Seamless Pipes for Nuclear Power Stations are engineered to meet the rigorous demands of nuclear facilities, ensuring safe and reliable transport of high-pressure steam, coolant, and other fluids in extreme conditions. These nuclear power piping systems comply with standards like ASME B&PV Code Section III and GB 24512.1, offering exceptional strength, corrosion resistance, and radiation resistance for pressurized water reactors (PWRs) and boiling water reactors (BWRs). Their seamless design eliminates weld-related weaknesses, ensuring safety in critical environments.

Made from high-quality materials like stainless steel (304L, 316L) or nickel-based alloys (e.g., Inconel 625), stainless steel nuclear pipes are designed for high-pressure (up to 150 bar) and high-temperature (exceeding 300°C) conditions. Available in sizes from 1/2” to 12” (DN15–DN300) with wall thicknesses from SCH 40 to SCH 160, these pipes are used in reactor coolant systems, steam generators, and emergency cooling. Cold-drawing or hot-rolling processes ensure precision, while passivation or specialized coatings enhance corrosion resistance against seawater or acidic environments.

Inconel seamless tubes undergo stringent testing, including ultrasonic, eddy current, and hydrostatic tests, to ensure defect-free performance. With tensile strengths from 485 MPa (316L SS) to 690 MPa (Inconel 625), they resist stress corrosion cracking and radiation-induced degradation. These pipes are critical for transporting cooling water, steam, and hydrogen gas, ensuring operational safety and efficiency. Their high nickel content provides excellent resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, ideal for coastal nuclear plants.

Unlike welded pipes, high-pressure nuclear piping offers superior integrity, reducing risks of leaks or failures. They are customizable for applications like main steam pipelines, fuel cladding, or heat exchanger tubes, meeting tight dimensional tolerances. These pipes withstand thermal cycling and radioactive exposure, ensuring long-term reliability in nuclear systems. Their versatility extends to auxiliary systems like fire sprinklers and emergency fuel lines.

By addressing challenges like corrosion, high-pressure demands, and radiation exposure, corrosion-resistant nuclear tubes ensure reliable operation in nuclear power stations. From reactor coolant systems to steam generators, these pipes deliver unmatched safety, durability, and performance, making them essential for clean energy production in nuclear facilities worldwide.

Seamless Steel Pipe Specifications for Nuclear Power Station
Size		Steel Grade	Specification	Typical Application
OD(mm)	WT(mm)	Steel Grade	Specification	Typical Application
48 - 720	4.5 - 130	HD245, HD245Cr	GB 24512.1 GB 24512.2	Carbon and alloy seamless steel pipe for Nuclear Station Island and Conventional Island
		HD265, HD265Cr
		HD280, HD280Cr
		HD12Cr2Mo
		HD15Ni1MnMoNbCu
		TUE250B	RCC-M
		TU42C
		TU48C
		P280GH
		SA106B/C	ASME SA-106/SA-106M
		P11	ASME SA-335/SA-335M
		P22
		P36
		P91

Nuclear power is a technology which extracts usable energy from atomic nuclei via controlled nuclear reactions – normally atomic fission.

Chemical Composition of GB24512.2 (wt%)
Grade	C	Si	Mn	P	S	Cr	Mo	Ni	Nb	N	Cu	V
HD12Cr2Mo	0.07-0.16	≤0.54	0.37-0.73	≤0.03	≤0.02	1.9-2.6	0.86-1.24	≤0.30	-	-	≤0.20	≤0.08
HD15Ni1MnMoNbCu	0.09-0.18	0.21-0.54	0.76-1.24	≤0.030	≤0.020	0.14-0.35	0.21-0.44	0.95-1.35	0.010-0.030	≤0.020	0.45-0.85	≤0.02

Mechanical Capacity of GB24512.2
Grade	Tensile Strength, [MPa]	Yield Strength, [MPa]	Elongation (%)
HD12Cr2Mo	450-600	≥280	≥22
HD15Ni1MnMoNbCu	620-780	≥440	≥19

RCC-M steel pipe for nuclear industry equipment.

Chemical Composition of RCC-M (wt%)
Grade	C	Si	Mn	P	S	Cr	Mo	Ni	Al	Ceq	Cu	Sn
TU48C	≤0.24	0.09-0.40	0.60-1.30	≤0.040	≤0.040	-	-	-	-	-	≤0.25	≤0.030
P280GH	≤0.22	0.10-0.40	0.80-1.60	≤0.025	≤0.020	≤0.25	≤0.10	≤0.50	0.020-0.050	≤0.48	≤0.25	≤0.030

Mechanical Capacity of RCC-M
Grade	Tensile Strength, [MPa]	Yield Strength, [MPa]	Elongation
TU48C	470-570	≥275	Rm（A-2）≥10500
P280GH	470-570	≥275	Rm（A-2）≥10500

The process takes place in a nuclear-fuelled power plant, where – much like in a fossil-fuelled power plant – water is turned into steam, which drives turbine generators to produce electricity. The difference between the two power plants is the heat source. Nuclear power produces electricity by splitting uranium atoms which generate phenomenal heat. This is called fission. This heat is used to create the steam which powers the generators. There is no combustion in a nuclear reactor, just the constant splitting of atoms which produces manageable heat.

Either a pressurised water reactor or boiling water reactor is used, but regardless which type of reactor is used to generate heat, the conditions under which they do are extremely hostile. This means that the finest Stainless Steel pipes and tubing are required so that they can deal with constantly high pressures and temperatures.

Chemical Composition of GB24512.1
Grade	C	Si	Mn	P	S	Cr	Mo	Ni	Sn	Cu
HD245	≤0.22	0.15-0.39	≤1.04	≤0.025	≤0.02	≤0.25	≤0.15	≤0.25	≤0.030	≤0.20
HD245Cr	≤0.22	0.15-0.39	≤1.04	≤0.025	≤0.02	0.18-0.33	≤0.15	≤0.25	≤0.030	≤0.20
HD265	≤0.22	≤0.44	≤1.44	≤0.025	≤0.02	≤0.3	≤0.08	≤0.3	≤0.030	≤0.20
HD265Cr	≤0.22	≤0.44	≤1.44	≤0.025	≤0.02	0.15-0.3	≤0.08	≤0.3	≤0.030	≤0.20
HD280	≤0.22	0.1-0.4	0.8-1.6	≤0.025	≤0.02	≤0.25	≤0.1	≤0.5	≤0.030	≤0.20
HD280Cr	≤0.22	0.1-0.4	1.0-1.6	≤0.025	≤0.02	0.15-0.33	≤0.1	≤0.5	≤0.030	≤0.20

GB24512.1 seamless tubes and pipes for nuclear power plant.

Nuclear‑Grade Seamless Pipe: Standards & Benefits

Applicable Standards

GB 24512.1 – Carbon‑steel seamless tubes for nuclear power plants
GB 24512.2 – Alloy‑steel seamless tubes for nuclear power plants
RCC‑M Series – French nuclear mechanical code (e.g. M3304 stainless steel)
ASME Section III / SA‑335, SA‑106 – Nuclear pressure piping standards

Key Advantages in Nuclear Applications

Reliability: Seamless pipes offer exceptional leak resistance and consistent performance for critical nuclear coolant and safety systems.
Strength & Safety: Without welded seams, these pipes eliminate structural weak points—vital in containing radioactive materials.
High‑Pressure & Temperature Resistance: Designed to withstand the extreme pressures and temperatures encountered in nuclear steam and coolant circuits.
Corrosion Resistance: When manufactured from stainless or high alloy steels, these pipes deliver long-term durability in chemically aggressive nuclear environments.

Typical Grades & Dimensions

Grade	Standard	OD (mm)	WT (mm)
HD245, HD245Cr	GB 24512.1	48–720	4.5–130
HD265, HD265Cr	GB 24512.2	48–720	4.5–130
TU48C, P280GH	RCC‑M / ASME SA‑335M	219–1200	8–130

Technical Specifications

Explore the dimensional ranges and common applications of various seamless pipe types.

Typical dimensional ranges for seamless steel pipe types
Type	Outer Diameter	Wall Thickness	Length	Applications
Hot-Rolled Seamless	Above 32 mm	2.5 – 200 mm	Up to 12 m	General industrial, structural
Cold-Rolled Seamless	6 – 650 mm	0.25 – 50 mm	Up to 12 m	Precision applications
Thin-Walled Pipe	5 – 100 mm	Less than 0.25 mm	Up to 6 m	Instrumentation, automotive
Heavy Wall Pipe	50 – 650 mm	10 – 200 mm	Up to 12 m	High pressure, structural

Seamless Pipe Specification Chart
DN	NB (inch)	OD (mm)	Nominal Wall Thickness (mm)
DN	NB (inch)	OD (mm)	SCH10	SCH20	SCH30	STD	SCH40	SCH60	XS	SCH80	SCH100	SCH120	SCH140	SCH160	XXS
15	1/2"	21.3	2.11		2.41	2.77	2.77		3.73	3.73				4.78	7.47
20	3/4"	26.7	2.11		2.41	2.87	2.87		3.91	3.91				5.56	7.82
25	1"	33.4	2.77		2.90	3.38	3.38		4.55	4.55				6.35	9.09
32	1.1/4"	42.2	2.77		2.97	3.56	3.56		4.85	4.85				6.35	9.70
40	1.1/2"	48.3	2.77		3.18	3.68	3.68		5.08	5.08				7.14	10.15
50	2"	60.3	2.77		3.18	3.91	3.91		5.54	5.54				8.74	11.07
65	2.1/2"	73	3.05		4.78	5.16	5.16		7.01	7.01				9.53	14.02
80	3"	88.9	3.05		4.78	5.49	5.49		7.62	7.62				11.13	15.25
90	3.1/2"	101.6	3.05		4.78	5.74	5.74		8.08	8.08
100	4"	114.3	3.05		4.78	6.02	6.02		8.56	8.56				13.49	17.12
125	5"	141.3	3.4			6.55	6.55		9.53	9.53		12.7		15.88	19.05
150	6"	168.3	3.4			7.11	7.11		10.97	10.97		14.27		18.26	21.95
200	8"	219.1	3.76	6.35	7.04	8.18	8.18	10.31	12.7	12.7	15.09	18.26	20.62	23.01	22.23
250	10"	273	4.19	6.35	7.8	9.27	9.27	12.7	12.7	15.09	18.26	21.44	25.4	28.58	25.4
300	12"	323.8	4.57	6.35	8.38	9.53	10.31	14.27	12.7	17.48	21.44	25.4	28.58	33.32	25.4
350	14"	355.6	6.35	7.92	9.53	9.53	11.13	15.09	12.7	19.05	23.83	27.79	31.75	35.71
400	16"	406.4	6.35	7.92	9.53	9.53	12.7	16.66	12.7	21.44	26.19	30.96	36.53	40.19
450	18"	457.2	6.35	7.92	11.13	9.53	14.27	19.05	12.7	23.83	39.36	34.93	39.67	45.24
500	20"	508	6.35	9.53	12.7	9.53	15.09	20.62	12.7	26.19	32.54	38.1	44.45	50.01
550	22"	558.8	6.35	9.53	12.7	9.53		22.23	12.7	28.58	34.93	41.28	47.63	53.98
600	24"	609.6	6.35	9.53	14.27	9.53	17.48	24.61	12.7	30.96	38.89	46.02	52.37	59.54
650	26"	660.4	7.92	12.7		9.53			12.7
700	28"	711.2	7.92	12.7	15.88	9.53			12.7
750	30"	762	7.92	12.7	15.88	9.53			12.7
800	32"	812.8	7.92	12.7	15.88	9.53	17.48		12.7
850	34"	863.6	7.92	12.7	15.88	9.53	17.48		12.7
900	36"	914.4	7.92	12.7	15.88	9.53	19.05		12.7

Seamless Pipes

Minimum Thickness

Seamless pipes, available in various wall thicknesses, are designed for precise applications, with cold-rolled thin-walled pipes achieving thicknesses as low as 0.25 mm or less.

The outer diameter of hot-rolled seamless pipe is generally greater than 32mm, the wall thickness is 2.5-200mm, the outer diameter of cold-rolled seamless steel pipe can be 6mm, the wall thickness can be 0.25mm, the outer diameter of thin-walled pipe can be 5mm, and the wall thickness is less than 0.25mm, cold rolling

The ability to produce seamless pipes with ultra-thin walls and controlled ovality makes them critical for industries like automotive, hydraulics, and petrochemicals, ensuring reliability and performance.

Permissible Variations in Outside Diameter of Steel Pipes
NPS/ DN/ OD	Permissible Variations in Outside Diameter
	Over		Under
	in.	mm	in.	mm
NPS 1/8 to 1½, incl DN 6 to 40 OD 10.3 to 48.3, mm	1/64	0.4	1/64	0.4
Over 1½ to 4, incl DN 40 to 100 OD 48.3 to 114.3, mm	1/32	0.8	1/32	0.8
Over 4 to 8, incl DN 100 to 200 OD 114.3 to 219.1, mm	1/16	1.6	1/32	0.8
Over 8 to 18, incl DN 200 to 450 OD 219.1 to 457, mm	3/32	2.4	1/32	0.8
Over 18 to 26, incl DN 450 to 650 OD 457 to 660, mm	1/8	3.2	1/32	0.8

According to the production method, seamless tubes are divided into hot - rolled tubes, cold - rolled tubes, cold - drawn tubes, extruded tubes, jacking tubes, etc. The maximum diameter is 650 mm and the minimum diameter is 0.3 mm. Depending on the application, there are thick - walled tubes and thin - walled tubes. Seamless steel tubes are mainly used as petroleum geological drilling tubes, cracking tubes for petrochemical industry, boiler tubes, bearing tubes and high - precision structural steel tubes for automobiles, tractors and aviation. In the plate, Q345B seamless steel pipe belongs to the low - alloy series.

Among the low - alloy materials, this kind of material is the most common. The outside diameter of hot - rolled seamless pipe is usually more than 32mm, the wall thickness is 2.5 - 200mm, the outside diameter of cold - rolled seamless steel pipe can be 6mm, the wall thickness can be 0.25mm, the outside diameter of thin - walled pipe can be 5mm, and the wall thickness is less than 0.25mm, cold rolling has higher dimensional accuracy than hot rolling.

Common Standards for Seamless Pipes

A consolidated overview of international seamless pipe standards, their materials, and applications.

Overview of Seamless Pipe Standards from ASTM, API, JIS, and GB
Standard System	Standard Code	Material Type	Typical Applications
ASTM / ASME (USA)	ASTM A53	Carbon Steel	General-purpose piping, structural
	ASTM A106	Carbon Steel	High-temperature service
	ASTM A179	Low Carbon Steel	Heat exchangers, condensers
	ASTM A333	Carbon/Alloy Steel	Low-temperature service
	ASTM A335	Alloy Steel	High-temperature, pressure piping
	ASTM A213 / A209	Alloy/Stainless Steel	Boilers, superheaters
	ASTM A312	Stainless Steel	Corrosion-resistant piping
	ASTM A519	Carbon/Alloy Steel	Mechanical tubing (e.g., SAE 1026)
	ASTM A790	Duplex Stainless Steel	High-strength, corrosion-resistant service
API (Oil & Gas)	API 5L	Carbon Steel	Oil & gas pipelines
API (Oil & Gas)	API 5CT	Carbon Steel	Casing & tubing for wells
JIS (Japan)	JIS G3454/G3455/G3456	Carbon Steel	Pressure piping service
	JIS G3460	Carbon Steel	Boilers, heat exchangers
	JIS G3429	High-strength Steel	High-pressure gas cylinders
GB (China)	GB 3087	Carbon Steel	Low & medium pressure boilers
	GB 5310	Carbon Steel	High-pressure boiler pipes
	GB/T 8163	Carbon Steel	Fluid and structural use

Industry Applications

Seamless pipes are critical in various industries thanks to their excellent strength, temperature resistance, and structural uniformity. They ensure safe and efficient performance in demanding environments.

Power Generation

Used in steam pipelines, boiler tubes, superheaters, and heat exchangers for high-temperature and high-pressure conditions in power plants.

Oil & Gas Industry

Transports crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products in pipelines and refinery units, handling high-pressure and corrosion.

Chemical & Petrochemical

Handles chemicals, gases, and hazardous substances in reactors and heat exchangers, ensuring safe processing.

Mechanical & Automotive

Applied in automotive systems and machinery for fluid conveyance and precision components requiring strength and accuracy.

Construction & Structural

Used in structural support, water and sewage systems, and building frameworks for strength and corrosion resistance.

Marine & Shipbuilding

Utilized in hydraulic and engine systems onboard, resisting corrosion in marine environments.

Aerospace & Defense

Employed in aircraft and military equipment for hydraulic systems and structural components.

Food & Pharmaceuticals

Stainless pipes for hygienic transport of food and pharmaceutical products, maintaining sterility.

Mining & Slurry Transport

Designed for transporting slurries and chemicals in mining, withstanding abrasion and harsh conditions.

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Seamless Pipes for Nuclear Power Stations

Seamless Pipes for Nuclear Power Stations