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Schedule 40
Schedule 40 Aluminum Bus Pipe Bus Pipe
ANSI Schedule 40 Bus Pipe
Overview
Schedule 40 is the standard wall thickness for aluminum seamless bus pipe used in electrical power distribution. It provides an excellent balance of current-carrying capacity, mechanical strength, and weight. Schedule 40 bus pipe is the most widely specified for substation bus conductor applications and is manufactured per ASTM B241 in 6063-T6 and 6061-T6 alloys. The wall thickness increases with nominal pipe size — for example, a 3" Schedule 40 pipe has a wall thickness of 0.216" while a 6" has 0.280".
Chemical Composition
| Element | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Alloy | 6063-T6 or 6061-T6 | — |
| Aluminum (Al) | Balance | — |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.45% | 0.90% |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.20% | 0.60% |
Alloy Designations
ANSISchedule 40 (S40)
ASTMB241
TypeStandard Wall
Mechanical Properties
Nominal Pipe Sizes1" to 8"
Wall Thickness (3")0.216"
Wall Thickness (4")0.237"
Wall Thickness (6")0.280"
Weight (3" 6063-T6)2.621 lb/ft
Weight (6" 6063-T6)6.564 lb/ft
Current Rating (6" outdoor)~4,064 Amps (6063-T6)
Physical Properties
SpecificationASTM B241
Common Alloys6063-T6, 6061-T6
Conductivity (6063-T6)53% IACS
Conductivity (6061-T6)43% IACS
Density0.098 lb/in³
Typical Applications
- Substation bus conductor — standard applications
- Power distribution systems up to 230 kV
- Indoor and outdoor bus runs
- Moderate current-carrying capacity requirements
- General-purpose electrical bus
Fabrication & Joining
- Lighter wall than Schedule 80 — easier to handle and install
- Standard wall thickness per ASA specifications
- Available in 20' random lengths
- Can be welded, bolted, or compression-fit
- Bending and forming: Follow manufacturer guidelines for minimum bend radius