ASTM A252 LSAW Steel Pipe for Structural Piling Projects

The production process of LSAW steel pipe is flexible, and it can produce any specifications and wall thickness within the product range. The production efficiency is lower than that of high-frequency straight seam welded steel pipe ,SSAW steel pipe. The biggest advantage of LSAW pipe is that it can produce high-frequency steel pipe, spiral steel pipe, and even specifications and models that seamless steel pipe cannot produce. The production cost of straight seam submerged arc welded pipe is higher than that of high-frequency steel pipe and spiral steel pipe, but there is a large price discount space compared with seamless steel pipe. Its standards include ASTM A252, API 5L, GB/T3091, EN10219, EN10210, EN10217, etc. Today we focus on ASTM A252 LSAW steel pipe.

ASTM A252 LSAW (straight seam submerged arc welding) steel pipe adopts JCOE or UOE forming process, and achieves high-precision welding through multi-wire submerged arc welding technology. Its wall thickness range is flexible (such as 7.92mm to 50mm), and it can produce large-diameter steel pipes with diameters of 355.6mm to 1828.8mm to meet the needs of high-strength pile foundations. Compared with high-frequency welded pipes and spiral welded pipes, LSAW steel pipes have lower production efficiency, but they can produce ultra-large diameters and thick-walled specifications (such as 1066.8×12mm) that cannot be achieved by other processes, and the dimensional accuracy and axial bearing capacity are significantly improved through the expansion process.

What Is ASTM A252?

Grade	Minimum Yield Strength (psi)	Minimum Tensile Strength (psi)
1	30,000	50,000
2	35,000	60,000
3	45,000	66,000

Material properties and standard classification of ASTM A252LSAW steel pipes

ASTM A252 standard divides steel pipes into three grades: GR1-GR3. GR3 has the highest yield strength (≥310MPa) and is suitable for heavy buildings and bridge pile foundations. Its carbon manganese steel material optimizes the strength-toughness balance through controlled rolling and controlled cooling process, and the phosphorus content is strictly limited (≤0.050%) to ensure corrosion resistance. Compared with seamless steel pipes, LSAW steel pipes are 20%-30% cheaper, but can achieve equal or even super-strong performance through weld strengthening technology.

Why ASTM A252 LSAW Pipes Are Preferred for Piling pipe?

Choosing ASTM A252 LSAW pipes for piling projects offers several key advantages:

1.Large Diameter and Wall Thickness
LSAW pipes can be produced in sizes up to 120 inches in diameter and with wall thicknesses over 25 mm. This makes them suitable for deep foundation work.

2.Excellent Weld Strength
Double-sided submerged arc welding creates high-integrity seams, improving structural stability and load-bearing capacity.

3.Custom Lengths and Grades
These pipes are available in custom lengths (6m, 12m, or more) and can be manufactured in Grade 1, 2, or 3 depending on the project.

4.High Resistance to Pressure and Corrosion
With options for internal and external coatings, LSAW pipes are ideal for marine or corrosive environments.

5.Meets Stringent International Standards
In addition to ASTM A252, LSAW pipes can also comply with API, EN, or ISO standards as required.

Conclusion

The global LSAW steel pipe market will reach $1.85 billion in 2023, with China accounting for the majority of production capacity. The selection should take into account the pressure level (such as GR3 for heavy engineering), anti-corrosion requirements (galvanizing or lining treatment for soil/seawater environment) and cost-effectiveness (LSAW saves 20%-30% compared to seamless steel pipe).

ASTM A252 LSAW steel pipe has become a core material for infrastructure due to its process flexibility and high cost-effectiveness, and has significant potential in the field of new energy (such as offshore wind power pile foundation) in the future