ASTM B163 Nickel Alloy Heat Exchanger Tubes Specification.PDF
Leave a message
What is the ASTM B163 Standard Specification?
ASTM B163 is the standard specification for seamless nickel and nickel alloy condenser and heat exchanger tubes, specifically designed for heat transfer applications in corrosive and high-temperature environments. The tubes are typically supplied in either an annealed or stress-relieved condition. This specification covers seamless tubes with outside diameters of 3 inches (76.2 mm) and under, featuring either a minimum wall thickness of 0.148 inches (3.76 mm) and under, or an average wall thickness of 0.165 inches (4.19 mm) and under. These products are primarily utilized in condensers, heat exchangers, and boiler systems within the power generation, chemical processing, and marine industries.
Click to download ASTM B163.PDF
1. Scope
1.1 This specification applies to seamless nickel and nickel alloy tubes for condensers and heat exchangers as indicated.
1.2 This specification covers tubes with outside diameter and average wall thickness, or outside diameter and minimum wall thickness.
1.2.1 The size range covered by this specification is: outside diameter of 3 inches (76.2 mm) and under, minimum wall thickness of 0.148 inches (3.76 mm) and under, and average wall thickness of 0.165 inches (4.19 mm) and under.
ASTM B163 Alloy and Conditions
| Alloy | Condition |
|---|---|
| Nickel UNS N02200 and low‑carbon nickel UNS N02201 | annealed or stress‑relieved |
| Nickel‑copper alloy UNS N04400 | annealed or stress‑relieved |
| Nickel‑chromium‑iron‑aluminum alloy UNS N06603 | annealed |
| Nickel‑chromium‑iron‑aluminum alloy UNS N06601 | annealed |
| Nickel‑chromium‑iron alloy UNS N06600 | annealed |
| Low‑carbon nickel‑chromium‑molybdenum‑tungsten alloy UNS N06686 | annealed |
| Nickel‑chromium‑iron alloy UNS N06690 | annealed |
| Nickel‑chromium‑iron alloy UNS N06045 | annealed |
| Nickel‑iron‑chromium alloy UNS N08120ᴬ | annealed or cold‑worked |
| Nickel‑iron‑chromium alloy UNS N08800ᴬ | annealed or cold‑worked |
| Nickel‑iron‑chromium alloy UNS N08810ᴬ | annealed |
| Nickel‑iron‑chromium alloy UNS N08811ᴬ | annealed |
| Nickel‑iron‑chromium alloy UNS N08801 | annealed |
| Nickel‑iron‑chromium‑molybdenum‑copper alloy UNS N08825 | annealed |
| Nickel‑chromium‑iron alloy UNS N06025 | annealed |
A Alloy UNS NO8800 is normally employed in service temperatures up to andincluding 1100°F (593°C). Alloys UNS N08810, UNS N08811, and UNS N08120are normally employed in service temperatures above 1100°F (539°C) whereresistance to creep and rupture is required, and it is annealed to develop controlled grain size for optimum properties in this temperature range.
ASTM B163 Nickel Alloy Tubes Chemical Composition
| Alloy | Nickel | Copper | Molybdenum | Iron | Manganese, max | Carbon | Silicon | Sulfur, max | Chromium | Aluminum | Titanium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNS N02200 | 99.0 minᵇ | 0.25 max | … | 0.40 max | 0.35 | 0.15 max | 0.35 | 0.01 | … | … | … |
| UNS N02201 | 99.0 minᵇ | 0.25 max | … | 0.40 max | 0.35 | 0.02 max | 0.35 | 0.01 | … | … | … |
| UNS N04400 | 63.0 minᵇ | 28.0 to 34.0 | … | 2.5 max | 2.0 | 0.3 max | 0.5 | 0.024 | … | … | … |
| UNS N06600 | 72.0 minᵇ | 0.5 max | … | 6.0 to 10.0 | 1.0 | 0.15 max | 0.5 | 0.015 | 14.0 to 17.0 | … | … |
| UNS N06601 | 58.0 to 63.0 | 1.0 max | … | remainder | 1.0 | 0.10 | 0.5 | 0.015 | 21.0 to 25.0 | 1.0 to 1.7 | … |
| UNS N06690 | 58.0 minᵇ | 0.5 max | … | 7.0 to 11.0 | 0.5 | 0.05 max | 0.5 | 0.015 | 27.0 to 31.0 | … | … |
| UNS N06025 | remainderᵇ | 0.1 max | … | 8.0 to 11.0 | 0.15 | 0.15 to 0.25 | 0.5 | 0.010 | 24.0 to 26.0 | 1.8 to 2.4 | 0.1 to 0.2 |
| Alloy UNS N06045 | 45.0 min | 0.3 max | … | 21.0 to 25.0 | 1.0 | 0.05 to 0.12 | 2.5 to 3.0 | 0.010 | 26.0 to 29.0 | … | … |
| UNS N06603 | remainderᵇ | 0.5 max | … | 8.0 to 11.0 | 15.0 | 0.20 to 0.40 | 0.5 max | 0.010 | 24.0 to 26.0 | 2.4 to 3.0 | 0.01 to 0.25 |
| UNS N06685 | remainderᵇ | … | 15.0 to 17.0 | 5.0 max | 0.75 | 0.010 | 0.08 | 0.02 | 19.0 to 23.0 | … | 0.02 to 0.25 |
| UNS N08120 | 35.0 to 39.0 | 0.50 max | 2.50 max | remainder | 1.5 max | 0.02 to 0.10 | 1.0 max | 0.03 max | 23.0 to 27.0 | 0.40 max | 0.20 max |
| UNS N08800 | 30.0 to 35.0 | 0.75 max | … | 39.5 min | 1.5 | 0.10 max | 1.0 | 0.015 | 19.0 to 23.0 | 0.15 to 0.60 | 0.15 to 0.60 |
| UNS N08810 | 30.0 to 35.0 | 0.75 max | … | 39.5 min | 1.5 | 0.05 to 0.10 | 1.0 | 0.015 | 19.0 to 23.0 | 0.15 to 0.60 | 0.15 to 0.60 |
| UNS N08811 | 30.0 to 35.0 | 0.75 max | … | 39.5 min | 1.5 | 0.06 to 0.10 | 1.0 | 0.015 | 19.0 to 23.0 | 0.15 to 0.60ᶜ | 0.15 to 0.60ᶜ |
| UNS N08801 | 30.0 to 34.0 | 0.50 max | … | 39.5 min | 1.50 | 0.10 max | 1.00 | 0.015 | 19.0 to 22.0 | … | 0.75 to 1.5 |
| UNS N08825 | 38.0 to 46.0 | 1.5 to 3.0 | 2.5 to 3.5 | 22.0 min | 1.0 | 0.05 max | 0.5 | 0.03 | 19.5 to 23.5 | 0.2 max | 0.6 to 1.2 |
Mechanical Properties of Tubes
| Material and Condition | Tensile Strength, min, ksi (MPa) | Yield Strength (0.2 % Offset), min, psi (MPa)0.2% | Elongation in 2 in. or 50 mm (or 4 D) min, % | Rockwell Hardness (or equivalent) for annealed endsᴬ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel UNS N02200:Annealed | 55 (379) | 15 (103) | 40 | … |
| Stress‑relieved | 65 (448) | 40 (276) | 15 | B65 max |
| Low‑carbon nickel UNS N02201:Annealed | 50 (345) | 12 (83) | 40 | … |
| Stress‑relieved | 60 (414) | 30 (207) | 15 | B62 max |
| Nickel‑copper alloy UNS N04400:Annealed | 70 (483) | 28 (193) | 35 | … |
| Stress‑relieved | 85 (586) | 55 (379) | 15 | B75 max |
| Nickel‑chromium‑iron alloys:Annealed alloy UNS N06600 | 80 (552) | 35 (241) | 30 | … |
| Annealed alloy UNS N06601 | 80 (552) | 30 (207) | 30 | … |
| Annealed alloy UNS N06690 | 85 (586) | 35 (241) | 30 | … |
| Annealed alloy UNS N06045 | 90 (620) | 35 (240) | 35 | … |
| Annealed alloy UNS N06025 | 98 (680) | 39 (270) | 30 | … |
| Annealed alloy UNS N06603 | 94 (650) | 43 (300) | 25 | … |
| Low‑carbon nickel‑chromium‑molybdenum‑tungsten alloy:Annealed UNS N06686 | 100 (690) | 45 (310) | 45 | … |
| Nickel‑iron‑chromium alloys:Annealed alloy UNS N08120 | 90 (620) | 40 (276) | 30 | … |
| Annealed alloy UNS N08800 | 75 (517) | 30 (207) | 30 | … |
| Annealed alloy UNS N08801 | 65 (448) | 25 (172) | 30 | … |
| Cold‑worked alloy UNS N08800 | 83 (572) | 47 (324) | 30 | … |
| Annealed alloy UNS N08810 | 65 (448) | 25 (172) | 30 | … |
| Annealed alloy UNS N08811 | 65 (448) | 25 (172) | 30 | … |
| Nickel‑iron‑chromium‑molybdenum‑copper‑alloy: Annealed UNS N08825 | 85 (586) | 35 (241) | 30 | … |
ASTM B163 Nickel Alloy Tubes Dimensional Tolerances
| Material | Nominal Outside Diameter, in.(mm) | Outside Diameter in.(mm) | Average Wall(%) | Minimum Wall(%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| + | − | + | − | + | − | ||
| UNS N02200, UNS N02201, UNS N04400 | ½ to ⅝ (12.7‑15.9), excl12.7~15.9 | 0.005 (0.13) | 0 | 12.5 | 12.5 | 25.0 | 0 |
| ⅝ to 1½ (15.9‑38.1), incl15.9~38.1 | 0.005 (0.13) | 0.005 (0.13) | 10.0 | 10.0 | 20.0 | 0 | |
| over 1½ to 3 (38.1‑76.2), incl38.1~76.2 | 0.010 (0.25) | 0.010 (0.25) | 10.0 | 10.0 | 22.0 | 0 | |
| UNS N06600, UNS N06601, UNS N06690,UNS N06045, UNS N06025, UNS N06603,UNS N08800, UNS N08810, UNS N08811, UNS N08801,UNS N08825, UNS N08120, UNS N06686 | ½ to ⅝ (12.7‑15.9), excl12.7~15.9 | 0.005 (0.13) | 0.005 (0.13) | 12.5 | 12.5 | 25.0 | 0 |
| ⅝ to 1½ (15.9‑38.1), incl15.9~38.1 | 0.0075 (0.19) | 0.0075 (0.19) | 10.0 | 10.0 | 20.0 | 0 | |
| over 1½ to 3 (38.1‑76.2), incl38.1~76.2 | 0.010 (0.25) | 0.010 (0.25) | 10.0 | 10.0 | 22.0 | 0 |
Alloy,ᴬ Condition, Tube Size, and Bend Radii Limitations
| Tube OD, in.(mm) | Average Tube Wall, in.(mm)ᴮ | Minimum Bend Radius‑Annealed Condition in.(mm) | Minimum Bend Radius‑Stress‑Relieved Condition in.(mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to ½ (12.7), incl≤12.7 | 0.046‑0.057 (1.17‑1.45), incl | 1 ³⁄₁₆ (30.2) | 1 ¼ (31.8) |
| Up to ½ (12.7), incl≤12.7 | Over 0.057‑0.120 (1.45‑3.05), incl | 1 (25.4) | 1 ⅛ (28.6) |
| Over ½‑⅝ (12.7‑15.9), incl12.7~15.9 | 0.037‑0.057 (0.94‑1.45), incl | 1 ³⁄₁₆ (30.2) | 1 ¼ (31.8) |
| Over ½‑⅝ (12.7‑15.9), incl12.7~15.9 | Over 0.057‑0.120 (1.45‑3.05), incl | 1 (25.4) | 1 ³⁄₁₆ (30.2) |
| Over ⅝‑¾ (15.9‑19.0), incl15.9~19.0 | 0.049‑0.057 (1.24‑1.45), incl | 1 ¼ (31.8) | 1 ½ (38.1) |
| Over ⅝‑¾ (15.9‑19.0), incl15.9~19.0 | Over 0.057‑0.109 (1.45‑2.77), incl | 1 ³⁄₁₆ (30.2) | 1 ¼ (31.8) |
| Over ¾‑1 (19.0‑25.4), incl19.0~25.4 | 0.049‑0.058 (1.24‑1.47), incl | 2 (50.8) | 4 (101.6) |
| Over ¾‑1 (19.0‑25.4), incl19.0~25.4 | Over 0.058‑0.109 (1.47‑2.77), incl | 1 ¾ (44.5) | 2 ¼ (57.2) |
ASTM B163 Nickel Alloy Supplier and Manufacturer
GNEE is a professional supplier and manufacturer of ASTM B163 nickel alloy tubing, dedicated to providing high-quality seamless nickel alloy tubes for demanding applications such as heat exchangers, condensers, chemical processing equipment, power generation, marine engineering, and high-temperature industrial systems.
To meet diverse project requirements, GNEE offers ASTM B163 nickel alloy tubing with outside diameters ranging from 6 mm to 114.3 mm and wall thicknesses from 0.5 mm to 15 mm; while the standard length is 6 meters, custom lengths are also available.
For heat exchanger applications, we supply tubing with strict dimensional controls-typically maintaining outside diameter tolerances within ±0.5% and wall thickness tolerances within ±10%-thereby helping customers reduce installation complexity and enhance equipment operational reliability.
ASTM B163 Nickel Alloy Tubes Specification
| Product Forms | Seamless Round Tubes, Straight Tubes, U-bent Tubes, Finned Tubes |
| Manufacturing | Cold Drawn, Cold Rolled, Seamless (SMLS) |
| Common Grades |
Monel: 400 (N04400) Inconel: 600 (N06600), 601 (N06601), 625 (N06625), 690 (N06690) Incoloy: 800 (N08800), 800H (N08810), 825 (N08825) Nickel: Ni 200 (N02200), Ni 201 (N02201) Hastelloy: C276 (N10276) |
| Dimension Range |
Outer Diameter (OD): 6.0 mm – 152.4 mm (1/4" – 6") Wall Thickness (WT): 0.5 mm – 12.7 mm (0.020" – 0.500") Length: Max 25 meters (Straight) or custom U-bend |
| Delivery Condition | Annealed and Pickled (AP), Bright Annealed (BA), Solution Annealed |
| Surface Treatment | Passivation, Shot Blasting, Electropolished (optional) |
| Certification |
Mill Test Certificate (MTC): EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2 Standard Compliance: ASTM B163, ASME SB163, ISO 9001, PED 2014/68/EU |
| Packaging |
Standard Export Packing: 1. Plastic end caps for both ends. 2. Wrapped in waterproof plastic bags. 3. Bundled with steel strips (for large OD). 4. Plywood Cases / Steel Crates (Standard for export). |
| Marking | Grade, Standard, OD x WT x Length, Heat No., Lot No. (Continuous inkjet or stenciling) |
Quality Testing
Eddy Current Testing (ET): Detects surface and near-surface defects such as cracks, pitting, or longitudinal flaws.
Ultrasonic Testing (UT): Detects internal defects and ensures wall thickness uniformity.
Hydrostatic Testing: Each pipe undergoes high-pressure testing prior to shipment to verify sealing integrity.
Certification and Traceability
EN 10204 3.1: Ensures full traceability from the raw material melt batch to the final product.
Third-Party Inspection (TPI): Gnee can facilitate inspections by agencies such as SGS, BV, TUV, or Lloyd's upon customer request.
Standard Export Packaging
To prevent damage during maritime transport:
Reinforced Plywood Cases: Protect against bending, deformation, and physical impact.
Anti-Corrosion Treatment: Pipe surfaces are coated with a thin layer of anti-rust oil (upon customer request) or protected with paper interleaving.
Desiccants: Silica gel desiccant packs are placed inside the cases to absorb moisture during shipping.
When contacting Gnee for ASTM B163, please specify:
Grade (e.g., Inconel 600).
Size (OD x WT x Length).
Type (Straight or U-bend).
Quantity (Weight or Total Meters).
Specific Testing (e.g., if you require 3.2 certification).
FAQ
Q:What is the difference between ASTM B163 and ASTM B167?
A:The primary difference between ASTM B163 and ASTM B167 lies in their intended application and scope. ASTM B163 specifies seamless tubes strictly for condensers and heat exchangers (requiring expansion, flaring, and U-bending tests), whereas ASTM B167 specifies general-service seamless pipes and tubes for high-temperature and corrosive structural/industrial uses (like furnaces).
Q:Why specify "Minimum Wall" vs. "Average Wall" in ASTM B163?
A:Average Wall: The wall thickness can fluctuate above and below the nominal value within a set tolerance. This is the default standard.
Minimum Wall: The thickness at any point must not be less than the specified value.
Procurement Note: Engineers often prefer "Minimum Wall" for high-pressure exchangers to guarantee safety margins, though it can slightly increase the tube's weight and cost.
Q:Are U-Bent tubes covered under ASTM B163?
A: While B163 covers the straight tube material, the U-bending process is often handled as a supplementary requirement or according to customer-specific drawings. For U-bent tubes, it is critical to specify if Stress Relief Heat Treatment is required on the bend portion to prevent stress corrosion cracking (SCC).
