SCH 160 is the thickest numbered schedule in ASME B36.10M, and in 5083-H321 it is bought for one job: moving seawater, brine or low-temperature product at pressure without the weight of steel. The wall is most of what you pay for, so the SMM aluminum base moves this pipe harder than it moves a sheet order.
On November 12 the SMM A00 aluminum price settled at 23,110 CNY/t (≈ 3,465 USD/t), 275 CNY/t below November 5. Inside the same week it fell 600 CNY/t in one session and gained 420 CNY/t in the next. For heavy-wall pipe the daily number matters only as far as it reaches the metal in a meter of pipe, and that is the calculation this page walks through size by size.
| Date (2026) | SMM A00 (CNY/t) | SMM A00 (USD/t) | Day change (CNY/t) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5 | 23,385 | 3,506 | +30 |
| Nov 6 | 23,345 | 3,500 | -40 |
| Nov 9 | 23,545 | 3,530 | +200 |
| Nov 10 | 23,295 | 3,493 | -250 |
| Nov 11 | 22,695 | 3,403 | -600 |
| Nov 12 | 23,110 | 3,465 | +420 |
Week on week the base lost 275 CNY/t, or 1.2%. The spread between the November 9 high and the November 11 low was 850 CNY/t, and it happened inside four sessions.
For a light-wall tube order that spread is noise on the invoice. For SCH 160 about two thirds of the price of a meter of pipe is metal, and the rest is extrusion, drawing, straightening, cutting and testing. A base move therefore shows up in a heavy-wall quotation almost at full weight.
A schedule fixes the wall for a nominal size and does not change with the alloy. SCH 160 on NPS 4 means 13.49 mm whether the pipe is steel, 5083 or 6061, which is what makes a schedule usable when a line has to match an existing flange or fitting.
What does change with the alloy is the wall a mill can actually produce. Aluminum pipe in the 5xxx family runs from 1 to 25 mm wall and 4 to 600 mm outside diameter. That sets the ceiling on SCH 160 at NPS 8, and rules out NPS 10 and above in a standard pipe form.
| NPS | DN | Outside diameter (mm) | SCH 160 wall (mm) | Bore (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | 15 | 21.3 | 4.78 | 11.7 |
| 3/4 | 20 | 26.7 | 5.56 | 15.6 |
| 1 | 25 | 33.4 | 6.35 | 20.7 |
| 1 1/4 | 32 | 42.2 | 6.35 | 29.5 |
| 1 1/2 | 40 | 48.3 | 7.14 | 34.0 |
| 2 | 50 | 60.3 | 8.74 | 42.8 |
| 2 1/2 | 65 | 73.0 | 9.53 | 53.9 |
| 3 | 80 | 88.9 | 11.13 | 66.6 |
| 4 | 100 | 114.3 | 13.49 | 87.3 |
| 5 | 125 | 141.3 | 15.88 | 109.5 |
| 6 | 150 | 168.3 | 18.26 | 131.8 |
| 8 | 200 | 219.1 | 23.01 | 173.1 |
| 10 | 250 | 273.1 | 28.58 | 215.9 |
Read the last two rows against the 25 mm limit and the product boundary becomes clear. SCH 160 in 5083-H321 is a DN15 to DN200 item. Above NPS 8 the same bore is supplied as heavy-wall tube machined or extruded to drawing, priced per order rather than against a schedule.
Two practical consequences follow. First, a design that needs SCH 160 at DN250 has to be re-detailed before it is tendered, not after. Second, the bore at SCH 160 is noticeably smaller than the nominal size: NPS 4 gives an 87.3 mm bore, not 100 mm, and pump curves sized on nominal bore will read optimistic.
Weight per meter for 5083 at 2.66 g/cm³ is W (kg/m) = 0.008356 × wall (mm) × (OD − wall) (mm). The wall does the work here: a meter of NPS 6 SCH 160 weighs 22.9 kg against 9.6 kg for the same size in SCH 40.
| NPS | Wall (mm) | Weight (kg/m) | 6 m length (kg) | Metal value (CNY/m) | Metal value (USD/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | 4.78 | 0.66 | 4.0 | 15.3 | 2.3 |
| 3/4 | 5.56 | 0.98 | 5.9 | 22.6 | 3.4 |
| 1 | 6.35 | 1.44 | 8.6 | 33.2 | 5.0 |
| 1 1/2 | 7.14 | 2.46 | 14.7 | 56.8 | 8.5 |
| 2 | 8.74 | 3.77 | 22.6 | 87.0 | 13.0 |
| 3 | 11.13 | 7.23 | 43.4 | 167.2 | 25.1 |
| 4 | 13.49 | 11.36 | 68.2 | 262.6 | 39.4 |
| 6 | 18.26 | 22.89 | 137.4 | 529.1 | 79.3 |
| 8 | 23.01 | 37.70 | 226.2 | 871.3 | 130.6 |
Take NPS 4: 11.36 kg of metal per meter, 262.6 CNY (≈ 39.4 USD) at the November 12 base. The 600 CNY/t drop on November 11 moved that meter by 6.8 CNY; on NPS 8 it moved by 22.6 CNY. Heavy-wall buyers watch the base every week for this reason, and light-wall buyers do not.
| Parameter | Options |
|---|---|
| Alloy | 5083 (EN AW-5083, AlMg4.5Mn0.7) |
| Temper | H321; H111 and H112 also produced |
| Product form | Seamless pipe to ASTM B241, or extruded tube to ASTM B221 |
| Schedule | SCH 160, NPS 1/2 to NPS 8 (DN15 to DN200) |
| Outside diameter | 4 – 600 mm (NPS 1/8 to NPS 24) |
| Wall thickness | 1 – 25 mm |
| Length | 6000 mm standard, or cut to size |
| Dimension standard | ASME B36.10M |
| Material standard | ASTM B241 / ASTM B221; chemical composition per EN 573-3 |
| Tolerance | Outside diameter and wall per the ASTM B241 / B221 tables |
| Surface | Mill finish; anodized or film-wrapped to order |
| Inspection | Dimensional and visual check, tensile test from the heat, hydrostatic test on request |
| HS code | 7608.20 (aluminum alloy pipe and tube), final classification at destination customs |
5083-H321 is the standard request for marine and cryogenic heavy-wall pipe, and 5052, 5086 and 6061 run on the same lines when the design calls for them. H321 is a stabilized temper, so the pipe holds its properties after forming and does not need further heat treatment before service.
H111 and H112 are also produced, and the temper actually rolled is stated on the mill test certificate before the bundle leaves. If a specification names H321 only, that is what gets quoted.
Outside diameter runs 4 to 600 mm and wall 1 to 25 mm, which covers every standard schedule up to SCH 160 at NPS 8. Lengths are 6000 mm as standard, and cut-to-length pieces are sawed square against the order list.
Wall and diameter tolerances follow the ASTM tables for the product form. Where a line has to mate with an existing steel flange, the bore and the OD matter more than the schedule name, so the drawing governs.
Every bundle is checked dimensionally and visually before packing, with the tensile properties taken from the heat. Hydrostatic or eddy-current testing can be added to the order where the working pressure asks for it.
Third-party inspection by SGS, BV or TUV can be arranged on request, and the certificate set travels with the shipping documents rather than separately.
Pipe is bundled by size with plastic end caps, steel or PET strapping and timber bearers so the bore is not crushed in a 20 ft or 40 ft container. Long lengths are loaded on cradles to keep the straightness through the sea leg.
Bundles are marked with the alloy, temper, size, heat number and the line number from the order list, which saves sorting on site.
Dimensions follow ASME B36.10M, material follows ASTM B241 for seamless pipe or ASTM B221 for extruded tube, and chemical composition is checked against EN 573-3 where a European specification is named.
The export classification is HS 7608.20 for aluminum alloy pipe and tube. Destination customs make the final ruling, and a certificate of origin can be issued for the shipment.
| Alloy and temper | Tensile strength (MPa) | Yield strength (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Density (g/cm³) | Welded joint efficiency | Relative cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5083-H321 | 305 – 345 | 215 – 250 | 12 – 20 | 2.66 | Close to parent metal with 5183 or 5356 filler | 1.00 |
| 5086-H116 | 275 – 310 | 195 – 230 | 12 – 16 | 2.66 | Close to parent metal with 5356 filler | 0.97 |
| 6061-T6 | 290 – 310 | 240 – 275 | 10 – 12 | 2.70 | 55 – 60% in the heat-affected zone | 1.05 |
| 5052-H32 | 215 – 250 | 160 – 185 | 10 – 14 | 2.68 | Close to parent metal with 5356 filler | 0.92 |
Typical room-temperature values; the certified figures are on the mill test certificate for the heat supplied. The cost index is indicative and moves with order size.
5083-H321 and 6061-T6 land in the same tensile band, and the difference shows up after welding. 5083 is not heat-treatable, so a joint made with 5183 or 5356 filler keeps close to parent-metal strength in the heat-affected zone. A 6061-T6 joint falls to roughly 55–60% of parent strength in the same zone unless the assembly is solution treated and aged again, which is rarely practical on a pipe run.
5086-H116 sits about 30 MPa below 5083 at the same density, and is chosen where the design load allows a thinner section. 5052-H32 covers the low-pressure end of the same family.
Pipe price is the SMM base plus a conversion premium covering extrusion, drawing, straightening, cutting and testing. The premium runs higher on heavy wall and small diameter, and higher again on short lengths, because the setup is charged to fewer meters.
| Size band | Premium over SMM (CNY/t) | Indicative price (CNY/t) | Indicative price (USD/t) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NPS 1/2 – 2 (DN15 – DN50) | 9,500 – 13,000 | 32,600 – 36,100 | 4,888 – 5,412 |
| NPS 3 – 4 (DN80 – DN100) | 9,000 – 12,000 | 32,100 – 35,100 | 4,813 – 5,262 |
| NPS 6 – 8 (DN150 – DN200) | 8,500 – 11,000 | 31,600 – 34,100 | 4,738 – 5,112 |
Conversion note: USD figures use USD/CNY 6.67 on November 13, 2026. They are given for comparison only — a contract in USD is converted at the exchange rate on the contract date, so the settled amount can differ from the figures shown here. RMB prices include 13% VAT, and the VAT-excluded equivalent is roughly the RMB figure divided by 1.13. The premium is indicative and confirmed per order against size, length and quantity.
Send the nominal size or the outside diameter and wall, the temper, the length per piece, the total quantity and the destination port. Ask for a quote with your pipe schedule and drawing; a list with NPS, schedule and quantity is enough to price the order.
Quotations are benchmarked to SMM, with the metal element confirmed against the SMM A00 quote on the order date. MOQ is flexible — small trial orders, full container loads and long-term contract volumes are all accepted. Lead time is 15–30 days. Each shipment carries an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate, and FOB or CIF terms with T/T or L/C payment are both available. Enquiries are answered within 24 hours.
Q: Is SCH 160 available in 5083 pipe up to NPS 24?
A: Not as standard pipe. The 5xxx family is produced from 1 to 25 mm wall, so SCH 160 works up to NPS 8 (219.1 mm OD, 23.01 mm wall). NPS 10 SCH 160 needs 28.58 mm wall and is supplied as heavy-wall tube to drawing.
Q: What does a meter of SCH 160 pipe weigh?
A: In 5083 at 2.66 g/cm³, NPS 2 is 3.77 kg/m, NPS 4 is 11.36 kg/m, NPS 6 is 22.89 kg/m and NPS 8 is 37.70 kg/m.
Q: How is the price of SCH 160 5083 pipe calculated?
A: SMM A00 base plus a conversion premium of 8,500–13,000 CNY/t depending on size and quantity. On the November 12 base of 23,110 CNY/t that puts NPS 4 at roughly 32,100–35,100 CNY/t.
Q: Can SCH 160 pipe be welded in the field?
A: Yes. Use 5183 or 5356 filler, keep heat input moderate and hold interpass temperature below about 150 °C. No preheat is needed at normal ambient temperature.
Q: What is the difference between SCH 160 and SCH 80?
A: Wall thickness only. NPS 4 is 13.49 mm in SCH 160 against 8.56 mm in SCH 80, so a meter of 5083 pipe goes from 7.56 kg to 11.36 kg for the same 114.3 mm bore.
Q: What length is supplied?
A: 6000 mm is the standard length, cut to size against the order list. Short pieces from stock depend on the size.
Q: Is pressure testing available?
A: Hydrostatic or eddy-current testing can be written into the order against the working pressure. Standard supply covers the dimensional check, visual inspection and a tensile test from the heat.
Q: What is the minimum order?
A: MOQ is flexible. Small trial orders, full container loads and long-term contract volumes are all accepted.