Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tube

Description

What is Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tube?

Stainless steel heat exchanger tube is a key component in industrial heat transfer applications. These tubes facilitate the efficient exchange of heat between two fluids while maintaining separation, ensuring high thermal performance, durability, and resistance to corrosion. They are widely used in industries such as oil and gas, power generation, HVAC, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and chemical manufacturing.

At Emirerri Steel, we manufacture and supply high-quality stainless steel heat exchanger tubes that conform to global standards. Our tubes are available in various grades, sizes, and finishes, ensuring optimal performance in high-pressure and high-temperature conditions.

Key Features of Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tubes

1. Corrosion Resistance – Stainless steel, especially grades like 304, 316, and duplex stainless steels, exhibits exceptional resistance to corrosion, making it suitable for harsh environments, including marine and chemical industries.
2. High Thermal Conductivity – While stainless steel is not as thermally conductive as copper, it offers sufficient heat transfer efficiency for various industrial processes.
3. Strength and Durability – Stainless steel heat exchanger tubes maintain structural integrity under high pressure and temperature conditions, ensuring long service life.
4. Hygienic Properties – These tubes are widely used in the food, dairy, and pharmaceutical industries due to their non-reactive surface, which prevents contamination.
5. Oxidation Resistance – Stainless steel resists oxidation and scaling at high temperatures, making it ideal for heat exchanger applications in power plants and refineries.
6. Versatility – Available in different grades and specifications, stainless steel heat exchanger tubes can be tailored to meet specific industrial needs.

Types of Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tubes

• Seamless Heat Exchanger Tubes

Seamless stainless steel tubes are manufactured through a cold drawing or extrusion process. These tubes are ideal for industries such as power plants, oil refineries, and chemical industries.

1. High strength and pressure resistance
2. Uniform wall thickness for optimal performance
3. Reliability under extreme temperature and pressure conditions

• Welded Heat Exchanger Tubes

Welded stainless steel tubes provide a cost-effective alternative to seamless tubes. These tubes are suitable for use in HVAC systems, food processing plants, and pharmaceutical industries.

1. Good thermal efficiency
2. Excellent corrosion resistance
3. Suitability for medium-to-low pressure applications

• U-Bend Heat Exchanger Tubes

U-bend heat exchanger tubes are specifically designed for shell-and-tube heat exchangers. They are commonly used in power plants, refrigeration systems, and process industries.

1. Efficient heat transfer within compact systems
2. Stress-relief annealing to maintain structural integrity
3. Resistance to material degradation

Heat Exchanger Tube Material

Selecting the right heat exchanger tube material is essential for ensuring durability and efficiency in thermal applications. Stainless steel is widely preferred due to its excellent resistance to corrosion, oxidation, and mechanical stress. Emirerri Steel offers a variety of stainless steel grades suitable for different operational requirements.

Common material grades include:

1. SS 304/304L – Ideal for general heat exchanger applications, offering good corrosion resistance and strength.
2. SS 316/316L – Superior resistance to chloride-induced corrosion, making it suitable for marine and chemical environments.
3. SS 321/347 – Enhanced thermal stability for high-temperature operations, particularly in petrochemical plants.
4. SS 904L – Excellent resistance to acidic and corrosive environments, commonly used in aggressive industrial conditions.
5. Duplex & Super Duplex Stainless Steel – High strength and excellent resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking.

Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tube Dimensions

 

Outside Diameter			Standard Wire Gauge (SWG)
			22 (0.711mm)	20 (0.914mm)	18 (1.218mm)	16 (1.625mm)	14 (2.032mm)	12 (2.641mm)	11 (2.946mm)	10 (3.251mm)
in		mm	Weight, kg/m (average) wall1
1/4	0.250	6.350	–	0.124	0.157	0.192	–	–	–	–
5/16	0.313	7.950	–	0.161	0.205	0.257	–	–	–	–
3/8	0.375	9.525	–	0.197	0.253	0.321	0.381	–	–	–
1/2	0.500	12.700	0.213	0.270	0.350	0.451	0.543	0.665	0.720	–
5/8	0.625	15.875	0.270	0.342	0.447	0.580	0.704	0.875	0.954	–
3/4	0.750	19.050	–	0.415	0.544	0.709	0.866	1.09	1.19	1.29
1/8	0.875	22.225	0.383	0.488	0.641	0.838	1.03	1.30	1.42	1.55
1	1.000	25.400	0.440	0.560	0.738	0.967	1.19	1.51	1.66	1.80
11/4	1.250	31.750	0.553	0.706	0.931	1.23	1.51	1.93	2.13	2.32
1 1/2	1.500	38.100	0.666	0.851	1.13	1.48	1.84	2.35	2.59	2.84
1 3/4	1.750	44.450	0.779	0.996	1.32	1.74	2.16	2.77	3.06	3.35
2	2.000	50.800	0.892	1.14	1.51	2.00	2.48	3.19	3.53	3.87
21/2	2.500	63.500	–	–	1.90	2.52	3.13	4.03	4.47	4.91
3	3.000	76.200	–	–	2.29	3.03	3.77	4.87	5.40	5.94
3 1/2	3.500	88.900	–	–	2.67	3.55	4.42	5.70	6.34	6.97
4	4.000	101.60	–	–	3.06	4.07	5.07	6.54	7.28	8.01

Chemical Composition of Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tubes

Grade	Carbon (C)	Manganese (Mn)	Phosphorus (P)	Sulfur (S)	Silicon (Si)	Chromium (Cr)	Nickel (Ni)	Molybdenum (Mo)	Nitrogen (N)	Titanium (Ti) / Niobium (Nb)
304	≤ 0.08	≤ 2.00	≤ 0.045	≤ 0.030	≤ 1.00	18.0 – 20.0	8.0 – 12.0	–	≤ 0.10	–
304L	≤ 0.03	≤ 2.00	≤ 0.045	≤ 0.030	≤ 1.00	18.0 – 20.0	8.0 – 12.0	–	≤ 0.10	–
316	≤ 0.08	≤ 2.00	≤ 0.045	≤ 0.030	≤ 1.00	16.0 – 18.0	10.0 – 14.0	2.0 – 3.0	≤ 0.10	–
316L	≤ 0.03	≤ 2.00	≤ 0.045	≤ 0.030	≤ 1.00	16.0 – 18.0	10.0 – 14.0	2.0 – 3.0	≤ 0.10	–
321	≤ 0.08	≤ 2.00	≤ 0.045	≤ 0.030	≤ 1.00	17.0 – 19.0	9.0 – 13.0	–	–	≥ 5 × C%
347	≤ 0.08	≤ 2.00	≤ 0.045	≤ 0.030	≤ 1.00	17.0 – 19.0	9.0 – 13.0	–	–	≥ 5 × C%

Mechanical Properties of Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tubes

Grade	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)	Elongation (%)	Hardness (HRB)
304	≥ 205	≥ 515	≥ 40	≤ 92
304L	≥ 205	≥ 485	≥ 40	≤ 92
316	≥ 205	≥ 515	≥ 40	≤ 95
316L	≥ 205	≥ 485	≥ 40	≤ 95
321	≥ 205	≥ 515	≥ 40	≤ 96
347	≥ 205	≥ 515	≥ 40	≤ 96

Heat Exchanger Tube Sizes & Standard Tube Length

The heat exchanger tube size varies depending on the design and industry requirements. Standard tube lengths for heat exchangers typically range from 6 meters to 12 meters, but customized lengths are also available upon request.

• Outer Diameter (OD): Ranges from 6.35 mm to 101.6 mm, catering to different heat exchanger configurations.
• Wall Thickness (WT): Available from 0.5 mm to 5 mm, depending on pressure and thermal efficiency requirements.
• Length Options: Standard sizes of 6 meters and 12 meters; custom lengths are available for specific project needs.

Manufacturing Standards for Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tubes

To ensure top-quality performance, stainless steel heat exchanger tubes must comply with internationally recognized standards. Emirerri Steel manufactures tubes in accordance with:

• ASTM A213 / ASME SA213 – Covers seamless stainless steel tubes used in heat exchangers, condensers, and boilers.
• ASTM A249 / ASME SA249 – Specifies welded stainless steel tubes for heat exchanger applications.
• ASTM A269 – Defines seamless and welded stainless steel tubing with enhanced corrosion resistance.
• EN 10216-5 / EN 10217-7 – European standards for stainless steel heat exchanger tubes.
• JIS G3463 – Japanese standard specifying stainless steel tubes for heat-resistant applications.

Coatings & Surface Finishes

To enhance performance and longevity, stainless steel heat exchanger tubes are available in various surface finishes:

• Bright Annealed Finish – Provides a smooth, reflective surface with enhanced corrosion resistance.
• Polished Finish – Available in various grades (180, 240, 320, and 400 grit) for aesthetic and functional benefits.
• Pickled & Passivated – Ensures a clean surface free from contaminants and oxidation.
• Electropolished – Offers a highly smooth and corrosion-resistant finish, ideal for pharmaceutical and food industries.

Benefits

Stainless steel heat exchanger tubes offer numerous benefits, including:

1. Longevity and Durability
   • Resistant to corrosion, mechanical stress, and high temperatures, ensuring extended service life.
2. Low Maintenance
   • Requires minimal upkeep, reducing overall operational costs.
3. High Efficiency
   • Provides excellent heat transfer efficiency, optimizing energy consumption.
4. Eco-Friendly
   • 100% recyclable and contributes to sustainable manufacturing practices.
5. Versatility
   • Suitable for diverse applications across multiple industries.

Applications

Stainless steel heat exchanger tubes are utilized in various industries, including:

1. Power Generation
   • Used in boilers, condensers, and superheaters.
   • Withstands high temperatures and pressure in power plants.
2. Chemical and Petrochemical Industry
   • Essential in processing units where exposure to corrosive chemicals is common.
   • Used in reactors, reboilers, and heat exchangers.
3. Oil and Gas Industry
   • Handles extreme conditions in offshore and onshore extraction units.
   • Commonly used in cooling systems, refining processes, and gas separation units.
4. Food and Beverage Industry
   • Maintains hygiene in heat transfer applications like pasteurization and dairy processing.
   • Prevents contamination in beverage manufacturing plants.
5. HVAC and Refrigeration
   • Utilized in air conditioning and cooling systems for efficient thermal regulation.
   • Provides longevity and resistance to environmental factors.
6. Pharmaceutical Industry
   • Ensures sterility in heat exchange processes.
   • Prevents bacterial contamination in drug manufacturing.