Seamless Nickel and Nickel-Cobalt Alloy Pipe and Tube

B622: Standard Specification for Seamless Nickel and Nickel-Cobalt Alloy Pipe and Tube

For engineers and designers working with demanding applications, specifying the right materials is paramount. ASTM B622 provides an essential framework for selecting high-performance seamless pipes and tubes made from nickel and nickel-cobalt alloys, ensuring reliability in critical environments. This authoritative standard is the industry-leading guide for materials that must withstand extreme temperatures, corrosive substances, and high pressures.

What is B622?

ASTM B622, "Standard Specification for Seamless Nickel and Nickel-Cobalt Alloy Pipe and Tube," establishes the requirements for these specialized metallic products. Originating from ASTM Committee B02 on Nonferrous Metals and Alloys, this specification ensures that manufacturers produce seamless pipe and tubing with consistent chemical compositions and mechanical properties suitable for a wide range of industrial uses. Its primary purpose is to provide a standardized method for procuring reliable nickel and nickel-cobalt alloy piping components.

Scope & Purpose

The scope of B622 encompasses seamless pipe and tube manufactured from a defined list of nickel and nickel-cobalt alloy designations (UNS numbers). It specifically covers materials intended for general industrial applications where superior corrosion resistance and high-temperature strength are critical. The standard applies to tubes with outside diameters up to and including 3.5 inches (88.9 mm) and mandates that these products be supplied in a solution-annealed and descaled condition, unless otherwise specified. Materials not falling within these dimensional limits or alloy types are outside the purview of this standard.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Materials Engineers, Metallurgists, Design Engineers, Quality Control Inspectors, and Procurement Specialists.
• • Industries affected: Chemical Processing, Oil and Gas, Aerospace, Nuclear Power, Electronics Manufacturing, and general heavy industry.
• • Compliance nature: Voluntary, but widely adopted as a benchmark for material quality and performance.
• • Enforcement: Typically verified through material certifications, supplier audits, and quality assurance programs by the end-user or regulatory bodies in specific applications.

Key Requirements Overview

The standard requires that seamless nickel and nickel-cobalt alloy pipe and tube conform to specific chemical composition limits as detailed in the specification. Professionals must ensure that the supplied materials meet the designated UNS alloy specifications, which dictate the precise balance of alloying elements. Key provisions include the requirement for solution-annealed and descaled conditions to achieve optimal properties, and adherence to established dimensional tolerances for both pipe and tube. Furthermore, B622 references other ASTM standards, such as B829 for general requirements, ensuring a comprehensive approach to material quality.

Related Standards & References

ASTM B622 works in conjunction with other vital standards. ASTM B829, "Specification for General Requirements for Nickel and Nickel Alloys Seamless Pipe and Tube," provides overarching requirements for testing, inspection, and packaging that complement B622. Additionally, ASTM E8, "Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials," is often referenced for verifying the mechanical properties of the alloys specified, ensuring they meet performance expectations under stress. Practice E527 is referenced for the numbering of metals and alloys within the Unified Numbering System (UNS).