Schedule 40 pipe refers to a standard thickness (wall thickness) for pipes, mainly used in industries like construction, plumbing, and manufacturing.
Here’s a clear breakdown:
What is Schedule 40 Pipe?
"Schedule" refers to the wall thickness of the pipe.
"40" is a number that represents a specific wall thickness based on the pipe's nominal size (outer diameter).
Material: Schedule 40 can apply to many materials — carbon steel, stainless steel, PVC, CPVC, etc.
Common Standard:
For steel pipes, Schedule 40 is typically based on ASTM standards (like ASTM A53, ASTM A106 for carbon steel pipes).
Key Features:
|
Feature |
Description |
|
Wall thickness |
Medium wall thickness — a balance between strength and weight |
|
Pressure rating |
Good for moderate pressure applications (varies by material and size) |
|
Material availability |
Steel, stainless steel, PVC, CPVC, and more |
|
Common use |
Plumbing, water lines, gas lines, fire sprinkler systems, structural support |
Example (for Carbon Steel Pipe):
|
Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) |
Outer Diameter (OD) |
Wall Thickness (Schedule 40) |
|
1 inch |
1.315 inches (33.4 mm) |
0.133 inches (3.38 mm) |
|
2 inches |
2.375 inches (60.3 mm) |
0.154 inches (3.91 mm) |
|
4 inches |
4.5 inches (114.3 mm) |
0.237 inches (6.02 mm) |
Note: As the pipe size increases, the wall thickness for Schedule 40 also increases.
Schedule 40 vs Other Schedules:
|
Schedule |
Wall Thickness |
Typical Use |
|
10 |
Thin wall |
Low pressure, lightweight piping |
|
40 |
Medium wall |
Standard piping for water, air, gas |
|
80 |
Thick wall |
Higher pressure and strength needs |
|
160 |
Very thick wall |
Very high-pressure systems |
Quick Summary:
Schedule 40 = standard wall thickness.
Used for moderate pressure and strength needs.
Available in many materials like steel, stainless steel, PVC.
Most common choice for residential, commercial, and industrial piping.
