ASTM A179 / ASME SA179 Low Carbon Steel Tube Seamless Steel Heat Exchanger Tube

ASTM A179 / ASME SA179 Carbon Steel Heat Exchanger Tube Seamless Steel Tubing

Key Features & Benefits of ASTM A179 / ASME SA179 Carbon Steel Heat Exchanger Tube

• Excellent Formability: Low carbon content and annealing allow severe bending, expanding, and rolling into tube sheets.

• Corrosion Resistance: Not stainless; but in clean, non-aggressive environments (water, steam, oil), it performs reliably. For aggressive media, protective coatings or cathodic protection may be used.

• Weldability: Very good, though seam welding is not applicable (tubes are seamless). Suitable for joining by brazing or welding to fittings.

• Cost Efficiency: Lower cost than stainless steel or high-alloy materials, while offering adequate strength for moderate temperatures and pressures.

ASTM A179 / ASME SA 179 Carbon Steel Seamless Tube Chemical Composition

ASTM A179 / ASME SA 179 Carbon Steel Seamless Tube Material Mechanical Properties

Properties:

• Strength: Cold drawn A179 tubes generally exhibit higher mechanical strength compared to their hot-rolled counterparts.
• Dimensional Accuracy: The cold drawn process allows for tighter tolerances, producing a more precise product.
• Surface Finish: They have a better surface finish, leading to improved aesthetic quality and corrosion resistance.

Comparison with Similar Grades

SA179 vs. SA192:
SA179 requires cold-drawing and annealing, resulting in finer grain and better formability. SA192 may be hot-finished and is intended for higher-temperature boiler service.

Testing & Inspection (per ASME SA-450)

• Hydrostatic Test: Each tube nondestructively tested (pressure or eddy current).

• Nondestructive Electric Test: Eddy current or ultrasonic per SA-450, unless hydrostatic test is performed.

• Flattening Test: To verify ductility.

• Flange Test: For tubes intended to be rolled into tube sheets.

• Hardness Test: Rockwell B.

• Grain Size: Typically required to be ASTM No. 7 or finer.

• Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers: Both shell-side and tube-side fluids, particularly for oil refineries, petrochemical plants, and power generation.

• Condensers: Surface condensers in steam power plants.

• Feedwater Heaters: Preheating boiler feedwater.

• Air Coolers: Fin-fan coolers in process industries.

• Hydraulic Systems: Low-pressure tubing in hydraulic lines.

• Instrumentation: Sensing lines for pressure and temperature.