ASTM B861 covers seamless titanium and titanium-alloy pipes intended for general corrosion-resistant and elevated-temperature service.
Referenced Edition: ASTM B861-24
Standard Title: Standard Specification for Titanium and Titanium Alloy Seamless Pipe
The standard covers 34 grades, including commercially pure titanium and several alloyed titanium families.
ASTM B861 applies to a broader range of seamless piping applications than ASTM B338, which covers seamless and welded tubes specifically for condensers and heat exchangers.
The appropriate grade must be selected according to the process environment, design conditions, and applicable piping code.
ASTM B861 includes commercially pure titanium, palladium-bearing titanium, ruthenium-bearing titanium, and higher-strength titanium alloys.
| Grade | UNS Designation | Material Characteristics & Selection Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | R50250 | Commercially pure titanium with relatively low strength and high ductility. Selected where its corrosion resistance and fabrication characteristics meet project requirements. |
| Grade 2 | R50400 | Commercially pure titanium combining corrosion resistance, strength, and fabrication performance. Commonly selected for compatible chemical process, marine, and seawater piping applications. |
| Grade 2H | R50400 | A higher-strength version of Grade 2 with a guaranteed minimum ultimate tensile strength of 400 MPa. Primarily intended for pressure-vessel applications requiring its specified strength. |
| Grade 5 | R56400 | Titanium alloy containing approximately 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium. Selected for substantially higher strength than commercially pure titanium, subject to corrosion compatibility and design requirements. |
| Grade 7 | R52400 | Commercially pure titanium containing 0.12–0.25% palladium, providing improved corrosion resistance in certain aggressive environments. |
| Grade 9 | R56320 | Titanium alloy containing approximately 3% aluminum and 2.5% vanadium. Provides higher strength than commercially pure titanium. |
| Grade 12 | R53400 | Titanium alloy containing approximately 0.3% molybdenum and 0.8% nickel. Used where its corrosion and mechanical characteristics meet chemical and industrial piping requirements. |
The standard also includes Grades 3, 11, 13–21, 23–29, and 33–38, together with applicable H-grade designations.
Availability should be confirmed according to the exact grade, dimensions, material condition, and order quantity.
ASTM B861 specifies separate chemical-composition limits for each grade.
Depending on the material, controlled elements can include titanium, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, iron, aluminum, vanadium, palladium, ruthenium, nickel, molybdenum, chromium, niobium, and other grade-specific elements.
Both chemical analysis and product analysis are addressed by the standard.
The exact composition must be verified against the ordered ASTM B861 grade.
ASTM B861 establishes grade-specific room-temperature mechanical requirements.
| Property | Requirement Basis |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | According to the specified titanium grade and applicable condition |
| Yield Strength | According to the specified titanium grade and applicable condition |
| Elongation | According to the specified titanium grade and applicable condition |
For elevated-temperature applications, room-temperature mechanical properties alone are insufficient to establish allowable design stress. The applicable design code and elevated-temperature material data must also be considered.
Material conditions are defined according to the titanium alloy and applicable specification requirements.
| Grades | Material Conditions |
|---|---|
| 5, 23, 24, 25, 29, 35, 36 | Annealed or aged |
| 9, 18, 28, 38 | Cold-worked and stress-relieved, or annealed |
| 9, 18, 23, 28, 29 | Transformed-beta condition, where specified |
| 19, 20, 21 | Solution-treated, or solution-treated and aged |
These are examples of grade-specific conditions. The required condition must be confirmed against the ordered grade and project specification.
| Inspection Area | Applicable Verification |
|---|---|
| Chemical Composition | Chemical analysis and product analysis |
| Mechanical Properties | Tensile testing |
| Forming Performance | Flattening and bend testing |
| Pipe Integrity | Hydrostatic testing |
| Dimensions | Dimensional inspection |
| Surface Condition | Surface inspection |
| Identification | Material identification |
| Additional Examination | NDT and project-specific acceptance criteria, as specified |
Additional nondestructive examination or project-specific acceptance criteria should be identified in the purchase specification.
| Standard | Product Form | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM B861 | Seamless Pipe | Titanium and titanium-alloy seamless pipe for general corrosion-resistant and elevated-temperature service |
| ASTM B862 | Welded Pipe | Titanium and titanium-alloy welded pipe |
Select the correct standard according to the equipment specification, required manufacturing method, and applicable piping code.
| Standard | Product Form | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM B861 | Seamless Pipe | General corrosion-resistant and elevated-temperature piping |
| ASTM B338 | Seamless / Welded Tubes | Condensers and heat exchangers |
For condenser tube bundles, ASTM B338 is the more application-specific specification. For general seamless titanium piping, ASTM B861 is the relevant product standard.
ASTM B861 pipe availability is subject to confirmation of the required titanium grade and dimensions.
FYN can review project requirements covering:
Titanium pipe manufacturing and supply capability are confirmed separately from FYN’s carbon and alloy steel tube production range.
For chemical processing systems where the selected titanium grade is compatible with the process medium and operating conditions.
Commercially pure titanium grades, including Grade 2, are used in suitable seawater systems requiring corrosion-resistant piping.
For desalination equipment handling compatible seawater, brine, and process fluids.
For selected petrochemical processes where the operating environment requires the properties of titanium or titanium alloys.
Selected ASTM B861 alloys can be used for elevated-temperature service when their material properties, corrosion behavior, and allowable stresses satisfy the applicable design requirements.
No single maximum service temperature applies to all ASTM B861 grades.
For replacement projects in corrosive service, material selection should be reviewed against the existing pipe specification, process conditions, and applicable design requirements.
Depending on the order and confirmed supply arrangement, documentation can include:
Required documentation should be identified during the enquiry stage.
Packing is selected according to pipe dimensions, quantity, and transportation requirements.
Available arrangements may include:
Titanium pipes should be protected against mechanical damage and surface contamination during handling and transportation.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Subject to grade and supply confirmation |
| Minimum Order Quantity | Confirmed according to grade, dimensions, and order requirements |
| Material Condition | According to the ordered grade and specification |
| Lead Time | Subject to material availability, dimensions, condition, quantity, and inspection requirements |
| Packing | According to pipe dimensions and transportation requirements |
| Item | Information to Provide |
|---|---|
| Standard | ASTM B861 and required edition, if specified |
| Material | Titanium grade / UNS designation |
| Dimensions | Outside Diameter × Wall Thickness × Length |
| Material Condition | Required delivery or heat-treatment condition |
| Quantity | Required order quantity |
| Application | Intended piping service |
| Design Conditions | Design pressure and design temperature |
| Process Medium | Fluid or medium handled by the piping system |
| Design Code | Applicable piping design code |
| Testing | Required testing / additional NDT |
| Documentation | Required inspection documents |
| Third-Party Inspection | Required scope, if applicable |
Please send your requirements in the following format:
ASTM B861 + Grade / UNS + OD × Wall Thickness × Length + Material Condition + Quantity
For engineering and replacement projects, also include:
Design Pressure + Design Temperature + Process Medium + Applicable Design Code + Inspection Requirements
