Materials for Pipe Fittings – From Standard Steel to Special Alloy
Material selection is one of the most important decisions when designing piping systems. Nirotec supplies pipe fittings across the entire material spectrum – from unalloyed pressure vessel steels to high-alloy nickel alloys. As a manufacturer and distributor with over 35 years of experience, we provide project-specific advice and deliver in all common standards and dimensions.
Material Overview
Unalloyed & Low-Alloy Steels
Low-Temperature Steels
Heat-Resistant Steels
Austenitic Stainless Steels
Duplex & Super Duplex
Nickel Alloys
Copper-Nickel & Special Materials
Unalloyed & Low-Alloy Steels
Unalloyed and low-alloy steels such as P235GH, P265GH, or P355GH are the standard materials in classic pipeline construction. They offer good weldability, high availability, and a balanced strength-to-cost ratio. Nirotec manufactures Elbows, Tees, and Reducer for energy and power plant facilities as well as pipeline projects according to L-grades and API-5L specification.
Standards: EN 10253-2, ASME B16.9, EN 10216-2, ASTM A234, API 5L
| Short Name / ASTM | Material Designation | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| P235GH | 1.0345 | Pressure vessels, steam lines |
| P245GH | 1.0352 | Pressure vessels, piping construction |
| P265GH | 1.0425 | Pressure vessels, elevated temperatures |
| P280GH | 1.0487 | Apparatus construction, pressure equipment |
| P305GH | 1.0481 | High-pressure applications, boiler construction |
| P355GH | 1.0566 | High-pressure lines, apparatus construction |
| L245 / X42 / API 5L Gr. B | 1.0405 | Pipeline construction, oil & gas pipelines |
| L290NB/NE / X42N | 1.0484 | Pipeline construction, energy technology |
| L360 / X52 / API 5L Gr. X52 | 1.0582 | Gas pipelines, long-distance pipelines |
| L415 / X60 / API 5L Gr. X60 | 1.8972 | High-pressure pipelines, offshore |
| L450 / X65 / API 5L Gr. X65 | Pipeline construction, high pressure loads | |
| L485 / X70 / API 5L Gr. X70 | Long-distance pipelines, offshore pipelines | |
| WPB / A234 WPB | Pipe fittings for pressure lines | |
| WPC / A234 WPC | High-pressure piping systems | |
| WPHY42 / A860 WPHY42 | Pipeline fittings, oil & gas | |
| WPHY46 / A860 WPHY46 | Pipeline construction, high-pressure lines | |
| WPHY52 / A860 WPHY52 | Onshore & offshore pipelines | |
| WPHY60 / A860 WPHY60 | Pipeline construction, energy transport | |
| WPHY65 / A860 WPHY65 | High-strength pipeline systems | |
| WPHY70 / A860 WPHY70 | Large-diameter pipelines, offshore applications |
Low-Temperature Steels
Low-temperature steels such as WPL3, WPL6, or the fine-grain steels 10Ni14 and 12Ni14 remain tough and crack-resistant down to -196 °C. They are primarily used in LNG plants, hydrogen and energy infrastructure, and cryogenic processes. Nirotec supplies pipe fittings and Flanges according to EN 10216-4 and ASTM A420/A350, including impact testing upon request.
Standards: EN 10216-4, ASME B16.9, ASTM A420, ASTM A350, EN 10222-4
| Short Name / ASTM | Material Designation | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| WPL3 / A420 WPL3 | Low-temperature pipe fittings, pressure lines | |
| WPL6 / A420 WPL6 | Low-temperature lines, oil & gas industry | |
| LF1 / A350 LF1 | Flanges and forgings for low-temperature applications | |
| LF2 / A350 LF2 | Flanges, valves, and pressure parts at low temperatures | |
| LF3 / A350 LF3 | Low-temperature flanges and forgings | |
| 10Ni14 | Vessel and plant construction for low temperatures | |
| 12Ni14 | 1.5637 | Low-temperature vessels, refrigeration plants |
| P215NL/NL1 | 1.0453 | Pressure vessels for low temperatures |
| P265NL | 1.0456 | Pressure equipment, low-temperature applications |
| P275NL1 | 1.0488 | Boiler and pressure vessel construction at low temperatures |
| P355NL/NL1 | 1.0566 | Pressure vessels, low-temperature applications |
| P355NL2 | 1.0565 | Pressure equipment with increased toughness requirements |
| P460NL/NL1 | 1.8915 | High-strength pressure vessels at low temperatures |
| P460NL2 | 1.8918 | High-strength low-temperature pressure equipment |
Heat-Resistant Steels
Heat-resistant steels such as 16Mo3, P11, P22, P91, and P92 maintain their strength permanently at operating temperatures above 600 °C. Chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium alloying elements ensure high creep strength in steam lines of power plants and the petrochemical industry. Nirotec manufactures Elbows and Tees from these materials according to EN 10253-2 and ASTM A335, including heat treatment and test certificates according to EN 10204.
Standards: EN 10253-2, ASME B16.9, EN 10216-2, ASTM A335
| Short Name / ASTM | Material Designation | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| 16Mo3 | 1.5415 | Steam lines up to 530 °C |
| 16Mo5 | 1.5417 | Heat-resistant pressure vessels, piping construction |
| WP1 / P1 / A234 WP1 / A335 P1 | 1.5415 | Steam lines, power plant construction |
| WP5 / P5 / A234 WP5 / A335 P5 | High-temperature lines, refinery plants | |
| WP9 / P9 / A234 WP9 / A335 P9 | Heat-resistant piping systems, petrochemical industry | |
| WP11 / 13CrMo4-5 / P11 / A234 WP11 / A335 P11 | 1.7335 | Power plant construction, high-pressure steam lines |
| WP12 / P12 / A234 WP12 / A335 P12 | Heat-resistant pipelines, boiler construction | |
| WP22 / 10CrMo9-10 / P22 / A234 WP22 / A335 P22 | 1.7380 | Power plant, high temperature |
| WP91 / X10CrMoVNb9-1 / P91 / A234 WP91 / A335 P91 | 1.4903 | High-performance power plants, > 600 °C |
| WP92 / X10CrWMoVNb9-2 / P92 / A234 WP92 / A335 P92 | 1.4901 | Ultra-high temperature power plants |
| X20 / X20CrMoV11-1 | 1.4922 | Superheated steam lines, turbine construction |
| 12CrMo19-5 | 1.7362 | Heat-resistant pressure lines |
| 21CrMoV5-7 | 1.7709 | Rotors, high-temperature components |
| 24CrMo5 | 1.7357 | High-pressure vessels, power plant facilities |
| 25CrMo4 | 1.7218 | Mechanical engineering, high-strength components |
| WB36 / 15NiCuMoNb5 | 1.6368 | Power plant pipelines, high-pressure systems |
| 1Cr9MoW2VNbNB | High-temperature special applications |
Austenitic Stainless Steels
Universal materials for corrosive environments, chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as cryogenic applications.
Standards: EN 10253, ASME B16.9, ASTM A403
| Short Name / ASTM | Material Designation | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| 304 / X5CrNi18-10 / V2A | 1.4301 | Food industry, plant construction |
| 304L / X2CrNi19-11 / X2CrNi18-9 / UNS S30403 / WP304L / F304L / TP304L | 1.4306 / 1.4307 | Welded constructions, piping construction |
| 304H / X6CrNi18-10 / UNS S30409 / TP304H / WP304H / F304H | 1.4948 | High-temperature applications, power plant construction |
| 316 / X5CrNiMo17-12-2 / UNS S31600 / TP316 / WP316 / F316 | 1.4401 | Chemical industry, corrosive media |
| 316L / X2CrNiMo17-12-2 / UNS S31603 / WP316L / F316L / TP316L / V4A | 1.4404 / 1.4432 / 1.4435 | Pharmaceutical, food, offshore |
| 316Ti / X6CrNiMoTi17-12-2 / UNS S31635 / WP316Ti / F316Ti / TP316Ti / V4A | 1.4571 | High-temperature and chemical plants |
| 316H / UNS S31609 / TP316H / WP316H / F316H | Heat-resistant piping systems | |
| 317L / X2CrNiMoN17-13-5 / UNS S31703 / WP317L / F317L / TP317L | 1.4439 | Highly corrosive process media |
| 321 / X6CrNiTi18-10 / UNS S32100 / WP321 / F321 / TP321 | 1.4541 | Heat exchangers, high-temperature plants |
| 321H / X8CrNiTi18-10 / UNS S32109 / WP321H / F321H / TP321H | 1.4941 | High-temperature pressure lines |
| 347 / X6CrNiNb18-10 / UNS S34700 / WP347 / F347 / TP347 | 1.4550 | Power plant construction, steam systems |
| 347H / X7CrNiNb18-10 / UNS S34709 / WP347H / F347H / TP347H | 1.4912 | High-temperature resistant plant components |
| 309 / X15CrNiSi20-12 / UNS S30900 | 1.4828 | Furnace construction, high-temperature technology |
| 310S / X8CrNi25-21 / UNS S31008 / TP310S / WP310S / F310S | 1.4845 | High-temperature furnaces, heat treatment |
| 310H / UNS S31009 / TP310H / WP310H / F310H | 1.4845 | High-temperature resistant piping systems |
| 253MA / UNS S30815 | 1.4835 | Furnace construction, high-temperature plants |
| 353MA | 1.4854 | Thermal engineering, industrial furnaces |
| 314 / X15CrNiSi25-21 | 1.4841 | Annealing furnaces, thermal processes |
| Alloy 28 / UNS N08028 | 1.4563 | Chemical industry, acid applications |
| Alloy 31 / UNS N08031 | 1.4562 | Highly corrosive process plants |
| 904L / X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5 / UNS N08904 / WP904L / F904L / TP904L | 1.4539 | Acid plants, offshore, chemical |
| Alloy 926 / X1NiCrMoCuN25-20-7 / UNS N08926 | 1.4529 | Seawater and offshore applications |
| 254SMO / X1CrNiMoCuN20-18-7 / UNS S31254 / WPS31254 / F44 | 1.4547 | Seawater, offshore, desalination plants |
| X3CrNiMoBN17-13-3 | 1.4910 | Heat-resistant power plant components |
| X3CrNiMo13-4 | 1.4313 | Turbine construction, mechanical engineering |
| UNS S31050 | 1.4466 | Corrosion-resistant special applications |
| X3CrNiMoTi25-25 | 1.4577 | Chemical process plants |
| 08CH18N10T | Piping construction, Eastern European standard systems | |
| X8CrNiS18-9 | 1.4305 | Machining technology, free-cutting steel |
Duplex & Super Duplex
Combine high strength with very good corrosion resistance – standard materials for offshore, sour service, and chloride-containing environments.
All Super Duplex materials with PREN > 40 – compliant with NORSOK M-001 and ISO 15156.
Standards: EN 10253, ASME B16.9, ASTM A815, NORSOK M-630
| Short Name / ASTM | Material Designation | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Duplex / X2CrNiMoN22-5-3 / UNS S31803 / UNS S32205 / F51 | 1.4462 | Offshore, chemical industry, seawater pipelines |
| Super Duplex / X2CrNiMoN25-7-4 / UNS S32750 / F53 | 1.4410 | Offshore, subsea applications, oil & gas |
| Super Duplex / X2CrNiMoCuWN25-7-4 / UNS S32760 / F55 | 1.4501 | Seawater plants, offshore, aggressive media |
| UNS S32906 | Pipeline construction, chemical process plants | |
| UNS S32615 | Highly corrosive offshore and process applications |
Nickel Alloys
Nickel alloys such as Alloy 625, Alloy 825, or Hastelloy C-276 resist extremely aggressive media, high temperatures, and severe corrosion where austenitic stainless steels reach their limits. They are preferably used in the chemical industry, offshore applications, and nuclear technology. Nirotec manufactures Elbows, Tees, and special parts from these materials according to ASTM B366, including full material traceability.
Standards: EN 10253, ASME B16.9, ASTM B366
| Short Name / ASTM | Material Designation | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel 201 / UNS N02201 | 2.4068 | Chemical industry, high-purity nickel |
| Monel 400 / UNS N04400 / NiCu30Fe | 2.4360 | Seawater, offshore, marine applications |
| Alloy K500 / UNS N05500 | 2.4375 | Offshore, pump and shaft construction |
| Alloy B3 | 2.4600 | Hydrochloric acid plants, chemical processes |
| Alloy C-22 / UNS N06022 / Hastelloy C-22 | 2.4602 | Highly corrosive chemical plants |
| Alloy 59 / UNS N06059 | 2.4605 | Flue gas desulfurization, aggressive media |
| Hastelloy C4 | 2.4610 | Chemical process plants |
| Hastelloy B | 2.4617 | Reducing acids, chemical industry |
| Alloy 617 / UNS N06617 | 2.4663 | High-temperature applications, power plant construction |
| Alloy 718 / UNS N07718 | 2.4668 | Turbine construction, aerospace |
| Alloy 600 / UNS N06600 / Inconel 600 | 2.4816 | High-temperature and furnace plants |
| Alloy C-276 / UNS N10276 / Hastelloy C-276 | 2.4819 | Offshore, chemical plants, acid applications |
| Alloy 601 / UNS N06601 / Inconel 601 | 2.4851 | Industrial furnaces, thermal processes |
| Alloy 625 / UNS N06625 / Inconel 625 | 2.4856 | Offshore, seawater, high corrosion |
| Alloy 825 / UNS N08825 / Incoloy 825 | 2.4858 | Chemical industry, acid lines |
| Alloy 800 / UNS N08800 | 1.4876 | Heat exchangers, high-temperature technology |
| Alloy 800H / UNS N08810 | 1.4876H | High-temperature resistant pressure systems |
| Alloy 800HT / UNS N08811 | 1.4876HT | Power plant and furnace construction |
| Alloy 20 / UNS N08020 | Sulfuric acid plants, chemical industry |
Copper-Nickel & Special Materials
Copper-nickel alloys such as CuNi10Fe1.6Mn and CuNi70/30 offer excellent resistance to seawater corrosion and biofouling and are standard materials in shipbuilding and offshore cooling water systems. Zirconium 702 complements the range as an extreme material for highly corrosive acid applications, for example in the chemical industry. Nirotec supplies these special materials according to ASTM B466 and ASTM B523, also in demanding dimensions and with complete documentation.
Standards: EN 10253, ASME B16.9, ASTM B466, ASTM B523
| Short Name / ASTM | Material Designation | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| CuNi10Fe1,6Mn / C70600 / 90-10 CuNi | Seawater pipelines, shipbuilding, cooling water systems | |
| CuNi70/30 / C71500 / 70-30 CuNi | Offshore, marine applications, aggressive seawater media | |
| Zirconium 702 / UNS R60702 | Highly corrosive chemical plants, acid applications |
Testing & Documentation
All materials available with:
- Test certificates according to EN 10204 (2.2 / 3.1 / 3.2)
- Positive Material Identification (PMI)
- Non-destructive testing (UT, RT, PT, MT) upon request
- Hardness tests
- IGC testing (Intergranular Corrosion) upon request
- Ferrite measurement for duplex materials
Material not found or unsure about selection?
Nirotec also supplies special materials and advises on technical design. Contact us directly.