What standards define dimensions for steel tees ?(ASME B16.9)

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Nov 20, 2025
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When it comes to figuring out the sizes of steel bolts, ASME B16.9 is the standard that most professionals use. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers put out this important paper with detailed instructions for butt-welding fittings, which includes steel tees. ASME B16.9 is used by many businesses to find out the exact sizes, standards, and temperature and pressure limits for the different types of tees that are used in pipe systems. Other ASTM and ASME standards work with ASME B16.9 to make sure that steel tees are safe, of good quality, and can be used in a lot of different places. These rules help builders, engineers, and people who buy things make sure they get the best steel tees for their jobs and that they follow the rules in their field.

steel tees

Which ASME and ASTM standards apply to steel tee dimensions and tolerances?

Several other ASME and ASTM standards cover everything there is to know about steel tees, even though ASME B16.9 is the main standard for steel tee sizes:

ASME Standards:

  • ASME B16.9: Steel parts for wrought buttwelding that are made in a factory
  • Item number ASME B16.25 is for buttwelding ends.
  • Pipes for Process ASME B31.3 ASME B36.10M: Wrought steel pipe welded and seam-sealed

ASTM Standards:

  • When it comes to pipe fittings made of worked carbon steel and alloy steel that can handle mild to high temperatures, ASTM A234 is the set of rules you need to follow.
  • The ASTM A403 standard says that cast austenitic stainless steel pipe joints must meet this level.
  • The rules for making butt-welding parts out of high-strength low-alloy steel are in ASTM A860 order.

It tells you what kinds of things you can use, how to make them, and how to make sure they're good. There are also rules about what kinds of steel tees can be used. While ASTM A234 talks about the quality of carbon steel parts, ASME B16.9 talks about their sizes and weights. This makes sure the steel tees are great and the right size.

Overview of ASME B16.9 requirements for butt-weld steel tees

ASME B16.9 gives detailed instructions on how to measure and allow for errors in butt-weld steel tees. Let's look at the most important parts of this standard:

Types of Tees Covered:

  • Equal tees
  • Taking tees down
  • Branch link tees with a stub

Key Dimensional Specifications:

  • Sizes from center to end
  • Sizes from center to face
  • The outside width
  • Depth of the wall
  • Needs for branch support

Tolerance Requirements:

For things to fit and work right, ASME B16.9 sets tight limits for different sizes:

  • The length is ±1/16 inch (1.6 mm) for NPS 10 and lower. It's ±1/8 inch (3.2 mm) for NPS 12 and up.
  • That's at least ±1% of the given OD, or 0.8 mm, or more than a quarter of an inch.
  • The wall can be either +15% or -12.5% of its normal width thick.

These small changes are important to remember when putting in the pipes so that everything lines up right and the pipes last a long time.

Material and Manufacturing Requirements:

You can find other rules in ASME B16.9 that talk about things like how to make things and what resources are needed. Steel tees are known as ASTM A234, and steel tees made of stainless steel are known as ASTM A403. Just make sure that the things that are used to make steel tees are safe around chemicals and tools by following these steps.

Pressure-Temperature Ratings:

Based on the type of material and the width of the wall, ASME B16.9 rates the pressure and temperature of steel tees. For safety and dependability in the pipe system, these grades are necessary to choose the right tee for each set of working conditions.

steel tees

Dimensional charts, wall thickness and pressure class classification

Designers and engineers need specific size charts for steel tees in order to choose the right part for their pipe systems. ASME B16.9 offers these charts. These pictures show:

Dimensional Charts:

  • Number of Pipes (NPS) Outside Diameter (OD)
  • From center to end (C)
  • Face-to-Face (M)
  • Length of the Tangent

These measurements are given for both equal and reduced tees, and they cover a large range of sizes, from NPS 1/2 to NPS 48.

Wall Thickness:

The pressure-bearing ability of steel tees depends a lot on how thick their walls are. The wall sizes that go with each plan number are given in ASME B16.9.See Schedule 10 and Schedule 40 Timetable 80 Timetable 160. Different wall widths are chosen based on the product's working pressure, temperature, and rust limit.

Pressure Class Classification:

When you add ASME B16.9 and B16.34 together, you get the pressure-temperature rates for steel ends. Most of the time, these numbers are grouped together, like Class 150 Class 300 Class 600 Class 900 Class 1500 Class 2500. For each pressure class, a different number sets the largest pressure that can be used. A Class 150 carbon steel tee can handle up to 285 psi at 100°F in this case. It can handle the same temperature and up to 740 psi. Let's look at a Class 300 carbon steel tee.

Material Grade Considerations:

The pressure-temperature values are also different for each size of steel tee.This is a list of some common grades of materials:

  • Chrome-moly steel, carbon steel, molybdenum steel, and other names are what WPB stands for.
  • You can tell how strong something is and how well it works in different situations by comparing its pressure to temperature.

To choose the best steel t-shirt for your needs, you need to know these size numbers, wall thickness choices, and pressure class marks. It checks to see if the chosen tee can handle the system's needs and keep it safe and clean.

Conclusion

Finally, ASME B16.9, along with other ASME and ASTM standards, sets the main measurements for steel ends. These standards give detailed instructions on measurements, limits, material requirements, and pressure-temperature rates. It is very important to understand and follow these guidelines to make sure that pipe systems in many different businesses are safe, reliable, and efficient.

HEBEI RAYOUNG PIPELINE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD has many goods that meet ASME B16.9 and other related standards and are perfect for people in the EPC, distribution, or end-user sectors who need high-quality steel tees that are up to these strict standards. Our steel tees are made to the best standards of quality, so your pipe systems will work well and last a long time. With our GOST-R and SGS approvals, you can be sure that our goods will work well in your important uses.

When it comes to the parts of your plumbing system, don't skimp on quality. Get in touch with RAYOUNG right away to talk about your steel tee needs and how we can meet and beat industry standards.

FAQ

1. What is the difference between equal tees and reducing tees in ASME B16.9?

Equal tees have the same nominal pipe size for all three connections, while reducing tees have a smaller branch connection size compared to the run. ASME B16.9 provides separate dimensional charts for both types, ensuring proper sizing for various piping configurations.

2. How does wall thickness affect the pressure rating of steel tees?

Wall thickness directly impacts the pressure-bearing capacity of steel tees. Generally, thicker walls (higher schedule numbers) allow for higher pressure ratings. ASME B16.9 provides pressure-temperature ratings based on both wall thickness and material grade to ensure safe operation under various conditions.

3. Are ASME B16.9 steel tees interchangeable with other international standards?

While ASME B16.9 is widely recognized globally, there may be slight differences with other international standards. It's important to verify compatibility, especially when dealing with projects that involve multiple international standards. Many manufacturers, including RAYOUNG, produce tees that comply with multiple standards to ensure global interchangeability.

Expert Steel Tees Selection Guide | RAYOUNG

It's very important to choose the right steel nuts for your project so that the system works well and lasts a long time. We know how hard it is to pick the right size for you here at RAYOUNG. Our team of pros is ready to help you make your choice. They will look at things like working pressure, temperature, resistance to rust, and compliance with industry standards.

We have the right tools and skills for the job, whether it's a big business project or a small installation in your own home. We only use the best materials to make our steel tees, so they will work well and be dependable in any situation.

Don't leave the success of your project to chance. Contact us today at info@hb-steel.com to discuss your steel tee requirements. Let RAYOUNG be your trusted partner in delivering high-quality, standards-compliant piping solutions that stand the test of time.

References

1. American Society of Mechanical Engineers. (2018). ASME B16.9-2018: Factory-Made Wrought Buttwelding Fittings. New York, NY: ASME.

2. ASTM International. (2019). ASTM A234/A234M-19: Standard Specification for Piping Fittings of Wrought Carbon Steel and Alloy Steel for Moderate and High Temperature Service. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.

3. Nayyar, M. L. (2000). Piping Handbook (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

4. Smith, P. (2015). Piping Materials Guide: Selection and Applications. Oxford, UK: Butterworth-Heinemann.

5. American Society of Mechanical Engineers. (2017). ASME B31.3-2016: Process Piping. New York, NY: ASME.

6. Antaki, G. A. (2003). Piping and Pipeline Engineering: Design, Construction, Maintenance, Integrity, and Repair. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.


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Welcome to RAYOUNG – Strong Pipes, Stronger Promise