Estimate Burst Pressure Of Steel Pipes Or Tubes by wilsonpipeline.com

Barlow’s formula can be used to estimate burst pressure of steel pipes or tubes.

P = 2 s t / (do SF) where P = max. working pressure (psig) s = material strength (psi) t = wall thickness (in) do = outside diameter (in) SF = safety factor (in general 1.5 to 10)

The Barlow’s estimate is based on ideal conditions at room temperature.

Material Strength

The strength of a material is determined by the tensile strength tension test, which measure the tension force and the deformation of the test specimen.

1. the stress which gives a permanent deformation of 0.2% is called the yield strength

2. the stress which gives rupture is called the ultimate strength

steel pipes Strength of some common materials:

MaterialYield Strength  (psi)Ultimate Strength  (psi)Stainless Steel, 30430,00075,0006 Moly, S3125445,00098,000Duplex Stainless Steel, S3180365,00090,000Nickel Stainless Steel, N0220015,00055,000

1. 1 psi (lb/in2) = 6,894.8 Pa (N/m2) = 6.895×10-2 bar

steel pipes Bursting Pressure

Bursting pressure of low carbon steel pipes are indicated in the table below:OD (in)Bursting Pressure (psi)Wall Thickness (in)0.0280.0350.0490.0650.0950.120.1340.1480.1650.180.203 0.221/413475173255/1610588134753/888001100016088233751/2646381131168815950246135/8646392131251318975250253/45363756310175155382021322963257137/8453964638663130631691319250214502447513988563875631100014575165001842520900231001 1/4605089681141312925144381622517875204881 1/24950728893501058811825132001457516775182881 3/46188797589381003811275123751402515400255006875783886639763107251210013200

1. 1 in (inch) = 25.4 mm

Source: wilsonpipeline Pipe Industry Co., Limited (www.wilsonpipeline.com)