Seamless Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tube
XINZHE, a trusted stainless steel tube manufacturer located in Wenzhou, China, specializes in the production of high-quality seamless stainless steel heat exchanger tubes manufactured in compliance with ASTM A213 international standards. Our tubes are engineered for superior performance under high temperature and high-pressure conditions.
What Is a Seamless Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tube?
A Seamless Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tube is a cylindrical tube produced from a solid billet by hot extrusion or cold drawing, used as the heat-transfer element in shell-and-tube exchangers, feedwater heaters, reboilers and air coolers. Eliminating the weld seam removes the weakest link in the tube wall, giving higher allowable pressure, better fatigue resistance and full traceability of the metal.
Key Features and Technical Advantages
Efficient and Uniform Heat Transfer
Seamless construction produces a homogeneous wall with consistent conductivity, improving thermal performance across the exchanger.
High Allowable Pressure
Removing the weld seam eliminates the weld efficiency factor, allowing higher design pressures and thinner walls for the same duty.
Excellent Corrosion Resistance
Austenitic, duplex and nickel-alloy grades cover a broad range of process fluids and cooling waters.
Resistance to Thermal Fatigue
A uniform seamless structure tolerates the repeated thermal cycling that causes weld-seam cracking in welded tubes.
Precise Dimensional Consistency
Controlled OD, wall and straightness ensure predictable heat-transfer area and reliable tube-to-tubesheet assembly.
Product Specifications and Data
To provide a comprehensive overview of this high-performance material, here are the detailed technical specifications and performance data for Seamless Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tube.
The composition of stainless steel is carefully balanced to achieve its superior corrosion resistance and durability.
Grade | C | Mn | P | S | Si | Cr | Ni | Mo | Others |
TP304 | ≤ 0.080 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 1.00 | 18.00–20.00 | 8.00–11.00 | — | — |
TP304L | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 1.00 | 18.00–20.00 | 8.00–12.00 | — | — |
TP304H | 0.04–0.10 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 1.00 | 18.00–20.00 | 8.00–11.00 | — | — |
TP309S | ≤ 0.080 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 1.00 | 22.00–24.00 | 12.00–15.00 | — | — |
TP310S | ≤ 0.080 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 1.00 | 24.00–26.00 | 19.00–22.00 | — | — |
TP316 | ≤ 0.080 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 1.00 | 16.00–18.00 | 10.00–14.00 | 2.00–3.00 | — |
TP316L | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 1.00 | 16.00–18.00 | 10.00–14.00 | 2.00–3.00 | — |
TP316Ti | ≤ 0.080 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 0.75 | 16.00–18.00 | 10.00–14.00 | 2.00–3.00 | Ti: 5xC min |
TP317 | ≤ 0.080 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 1.00 | 18.00–20.00 | 11.00–15.00 | 3.00–4.00 | — |
TP317L | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 1.00 | 18.00–20.00 | 11.00–15.00 | 3.00–4.00 | — |
TP321 | ≤ 0.080 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 1.00 | 17.00–19.00 | 9.00–12.00 | — | Ti: 5xC min |
TP321H | 0.04–0.10 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 1.00 | 17.00–19.00 | 9.00–12.00 | — | Ti: 4x(C+N)–0.70 |
TP347 | ≤ 0.080 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 1.00 | 17.00-20.00 | 9.00–13.00 | — | Nb: 10xC min |
TP347H | 0.04–0.10 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 1.00 | 17.00–19.00 | 9.00–13.00 | — | Nb: 8xC–1.0 |
Note: All values are maximum percentages unless a range is specified. “5xC min” means the minimum titanium or niobium content must be at least 5 times the carbon content. Actual product analysis may permit slight deviations per ASTM A213 tolerance rules.
Stainless steel is designed to maintain its strength and integrity in challenging operational environments.
| Grade | Condition | Tensile Strength Min, MPa (ksi) | Yield Strength Min, MPa (ksi) | Elongation Min, % | Heat Treatment Temp |
| TP304 | Annealed | 515 (75) | 205 (30) | 35 | 1040°C (1900°F) min |
| TP304L | Annealed | 485 (70) | 170 (25) | 35 | 1040°C (1900°F) min |
| TP304H | Annealed | 515 (75) | 205 (30) | 35 | 1040°C (1900°F) min |
| TP309S | Annealed | 515 (75) | 205 (30) | 35 | 1040°C (1900°F) min |
| TP310S | Annealed | 515 (75) | 205 (30) | 35 | 1040°C (1900°F) min |
| TP316 | Annealed | 515 (75) | 205 (30) | 35 | 1040°C (1900°F) min |
| TP316L | Annealed | 485 (70) | 170 (25) | 35 | 1040°C (1900°F) min |
| TP316Ti | Annealed | 515 (75) | 205 (30) | 35 | 1040°C (1900°F) min |
| TP317 | Annealed | 515 (75) | 205 (30) | 35 | 1040°C (1900°F) min |
| TP317L | Annealed | 515 (75) | 205 (30) | 35 | 1040°C (1900°F) min |
| TP321 | Annealed | 515 (75) | 205 (30) | 35 | 1040°C (1900°F) min |
| TP321H | Annealed | 515 (75) | 205 (30) | 35 | 1040°C (1900°F) min |
| TP347 | Annealed | 515 (75) | 205 (30) | 35 | 1040°C (1900°F) min |
| TP347H | Annealed | 515 (75) | 205 (30) | 35 | 1040°C (1900°F) min |
| T11 | Norm. & Tempered | 415 (60) | 205 (30) | 30 | Norm. 1900°F + Temper 1200°F min |
| T22 | Norm. & Tempered | 415 (60) | 205 (30) | 30 | Norm. 1900°F + Temper 1250°F min |
| T91 | Norm. & Tempered | 585 (85) | 415 (60) | 20 | Norm. 1900°F + Temper 1350°F min |
Note: For longitudinal strip tests, a deduction from the basic minimum elongation of 1.00% for 18Cr-2Mo, T23, T91, and T122, and 1.50% for all other ferritic grades, shall be made for each 1/32 in. (0.8 mm) decrease in wall thickness below 5/16 in. (8 mm). Hardness limits also apply: most austenitic grades must not exceed 192 HB/200 HV (90 HRB).
Table 3:
STANDARD | OD(D) | TOLERANCE (MM) | THICKNESS(S) | TOLERANCE | LENGTH | TOLERANCE |
| MM | COMMON HIGH | MM | MM | MM | ||
| A213 HFD | D≤100 | +0.4 / -0.8 | D<100, S≤2.4 | +40% / 0 | HFD, all size | +5 / 0 |
| +0.4 / -1.2 | D<100, 2.4≤S≤3.8 | +35% / 0 | ||||
| +0.4 / -1.6 | D<100, 3.8≤S≤4.6 | +33% / 0 | ||||
| 100 | +0.4 / -1.2 | D>100, 2.4≤S≤3.8 | +35% / 0 | |||
| 200 | +0.4 / -1.6 | D>100, 3.8≤S≤4.6 | +33% / 0 | |||
| D>100, S>4.6 | +28% / 0 | |||||
| A213 CFD | D<25 | ±0.10 | D≤38.1 | +20% / 0 | CFD, D<50.8 | +3 / 0 |
| 25≤D≤40 | ±0.15 | |||||
| 40 | ±0.20 | |||||
| 50≤D<65 | ±0.25 | |||||
| 65≤D<75 | ±0.30 | D>38.1 | +22% / 0 | CFD, D≥50.8 | +5 / 0 | |
| 75≤D≤100 | ±0.38 | |||||
| 100 | +0.38 / -0.64 | |||||
| 200 | +0.38 / -1.14 |
Dimensional Standards and Tolerances
Heat exchanger tubes are supplied to ASTM A213 / A1016 or to the tighter project tolerances agreed at the enquiry stage.
Dimensional tolerances under ASTM A213 govern outside diameter (OD), wall thickness, and cut length. These limits depend on the tube's OD range and whether the tube is cold-finished or hot-finished. Tighter OD tolerances are specified for cold-drawn tubes, while hot-finished tubes allow wider variation. The tables below outline the standard tolerance limits.
Common Industrial Applications
Oil and Gas Industry
- Shell-and-tube exchangers
- Gas coolers and intercoolers
- Offshore process exchangers
Power Generation
- Feedwater heaters
- Steam surface condensers
- Air-cooled condenser banks
Chemical and Petrochemical Processing
- Reactors and reboilers
- Process heat recovery trains
- Crude preheat exchangers
Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical
- Sanitary heat exchangers
- Pasteurisation and sterilisation units
- CIP heat-transfer equipment
Desalination and Marine
- Multi-effect distillation units
- Marine heat exchangers
- Brine handling equipment
Quality Assurance and Manufacturing Process
Certification
All Seamless Heat Exchanger Tube tubes are supplied to ASTM A213 / ASME SA213 and ASTM A269 with EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificates. Third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TUV, Lloyd's), PMI reports and full heat-number traceability can be provided on request.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
Hydrostatic or eddy-current testing is performed on 100% of tubes. Ultrasonic testing (UT) and dye-penetrant inspection (PT) are available for critical service, with records retained for each production lot.
Material Verification
Positive Material Identification (PMI) and spectrometric analysis confirm that the chemical composition matches the ordered grade. Intergranular corrosion (IGC) testing to ASTM A262 Practice E is available for austenitic and nickel-alloy tubes.
Mechanical Testing
Tensile, yield, elongation and hardness tests are carried out per heat. Flattening, flaring and reverse-bend tests verify ductility, while creep-rupture data can be supplied for high-temperature grades.
Dimensional Inspection
Outside diameter, wall thickness, ovality and straightness are measured against ASTM A1016 / A1016M or EN 10216-5 tolerances. Length, square-cut ends and end-finish conditions are verified before packing.
Seamless vs Welded Heat Exchanger Tube – Technical Comparison
Heat exchanger tubes are produced both seamless and welded. The two routes differ in structure, pressure capability and cost, and the correct choice follows from the service.
Structural Integrity
- Seamless: produced from a solid billet by hot extrusion or cold drawing, with no seam anywhere in the tube
- Welded: formed from strip and seam-welded, with the weld as the critical feature
Pressure and Temperature Capability
Because there is no weld efficiency penalty, a seamless tube carries a higher allowable stress at the same wall thickness, which matters most at high design pressure or high temperature.
Thermal Fatigue Behaviour
Repeated thermal cycling is a common cause of weld-seam cracking in welded tubes. The homogeneous wall of a seamless tube tolerates the same cycling with much greater margin.
Selection Guide
- Choose seamless tubes for high-pressure, high-temperature or thermal-cycling duty
- Choose welded tubes for low-pressure, low-cycling service where cost efficiency dominates
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a seamless stainless steel heat exchanger tube?
A seamless heat exchanger tube is a cylindrical tube produced from a solid billet by hot extrusion or cold drawing, used as the heat-transfer element in shell-and-tube exchangers, feedwater heaters, reboilers and air coolers. There is no weld seam anywhere along its length.
What is the advantage of seamless heat exchanger tubing?
Eliminating the weld seam removes the weakest point in the tube wall, giving a higher allowable stress at the same wall thickness, better tolerance of thermal cycling, and full traceability of the metal from billet to finished tube.
What standard covers heat exchanger tubing?
Heat exchanger tubes are normally supplied to ASTM A213 / ASME SA213, with ASTM A269 covering general service tubing and ASTM A1016 governing dimensional tolerances.
Which grades are commonly specified for heat exchanger tubes?
TP304 / TP304L, TP316 / TP316L, TP321 and TP347H cover most austenitic duties. Duplex grades are used for chloride-bearing cooling water and nickel alloys such as Monel, Inconel and Hastelloy for the most aggressive process streams.
Ready to Request a Quotation?
Send your Heat Exchanger Tube enquiry with material grade, process and cooling medium, size (OD and wall thickness), quantity, length, end finish and inspection requirements. Our technical team will confirm availability, testing scope and lead time.
