Class 53 ductile iron pipe is a special thickness class primarily manufactured for mechanical‐joint configurations in 4″–12″ sizes, delivering 350 psi working pressure and an expected service life of over 100 years thanks to cement-mortar lining and advanced external protection options. It meets ANSI/AWWA C110/A21.10, C111/A21.11, ISO 2531, EN 545 and EN 598 standards for dimensions, linings and joint performance. Installation methods include push-on, mechanical and flanged joints, while corrosion control relies on internal cement-mortar linings, bonded external coatings and optional polyethylene encasement. Although its $590–650 per m price point is modestly higher than Class 52, the life-cycle benefits in municipal water, wastewater, irrigation and industrial networks underscore its cost-effectiveness.
Application Scenarios
Class 53 pipes excel across diverse sectors:
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Municipal Water Distribution: Ideal for high-pressure potable mains where durability and leak resistance are paramount.
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Wastewater and Sewage Systems: Cement-mortar lining prevents tuberculation in gravity and force mains, ensuring low maintenance over decades.
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Agricultural Irrigation: Lower friction losses reduce pumping energy, making it a top choice for large-scale irrigation networks.
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Industrial and Plant Piping: Flanged Class 53 fittings have been standard in chemical, power and process industries for more than 65 years.
Service Life
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> 100 years in typical soil environments with cement-mortar lining and properly installed polyethylene encasement.
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Corrosion Resistance from spheroidal-graphite iron microstructure and protective linings guarantees minimal degradation under normal conditions.
Installation and Jointing
Push-On & Mechanical Joints
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Push-on joints allow trench-side assembly with simple rubber gaskets, accelerating installation.
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Mechanical joints for Class 53 are available exclusively in this special thickness, complying with ANSI/AWWA C110/A21.10 and C111/A21.11 for unrestrained service.
Flanged Connections
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Flanged ends use bolted steel flanges for rigid, leak-proof attachments to valves, pumps and metering stations.
Corrosion Protection
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Internal Lining: Cement-mortar prevents tuberculation in potable and sewer service.
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External Coatings: Options include bonded zinc, asphaltic paint or water-based epoxies.
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Polyethylene Encasement: Optional loose-sleeve encasement for aggressive soils.
International Standards
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ANSI/AWWA C110/A21.10 & C111/A21.11: Mechanical and push-on joint specifications.
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ANSI/AWWA C104/A21.4 & C105/A21.5: Cement-mortar lining and polyethylene encasement requirements.
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ISO 2531:2012, EN 545, EN 598: Dimensional and performance criteria for DI pipes and fittings.
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ISO 9001:2015: Quality-management systems governing DI pipe manufacturing.
Price Comparison with Other Classes
| Class | Typical Price Range (USD/m) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 52 | 450–650 | India market averages |
| 53 | 590–650 | Alibaba listings |
Note: Actual prices vary by region, diameter and volume. Class 53 commands a premium for its extra wall thickness and specialized jointing.
Advantages
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Exceptional Durability: 100+ year lifespan reduces replacement frequency.
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High Strength: Withstands trench loads, water hammer and external forces.
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Flexible Installation: Multiple joint options suit varied site conditions.
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Corrosion Control: Linings and coatings prevent internal and external corrosion.
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Sustainability: Up to 60% recycled iron content; fully recyclable at end of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What defines Class 53?
A “special thickness” schedule for 4″–12″ mechanical-joint pipes rated at 350 psi, exceeding standard Class 52 wall thickness. -
How does it differ from Class 52?
Class 53 has a nominal wall thickness approximately 1 mm greater per diameter, boosting surge allowance and stiffness. -
Can it be used in aggressive soils?
Yes—pair with polyethylene encasement and, if needed, cathodic protection for high-chloride or sulfate conditions. -
Are custom coatings available?
Yes—options include HDPE sleeves, bonded zinc, epoxy and water-based paints to meet project specs. -
What is the lead time for Class 53?
Standard mechanical-joint lengths (20 ft) are typically stocked in North America; fabricated or coated orders may require 6–12 weeks.
Case Studies
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Eastern Canada Water Main: A 12″ Class 53 installation installed in the 1990s showed minimal external corrosion after 24 years without additional protection, underscoring inherent durability.
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Industrial Plant Retrofit: A power station replaced 1 km of 6″ steel piping with Class 53 DI, reducing annual maintenance costs by 40% over a decade (internal engineering report).
ductile iron pipe dimensions
| Pipe body weight （kg/m) | |||||||||||||||
| (Inside Diameter) | (Outside Diameter) | Socket Weight | K8 | K9 | K10 | C class | Total weight of Active Length=6M (kg) | Total weight of Active Length=5.7M (kg) | |||||||
| DN(mm) | OD(mm) | ≈ kg | Class | kg/m | K8 | K9 | K10 | C class | K8 | K9 | K10 | C class | |||
| 80 | 98 | 3.40 | 12.20 | 12.20 | 12.20 | C40 | 9.10 | 77.00 | 77.00 | 77.00 | 58.00 | 73.00 | 73.00 | 73.00 | 55.00 |
| 100 | 118 | 4.30 | 14.90 | 15.10 | 15.10 | C40 | 11.12 | 93.70 | 95.00 | 95.00 | 71.00 | 90.00 | 91.00 | 90.00 | 68.00 |
| 125 | 144 | 5.70 | 18.90 | C40 | 119.00 | ||||||||||
| 150 | 170 | 7.10 | 21.80 | 22.80 | 22.80 | C40 | 16.48 | 138.00 | 144.00 | 144.00 | 106.00 | 132.00 | 138.00 | 137.00 | 101.00 |
| 200 | 222 | 10.30 | 28.70 | 30.60 | 30.60 | C40 | 22.62 | 183.00 | 194.00 | 194.00 | 146.00 | 174.00 | 185.00 | 185.00 | 139.00 |
| 250 | 274 | 14.20 | 35.60 | 40.20 | 44.30 | C40 | 32.63 | 228.00 | 255.00 | 280.00 | 210.00 | 218.00 | 244.00 | 267.00 | 200.00 |
| 300 | 326 | 18.90 | 45.30 | 50.80 | 56.30 | C30 | 43.90 | 290.00 | 323.00 | 357.00 | 282.00 | 278.00 | 309.00 | 340.00 | 269.00 |
| 350 | 378 | 23.70 | 55.90 | 63.20 | 69.60 | C30 | 51.88 | 359.00 | 403.00 | 441.00 | 335.00 | 343.00 | 384.00 | 420.00 | 319.00 |
| 400 | 429 | 29.50 | 67.30 | 75.50 | 83.70 | C30 | 60.78 | 433.00 | 482.00 | 532.00 | 394.00 | 414.00 | 460.00 | 506.00 | 376.00 |
| 450 | 480 | 38.30 | 80.00 | 89.30 | 99.00 | C30 | 73.30 | 515.00 | 575.00 | 632.00 | 472.00 | 492.00 | 550.00 | 597.00 | 450.00 |
| 500 | 532 | 42.80 | 92.80 | 104.30 | 115.60 | C30 | 87.20 | 600.00 | 669.00 | 736.00 | 566.00 | 572.00 | 638.00 | 702.00 | 540.00 |
| 600 | 635 | 59.30 | 122.00 | 137.30 | 152.00 | C30 | 120.62 | 791.00 | 882.00 | 971.00 | 783.00 | 755.00 | 842.00 | 926.00 | 747.00 |
| 700 | 738 | 79.10 | 155.00 | 173.90 | 193.00 | C25 | 142.15 | 1009.00 | 1123.00 | 1237.00 | 932.00 | 963.00 | 1071.00 | 1179.00 | 889.00 |
| 800 | 842 | 102.60 | 192.00 | 215.20 | 239.00 | C25 | 177.07 | 1255.00 | 1394.00 | 1537.00 | 1165.00 | 1197.00 | 1330.00 | 1465.00 | 1112.00 |
| 900 | 945 | 129.60 | 232.00 | 260.20 | 289.00 | C25 | 197.68 | 1521.00 | 1691.00 | 1863.00 | 1446.00 | 1452.00 | 1613.00 | 1777.00 | 1257.00 |
| 1000 | 1048 | 161.30 | 275.00 | 309.30 | 343.20 | C25 | 266.28 | 1811.00 | 2017.00 | 2221.00 | 1759.00 | 1729.00 | 1925.00 | 2118.00 | 1679.00 |
| 1100 | 1152 | 194.70 | 362.80 | 2372.00 | |||||||||||
| 1200 | 1255 | 237.70 | 374.00 | 420.10 | 466.10 | C25 | 373.88 | 2482.00 | 2758.00 | 3034.00 | 2481.00 | 2370.00 | 2632.00 | 2894.00 | 2369.00 |
| 1400 | 1462 | 279.30 | 547.20 | 3563.00 | |||||||||||
ductile iron pipe Mechanical property
| Mechanical Property | |||||||
| Nominal Diameter | Hydraulic test | Tensile strength | Elogation | Yield strength | Bending strength | Brinell hardness | Thickness of cement lining |
| DN(MM) | Mpa | Mpa | % | Mpa | Mpa | HB | mm |
| DN80-DN300 | 5 | ≥420 | ≥10 | ≥300 | ≥590 | ≤230 | 3 |
| DN350-DN600 | 4 | ≥420 | ≥10 | ≥300 | ≥590 | ≤230 | 5 |
| DN700-DN1000 | 3.2 | ≥420 | ≥10 | ≥300 | ≥590 | ≤230 | 6 |
| DN1100-DN1600 | 2.5 | ≥420 | ≥7 | ≥300 | ≥590 | ≤230 | ….. |
