Seamless boiler, superheater and heat exchanger tubes to ASTM A179, A192, A210 and A213, in carbon, alloy and stainless steel, in small diameters and thin walls.
- Standard: ASTM A179, ASTM A192, ASTM A210, ASTM A213, ASTM A209
- Grades: A179 Grade C, A192, A210 A-1 / C, A213 T5 / T11 / T22 / T91, A213 TP304 / TP316L
Specifications
| Outer diameter | 1/2" - 6" (12.7 - 152.4 mm), or as tube 6 - 127 mm |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | 1.2 - 25 mm |
| Length | Up to 25 m as U-bend, or straight up to 12 m |
| Ends | Plain end, for U-bending, suitable for tube sheets |
| Surface treatment | Pickled, passivated, bright annealed |
| Manufacturing process | Cold drawn seamless, hot finished seamless |
| Pressure rating | High pressure, high temperature service |
Which Standard Applies to Your Tube?
Boiler and heat exchanger tubes are covered by a family of standards distinguished by service conditions. ASTM A179 covers cold drawn low carbon steel heat exchanger and condenser tubes, the most economical option for non-corrosive, non-critical duty. ASTM A192 covers seamless carbon steel boiler tubes for high pressure service and carries a minimum wall requirement. ASTM A210 covers seamless medium carbon steel boiler and superheater tubes in grades A-1 and C, used where higher strength is needed. ASTM A213 covers seamless ferritic and austenitic alloy steel boiler, superheater and heat exchanger tubes, including the chrome moly grades T5, T11, T22, T91 and the austenitic grades TP304, TP316L and TP347. Selecting the right standard first, then the grade, is the correct sequence.
U-Bend Tubes and Minimum Wall
Heat exchanger tubes are frequently supplied bent into a U shape to form the tube bundle, with both ends terminating at the same tube sheet. U-bending is performed cold, and the bend must be stress relieved and, for austenitic stainless grades, solution annealed after bending to avoid residual stress and sensitization. The bend radius is normally a minimum of 1.5 to 2 times the outside diameter, and ovality at the bend must be controlled. Note also that many boiler tube standards specify a minimum wall rather than a nominal wall with tolerance, meaning the thinnest point of the tube must not fall below the specified value. When ordering, specify the tube diameter, minimum wall, length, straight or U-bend with radius, standard and grade.
What is the difference between a boiler tube and a heat exchanger tube?
Boiler tubes carry the working fluid that is heated to produce steam, so they operate at the highest temperature and pressure in the system and must resist creep, oxidation and steam-side scaling. Heat exchanger tubes carry a fluid that is being heated or cooled by another fluid on the outside, so the temperature difference across the wall is the design driver and corrosion resistance to both fluids matters more than creep strength. In practice the same standard family is used, but the grade selection differs: boiler tubes lean toward chrome moly grades, heat exchanger tubes toward the appropriate corrosion resistant grade.
Can you supply U-bent tubes for heat exchangers?
Yes. U-bent tubes can be supplied to a specified bend radius with the legs of equal or unequal length as required. They are supplied in wooden crates with the ends capped, and the bend area is normally stress relieved. For austenitic stainless grades solution annealing after bending is available on request. Please provide the tube diameter, minimum wall, bend radius, straight leg lengths, quantity and the applicable standard and grade.
Materials
- Carbon steel
- Chrome-moly alloy steel
- Stainless steel
Typical applications
- Boiler water wall, economizer and superheater tubes
- Shell and tube heat exchangers
- Condensers in power plants
- Petrochemical fired heaters
- Air coolers and cooling towers
Inspection & testing
- 100% eddy current or ultrasonic testing
- Hydrostatic pressure test
- Flaring and flattening test
- Hardness and tensile testing
- Grain size and microstructure examination
- Third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TUV)
Need this product? Send the size, grade, quantity and destination port and we will reply with availability and pricing.
Request a quotation