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ASTM A179/179M,ASME SA-179/SA-179M Boiler Tube
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ASTM A179 / ASME SA-179 Heat Exchanger & Boiler Tube

Cold-drawn, seamless, low-carbon steel tube for tubular heat exchangers, condensers, air coolers and similar heat-transfer equipment. Supplied straight or U-bent, with tight dimensional tolerances and full mill testing.

ProductSeamless cold-drawn low-carbon heat exchanger tube
StandardASTM A179 / A179M, ASME SA-179 / SA-179M
ChemistryC 0.06–0.18, Mn 0.27–0.63, P ≤0.035, S ≤0.035 (%)
Tensile / yield≥ 325 MPa / ≥ 180 MPa
Hardness≤ 72 HRB
Outside diameter6 – 76.2 mm
Wall thickness1.0 – 6.0 mm (BWG 10 – 20)
LengthUp to 12 m, cut to length or U-bent
TestsFlattening, flaring, flange, hardness, hydrostatic / eddy current
CertificatesEN 10204 3.1; 3.2 with third-party inspection
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What ASTM A179 covers

ASTM A179 (ASME SA-179 in the Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code) specifies seamless cold-drawn low-carbon steel tubes for heat exchangers, condensers and similar equipment. Cold drawing gives a smooth bore, accurate OD and wall, and good thermal contact when the tubes are expanded into tube sheets. The tubes are soft enough to be rolled, expanded, bent and flared without cracking.

Chemical and mechanical requirements

Element%
Carbon (C)0.06 – 0.18
Manganese (Mn)0.27 – 0.63
Phosphorus (P)≤ 0.035
Sulphur (S)≤ 0.035
PropertyRequirement
Tensile strength≥ 325 MPa (47 ksi)
Yield strength≥ 180 MPa (26 ksi)
Elongation (50 mm)≥ 35%
Hardness≤ 72 HRB

Tests on every lot

  • Flattening, flaring and flange tests, to prove the tube can be expanded and formed.
  • Hardness test.
  • Hydrostatic test or non-destructive electric test (eddy current) on every tube.
  • Dimensional check of OD, wall and length.

Tubes are heat treated after the final cold draw (at 650 °C or higher), as the standard requires. Mill test certificates are issued to EN 10204 3.1, and 3.2 certificates with third-party inspection are available.

Sizes and fabrication

The standard covers tubes from 3.2 mm to 76.2 mm OD (⅛" to 3"). Most exchanger work uses ¾" (19.05 mm) and 1" (25.4 mm) OD, in BWG 12–18 wall. We supply:

  • Straight lengths up to 12 m, or cut exactly to your tube-sheet length.
  • U-bent tubes, with bend radius and leg length to your drawing, stress-relieved at the bends on request.
  • Minimum-wall or average-wall tolerance, as specified.
  • Outside surface varnished or oiled; ends capped with plastic plugs.

Similar specifications

If your datasheet calls for a different standard, we can usually offer an equivalent: ASTM A192 (seamless carbon boiler tube for higher pressures), ASTM A210 A1/C (medium-carbon boiler and superheater tubes), EN 10216-2 P235GH and DIN 17175 St35.8. Send us the datasheet and we will confirm which grade applies.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between ASTM A179 and A192?

Both are seamless low-carbon tubes. A179 is cold drawn for heat exchangers and condensers. A192 is intended for high-pressure boiler service and can be hot finished or cold drawn, and its manganese and silicon limits differ slightly.

Can you supply U-bent A179 tubes?

Yes. We bend to your radius and leg-length drawing, and can stress-relieve the bends and hydro-test each U-tube.

Is ASME SA-179 the same as ASTM A179?

Technically yes. ASME adopts the ASTM standard into its Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code. Our certificates can show both designations when your code requires it.

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