | ||
| ASTM A53 | B | >415 | ≥240 | – |
Mechanical Test Requirements of AS/NZS 1163 Pipe
AS/NZS 1163 pipe must undergo several mechanical tests, including a tensile test in accordance with AS 1391, an impact test at 0°C as per AS 1544.2, and a cold flattening test.
Tensile Test
The tensile test is carried out in accordance with AS 1391. The rate of straining when approaching the yield point shall lie within the highest range of strain rate given in AS 1391. This test measures the force required to pull something such as rope, wire, or a structural beam to the point where it breaks.
Impact Test
Impact tests are performed at 0°C in accordance with AS 1544.2. This test measures the material’s resistance to high-rate loading and is used to determine the amount of energy absorbed by the material during fracture. This is important in assessing the material’s toughness.
Cold Flattening Test
The cold flattening test is conducted at room temperature between two parallel plane surfaces. The weld is located at 45 degrees for nominal outside diameters less than or equal to 60 mm and at 90 degrees for diameters greater than 60 mm. The test piece is flattened until the distance between the surfaces is 0.75d, where d is the nominal diameter of the circular hollow section.