ASTM vs ASME Material

ASTM A106 and ASME SA-106 refer to the same carbon steel seamless pipe specification, but the prefix indicates the governing body. ASTM standards (prefix “A” for ferrous metals) are issued by the American Society for Testing and Materials. ASME standards (prefix “SA”) are the same ASTM specifications adopted into the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) Section II, Part A. The technical requirements are nearly identical, but the ASME version may include additional or modified requirements.

Comparison Table

Feature	ASTM (A-prefix)	ASME (SA-prefix)
Issuing body	ASTM International	ASME (adopts ASTM specs)
Prefix example	A106, A105, A182	SA-106, SA-105, SA-182
Published in	ASTM Annual Book of Standards	ASME BPVC Section II, Part A (ferrous) and Part B (nonferrous)
Code scope	General industry, construction, manufacturing	Pressure equipment per ASME BPVC, B31.1, B31.3
Additional requirements	None beyond ASTM	May add supplementary or mandatory requirements
Edition/year	Updated annually	Tied to specific BPVC edition (e.g., 2023 edition)
Material marking	Per ASTM standard	Must include “SA” prefix on MTR
MTR reference	ASTM A106 Gr. B	SA-106 Gr. B
Acceptance by B31.3	Yes (referenced in Table A-1)	Yes (directly)
Acceptance by BPVC	Only if adopted as SA	Yes

Key Differences

The differences between ASTM and ASME material specifications are subtle but significant for code compliance:

Adoption with modifications: When ASME adopts an ASTM standard, it may impose additional mandatory requirements. For example, ASME SA-20 (General Requirements for Steel Plates) includes supplementary requirements that are mandatory under the BPVC but optional under ASTM A20.

Edition lag: ASME typically adopts ASTM editions with a lag of 1-3 years. The 2023 ASME BPVC may reference the 2021 edition of an ASTM specification. The exact edition adopted is listed in the mandatory appendix of ASME Section II.

Dual certification: Most mills produce material that meets both ASTM and ASME requirements simultaneously. Mill test certificates frequently list both designations (e.g., “ASTM A106 / ASME SA-106 Gr. B”) to allow the material to be used in both code and non-code applications.

Nonferrous materials: The same principle applies. ASTM B-prefix specifications (e.g., B564 for nickel alloy forgings) become ASME SB-prefix (SB-564) when adopted into BPVC Section II, Part B.

Pro Tip

When ordering material for ASME code work (pressure vessels, boilers, or piping per B31.1/B31.3), always specify the SA-prefix designation on purchase orders to ensure the mill certifies to the ASME-adopted edition. Material certified only to ASTM may not satisfy ASME Authorized Inspector requirements without additional documentation.

When Each Applies

• ASME BPVC construction (pressure vessels, boilers): SA-prefix materials are mandatory
• ASME B31.1 / B31.3 piping: Both ASTM and ASME designations are accepted; the code references specific ASTM editions
• Non-code fabrication (structural, general industrial): ASTM designations are standard
• International projects: EN or ISO material standards may be used with ASME code cases for equivalency

For carbon steel pipes, the most common dual-certified specifications are A/SA-106 (seamless pipe), A/SA-105 (forgings), and A/SA-234 (fittings). For stainless steel, A/SA-312 (pipe), A/SA-182 (forgings), and A/SA-403 (fittings) follow the same convention.

Read the full guide to pipe materials