Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 Steel Pipe Price

The prices of Schedule (SCH) 40 and Schedule 80 (SCH 80) steel pipe are influenced by a variety of factors, including raw material costs, production processes, dimensions, and market supply and demand.

1. The mainstream price of SCH 40 carbon steel pipe ranges from 4,500 to 6,500 yuan/ton. The price of SCH 40 stainless steel and alloy steel can be as high as three to seven times that of carbon steel.
2. The mainstream price of SCH 80 carbon steel pipe ranges from 5,000 to 7,000 yuan/ton, while the price of SCH 80 stainless steel pipe can reach over 25,000 yuan/ton.

It is recommended to select steel pipe materials and specifications based on project requirements (pressure requirements, corrosion resistance), prioritizing direct supply from steel mills or centralized procurement to reduce costs.

The specific factors influencing the prices of SCH 40 and SCH 80 are analyzed below:

1. Raw Material Cost (Core Factor)

Common materials for SCH 40 and SCH 80 steel pipes include carbon steel (ASTM A106/A53), stainless steel (304/316), and alloy steel (P11). Prices vary depending on the material. For the same size, carbon steel is the cheapest, while stainless steel is the most expensive.

Raw Material Cost Analysis:
Price fluctuations in raw materials such as billets, iron ore, and coke directly affect the cost of steel pipes. Steel pipes containing alloying elements such as chromium and molybdenum (such as P11 and P22) are 50% to 200% more expensive than carbon steel (A53).

Under 90% of usage conditions, the price of stainless steel pipes is significantly higher than that of alloy steel pipes. This is primarily due to the difference in the cost of added precious metals:
Stainless steel: High levels of alloying elements such as nickel and chromium are added. For example, the nickel content of 304 stainless steel exceeds 8%, with nickel accounting for over 40% of its cost.
Alloy steel: Molybdenum, vanadium, and other elements are added. For example, P11 contains 0.5% molybdenum, but the total amount is much lower than the alloying composition of stainless steel.

Typical uses of different materials:
Carbon steel: Building structures, low-pressure fluid transportation.
Stainless steel: Chemical, food, and marine engineering.

Alloy steel: High-temperature and high-pressure pipelines (power plant boilers, petrochemicals).

2. Production Process and Specifications

Different production processes result in different prices.
Seamless pipe is suitable for high-pressure applications and therefore has a higher price; welded pipe, due to its weld seam, is suitable for low-pressure applications and therefore has a lower price (such as ERW pipe). Generally, SCH 40 and SCH 80 seamless pipes are 20%-30% more expensive than welded pipes. For example, the cost of a 1-inch SCH 40 seamless pipe is approximately 100-150 yuan per meter.

Price also depends on the required wall thickness accuracy.
High-precision SCH 40 and SCH 80 cold-rolled pipes are 15%-25% more expensive than hot-rolled pipes.
Small diameters (DN15-DN50): Because the processing costs are spread over a wider area, the unit price is higher. For example, the price of a 1-inch SCH 80 carbon steel pipe is 80-120 yuan per meter.
Large diameters (DN100 and above): Pricing by the ton is more cost-effective.

Non-standard sizes (such as DN65) incur an additional surcharge of 10%-40%. This is because custom sizes require adjustments to the production line, which increases costs.
Standard certification fees: API 5L, ISO, and other certifications add 3%-8% to the cost.

3. Surface Treatment and Corrosion Protection
Different surface treatments for steel pipes also affect price and cost.
For example, hot-dip galvanized SCH 40 steel pipe used for construction and water supply and drainage pipes is 15%-25% more expensive than bare pipe (such as clarinet pipe);
SCH 40/80 pipe with 3PE anti-corrosion coating, used for buried oil and gas pipelines, is even more expensive, 30%-50% higher than bare pipe.

4. Market Supply and Demand
Prices are 5%-10% lower in regions with intense competition. When import demand is strong in regions like the Middle East and Southeast Asia, export quotations can rise by 8%-15%.
Prices during the peak infrastructure construction season (Q3-Q4) are typically 6%-12% higher than during the off-season (Q1).

SCH 40 vs. SCH 80 Steel Pipe Prices:

Generally speaking, SCH 80 steel pipe is 20%-50% more expensive than SCH 40 on average, with the specific premium varying by size and material.
SCH 80 is more expensive than SCH 40 primarily due to the increased material usage resulting from the increased wall thickness. Thicker-walled pipe requires more rolling steps, resulting in higher energy and labor costs. SCH 80 pipe is primarily used in high-pressure applications and has lower production volumes, resulting in higher prices driven by supply and demand.

Steel Pipe Wall Thickness Selection:
Choose SCH 40 pipe: Low pressure and low cost are preferred (such as building water supply and ventilation ducts).

Choose SCH 80 pipe: high pressure, corrosive or long-term durability requirements (such as chemical and petroleum pipelines).

Read more: Schedule 40 vs Schedule 80 Pipe