Steel A106 Grade B
ASTM A106 Grade B · UNS K03006
A106 Grade B is a seamless carbon steel pipe grade (UNS K03006, comparable to grade 20) for high-temperature service, supplied hot-finished, normalized, annealed, cold-drawn or to NACE requirements.
Reference datasheet — A106 Grade B is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
A106 Grade B tempers and conditions
A106 Grade B is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Softest condition — pick for heavy cold bending, flaring or subsequent machining of fittings from pipe. | 265 | 440 | 36 | 131 HB | 10 % IACS |
Normalized | Choose when uniform fine-grained structure and better low-temperature toughness are required (impact-tested / low-temp supplementary orders). | 300 | 470 | 34 | 140 HB | — |
Cold Drawn Seamless, stress relieved per A106 | Tighter tolerances and smoother bore for hydraulic/instrument lines; A106 requires heat treatment after cold drawing, giving higher yield but lower ductility. | 420 | 550 | 20 | 170 HB | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways A106 Grade B is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
HFSDefault | Hot Finished Seamless | Surface finish |
NACE | Sour-service certified | Certification |
What is A106 Grade B?
A106 Grade B is a seamless carbon steel pipe grade (UNS K03006, comparable to grade 20) for high-temperature service, supplied hot-finished, normalized, annealed, cold-drawn or to NACE requirements. It offers 290 MPa yield, 480 MPa tensile, 32 % elongation and about 143 HB, with service to 425 °C, and is the standard specification for power plant and refinery piping in ASME B31.1 and B31.3 systems. The seamless product costs more than welded pipe and has no corrosion resistance of its own, so coatings or linings are required in wet service. A53 Grade B is the cheaper option where high-temperature pressure service is not involved. A106 Grade B has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,470°C (2,678 °F). A106 Grade B has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is A106 Grade B used for?
- high-temperature piping
- power plants
- refineries
- steam lines
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 32%, better than 95% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 86% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Low strength — 290 MPa (42.1 ksi), worse than 88% of steel grades
A106 Grade B properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A106 Grade B has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,470°C (2,678 °F).
Mechanical16
A106 Grade B has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A106 Grade B is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A106 Grade B conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A106 Grade B takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
A106 Grade B's machinability is good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability very good (70/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. A106 Grade B is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A106 Grade B
Is A106 Grade B easy to machine?
Machines like 1020/1025 — free-machining ratings ~65 % of AISI 1212; use sharp tooling and generous feed to avoid built-up edge on the softer as-rolled pipe.
Can A106 Grade B be welded?
Excellent weldability (CE ≈ 0.40); SMAW E7018 / GTAW ER70S-2 root, no preheat under ~25 mm wall, PWHT per ASME B31 above 19 mm.
Can A106 Grade B be formed, bent or molded?
Hot or cold bends to 3D–5D radius are routine; cold bends over 5 % strain should be normalized or stress relieved for code piping.
A106 Grade B chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C0.30 max per ASTM A106 Gr B | ≤ 0.3 | 0.22 |
| Mn | 0.29 – 1.06 | 0.75 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| Sikilled steel, 0.10 min | ≥ 0.1 | 0.25 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.4 | 0.08 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.4 | 0.1 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.15 | 0.02 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.4 | 0.08 |
| VCr+Cu+Mo+Ni+V ≤ 1.00 total | ≤ 0.08 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on A106 Grade B?
No corrosion resistance of its own — specify shot blast plus epoxy/zinc primer, hot-dip galvanizing or internal lining for wet service.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel A106 Grade B in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- K03006
- ASTM
- A106 Gr B
- Similar grades
- 20
How much does A106 Grade B cost?
A106 Grade B is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
A106 Grade B — frequently asked
What is A106 Grade B used for?
A106 Grade B is typically used for high-temperature piping, power plants, refineries and steam lines. In short: seamless high-temperature pipe; code piping standard; stronger than A53 service.
What is the yield strength of A106 Grade B?
A106 Grade B has a typical yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 88% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is A106 Grade B easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades). Machines like 1020/1025 — free-machining ratings ~65 % of AISI 1212; use sharp tooling and generous feed to avoid built-up edge on the softer as-rolled pipe.
Can A106 Grade B be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent weldability (CE ≈ 0.40); SMAW E7018 / GTAW ER70S-2 root, no preheat under ~25 mm wall, PWHT per ASME B31 above 19 mm.
What surface finishes work on A106 Grade B?
No corrosion resistance of its own — specify shot blast plus epoxy/zinc primer, hot-dip galvanizing or internal lining for wet service.
Can A106 Grade B be formed, bent or molded?
Hot or cold bends to 3D–5D radius are routine; cold bends over 5 % strain should be normalized or stress relieved for code piping.
What is the maximum service temperature of A106 Grade B?
A106 Grade B is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does A106 Grade B cost?
A106 Grade B is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM A106/A106M — Seamless Carbon Steel Pipe for High-Temperature Service — ASTM International (2019)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Material Properties — ASME (2023)
- ASME B31.3 Process Piping — ASME (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- GB/T 8163 / GB/T 8162 (20 ) — SAC (2018)
- NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156-2 — NACE/ISO (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.