SSAW Pipe
Spiral submerged-arc-welded (SSAW) pipe — economical large-diameter pipe for water, structural and pipeline use — in carbon and low-alloy grades to API 5L / ASTM.
Technical specification
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product | Spiral / helical submerged-arc-welded (SSAW / HSAW / SAWH) pipe |
| Manufacturing route | Steel strip fed at an angle, helically coiled to a cylinder, welded inside & outside along the spiral seam; strip-end welds where permitted |
| Dimensional standard | Ordered by actual OD × wall thickness; API 5L / AWWA / IS / EN reference |
| Size range | Large-diameter, grade / wall-specific — a verified OD × wall envelope, not an open “60"+” range |
| Product families | Line pipe (API 5L), water pipe (AWWA C200 / IS 3589 / EN 10224 / A139), piling (A252) — different wall / design bases |
| Material specifications | API 5L SAWH (PSL1 / PSL2); ASTM A139; AWWA C200; IS 3589; EN 10224; ASTM A252 |
| Sour service | NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 where qualified — not implied by API PSL2 alone |
| Documentation | EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2, coil-to-pipe traceability, weld records |
How it is made
SSAW pipe is made by feeding steel strip (coil) at an angle into a forming station, where it is helically coiled into a cylinder and welded inside and outside along the spiral seam by submerged-arc welding, then cut to length. SSAW, HSAW and SAWH are process terminology for the same spiral route, not material grades. Where the coil is not long enough, a strip-end (skelp-end) weld is joined per the specification, and its location and intersection with the spiral seam are examined and, where required, restricted by the purchaser. The seam is examined by ultrasonics and / or radiography to the extent the specification, grade and order require — not automatically every method on every product — with hydrostatic testing where required. Seam direction alone does not set a pressure ceiling; the design code, wall after tolerance and joint factor govern. The longitudinal-seam alternative is LSAW.
Grades & materials
SSAW is a carbon / low-alloy spiral-welded product in three families — line pipe, water and piling. Availability by grade, OD and wall is confirmed on quotation. ASTM A53 is not a spiral specification; seamless, stainless, duplex and nickel pipe are on their own pages, not here.
| Family | Grades | Standard | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line pipe (SAWH) | API 5L B, X42, X46, X52, X56, X60, X65 (PSL1 / PSL2) | API 5L | Oil & gas / medium-pressure lines |
| Helical arc-welded | A139 Gr.A, B, C, D, E | ASTM A139 | General & water (confirmed per order) |
| Water pipe | Base-steel grades per AWWA C200 / IS 3589 / EN 10224 (L235 / L275 / L355) | AWWA / IS / EN | Water transmission & distribution |
| Piling (structural) | A252 Gr.1, Gr.2, Gr.3 | ASTM A252 | Pipe piles — not pressure pipe |
AWWA C200, IS 3589 and EN 10224 are pipe specifications, not steel grades — each is built on an actual base-steel grade and delivery condition, stated per order (and, for IS 3589, within the manufacturer’s licence scope).
Chemical composition (representative)
| Grade | Spec | C max | Mn max | P max | S max | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gr.B | API 5L PSL2 | 0.22 | 1.20 | 0.025 | 0.015 | CE limits |
| X52 | API 5L PSL2 | 0.22 | 1.40 | 0.025 | 0.015 | Nb+V+Ti ≤ 0.15 |
| X60 | API 5L PSL2 | 0.12 | 1.60 | 0.025 | 0.015 | Nb+V+Ti ≤ 0.15 |
| X65 | API 5L PSL2 | 0.12 | 1.60 | 0.025 | 0.015 | Nb+V+Ti ≤ 0.15 |
| A139 Gr.B | A139 | 0.30 | 1.25 | 0.030 | 0.030 | general / water |
| EN L235 | EN 10224 | 0.16 | 1.20 | 0.025 | 0.020 | water; CE limit |
| EN L355 | EN 10224 | 0.22 | 1.60 | 0.025 | 0.020 | water; CE limit |
| AWWA C200 | AWWA C200 | Per the referenced base-steel specification & grade | not one chemistry | |||
| A252 Gr.2 / 3 | A252 | — | — | 0.05 | — | piling — mechanically governed |
Standards & specifications
Product & dimensional
- API 5L PSL1 / PSL2 SAWH line pipe (OD × wall)
- ASTM A139 helical (spiral) arc-welded pipe (Gr.A–E)
- AWWA C200 · IS 3589 · EN 10224 steel water pipe — base-steel grade stated per order
- ASTM A252 pipe piles (Gr.1 / 2 / 3, structural)
Testing & service
- Spiral-seam & strip-joint NDE (UT and / or RT) per specification, grade & order — not every method on everything
- Hydrostatic testing where required; end / dead-zone provisions
- Water linings (e.g. AWWA C205 cement-mortar) and potable approval (NSF/ANSI/CAN 61) are separate from pipe-manufacturing compliance
- Schedule / PSL is not a pressure rating; design code & loads govern (water pipe also considers external load, buckling, handling)
Mechanical properties (representative grades)
Representative grades — full MTC values on request. API values are specified minimum yield (SMYS) / tensile (SMTS); PSL2 also sets maxima and a yield-to-tensile ratio limit. Seam tensile / guided-bend and (where required) impact tests also apply. Piling (A252) values are for structural design, not pressure service.
| Grade | Spec / basis | Tensile min (MPa) | Yield min (MPa) | Elong min (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gr.B | API 5L line | 415 | 245 | — |
| X42 | API 5L line | 414 | 290 | — |
| X52 | API 5L line | 460 | 360 | — |
| X60 | API 5L line | 520 | 415 | — |
| X65 | API 5L line | 535 | 450 | — |
| A139 Gr.A | Helical AW | 331 | 207 | — |
| A139 Gr.B | Helical AW | 414 | 241 | — |
| A139 Gr.C | Helical AW | 414 | 290 | — |
| A139 Gr.D | Helical AW | 483 | 317 | — |
| A139 Gr.E | Helical AW | 517 | 345 | — |
| EN L235 | EN 10224 | 360 | 235 | — |
| EN L275 | EN 10224 | 430 | 275 | — |
| EN L355 | EN 10224 | 500 | 355 | — |
| A252 Gr.1 | Piling | 345 | 207 | — |
| A252 Gr.2 | Piling | 414 | 241 | — |
| A252 Gr.3 | Piling | 455 | 310 | — |
Testing, inspection & documentation
| Test / document | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chemical / PMI | Coil / strip chemistry with CE; PMI where alloying is specified — does not replace full chemistry |
| Tensile (base & weld) | Base-metal and cross-seam tensile per the product standard |
| Guided-bend / flattening | Weld ductility per the product standard |
| Seam & strip-joint NDE | Spiral seam, skelp-end welds and their intersections by UT and / or RT per specification & order; RT and UT are not interchangeable |
| Hydrostatic | Hydrotest for pressure products per the standard — not transferred indiscriminately to piling |
| Lining / coating | Cement-mortar (AWWA C205), epoxy or external coating inspection and reports where supplied |
| Traceability | Coil / heat-to-pipe traceability; EN 10204 3.1 as standard, 3.2 by an independent authorised party |
Applications & industries served
Dimensions, weights & lining
SSAW is ordered by actual OD × wall. Bare-shell mass is kg/m = π × t × (D − t) × ρ × 10⁻⁶ (ρ = 7850 kg/m³); nominal bore ID = D − 2t. For lined pipe the finished bore is ID − 2 × lining, and the lining mass is computed from the real annular area and the lining density — both the shell wall AND the lining thickness must be specified. A published OD range is not proof every wall / grade is available — confirmed on RFQ.
Bare-shell theoretical mass (kg/m, carbon-steel basis)
| OD | OD (mm) | 7.9 mm | 9.5 mm | 12.7 mm | 15.9 mm | 19.1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16" | 406.4 | 78 | 93 | 123 | 153 | 182 |
| 18" | 457.0 | 87 | 105 | 139 | 173 | 206 |
| 20" | 508.0 | 97 | 117 | 155 | 193 | 230 |
| 24" | 610.0 | 117 | 141 | 187 | 233 | 278 |
| 30" | 762.0 | 147 | 176 | 235 | 293 | 350 |
| 36" | 914.0 | 177 | 212 | 282 | 352 | 422 |
| 42" | 1067.0 | 206 | 248 | 330 | 412 | 494 |
| 48" | 1219.0 | 236 | 283 | 378 | 472 | 565 |
| 56" | 1422.0 | 276 | 331 | 441 | 551 | 661 |
| 60" | 1524.0 | 295 | 355 | 473 | 591 | 709 |
Linings & coatings
| System | Governing standard | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Cement-mortar lining | AWWA C205 | Internal, water transmission |
| Liquid epoxy lining | AWWA C210 / API RP 5L2 | Internal, flow / corrosion |
| 3LPE / 3LPP external | DIN 30670 / ISO 21809-1 | External, buried |
| FBE | ISO 21809-2 / AWWA C213 | External / internal |
Provide with your enquiry
- Specification / edition, steel grade and PSL / condition.
- Actual OD, wall thickness and (for lined pipe) lining thickness.
- Length, ends / joints and examination scope.
And the commercial detail
- Lining / coating system and any potable approval.
- Service & design conditions, required tests, certification.
- Quantity, delivery location and any BOQ.
Frequently asked questions
What is SSAW pipe?
SSAW (spiral submerged-arc welded, also HSAW / SAWH) pipe is made by feeding steel strip at an angle into a forming station where it is helically coiled into a cylinder and welded inside and outside along the spiral seam, then cut to length. It is used mainly for large-diameter water, line-pipe and piling applications, and is ordered by actual OD × wall and grade.
Is SSAW only for low pressure and LSAW for high pressure?
Not as a fixed rule. Seam direction alone does not set a pressure ceiling — suitability depends on the governing design code, dimensions, material, weld qualification and inspection. SSAW is widely used for water and lower / medium-pressure line pipe, but the pressure capability of a given pipe is established by design, not by the process name.
Do you supply A53 spiral pipe?
No — ASTM A53 is not a spiral-welded specification (it covers furnace-butt-welded, ERW and seamless types), so it is not listed under SSAW. The relevant spiral / helical arc-welded standard is ASTM A139, which we add only after confirming manufacture and records. Water pipe follows AWWA C200 / IS 3589 / EN 10224, line pipe API 5L, and piling ASTM A252.
Are AWWA C200 and IS 3589 steel grades?
No — they are pipe specifications, not steel grades. Each identifies finished-pipe requirements built on an actual base-steel grade and delivery condition, and C200 is not one chemistry or one strength. We state the actual steel grade and its governing material specification, within the applicable edition and (for IS 3589) licence scope.
How is cement-lined SSAW pipe weight and bore worked out?
Separately for the steel shell and the lining. The bare-shell mass uses kg/m = π × ρ × 10⁻⁶ × t × (D − t) with the actual wall; the cement-mortar mass is computed from the real annular area, the stated lining thickness and its density, and the finished bore is the ID minus twice the lining. Both the shell wall AND the lining thickness must be specified — a single “OD range” is not enough.
Is SSAW pipe suitable for potable water?
Where qualified. Pipe-manufacturing compliance (e.g. AWWA C200) is separate from the health-effects acceptability of the wetted lining, coating, sealants and joints — NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 addresses health effects, not pipe strength or every regulatory requirement. The actual project or local approval for the lining system is confirmed for potable service.
What information is needed for a quotation?
Provide the specification and edition, steel grade and PSL / condition, OD and wall thickness (and lining thickness for lined pipe), length and quantity, lining / coating system, service and design conditions, examination scope, ends and documentation. Availability by grade, OD and wall is confirmed with the quotation.
Request a quote
Send your requirement to Sagiant Piping Industries and our team responds with grade, material selection, availability and pricing for ssaw pipe. Attach a BOQ, line list or drawing for a faster, more accurate quotation.
- Fast RFQ response with grade & material-selection support
- EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2 certification, PMI & third-party inspection
- BOQ & line-list project supply — India & export
Mechanical & chemical values shown are ASTM/ASME specification figures; certified heat-specific values appear on the MTC. Availability is confirmed with the quotation.
