Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tubes Specifications

Stainless steel heat exchanger tubes are manufactured to international standards covering seamless, welded, and feedwater heater service. The table below lists key specifications for ordering and project compliance.

Parameter Details
Standard ASTM A213 / ASME SA-213, ASTM A249 / ASME SA-249, ASTM B677 / ASME SB-677, Feedwater Heater ASTM A688
Grades TP304H, TP316Ti, TP321H, 904L
OD Range 6.00 mm to 101.40 mm (0.236" to 4.00")
Wall Thickness 0.50 mm to 6.00 mm (0.020" to 0.236")
Length Up to 30 metres; custom cut available
Finish Annealed and Pickled (AP), Bright Annealed (BA), Cold Drawn, Polished
Forms Seamless, Welded, U-Bend, Finned, Coil

Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tube Sizes

Stainless steel heat exchanger tubes come in many sizes and specifications to suit different heating and process industry needs.

Parameter Range / Details
Outer Diameter (OD) 6.00 mm to 101.40 mm
Wall Thickness 0.50 mm to 6.00 mm
Length Up to 30 metres
Sizing System BWG (Birmingham Wire Gauge) & Metric

Standard Size Chart

The table below shows common OD and wall thickness combinations for heat exchanger tube ordering.

OD (mm) OD (inches) WT (mm) WT (BWG)
6.35 0.250 0.71 22
9.53 0.375 0.89 20
12.70 0.500 1.24 18
15.88 0.625 1.24 18
19.05 0.750 1.65 16
25.40 1.000 1.65 16
31.75 1.250 2.11 14
38.10 1.500 2.11 14
50.80 2.000 2.77 12

Dimensional Tolerances

The OD tolerance is kept within ±0.10 mm so the tube fits the tubesheet properly. The wall thickness tolerance follows ASTM A213 standards, and tube eccentricity is closely controlled to keep heat transfer uniform all around the tube.

Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tubes Price

In India, stainless steel heat exchanger tubes usually cost between ₹180 and ₹950 per kg. The exact price depends on the steel grade, outer diameter, wall thickness, and order quantity. In international markets, FOB prices are generally between USD $2.50 and $12.00 per kg. Specialised grades carry higher pricing because of elevated nickel, molybdenum and copper content. Pricing is quoted per kilogram or per metre. Contact our sales team for current rates and volume discounts.

Types of Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tubes

Stainless steel heat exchanger tubes come in four primary forms: seamless, welded, U-bend and finned. Each form serves a different design requirement in shell-and-tube equipment.

Seamless Heat Exchanger Tubes

Seamless Heat Exchanger Tubes (ASTM A213 / ASME SA-213)

Welded Heat Exchanger Tubes

Welded Heat Exchanger Tubes (ASTM A249 / ASME SA-249)

U-Bend Tubes

U-Bend Tubes

Finned Tubes

Finned Tubes


Applicable Standards for for Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tubes

Stainless steel heat exchanger tubes conform to the following primary ASTM/ASME specifications across seamless and welded forms.

Standard Form Application
ASTM A213 / ASME SA-213 Seamless Austenitic grades
ASTM A249 / ASME SA-249 Welded Austenitic grades
ASTM B677 / ASME SB-677 Seamless Super austenitic grades
ASTM B673 / ASME SB-673 Welded Super austenitic grades
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Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tube Applications

Stainless steel heat exchanger tubes serve thermal transfer applications across 4 major industrial sectors. The grade and form selection depends on operating temperature, pressure and the corrosive nature of the process fluid.

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Power Generation

Boiler economisers, superheaters, and condensers in thermal and nuclear plants use TP304H and TP321H tubes for high creep strength above 525 °C.

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Chemical Processing

Acid coolers, reactor exchangers, and evaporators handling sulphuric, phosphoric, and hydrochloric acids use these tubes for strong resistance to chemical attack.

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Food, Pharmaceutical, and Water Treatment

Pasteurisation, sterilisation, and clean-in-place (CIP) systems use TP304L or TP316L tubes with a bright annealed finish for hygienic surfaces and resistance to chloride-based cleaners.

Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tube Grades

Stainless steel heat exchanger tubes come in two main types: Austenitic 300-series grades (TP304H, TP316Ti, and TP321H) are used for general applications and moderate corrosion. High-performance grades (904L) are chosen for aggressive chemicals and high-temperature conditions. The grades we list cover the full ASTM A213 range that we keep in stock.

TP304H

TP304H heat exchanger tube is a high-carbon version of Grade 304, with a carbon content between 0.04% and 0.10%. This composition gives it better creep strength and makes it more suitable for continuous use at high temperatures, specifically above 538°C (1000°F).

TP316Ti

TP316Ti is a titanium-stabilised Grade 316. With at least 0.70% titanium, it resists weld sensitisation and intergranular corrosion, and performs reliably in high-temperature service up to 600°C.

TP321H

TP321H heat exchanger tube is a high-carbon version of Grade 321. It has a carbon content between 0.04 and 0.10%. This composition gives it better creep strength and improves its long-term performance in continuous high-temperature applications, specifically between 538°C and 870°C (1000°F to 1598°F).

904L

This grade is a super austenitic stainless steel. It contains 23-28% nickel, along with 4-5% molybdenum and 1-2% copper. This composition provides remarkable resistance to sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, and the pitting and crevice corrosion caused by chlorides. The TP904L heat exchanger tube is particularly effective in harsh chemical environments.

Shipping & Packaging

Main export packaging setup Heavy-duty wooden boxes Packing
Export Packaging Standard

We strictly follow seaworthy export handling standards to protect Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tubes from transit damage, moisture ingress, and surface contamination during long-distance dispatch.

  • Heavy-duty wooden boxes with moisture barrier lining
  • HDPE stretch film wrapping on all bundles
  • Plastic end caps on threaded and plain-end pipes
  • Silica gel desiccants to minimize moisture exposure
  • ISPM-15 fumigated wooden packaging for export
shipping preparation Tube Bundle Yard Staging
Shipping packaging Container End-Cap Protection
Shipping stock Wrapped Export-Ready Bundles

We Export Worldwide

Sachiya Steel International supplies stainless steel products to major industrial markets across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa with export-ready documentation and logistics support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Stainless Steel good for Heat Exchanger Tubes?+
Stainless steel is excellent for heat exchanger tubes because it combines corrosion resistance, mechanical strength and thermal stability. Grades like TP304 and TP316 handle 425–550°C in continuous service while resisting oxidation and process-fluid corrosion.
What is the best material grade for Heat Exchanger Tubes?+
The best grade depends on the process environment. TP304 suits general-purpose service with non-aggressive fluids. TP316 is often chosen for environments with chloride ions.
What sizes are available for stainless steel Heat Exchanger Tubes?+
Sizes of SS heat exchanger tubes range from 6.00 mm to 101.40 mm OD, with wall thickness from 0.50 mm to 6.00 mm. Lengths go up to 30 metres in straight form. Both BWG and metric sizing are stocked.
What is the difference between seamless and welded Heat Exchanger Tubes?+
Seamless tubes are extruded without welds, offering superior pressure strength and reliability. Welded tubes are rolled and welded, more economical and available in longer lengths and varied sizes.
What is the standard tube length for Heat Exchanger?+
Heat exchanger tubes are usually supplied in 6, 9, or 12 metre lengths, with options up to 30 metres. We also provide custom-cut lengths to match your exact heat exchanger shell size.
What are the standard specifications for Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tubes?+
The primary specifications are ASTM A213 / ASME SA-213 (seamless), ASTM A249 / ASME SA-249 (welded) and ASTM A688 (feedwater heater).
Can Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tubes be supplied as U-bends?+
Yes. We supply U-bend tubes with bending radii from 1.25 x OD up to 1,700 mm. All U-bends are stress-relief annealed after forming and inspected for surface defects in the bend zone.
Where to buy Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger Tubes?+
Sachiya Steel International, based in Mumbai, India, focuses on the production, distribution, and export of stainless steel heat exchanger tubes. We keep a comprehensive stock of all major grades, conforming to ASTM A213 and ASTM A249 standards. For inquiries regarding stock levels, pricing, and delivery timelines, please get in touch.

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