Designation: A 511 04

Standard Specification for

Seamless Stainless Steel Mechanical Tubing1

This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 511; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipments (Civil Agencies)3

1. Scope*
1.1 This specification covers seamless stainless tubing for
use in mechanical applications where corrosion-resistant or
high-temperature strength is needed. The grades covered are
listed in Table 1 and Table 2.
1.2 This specification covers seamless cold-finished mechanical tubing and seamless hot-finished mechanical tubing in
sizes up to 1234 in. (313.8 mm) in outside diameter (for round
tubing) with wall thicknesses as required.
1.3 Tubes shall be furnished in one of the following shapes,
as specified by the purchaser: round, square, rectangular, or
special.
1.4 Optional supplementary requirements are provided and
when desired, shall be stated in the order.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as the standard.

3. Ordering Information
3.1 Orders for material under this specification should
include the following as required to describe the desired
material adequately:
3.1.1 Quantity (feet, mass, or number of pieces),
3.1.2 Name of material (seamless stainless steel mechanical
tubing),
3.1.3 Form (round, square, rectangular, special, see Section
1),
3.1.4 Dimensions (round, outside diameter and wall thickness, see Section 9; square and rectangular, outside dimensions
and wall thickness, see Section 10; other, specify),
3.1.5 Length (specific or random, see 9.3),
3.1.6 Manufacture (cold- or hot-finished, see 4.5),
3.1.7 Grade (Section 6),
3.1.8 Condition (annealed, as cold worked, or with special
heat treatment, controlled microstructural characteristics, or
other condition as required, see Section 5),
3.1.9 Surface finish (special pickling, shot blasting, or
polishing, as required, see Supplementary Requirement S5),
3.1.10 Specification designation,
3.1.11 Report of Chemical Analysis, if required (Sections 7
and 8),
3.1.12 Individual supplementary requirements, if required,
3.1.13 End use,
3.1.14 Packaging,
3.1.15 Special marking (see 15.2),
3.1.16 Special packing (see 16.2), and
3.1.17 Special requirements.

2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
of Steel Products
A 1016/A 1016M Specification for General Requirements
for Ferritic Alloy Steel, Austenitic Alloy Steel, and Stainless Steel Tubes
E 59 Practice for Sampling Steel and Iron for Determination
of Chemical Composition
2.2 Military Standards:
MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage3
MIL-STD-163 Steel Mill Products Preparation for Shipment and Storage3
2.3 Federal Standard:

4. Materials and Manufacture

4.1 The steel may be made by any process.
4.2 If a specific type of melting is required by the purchaser,
it shall be as stated on the purchase order.
4.3 The primary melting may incorporate separate degassing or refining and may be followed by secondary melting,
such as electroslag remelting or vacuum-arc remelting. If
secondary melting is employed, the heat shall be defined as all
of the ingots remelted from a single primary heat.

This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,

Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys, and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.10 on Tubing.
Current edition approved March 1, 2004. Published April 2004. Originally
approved in 1964. Last previous edition approved in 1996 as A 511 96.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700
Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

A 511 04
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements of Austenitic Stainless Steels
Composition, %

Carbon

Manganese, max

Phosphorus,
max

Sulfur,
max

Silicon,
max

Nickel

Chromium

0.08 to 0.20
0.15 max
0.08 max
0.035 maxA
0.12
0.08 max
0.08 max
0.08 max
0.035 maxA
0.08 max
0.08 max
0.08 max

2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00

0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040

0.030
0.040
0.030
0.030
0.030
0.030
0.030
0.030
0.030
0.030
0.030
0.030

1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00

8.010.0
8.011.0
8.011.0
8.013.0
10.013.0
12.015.0
19.022.0
11.014.0
10.015.0
11.014.0
9.013.0
9.013.0

17.019.0
17.019.0
18.020.0
18.020.0
17.019.0
22.024.0
24.026.0
16.018.0
16.018.0
18.020.0
17.020.0
17.020.0

Grade

MT
MT
MT
MT
MT
MT
MT
MT
MT
MT
MT
MT

302
303Se
304
304L
305
309S
310S
316
316L
317
321
347

Molybdenum Titanium
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
2.03.0
2.03.0
3.04.0
...
...

...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
B

...

Columbium
plus
Tantalum
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...

Selenium
...
0.120.2
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...

For small diameter or thin wall tubing or both, where many drawing passes are required, a maximum of 0.040 % carbon is necessary in grades MT-304L and MT-316L.
Small outside diameter tubes are defined as those under a 0.500 in. outside diameter and light-wall tubes as those under an 0.049 in. average wall thickness (0.044 in.
min wall thickness).
B
The titanium content shall be not less than five times the carbon content and not more than 0.60 %.
C
The columbium plus tantalum content shall be not less than ten times the carbon content and not more than 1.00 %.

TABLE 2 Chemical Requirements of Ferritic and Martensitic Stainless Steels

Composition, %
Carbon, max

Manganese,
max

Phosphorus,
max

Sulfur,
max

0.15
0.15
0.15
0.15
0.20
0.60 to 0.75

1.00
1.00
1.00
1.25
1.00
1.00

0.040
0.040
0.040
0.060
0.040
0.040

0.030
0.030
0.030
0.060
0.030
0.030

Grade

Silicon,
max

Nickel

0.50
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00

0.50 max
0.50 max
1.252.50
0.50 max
1.252.50
...

Chromium

Molybdenum

Aluminum

Copper

Nitrogen

Selenium

Martensitic
MT
MT
MT
MT
MT
MT

403
410
414
416Se
431
440A

11.513.0
11.513.5
11.513.5
12.014.0
15.017.0
16.018.0

0.60 max
...
...
...
...
0.75 max

...
...
...
...
...

...
...
...
...
...

...
...
...
...
...

...
...
0.120.20
...
...

11.514.5
14.016.0
16.018.0
18.023.0
23.030.0
23.030.0
28.030.0
28.030.0

...
...
...
...
...
...
3.54.2
3.54.2

0.100.30
...
...
...
...
...
...
...

...
...
...
0.901.25
...
...
0.15 max
0.15 max

...
...
...
...
0.25 max
0.25 max
0.020 max
0.020 maxB

...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...

Ferritic
MT 405
MT 429
MT 430
MT 443
MT 4461
MT 4462A
29-4
29-4-2
A
B

0.08
0.12
0.12
0.20
0.20
0.12
0.010
0.010

1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.50
1.50
0.30
0.30

0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.025
0.025

0.030
0.030
0.030
0.030
0.030
0.030
0.020
0.020

1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
0.20
0.20

0.50 max
0.50 max
0.50 max
0.50 max
0.50 max
0.50 max
0.15 max
2.02.5

MT446-2 is a lower carbon version of MT446-1, that has a lower tensile strength but improved ductility and toughness.
Carbon plus nitrogen = 0.025 max %.

4.4 Steel may be cast in ingots or may be strand cast. When

steel of different grades is sequentially strand cast, identification of the resultant transition material is required. The
producer shall remove the transition material by an established
procedure that positively separates the grades.
4.5 The tubes shall be made by a seamless process and by
either cold working or hot working as specified. Seamless steel
tubing is a tubular product made without a welded seam. It is
usually manufactured by hot working steel and then cold
finishing the hot-worked tubing to produce the desired shape,
dimensions, and properties.

generally supplied annealed prior to final cold shaping. If some

other condition is desired, details shall be included in the order.
5.2 The thermal treatment for ferritic and martensitic steels
shall be performed by a method and at a temperature selected
by the manufacturer unless otherwise specified by the purchaser.
5.3 Unless otherwise specified, all austenitic tubes shall be
furnished in the annealed condition. The anneal shall consist of
heating the material to a minimum temperature of 1900F
(1040C) and quenching in water or rapidly cooling by other
means. Alternatively, immediately following hot forming while
the temperature of the tubes is not less than the specified
minimum solution treatment temperature, tubes may be individually quenched in water or rapidly cooled by other means.
This anneal shall precede final cold work, when cold-worked
tempers are required.

5. Condition
5.1 Round seamless stainless mechanical tubing is generally
supplied in the cold-worked and annealed condition (see 5.2
through 5.4). Square, rectangular, or other shapes of tubing are
2

A 511 04
5.4 If any controlled microstructural characteristics are
required, these shall be specified so as to be a guide to the most
suitable heat treatment.

tube may be individually tested for acceptance. Billets or tubes

which do not meet the requirements of this specification shall
be rejected.

6. Chemical Composition
6.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements as to
chemical composition prescribed in Table 1 or Table 2. Other
grades are available.

9. Permissible Variations in Dimensions of Round Tubing

9.1 Diameter and Wall Thickness (Cold Finished)
Variations in outside diameter and wall thickness shall not
exceed the amounts prescribed in Table 3.
9.2 Diameter and Wall Thickness (Hot Finished)
Variations in outside diameter and wall thickness shall not
exceed the amounts prescribed in Table 4.
9.3 Lengths (Cold Finished or Hot Finished)Mechanical
tubing is commonly furnished in mill lengths 5 ft (1.5 m) and
over. When random lengths are ordered, tube lengths may vary
by an amount up to 7 ft (2.1 m). Definite cut lengths are
furnished, when specified, to the length tolerances shown in
Table 3 or Table 4. For tubing ordered in multiple lengths, it is
common practice to allow a definite amount over for each
multiple for the purchasers cutting operations. This amount
depends on the type of purchasers cutting and varies with
differing wall thickness. The cutting allowance should be
specified on the purchase order. When it is not specified, tubing
is customarily supplied with the following allowance for each
multiple:

7. Heat Analysis
7.1 An analysis of each heat of steel shall be made by the
steel manufacturer to determine the percentages of the elements specified. If secondary melting processes are employed,
the heat analysis shall be obtained from one remelted ingot or
the product of one remelted ingot of each primary melt. The
chemical composition thus determined, or that determined
from a product analysis made by the tubular product manufacturer, shall be reported to the purchaser or the purchasers
representative and shall conform to the requirements specified.
When requested in the order or contract, a report of this
analysis shall be furnished to the purchaser.
8. Product Analysis
8.1 An analysis of either one billet or one tube shall be made
for each heat of steel. Samples for chemical analysis, except
spectrochemical analysis, shall be taken in accordance with
Method E 59. The chemical composition thus determined shall
conform to the requirements specified in Section 6.
8.2 If the original test for product analysis fails, retests of
two additional billets or tubes shall be made. Both retests, for
the elements in question, shall meet the requirements of the
specification, otherwise all remaining material in the heat or lot
shall be rejected or, at the option of the producer, each billet or

Excess Length
per Multiple,
in. (mm)
18 (3.2)
316 (4.8)
14 (6.4)

Wall Thickness,
in. (mm)
Up to 18 (3.2)
Over 18 to 12 (3.2 to 12.7)
Over 12 (12.7)

9.4 Straightness Tolerances (Cold Finished or Hot

Finished)The deviation from straightness shall not exceed
the amounts shown in Table 5 when measured with a 3-ft
(0.9-m) straightedge and feeler gage. If determined by the dial

TABLE 3 Permissible Variations in Outside Diameter, Ovality, Wall Thickness, and Cut-Length Variations
(Cold-Finished Round Tubing)A

Outside
Diameter,
in.

Under
12 to 112 , excl
112 to 312 , excl
312 to 512 , excl
512 to 8, excl
8 to 858 , excl
858 to 1234 , incl
12

Outside
Diameter,
Tolerance,B
in. Over
and Under
0.005
0.005
0.010
0.015
0.030
0.045
0.062

Ovality,B Double
Outside
Diameter
Tolerance
when
wall is:
less
less
less
less
less
less
less

than
than
than
than
than
than
than

0.015
0.065
0.095
0.150
0.240
0.300
0.350

Permissible
Variations
in Cut
Length, in.E

Wall Thickness
in %C,D

in.
in.
in.
in.
in.
in.
in.

Over

Under

15
10
10
10
10
10
10

15
10
10
10
10
10
10

Over

18

18

316
316
316
3 16
3 16

Under
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

A
Tolerances of tubes produced by the rod or bar mandrel process and which have an inside diameter under 12 in. (12.7 mm) (or an inside diameter under 58 in. (15.8
mm) when the wall thickness is more than 20 % of the outside diameter) are as shown in this table, except that wall thickness tolerances are 10 % over and under the
specified wall thickness.
B
For ovality values, the tolerance for average outside diameter at any one cross section does not exceed the outside diameter tolerance value for the applicable outside
diameter.
C
Many tubes with wall thicknesses more than 25 % of outside diameter or with wall thicknesses over 114 in., (31.7 mm) or weighing more than 90 lb/ft, are difficult to
draw over a mandrel. Therefore, the wall thickness can vary 1212 % over and under that specified. Also see Footnote (B).
D
For those tubes with inside diameter under 12 in. (12.7 mm) (or under 58 in. (15.8 mm) when the wall thickness is more than 20 % of the outside diameter) which are
not commonly drawn over a mandrel, Footnote (A) is not applicable. Therefore, the wall thickness can vary 15 % over and under that specified, and the inside diameter
is governed by both the outside diameter and wall thickness tolerances.
E
These tolerances apply to cut lengths up to and including 24 ft. (7.3 m). For lengths over 24 ft, an additional over tolerance of 18 in. (3.1 mm) for each 10 ft (3 m) or
fraction thereof shall be permissible, up to a maximum tolerance of 12 in. (12.7 mm).

A 511 04
TABLE 4 Permissible Variations in Outside Diameter, Wall Thickness, and Cut-Length Variations
(Hot-Finished Round Tubing)
Outside Diameter and Wall Thickness Tolerances
Specified Size, Outside
Diameter, in.

Under 3
3 to 512 , excl
512 to 8, excl
8 to 1034 , excl
1034 to 1234 , incl

Ratio of Wall
Thickness to
Outside Diameter

all wall thicknesses

all wall thicknesses
all wall thicknesses
5 % and over
under 5 %

Permissible Variations
in Cut Length, in.A

Wall Thickness, %
Outside
Diameter, in.

0.109 in.
and under

0.109 to
0.172 in., incl

Over 0.172 to
0.203 in., incl

Over 0.203 in.

Over

Under

Over

Under

Over

Under

Over

Under

Over

Under

0.023
0.031
0.047
0.047
0.063

0.023
0.031
0.047
0.047
0.063

16.5
16.5
...
...
...

16.5
16.5
...
...
...

15
15
...
...
...

15
15
...
...
...

14
14
14
...
...

14
14
14
...
...

12.5
12.5
12.5
12.5
12.5

12.5
12.5
12.5
12.5
12.5

316
316
316

0
0
0
0
0

3 16
3 16

A
These tolerances apply to cut lengths up to and including 24 ft (7.3 m). For lengths over 24 ft, an additional over tolerance of 18 in. (3.1 mm) for each 10 ft (3 m) or
faction thereof shall be permissible, up to a maximum tolerance of 12 in. (12.7 mm).

TABLE 5 5 Straightness Tolerances (Cold-/Finished or Hot-/Finished Round Tubing)A

Size Limits

Max
Curvature
in any
3 ft, in.

Max Curvature in Total Lengths, in.

Max Curvature for

Lengths under 3 ft

OD 5 in. and smaller. Wall thickness, over 3 % of OD but not over 0.5 in.
OD over 5 in. to 8 in., incl. Wall thickness, over 4 % of OD but not over 0.75 in.
OD over 8 in. to 1234 , incl. Wall thickness, over 4 % of OD but not over 1 in.

0.030
0.045
0.060

0.030 3 [(Number of feet of length)/3]

0.045 3 [(Number of feet of length)/3]
0.060 3 [(Number of feet of length)/3]

Ratio of 0.010 in./ft

Ratio of 0.015 in./ft
Ratio of 0.020 in./ft

A
The usual procedure for measuring straightness is by means of a 3-ft (0.9 m) straight edge and feeler gage. If determined by the dial indicator method, the values
obtained will be approximately twice those determined by the straightedge feeler gage method.

TABLE 7 Permissible Variations in Radii of Corners for Square

and Rectangular Seamless Mechanical Tubing

indicator method, the values obtained will be approximately

twice those determined by the straightedge feeler gage method.

Wall Thickness, in.

10. Permissible Variations in Dimensions of Square and

Rectangular Tubing
10.1 Square and rectangular seamless stainless mechanical
tubing is supplied as cold worked unless otherwise specified.
For this tubing, variations in dimensions from those specified
shall not exceed the amounts prescribed in Table 6, Table 7,
Table 8, and Table 9.
10.2 The squareness of sides is commonly determined by
one of the following methods.

Over
Over
Over
Over
Over
Over
Over
Over
Over
Over
Over
Over
Over

TABLE 6 Permissible Variations in Outside Dimensions for

Square and Rectangular Seamless Mechanical TubingAB

Largest Outside
Dimension Across
Flats, in.

To 34 , incl
To 34 , incl
Over 34 to 114 , incl
Over 114 to 212 , incl
Over 212 to 312 , incl
Over 212 to 312 , incl
Over 312 to 512 , incl
Over 512 to 712 , incl

Tolerance for Outside

Dimension (Including
Convexity or Concavity)
Plus and Minus, in.

0.065 and lighter

over 0.065
all thicknesses
all thicknesses
0.065 and lighter
over 0.065
all thicknesses
all thicknesses

0.015
0.010
0.015
0.020
0.030
0.025
0.030
1%

to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to

0.049,
0.065,
0.083,
0.095,
0.109,
0.134,
0.156,
0.188,
0.250,
0.313,
0.375,
0.500,
0.625,

Maximum Radii of Corners, in.

incl
incl
incl
incl
incl
incl
incl
incl
incl
incl
incl
incl
incl

3 32

316
1364
732
14
932
1132
716
12
1116
2732
18

9 64

TABLE 8 Twist Tolerances for Square and Rectangular Tubing

Tolerances, Outside Dimension Seamless

Mechanical Tubing Plus and
Minus, in.
For Wall Thickness,
Given, in.

0.020
0.049
0.065
0.083
0.095
0.109
0.134
0.156
0.188
0.250
0.313
0.375
0.500

Largest Size
Under 12
12 to 112 , incl
Over 112 to 212 , incl
Over 212

Maximum Twist in 3 ft, in.

0.050
0.075
0.095
0.125

10.2.1 A square, with two adjustable contact points on each

arm, is placed on two sides. A fixed feeler gage is then used to
measure the maximum distance between the free contact point
and the surface of the tubing.
10.2.2 A square, equipped with a direct reading vernier, may
be used to determine the angular deviation which, in turn, may
be related to distance in inches.

The wall thickness tolerance is plus and minus 10 % of nominal wall thickness.
The straightness tolerance is 0.075 in. 3 ft. using a 3-ft straight edge and feeler
gage.
B

A 511 04
TABLE 10 Cleanup or Machining Allowances for Round TubingA

TABLE 9 Length Tolerances for Square and Rectangular Tubing

Length tolerance on exact lengths of tubing (all types)

+38 , 0

Machining Allowances on Diameter, in.

For Machined Parts Size,
Outside Diameter, in.

10.3 The squareness of sides varies in accordance with the

following equation:
6b = c 3 0.006

Less than 332

to 316 , excl
316 to 12 , excl
12 to 112 , excl
112 to 3, excl
3 to 512 , excl
512 to 8,B excl
3 32

where:
b = tolerance for out-of-square, and
c = length of longest side.

Outside
Diameter

Inside
Diameter

0.008
0.012
0.015
0.020
0.040
0.060
0.080

0.008
0.012
0.015
0.020
0.040
0.060
0.080

A
The allowances in this table are nominal allowances which have been
satisfactorily used for many applications but are not necessarily adequate for all
tubular products and methods of machining. For example, when magnetic particle
inspection or aircraft quality requirements are involved, it is customary to use
greater allowances than those shown in the foregoing table.
B
For machining allowances for sizes 8 in. and over the producer should be
consulted.

Example: Rectangular tubes 2 by 1 may have sides fail to be

90 to each other by 60.012 in.
10.4 The twist in square and rectangular tubing may be
measured by holding one end of the tubing on a surface plate
and noting the height above the surface plate of either corner of
the opposite end of the same side. Twist may also be measured
by the use of a beveled protractor, equipped with a level, and
noting the angular deviation on opposite ends, or at any point
throughout the length.

15. Product and Package Marking

15.1 Civilian ProcurementEach box, bundle, lift, or piece
shall be identified by a tag or stencil with the manufacturers
name or brand, specified size, purchasers order number, grade,
and this specification number.
15.2 Government ProcurementWhen specified in the contract or order, and for direct procurement by or direct shipment
to the Government, marking for shipment, in addition to
requirements specified in the contract or order, shall be in
accordance with MIL-STD-129 for Military agencies and in
accordance with Fed. Std. No. 123 for civil agencies.

11. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance

11.1 Finished tubes shall have smooth ends free of burrs.
They shall be free of injurious defects and shall have a
workmanlike finish. Surface imperfections such as handling
marks, straightening marks, light mandrel and die marks,
shallow pits and scale pattern, will not be considered as
injurious defects, provided the imperfections are removable
within the wall tolerance unless a machining allowance has
been specified. When a machining allowance has been specified, the imperfections shall be removable within the machining allowances. The removal of surface imperfections is not
required.
11.2 Tubes shall be free of scale and suitable for inspection.

16. Packaging
16.1 Civilian ProcurementOn tubing 0.065 in. (1.65 mm)
wall and under, the manufacturer will, at his option, box, crate,
carton, package in secure lifts, or bundle to ensure safe
delivery. Tubing over 0.065 in. (1.65 mm) wall will normally
be shipped loose, bundled, or in secured lifts. Special packaging requiring extra operations other than those normally used
by the manufacturer must be specified on the order.
16.2 Government ProcurementWhen specified in the contract or order, and for direct procurement by or direct shipment
to the Government when Level A is specified, preservation,
packaging, and packing shall be in accordance with the Level
A requirements of MIL-STD-163.

12. Machining Allowances of Round Tubing

12.1 Clean-up or machining allowances for stainless steel
round mechanical tubing are shown in Table 10. For the
method of calculating the tube size required to clean up in
machining to a particular finished part, see Appendix X1.
13. Rejection
13.1 Tubing that fails to meet the requirements of this
specification shall be set aside and the manufacturer notified.
14. Coating
14.1 Stainless tubing is commonly shipped without protective coating. If special protection is needed, details shall be
shown on the order.

17. Keywords
17.1 austenitic stainless steel; mechanical tubing; seamless
steel tube; stainless steel tube; steel tube

A 511 04
SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
These requirements shall not be considered unless specified in the order and the necessary tests shall
be made at the mill. Mechanical tests shall be performed in accordance with Test Methods and
Definitions A 370.
TABLE S2.1 Tensile Requirements for Round Tubing in
Annealed ConditionA

S1. Hardness Test

S1.1 The tubes shall conform to the hardness limits specified in Table S1.1, unless cold worked tempers or special
thermal treatments are ordered, in which case the manufacturer
should be consulted for expected hardness values. S1.2 When
specified, the hardness test shall be performed on a specimen
from one tube from each lot of 100 tubes or fraction thereof
from each heat of steel.

Grade

All austenitic steelsC

MT 403
MT 405
MT 410
MT 414
MT 416 Se
MT 429/MT 430
MT 431
MT 440 A
MT 443
MT 4461
MT 4462
29-4
29-4-2

S2. Tension Test

S2.1 Unless cold-worked tempers or special thermal treatments are ordered, the tubes shall conform to the tensile
requirements shown in Table S2.1. When cold-worked tempers
or special thermal treatments are ordered, the tube manufacturer should be consulted.
S2.2 When the tension test is specified, one test shall be
performed on a specimen from one tube taken from each lot of
100 tubes or fraction thereof from each heat of steel.
S2.3 The yield strength corresponding to a permanent offset
of 0.2 % of the gage length of the specimen or to a total
extension of 0.5 % of the gage length under load shall be
determined.

S3.1 Various types of nondestructive ultrasonic or electromagnetic tests are available. When any such test is required,
the test to be used and the inspection limits required shall be
specified. Generally, for ultrasonic test, the most restrictive
limit which may be specified is 3 % of the wall thickness or
0.004 in. (0.10 mm) (whichever is greater). For a description
and inspection table of another type of non-destructive electric
test, see the section on Nondestructive Electric Test in Specification A 1016/A 1016M.

Rockwell Hardness
Number, B Scale, max

All austenitic
MT 403
MT 405
MT 410
MT 414
MT 416 Se
MT 429/MT 430
MT 431
MT 440 A
MT 443
MT 446
29-4
29-4-2

192
207
207
207
235
230
190
260
215
207
207
207
207

90
95
95
95
99
97
90
...
95
95
95
95
95

75 (517)
60 (414)
60 (414)
60 (414)
100 (689)
60 (414)
60 (414)
105 (724)
95 (655)
70 (483)
70 (483)
65 (448)
70 (483)
70 (483)

30
30
30
30
65
35
35
90
55
40
40
40
55
55

(207)
(207)
(207)
(207)
(448)
(241)
(241)
(621)
(379)
(276)
(276)
(276)
(379)
(379)

ElongationB in 2
in., or 50
mm min.,
%
35
20
20
20
15
20
20
20
15
20
18
20
20
20

S4. Hardenability
S4.1 Any requirement for special hardenability tests and test
limits for martensitic stainless grades shall be detailed on the
order. Hardenability requirements are not applicable to austenitic or ferritic grades.
S5. Surface Finish
S5.1 Any special pickling, shortblasting, or polishing requirements shall be detailed in the order.

TABLE S1.1 Hardness Requirements for Round Tubing in

Annealed ConditionA
Brinell Hardness
Number, max

Yield
Strength
min,
ksi (MPa)

A
Not applicable to tubes under a 18 in. (3.1 mm) outside diameter or less than
0.015 in. (0.38 mm) in wall thickness, or both. The tensile properties of such small
diameter or thin wall tubes are a matter of agreement between manufacturer and
purchaser. For tubing having an outside diameter of 38 in. or under, the gage length
shall be four times the outside diameter in order to obtain elongation values
comparable to the larger sizes (Test Methods and Definitions A 370).
B
For longitudinal strip tests, the width of the gage section shall be 1 in. (25.4
mm). A deduction of 1.0 percentage points for ferritic and martenistic grades shall
be permitted from the basic minimum elongation for each 132 in. (0.8 mm)
decrease in wall thickness under 516 in. (7.9 mm). The calculated elongation
requirement shall be rounded to the nearest whole number.
C
When grades TP304L, and TP316L are required to pass special corrosion
tests, these minimum values for tensile strength and yield strength may not be met.

S3. Nondestructive Tests

Grade

Tensile
Strength,
min,
ksi (MPa)

S6. Certification for Government Orders

S6.1 A producers or suppliers certification shall be furnished to the Government that the material was manufactured,
sampled, tested, and inspected in accordance with this specification and has been found to meet the requirements. This
certificate shall include a report of heat analysis (product
analysis when requested in the purchase order), and when
specified in the purchase order or contract, a report of test
results shall be furnished.
S7. Rejection Provisions for Government Orders
S7.1 Each length of tubing received from the manufacturer
may be inspected by the purchaser and, if it does not meet the
requirements of the specification based on the inspection and

A
Not applicable when cold-worked tempers or special thermal treatment is
ordered.

A 511 04
test method as outlined in the specification, the tube may be
rejected and the manufacturer shall be notified. Disposition of
rejected tubing shall be a matter of agreement between the
manufacturer and the purchaser.
S7.2 Material that fails in any of the forming operations or
in the process of installation and is found to be defective shall

be set aside and the manufacturer shall be notified for mutual

evaluation of the materials suitability. Disposition of such
materials shall be a matter for agreement.

APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. MACHINING ALLOWANCES FOR CARBON, ALLOY AND STAINLESS STEEL
SEAMLESS MECHANICAL TUBING

The calculated maximum outside diameter is obtained by

adding X1.4.1 through X1.4.5.

X1.1 Seamless mechanical tubing is produced either hot

finished or cold worked. Hot finished tubes are specified to
outside diameter and wall thickness. Cold-worked tubing is
specified to two of the three dimensions: outside diameter,
inside diameter, and wall thickness.

X1.5 Step 2Step 2 is used to determine the minimum

inside diameter.
X1.5.1 Machined Inside Diameter
Purchasers minimum blueprint (finished-machine) size including machining tolerance.
X1.5.2 Cleanup AllowanceSufficient allowance should be
made to remove surface imperfections.
X1.5.3 Decarburization Decarburization is an important
factor on the higher carbon grades of steel including Type
440A. Decarburization limits are shown in various specifications. For example, the decarburization limits for aircraft are
shown in AMS and appropriate government specifications.
Decarburization is generally expressed as depth and therefore
must be doubled to provide for removal from the surface.
X1.5.4 CamberRefer to X1.4.4.
X1.5.5 Inside Diameter TolerancesIf machined true to the
outside diameter, inside diameter tolerances are not used in this
step. If machined true to the inside diameter, subtract the
complete spread of tolerance (plus and minus). Cold-worked
tolerances are shown in Table 5. Hot-finished tolerances (use
outside diameter tolerances for inside diameter for calculating
purposes) are shown in Table 4. The calculated minimum is
obtained by subtracting the sum of X1.5.2 through X1.5.5 from
X1.5.1.

X1.2 There are two basic methods employed in machining

such tubing: (1) by machining true to the outside diameter of
the tube and ( 2) by machining true to the inside diameter of the
tube.
X1.3 For the purpose of determining tube size dimensions
with sufficient allowances for machining, the following four
steps are customarily used.
X1.4 Step 1Step 1 is used to determine the maximum
tube outside diameter.
X1.4.1 Machined Outside DiameterPurchasers maximum blueprint (finish-machine) size including plus machine
tolerance.
X1.4.2 Cleanup AllowanceSufficient allowance should be
made to remove surface imperfections.
X1.4.3 Decarburization Decarburization is not important
in most stainless grades but is an important factor on the higher
carbon grades or steel including Type 440A. Decarburization
limits are shown in various specifications. For example, the
decarburization limits for aircraft steels are shown in AMS and
appropriate government specifications. Decarburization is generally expressed as depth and, therefore must be doubled to
provide for removal from the surface.
X1.4.4 CamberWhen the machined dimension extends
more than 3 in. (76.2 mm) from the chuck or other holding
mechanism, the possibility that the tube will be out-of-straight
must be taken into consideration. An allowance is made equal
to four times the straightness tolerance shown in Table 5, for
the machined length when chucked at only one end and equal
to twice the straightness tolerance if supported at both ends.
X1.4.5 Outside Diameter ToleranceIf machined true to
the outside diameter, add the complete spread of tolerance (for
example, for specified outside diameter of 3 to 512 in. (76.2 to
139.7 mm), exclusive, plus and minus 0.031 in. or 0.062 in.).
If machined true to the inside diameter, outside diameter
tolerances are not used in this step. Cold-worked tolerances are
shown in Table 3. Hot-finished tolerances are shown in Table 4.

X1.6 Step 3Step 3 is used to determine the average wall

thickness.
X1.6.1 One half the difference between the maximum
outside diameter and the minimum inside diameter is considered to be the calculated minimum wall. From the calculated
minimum wall, the average is obtained by dividing by 0.90 for
cold-worked tubing or 0.875 for hot-finished tubing. This
represents the wall tolerance of plus and minus 10 % for
cold-worked tubing and plus and minus 1212 % for hotfinished tubing. The wall tolerances may be modified in special
cases as covered by applicable tables.
X1.7 Step 4Step 4 is used to determine cold-worked or
hot-finished tube size when machined true to the outside
diameter or machined true to the inside diameter.
7

A 511 04
X1.7.1 Cold Worked Machined True to Outside Diameter
Size obtained in Step 1 minus the over tolerance (shown in
Over column in Table 3) gives the outside diameter to be
specified. The wall thickness to be specified is that determined
in Step 3.
X1.7.2 Cold Worked Machined True to Inside Diameter
Size obtained in Step 2 plus twice the calculated wall obtained
in Step 3 gives the minimum outside diameter. To find the
outside diameter to be specified, add the under part of the
tolerance shown in the under outside diameter column in Table
3. The average wall thickness to be specified is that determined
in Step 3. If necessary to specify to inside diameter and wall,
the under tolerance for inside diameter (shown in Table 3) is
added to the inside diameter obtained in Step 2.

X1.7.3 Hot Finished Machined True to Outside Diameter

From the size obtained in Step 1, subtract one-half the total
tolerance (shown in Table 4) to find the outside diameter to be
specified. The average wall thickness to be specified is that
determined in Step 3.
X1.7.4 Hot Finished Machined True to Inside Diameter
The average outside diameter to be specified is obtained by
adding the under part of the tolerance (shown in the under
column of Table 4) to the minimum outside diameter, calculated by adding twice the average wall (from Step 3) to the
minimum inside diameter (from Step 2).

SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this specification since the last issue,
A 511 96, that may impact the use of this specification. (Approved March 1, 2004)
(1) Replaced A 450/A 450M with A 1016/A 1016M in 2.1 and
S3.1.
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