Differences between BG3087 carbon steel pipes and GB8163 carbon steel pipes for boilers

BG3087 is a high-quality carbon structural steel used for hot-rolled and cold-drawn (drawn) seamless steel tubes applied to superheater steam pipes, feed water pipes in low- and medium-pressure boilers, as well as to superheater steam pipes, large flue pipes, small flue pipes, and arch brick pipes in locomotive boilers. GB8163 applies to general seamless steel tubes used for transporting fluids

Standard GB 3087-1999 applies to hot-rolled (extruded, expanded) and cold-drawn (rolled) seamless steel tubes made of high-quality carbon structural steel, which are used in the manufacture of low-pressure and medium-pressure boilers of various types as well as locomotive boilers. Standard GB/T8163-1999 applies to ordinary seamless steel tubes used for transporting liquids. The technical requirements, inspection rules, and testing methods for both standards are essentially the same.

When it comes to transporting fluids, 3087 is definitely better. The question is, is there any fixed boundary between the two?

GB3087: Methods for quality inspection of steel pipes: 1. Dimensions – for each pipe individually. 2. Surface condition – for each pipe individually. 3. Chemical composition – one sample per batch of pipes. 4. Tensile test – one sample taken from each of two pipes in each batch. 5. Hydrostatic test – conducted on each pipe individually. 6. Flattening test – one sample taken from each of two pipes in each batch. 7. Crimping test – one sample taken from each of two pipes in each batch. 8. Beading test – one sample taken from each of two pipes in each batch. 9. Cold bending test – one sample taken from each of two pipes in each batch. 10. Non-destructive testing – as agreed upon by both parties (for each pipe individually). GB8163: 1. Dimensions – for each pipe individually. 2. Surface condition – for each pipe individually. 3. Chemical composition – one sample per batch of pipes. 4. Tensile test – one sample taken from each of two pipes in each batch. 5. Hydrostatic test – conducted on each pipe individually. 6. Flattening test – one sample taken from each of two pipes in each batch. 7. Non-destructive testing – for each pipe individually (using ultrasound or eddy current testing); however, the following three tests are only carried out if the buyer has specific requirements, as agreed upon in the contract. 7. Crimping test – one sample taken from each of two pipes in each batch. 8. Beading test – one sample taken from each of two pipes in each batch. 9. Cold bending test – one sample taken from each of two pipes in each batch. As for the different pressures used in testing, this is because there are only two grades for material 3087, namely 10 and 20, so the test pressure is up to 10 MPa. For material 8163, there are grades such as 10, 20, 09MnV, and 16Mn; therefore, it’s normal for the test pressure not to exceed 19 MPa. In fact, the formula for calculating the test pressure is the same for both materials, which is 60% of their yield strength. (Transferred from another forum)

For steel pipes in accordance with GB3087 standard, in addition to the general test requirements for pipes used in fluid transportation, a cold bending test is also required. The GB3087 standard is a standard specifically established for steel pipes used in boilers. For reference.

Reply to 6# 678: By standard criteria, the two seem to be interchangeable. It seems there’s no problem using the 8163 pipes in boilers; has anyone done this before? Of course, it definitely works the other way around, in my opinion. Of course, there isn’t much difference in price between the two.

According to Table 3-2 of the steam parameters, when tubes No. 10 and No. 20 of 8163 are used for header tanks, heat-exchanging surfaces, and steam pipelines, the operating pressure is below 1.0 MPa only； The 3087 tube, on the other hand, operates below 5.9 MPa; there is a significant difference between the two, and this should be taken into account.

Refer to the standard “Regulations for the Safety Inspection of Steam Boilers”, version TSG G0001-2012, page 4, Table 2-2: Materials for steel pipes used in boilers. 8163: Purpose – Pipes, headers, heat exchange tubes; Pressure – Up to 1.6 MPA; Temperature – Up to 350 degrees. 3087: Purpose – Heat exchange tubes; Pressure – Up to 5.3 MPA; Temperature – Up to 460 degrees. 3087: Purpose – Pipes, headers; Pressure – Up to 5.3 MPA; Temperature – Up to 430 degrees