What is Schedule 80 pipe?
SCH 80 does not refer to a specific material, but is one of the pipe wall thickness grades defined by the American Standard (ASME B36.10/B36.19), which stands for "Schedule 80". The material selection depends on the specific application requirements. Its core feature is the thickened wall design, which is suitable for high pressure, high temperature or severe working conditions.
Where are Schedule 80 pipes used for?
Due to its thickened wall design and high pressure bearing capacity,
Schedule 80 pipes are mainly used in situations with strict requirements on strength, pressure resistance and corrosion resistance. The following is an analysis of its typical application areas and specific scenarios:
1. High-pressure industrial fluid transportation
(1) Oil and gas
High-pressure oil and gas gathering and transportation pipelines: wellhead pipelines, gas transmission trunk pipelines).
Refinery process pipelines: high-temperature and high-pressure steam, hydrocarbon media.
Acidic environment (including H₂S): sulfur-resistant materials are required.
(2) Chemical and pharmaceutical
Corrosive chemical transportation: Acids, alkalis, organic solvents, require lining or stainless steel.
High-pressure reactor connection pipes: withstand pressure fluctuations and high temperatures.
(3) Power and energy
Boiler feed water, steam pipelines: Sch 80 carbon steel or alloy steel, temperature resistance ≤400°C.
Nuclear power auxiliary system: non-core but high-reliability high-pressure pipelines.
2. Fire and safety system
High-pressure fire main pipeline:
Fire hydrant system.
Industrial fire protection: chemical plants, oil depots and other high-risk places.
Gas fire extinguishing system: such as CO₂ pipelines, Sch 80
seamless pipes can be used.
3. Harsh environment and special applications
(1) High-temperature and high-pressure steam
Factory steam main pipeline: Sch 80 carbon steel or
alloy steel P11/P22.
Heat network: high-temperature transmission section of the central heating system.
(2) Marine and Ship Engineering
Seawater cooling pipes: Sch 80 pipes made of
316 stainless steel are used to prevent chloride ion corrosion.
Ship ballast system: Resistant to salt spray and mechanical shock.
(3) Mining and heavy machinery
Mud/slurry conveying pipes: Meet high wear resistance requirements and can be lined with rubber.
Hydraulic system high-pressure pipes: Mainly used in engineering machinery and injection molding machines.
Conclusion:
Schedule 80 pipes are a reliable choice for high-pressure, high-temperature, and corrosive environments, especially for petrochemical, high-pressure fire protection, energy and power, marine engineering and other fields. When purchasing, the pressure, medium, and temperature requirements must be strictly matched, and suppliers with API/ASME certification should be given priority!
Read more: Schedule 40 vs Schedule 80 Steel Pipe