SA 334 GR.6 Tube Supplier | USA Piping Solution

USA Piping Solution is a premier domestic supplier of high-quality SA 334 GR.6 Tube. Engineered specifically for reliable performance in low-temperature service, this carbon steel tubing is essential for demanding applications. We maintain a comprehensive inventory within the United States, ensuring prompt access to certified materials. Partner with USA Piping Solution for competitive pricing, expert technical support, and dependable supply of SA 334 GR.6 Tube.

Defining SA 334 GR.6 Tube

ASME SA 334 / ASTM A334 is the standard specification defining seamless and welded carbon and alloy steel tubes intended for use at low temperatures. SA 334 GR.6 Tube designates Grade 6 within this specification, a widely utilized carbon steel variant specifically engineered to maintain toughness and resist brittle fracture in sub-zero conditions.

The primary distinction of materials under this standard is their verified performance at low temperatures, achieved through controlled manufacturing processes and mandatory impact testing. Unlike standard carbon steel tubes (e.g., ASTM A53, ASTM A106) which may lose ductility in cold environments, SA 334 Grade 6 provides enhanced reliability for critical low-temperature applications.

While the standard encompasses both seamless and welded manufacturing methods, seamless (ASTM A334 GR.6 Seamless Tube) construction, produced from solid billets, offers inherent structural uniformity, often making it the preferred choice for pressure containment and demanding service conditions. USA Piping Solution primarily focuses on supplying high-integrity seamless tubes under this specification.

SA 334 GR.6 Tube Specifications

Adherence to precise technical specifications is critical for ensuring the suitability and safety of SA 334 GR.6 tubes in low-temperature environments. USA Piping Solution guarantees that all supplied materials conform strictly to the relevant industry standards.

Technical Specification Details

Category	Details
Governing Standards	ASME SA 334 / ASTM A334
Material Grade	Grade 6 (Gr.6) – A key Low-Temperature Carbon Steel Tube designation.
Manufacturing Type	Primarily Seamless (produced via Hot Finishing or Cold Drawing methods). Welded types are also defined within A334.
Size Range (Outer Diameter - OD)	Commonly available in diameters typical for heat exchanger and process applications, generally from 0.25 inches (1/4") OD up to approximately 3 inches OD. Consult for specific size availability.
Wall Thickness (WT)	Provided in various minimum wall thicknesses, often designated by BWG (Birmingham Wire Gauge) or in millimeters (mm). Typical ranges span from 1mm to 8mm or greater, subject to OD.
Tube End Configurations	Plain Ends (PE): Standard square-cut finish, suitable for welding or mechanical joining. Beveled Ends (BE): Available upon request for butt-welding preparation. Threaded Ends (TE): Generally less common for tubing but may be specified.
Standard Lengths	Single Random Length (SRL): Typically 17 ft to 24 ft (approx. 5.2m to 7.3m). Double Random Length (DRL): Typically 36 ft to 44 ft (approx. 11m to 13.4m). Specific Cut Lengths: Can be supplied to meet precise project requirements. Maximum mill lengths can exceed 70 ft (22m) prior to U-bending.
Delivery Conditions	Options include As-Rolled, Normalized, Normalized and Tempered, or Cold Drawn. Normalizing is frequently applied to Grade 6 to optimize its microstructure for low-temperature toughness.
Dimensional Tolerances	As per applicable general tube specifications, such as ASTM A450/A450M.

Chemical Composition and Mechanical Properties

The specific chemical formulation and verified mechanical characteristics of SA 334 GR.6 Tube are fundamental to its reliable low-temperature performance. These properties are meticulously controlled during manufacturing and confirmed through rigorous testing.

Chemical Composition (% by Weight)

The elemental composition is optimized for low-temperature toughness, strength, and weldability.

Element	Grade 6 Requirement (%)	Role in Low-Temperature Performance
Carbon (C)	0.30 maximum	Balanced for strength while maintaining necessary toughness and weldability.
Manganese (Mn)	0.29 – 1.06	Key contributor to both strength and low-temperature impact resistance.
Silicon (Si)	0.10 minimum	Functions as a deoxidizer, enhancing steel quality and uniformity.
Phosphorus (P)	0.025 maximum	Limited to prevent embrittlement, particularly at low temperatures.
Sulfur (S)	0.025 maximum	Restricted to ensure good toughness and weld integrity.

Mechanical Properties (Minimum Required Values)

While tensile and yield strength are important, impact toughness at the specified low temperature is the defining mechanical requirement for this standard.

Property	Minimum Requirement (Grade 6)	Significance in Application
Tensile Strength	60,000 psi (415 MPa)	Resistance to ultimate failure under tensile load.
Yield Strength	35,000 psi (240 MPa)	The stress level at which permanent deformation begins.
Elongation	≥ 30% (Typical, verify spec)	Indicator of ductility; the ability to stretch before fracturing.
Impact Toughness	Mandatory Test Below	Critical: The material's ability to withstand sudden loads without fracture at low temps.
Hardness	≤ 190 HBW or ≤ 90 HRB (Max)	Resistance to indentation; controlled to correlate with adequate toughness.

Mandatory Impact Testing (Charpy V-Notch): This is a cornerstone of the SA 334 specification.

Test Temperature: For Grade 6, testing is conducted at -50°F (-45°C).
Minimum Absorbed Energy: Specifies minimum average and single specimen energy absorption values (e.g., 13 ft·lbf / 18 J average for standard specimens) to ensure sufficient notch toughness.
Verification: Performed on representative samples from each heat treatment lot to qualify the material for low-temperature service.

Additional required tests generally include flattening, flaring (seamless), flange (welded), hardness verification, and either hydrostatic testing or non-destructive electric (NDE) testing to ensure integrity.

Available Types and Forms of SA 334 GR.6 Tubes

While straight-length seamless tubes are common, SA 334 GR.6 Tube can be supplied or fabricated in several forms to meet diverse application needs:

Seamless Tubes: Manufactured without a weld seam from solid billets, providing optimal structural integrity and uniform properties. This is the standard offering from USA Piping Solution for this specification.
Welded Tubes (ERW): Permitted by the A334 standard, these are formed from strip and joined by electric resistance welding. Weld integrity and appropriate heat treatment are critical considerations for low-temperature use.
Cold Drawn Seamless Tubes: Seamless tubes that undergo a final cold drawing process for tighter dimensional tolerances, superior surface finish, and potentially modified mechanical properties (typically followed by heat treatment).
U-Bend Tubes: Straight tubes fabricated into a U-shape configuration, widely used in shell-and-tube heat exchangers to accommodate thermal movement and facilitate design. SA 334 GR.6 is frequently specified for the tubes in low-temperature exchangers.
Heat Exchanger & Condenser Tubes: The inherent low-temperature properties make SA 334 GR.6 ideally suited for use as heat transfer tubes in equipment operating with cold process fluids or in cold environments.

The selection between seamless/welded and straight/U-bend depends on the specific equipment design, operating parameters, and governing engineering codes.

Key Applications and Industries Utilizing SA 334 GR.6

The proven capability of A334 Grade 6 Tube to maintain toughness at low temperatures makes it indispensable in several key industrial sectors:

Heat Exchangers, Coolers, and Condensers: This is a primary application area. Tubes are used extensively in equipment designed to cool process streams or operate efficiently in sub-zero ambient conditions.
Refrigeration and Chilling Systems: Essential components in industrial-scale refrigeration units and chilling loops handling cold refrigerants or process coolants.
Oil and Gas Processing: Employed in specific low-temperature sections of natural gas processing plants, LNG facilities (within Grade 6 temperature limitations), and other upstream/midstream operations exposed to cold.
Chemical and Petrochemical Processing: Utilized in reactors, coolers, and piping systems for chemical processes conducted at low temperatures where standard carbon steel would pose a fracture risk.
Power Generation Facilities: Incorporated into auxiliary cooling systems or in plants situated in cold climates requiring materials resistant to low ambient temperatures.
Air and Gas Compression Systems: Often used in intercoolers and aftercoolers where compressed gases are cooled significantly.

In summary, Low-Temperature Carbon Steel Tube like SA 334 GR.6 is specified whenever operational or environmental temperatures fall below the safe operating range for conventional carbon steels, ensuring system integrity and safety.

Ensuring Quality: Certifications and Compliance

For materials destined for critical low-temperature service, rigorous compliance with standards and complete material traceability are paramount. USA Piping Solution guarantees that all SA 334 GR.6 Tube meets these stringent requirements.

Full Standards Conformance: All tubing is manufactured, inspected, and tested in strict accordance with ASME SA 334 / ASTM A334. This includes all chemical, mechanical, dimensional, and mandatory low-temperature impact testing protocols for Grade 6.
Mill Test Certificates (MTC / CMTR): Comprehensive MTCs (typically per EN 10204 Type 3.1) accompany every shipment. These documents provide complete traceability to the production heat number and certify the actual chemical analysis, mechanical test results (tensile, hardness), and crucially, verify the successful results of the Charpy V-notch impact tests performed at -45°C (-50°F).
ISO 9001:2015 Certified Quality System: Our operations adhere to ISO 9001 standards, ensuring consistent quality control throughout the procurement, inspection, storage, and supply process.
Standardized Markings: Each tube or bundle is clearly marked as required by the specification, typically including:

Manufacturer Identification
Specification (ASME SA 334 or ASTM A334)
Grade (Gr.6)
Type (S for Seamless)
Dimensions (OD, Wall Thickness)
Heat Number
Hydrostatic Test or NDE identifier

This dedication to certified compliance provides essential assurance of material quality, safety, and reliable performance in demanding low-temperature applications.

Why Partner with USA Piping Solution for SA 334 GR.6 Tubes?

Selecting a knowledgeable and reliable supplier is crucial when sourcing specialized materials like SA 334 GR.6 Tube. USA Piping Solution offers distinct advantages:

Specialized Material Expertise: We possess specific knowledge regarding low-temperature material specifications, testing requirements, and applications, enabling us to provide informed technical support.
Substantial Domestic Inventory: We maintain a significant stock of A334 Grade 6 Tube in standard sizes within the USA, facilitating reduced lead times and faster project commencement.
Efficient Nationwide Logistics: Our distribution network is optimized for rapid and reliable delivery across the United States, ensuring timely arrival of materials to your facility or job site.
Competitive Market Pricing: Through established mill relationships and efficient operations, we offer excellent value for certified, high-quality low-temperature tubing. Expect transparent and timely quotations.
Rigorous Quality Assurance: We partner exclusively with reputable manufacturers and implement thorough verification procedures, including MTC review, ensuring material integrity.
Value-Added Service Coordination: We can facilitate necessary secondary processing, such as precision cutting to length or U-bending for heat exchanger applications.
Responsive Customer Service: Our dedicated team is committed to providing prompt, professional support throughout the procurement cycle, from initial inquiry to post-delivery follow-up.

Your Premier Supplier for SA 334 GR.6 Low-Temperature Tubes

For critical systems operating in cold environments, rely on the proven performance of SA 334 GR.6 Tube supplied by USA Piping Solution. We deliver certified, high-quality Low-Temperature Carbon Steel Tube from our extensive domestic inventory, supported by technical expertise and efficient logistics. Ensure the safety and operational integrity of your low-temperature applications with materials sourced from a trusted partner.

Contact USA Piping Solution today to discuss your SA 334 GR.6 Tube requirements and receive a prompt, competitive quotation.

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