SCH 40 vs SCH 40S Pipe Selection Guide – Carbon Steel vs Stainless Steel

Key Differences at a Glance:

Comparison Dimensions	SCH 40 (Carbon Steel)	SCH 40S (Stainless Steel)
Applicable Standards	ASME B36.10	ASME B36.19
Wall Thickness Characteristics	Small diameter: Same as SCH 40S; Large diameter (NPS≥10): Thicker wall thickness	Small diameter: Same as SCH 40; Large diameter (NPS≥10): Thinner wall thickness
Pressure Rating (estimated at room temperature)	Small diameter: Similar to SCH 40S; Large diameter: Typically higher pressure	Small diameter: Similar to SCH 40; Large diameter: Typically lower pressure
Corrosion Resistance	Moderate, requires coating or dry environment	Excellent, suitable for corrosive environments
Cost	Lower	Higher (approximately 3-5 times higher initial cost)

Standard System and Pipe Materials:

SCH 40 Pipe follows the ASME B36.10M standard and is a general wall thickness series suitable for carbon steel pipes and alloy steel pipes. SCH 40 is designed based on the mechanical properties of carbon steel and is commonly used in general industrial piping systems.

SCH 40S Pipe follows the ASME B36.19M standard and is a wall thickness series specifically designed for stainless steel pipes, where "S" stands for "stainless." SCH 40S is mainly used in applications requiring high corrosion resistance and strength. It is typically made of 304 or 316 stainless steel and has good toughness and weldability.

Detailed Comparison of SCH 40 (Carbon Steel) and SCH 40S (Stainless Steel):

1. Different Origins and Standards

SCH 40 and SCH 40S follow different international standards.

SCH 40 follows the ASME B36.10M standard, which specifies a general wall thickness series for carbon steel and alloy steel pipes. ASME B36.10 defines the outer diameter. Regardless of whether the pipe is SCH 40, SCH 80, or SCH 160, as long as the nominal size (NPS) is the same, its outer diameter remains constant.

SCH 40S follows ASME B36.19M, a standard specifically designed for stainless steel pipes. Its wall thickness calculations take into account the higher allowable stress values of stainless steel. B36.19 defines specific wall thicknesses without redefining the outer diameter; it fully adopts the outer diameter system of B36.10. Its primary function is to specify the wall thickness series specific to stainless steel pipes, i.e., Schedule numbers with the suffix "S".

2. Differences in Wall Thickness

For most common small-diameter steel pipes (e.g., from 1/8 inch to 8 inches), the wall thickness of SCH 40 and Sch40s is exactly the same. This is why they are often used interchangeably.

However, for large-diameter pipes (typically NPS ≥ 10 inches), the wall thickness in the B36.19 standard is thinner than that in B36.10. Because stainless steel has different mechanical properties and corrosion resistance than carbon steel, the B36.19 standard optimizes the wall thickness of large-diameter stainless steel pipes, making them typically thinner than B36.10 Sch40 carbon steel pipes of the same size.

This is because stainless steel has a higher allowable stress (the maximum stress it can withstand) than carbon steel. Therefore, stainless steel pipes can use thinner walls to save materials and reduce costs while meeting the same pressure requirements. At the same time, the reduced weight of the steel pipe facilitates installation and support. Furthermore, corrosion resistance is a primary function of stainless steel, and in many operating conditions, the thicker walls required to resist corrosion, as seen in carbon steel, are not necessary.

3. Pressure Rating Comparison (with Data Table)

While wall thickness is a key differentiator, the actual pressure-bearing capacity is paramount. The table below compares the maximum allowable pressure for carbon steel SCH 40 and stainless steel SCH 40S pipes.

The table below shows estimated values at room temperature (approximately 25°C), applicable to the most commonly used 304/316 stainless steel and their corresponding carbon steel materials. Actual engineering applications require adjustments based on the design temperature to mitigate performance degradation.

Nominal Size (NPS)	Outer Diameter (inches/mm)	SCH 40 (Carbon Steel) Estimated Pressure (psi)	SCH 40S (Stainless Steel) Estimated Pressure (psi)	Wall Thickness Difference Explanation
1/2″	0.84 / 21.3	~2,200	~2,166	Same wall thickness when NPS ≤ 8
1″	1.315 / 33.4	~1,500	~2,166	Stainless steel pressure is close to carbon steel mainly due to its higher allowable stress.
2″	2.375 / 60.3	~1,000	~988	Stainless steel has thinner walls for larger diameters, but pressure rating differences are still affected by the material.
4″	4.500 / 114.3	~800	~790	Sch40S wall thickness is 6.02mm, carbon steel Sch40 is 6.02mm (same)
10″	10.75 / 273.1	~1,358	~988	Key Difference Area: Sch40S wall thickness (8.08mm) is thinner than Sch40 (9.27mm)
12″	12.75 / 323.9	~1,560	~4,400	Sch40S wall thickness (9.53mm) is significantly thinner than Sch40 (10.31mm)

As shown, stainless steel SCH 40S can achieve comparable or even higher pressure ratings due to its superior material strength, making it a viable option for high-pressure corrosive environments.

Engineering Note:
a. The pressure values above are theoretical estimates based on the ASME B31.3 formula. The actual allowable stress needs to be determined by referring to tables based on the specific material (e.g., A106 Gr.B vs 304/316) and design temperature.
b. For pipes with NPS ≤ 8, SCH 40 and SCH 40S have the same wall thickness, but different allowable stresses in the material, resulting in a difference in pressure rating, although the difference is small.
c. For large-diameter pipes with NPS ≥ 10, the wall thickness of SCH 40S begins to be smaller than that of SCH 40. This is the core difference between the two standards (ASME B36.10 and B36.19), and the difference in pressure rating is more pronounced.

▶ Want to understand how these pressure ratings are calculated?
See our in-depth technical guide: [How to Calculate Schedule 40 Stainless Steel Pipe Pressure Rating – Formula, Examples & Temperature Effects].

4. Cost Difference

The initial cost of stainless steel pipe (SCH 40S) is significantly higher than that of carbon steel pipe (SCH 40), typically by 3-5 times or even more. However, in corrosive environments, carbon steel pipes require frequent maintenance and replacement, potentially resulting in higher total lifecycle costs.

5. Application Scope

The choice between SCH 40S and SCH 40 depends primarily on the application environment. For fields requiring high hygiene and corrosion resistance, such as food processing, chemical engineering, and marine engineering, SCH 40S is the ideal choice; while for general plumbing, building structures, non-corrosive or weakly corrosive environments, and low-pressure scenarios, SCH 40 carbon steel pipes are sufficient. Budget is also a crucial factor; while SCH 40S offers superior performance, it is more expensive.

Typical Applications & Use Cases:

SCH 40:
Low-pressure fluid transport: Cold/hot water supply in buildings, fire sprinkler systems, drainage systems, low-pressure compressed air piping.
HVAC: Ventilation ducts, air conditioning condensate drain pipes.
Structural applications: Scaffolding, guardrails, equipment supports.
Municipal engineering: Low-pressure water supply.

SCH 40S: 

Corrosive environments: Process piping for conveying chemical media, acids, alkalis, and salt solutions.

High cleanliness requirements: Process piping in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries.
High hygiene requirements: Piping for drinking water systems, hospitals, and laboratories.

Appearance and durability: Outdoor or building interior piping requiring aesthetic appeal or long-term durability.

Meaning of the suffix "S":

The suffix "S" explicitly indicates that the piping should be manufactured and supplied according to the stainless steel pipe standard B36.19. It is an important identifier in orders and design documents, ensuring that the supplier provides piping that conforms to standard stainless steel dimensions.

Why Was the B36.19 Standard Created?

Due to the economics and material properties of stainless steel pipes, a separate standard was created for them:

1. Cost considerations: Stainless steel is much more expensive than carbon steel. B36.19 significantly saves material costs by providing thinner wall thickness options for large-diameter pipes while still meeting pressure requirements.
2. Corrosion Resistance is a Primary Function: The core value of stainless steel lies in its corrosion resistance. In many applications, pipe failure is caused by corrosion, not pressure. Therefore, it doesn't require the excessive wall thickness "corrosion allowance" required for corrosion resistance, as is the case with carbon steel.

3. Strength Characteristics: Stainless steel has different mechanical properties than carbon steel, and the wall thickness series of B36.19 is optimized based on the strength characteristics of stainless steel.

Are SCH 40S and SCH 40 pipes interchangeable?

Yes, but not recommended. For large-diameter pipes, the wall thicknesses specified in ASME B36.10 (SCH40) and ASME B36.19 (SCH40S) standards are different. If you need a 10-inch stainless steel pipe but mistakenly order "SCH40 stainless steel pipe," you might receive a pipe with a wall thickness of 9.27mm instead of the 8.08mm you intended.

This will result in material waste and increased costs, paying more for an unnecessary, thicker pipe wall. Furthermore, thicker walls mean different weights, pressure-bearing capacities, and stress characteristics, which may affect support design and fluid performance. ▶ For detailed pressure data on specific specifications, please refer to our [Complete SCH 40 Pressure Rating Data Table].

FAQ:

Q1. Can SCH 40 and SCH 40S pipes be used interchangeably?

A: Physically, for small-diameter pipes with NPS ≤ 8, the two have the same wall thickness and can be installed interchangeably. However, interchange is not recommended in engineering. Because there are significant differences in material standards (affecting allowable stress), corrosion resistance and cost between the two. For large diameter pipes with NPS ≥ 10, the wall thicknesses are different and cannot be directly interchanged. Any interchange decision must be based on detailed engineering calculations and design specifications and cannot be judged solely on wall thickness.

Q2. What does the suffix "S" stand for in pipe specifications?

A: The suffix “S” clearly stands for Stainless Steel. It means that the size and wall thickness of the pipe follow the ASME B36.19 sizing standard for stainless steel pipe, as opposed to the ASME B36.10 standard for carbon steel pipe. When ordering, specifying "S" is key to ensuring you get the correct material and size and avoid confusion.

Q3. When should you choose SCH 40S over SCH 40?

A: SCH 40S (stainless steel) is preferred when:

● Pipes will be exposed to corrosive environments (eg chemicals, salt water, humid industrial atmosphere).
● Belong to industries with high hygiene requirements (such as food, beverages, pharmaceuticals).
● Where long-term durability is required and maintenance is difficult.
● Project budgets allow for higher initial investment in exchange for longer service life and lower maintenance costs.

Read more:

● Schedule 40 vs Schedule 80 Pipe

● Stainless Steel Pipe Dimensions Chart

● Schedule 40 Stainless Steel Pipe Dimensions