What is the ASTM Standard for heat exchangers?
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If you are sourcing heat exchanger tubes for boilers, condensers, petrochemical equipment, power plants, marine systems, or chemical processing plants, material selection is one of the most critical factors influencing heat transfer efficiency, corrosion resistance, operating temperatures, and service life.
Heat exchanger tubes are critical components in boilers, condensers, petrochemical equipment, power plants, refineries, and chemical processing systems. Choosing the right tube specifications directly impacts heat transfer efficiency, corrosion resistance, service life, and maintenance costs.
Download the "Heat Exchanger Tube Specifications" PDF to quickly compare parameters for industrial heat exchanger tubes, including material grades, standards, dimensions, chemical compositions, mechanical properties, applications, and testing requirements.
ASTM A213 Specification.Pdf
ASTM A249 Specification.Pdf
ASTM A789 Specification.Pdf
ASTM B163 Specification.Pdf
ASTM B111 specification.pdf
| Feature | ASTM A213 | ASTM A249 | ASTM A789 | ASTM B163 | ASTM B111 |
| Full Title | Seamless Ferritic and Austenitic Alloy-Steel Boiler, Superheater, and Heat-Exchanger Tubes | Welded Austenitic Steel Boiler, Superheater, Heat-Exchanger, and Condenser Tubes | Seamless and Welded Ferritic/Austenitic Stainless Steel Tubing for General Service | Seamless Nickel and Nickel Alloy Condenser and Heat-Exchanger Tubes | Copper and Copper-Alloy Seamless Condenser Tubes and Ferrule Stock |
| Material Type | Alloy Steel & Stainless Steel (Austenitic/Ferritic) | Austenitic Stainless Steel | Duplex Stainless Steel (Ferritic/Austenitic) | Nickel and Nickel Alloys | Copper and Copper Alloys |
| Manufacture | Seamless only | Welded only | Seamless & Welded | Seamless only | Seamless only |
| Common Grades | TP304, TP316, T11, T22, T91 | TP304L, TP316L, TP321 | S31803 (2205), S32750 (2507) | N04400 (Monel), N06600 (Inconel), N08800 | C44300, C68700, C70600 (90/10), C71500 (70/30) |
| Primary Application | High-temp boilers, superheaters (Critical pressure) | General heat exchangers, condensers (Economic choice) | Highly corrosive environments, oil & gas, chemical | Severe corrosion, high temp, alkaline environments | Marine environments, seawater cooling, power plants |
| Heat Treatment | Solution Annealed or Isothermal Annealed | Solution Annealed | Solution Quenched | Annealed or Stress Relieved | Annealed or Light Drawn |
| Key Mechanical Tests | Flaring, Flattening, Hardness, Tensile | Flaring, Flattening, Flange, Reverse Bend, Tensile | Flaring, Flattening, Hardness, Tensile | Flaring, Hardness, Tensile | Expansion, Flattening, Tensile |
| Non-Destructive Test (NDT) | Hydrostatic or Eddy Current/Ultrasonic | Hydrostatic or Eddy Current | Hydrostatic or Eddy Current | Hydrostatic or Eddy Current/Ultrasonic | Eddy Current (Standard), Hydrostatic |
If you are willing, please specify:
What fluid or medium flows through the pipeline?
Do you require Imperial or metric dimensions?
Are specific ASTM/ASME material grades required?
Heat Exchanger Tube Suppliers and Manufacturers
GNEE supplies heat exchanger tubes compliant with ASTM, ASME, EN, and JIS standards. Our comprehensive material range covers stainless steel, nickel alloys, copper alloys, duplex stainless steel, and high-temperature alloys. This includes standard specifications such as ASTM A213, ASTM A249, ASTM A789, ASTM B163, ASTM B338, ASTM B111, ASME SA213, and the ASME SB series. We provide complete Mill Test Certificates (MTC) and fully support PMI testing, dimensional inspections, and third-party inspection services.
Heat Exchanger Tube Specifications
| ASTM Standard | Product Form | Common OD Range | Wall Thickness Range | Typical Delivery Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM A213 | Seamless Tubes for Boilers, Superheaters & Heat Exchangers | 1/8 in. to 5 in. (3.2 mm to 127 mm) | 0.015 to 0.500 in. (0.4 to 12.7 mm) | 6 m, 12 m, or cut-to-length; U-bend tubes available |
| ASTM A249 | Welded Tubes for Boilers, Heat Exchangers & Condensers | 1/8 in. to 5 in. (3.2 mm to 127 mm) | 0.015 to 0.320 in. (0.4 to 8.1 mm) | 6 m, 12 m, 18 m, or customized lengths; U-bend tubes available |
| ASTM A789 | Seamless and Welded Duplex Stainless Steel Tubes | Up to 8 in. (203.2 mm) | Typically 0.020 to 0.500 in. (0.5 to 12.7 mm) | Fixed length or random length |
| ASTM B163 | Nickel and Nickel Alloy Tubes for Heat Exchangers & Condensers | 1/8 in. to 6 in. (3.2 mm to 152.4 mm) | 0.015 to 0.500 in. (0.4 to 12.7 mm) | Typically 6 m – 15 m |
| ASTM B111 | Copper and Copper Alloy Condenser Tubes | 1/8 in. to 3-1/8 in. (3.2 mm to 80 mm) | 0.020 to 0.120 in. (0.5 to 3.0 mm) | Commonly 2 m – 10 m (depending on marine or power plant design requirements) |
1. Wall Thickness Designation
Minimum Wall: ASTM A213, A249, and A789 standards typically default to "minimum wall" thickness for supply (unless the order specifies average wall thickness). This means the actual wall thickness at any point on the tube must not fall below the nominal value.
Average Wall: ASTM B163, B111, and certain stainless steel standards allow for supply based on average wall thickness upon request.
BWG (Birmingham Wire Gauge): In the heat exchanger industry, wall thickness is often designated using BWG ratings (e.g., 14 BWG, 16 BWG, 18 BWG).
2. End Preparation
Square Cut: Standard delivery condition.
Beveled: Used for butt welding; typically prepared according to customer requirements when the wall thickness exceeds 3 mm.
Deburred: Heat exchanger tubes must undergo internal and external deburring to facilitate insertion through baffles and subsequent tube expansion.
What information is required for a heat exchanger tube quotation?
Customers should provide:
Material grade
Tube standard
OD × Thickness
Length
Quantity
Working temperature
Working pressure
Fluid medium
Inspection requirement
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between ASTM A249 and ASTM A213?
A: ASTM A249 specifically covers welded steel tubing and is limited to austenitic stainless steel, whereas ASTM A213 covers seamless steel tubing and includes both austenitic and ferritic alloy steels. Both standards apply to applications such as boilers, superheaters, and heat exchangers.
Q: Why is ASTM A789 suitable for the chemical industry?
A: It primarily addresses the issue of stress corrosion cracking (SCC). The duplex microstructure (50% austenite + 50% ferrite) of A789 stainless steel tubing provides chloride ion resistance far superior to that of ordinary stainless steel. Additionally, its yield strength is double that of standard stainless steel, allowing for reduced wall thickness, which lowers heat exchanger weight and improves heat transfer efficiency.
Q: Which has better thermal conductivity: ASTM B111 or ASTM A213?
A: Copper has a thermal conductivity of approximately 350–400 W/(m·K), which is more than 20 times that of stainless steel (approximately 15–16 W/(m·K)).
Although copper conducts heat extremely well, it is often replaced by stainless steel in modern industry because stainless steel offers superior resistance to high pressure, erosion, and a wider range of corrosive environments. Copper tubing (brass or cupronickel) remains the preferred choice primarily for seawater cooling, desalination, and small-scale condensers.
Q: ASTM B163 nickel alloy tubing is very expensive; when is its use mandatory?
A: It is required when the operating environment involves one of the following three "extreme" conditions:
Extremely alkaline: Such as high-concentration sodium hydroxide environments, where stainless steel would suffer severe embrittlement.
Extremely high temperature: Temperatures exceeding 650°C, requiring materials that resist oxidation and creep.
Extremely acidic: Such as environments involving hydrofluoric acid or hot dilute sulfuric acid (Monel 400 or Incoloy 800 are commonly used here).
Q: Do these standards cover U-bend tubing?
A: The product form for A213, A249, and B163 is typically designated simply as "tubing." If U-bending is required, one must generally comply with the additional specifications of ASTM A556 (for carbon steel U-tubes) or ASTM A688/A803 (for stainless steel U-tubes), or specify requirements for post-bending stress-relief heat treatment in the purchase order.
