ASTM A178 welded boiler tube

ASTM A178 tubes Welded Carbon Steel Boiler and Superheater Tubes

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In the realm of boiler systems, the ASTM A178 Boiler Tube holds a position of significance.

Designed to perfection, these tubes are engineered to handle the intense conditions within boilers. Their construction adheres to strict ASTM standards, guaranteeing top-notch quality and performance.

The ASTM A178 Boiler Tube showcases remarkable strength and durability. It can withstand the high pressures and temperatures that are common in boiler operations, ensuring long-term reliability.

Corrosion resistance is another key attribute. This helps prevent premature deterioration, reducing the need for frequent replacements and saving on maintenance costs.

With precise dimensions and a smooth surface finish, these tubes facilitate efficient heat transfer and fluid flow, enhancing the overall efficiency of the boiler system.

ASTM A178 is a standard specification for electric-resistance-welded (ERW) tubes made from carbon steel and carbon-manganese steel. These tubes are primarily used in boilers, superheaters, and heat exchangers, where they must withstand high temperatures and pressures. The specification outlines the requirements for manufacturing, chemical composition, mechanical properties, and testing, ensuring the tubes perform effectively in demanding applications.

ASTM A178 tubes are essential components in the construction of boilers, superheaters, and heat exchangers. Their reliable performance at high temperatures and pressures, combined with stringent manufacturing and testing standards, ensures that they meet the demands of critical applications in power plants, refineries, and industrial facilities. The specification's focus on material quality, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance makes ASTM A178 tubes a preferred choice for engineers and manufacturers in the energy and process industries.

What Is ASTM A178 / ASME SA178 Tubing?

ASTM A178 tubing is carbon steel and carbon manganese ERW tubing used in boilers, boiler flues, super heaters, ASTM A178 is available in A178 Grade A (low carbon steel), A178 Grade C (medium carbon steel), and A178 Grade D (carbon manganese steel). The ASTM A178 Specifications are listed below with the Chemical Composition and Mechanical Properties.

Scope

1.1 This specification2 covers minimum-wall-thickness, electric-resistance-welded tubes made of carbon steel and carbon-manganese steel intended for use as boiler tubes, boiler flues, superheater flues, and safe ends.

1.2 This specification covers Grades A, C, and D with differing chemical requirements (Section 6 and Table 1), differing tensile requirements (Section 9 and Table 2), and differing crush and mechanical testing requirements (Sections 10 and 11).

NOTE 1: Grades C and D tubes are not suitable for safe-ending for forge welding.

1.3 The tubing sizes and thicknesses usually furnished to this specification are 1/2 to 5 in. [12.7 to 127 mm] in outside diameter and 0.035 to 0.360 in. [0.9 to 9.1 mm], inclusive, in minimum wall thickness. Tubing having other dimensions may be furnished, provided such tubes comply with all other requirements of this specification.

1.4 Mechanical property requirements do not apply to tubing smaller than 1/8 in. [3.2 mm] in inside diameter or 0.015 in. [0.4 mm] in thickness.

1.5 Optional supplementary requirements are provided and when desired, shall be so stated in the order.

1.6 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification. The inch-pound units shall apply unless the “M” designation of this specification is specified in the order.

1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Different name

Condenser steel tube,heat-exchanger tube,low carbon steel pipe,Resistance welded steel tube ,Bolier flues,Spoerheater flues and safe ends,ERW carbon steel pipes.

Chemical Composition of ASTM A178

Element % ASTM A178 Gr A / SA178A ASTM A178 Gr C / SA178C ASTM A178 Gr D / SA178D
Low carbon steel Medium Carbon Steel Manganess Steel
C 0.06-0.18 0.35 Max 0.27 Max
Mn 0.27-0.63 0.80 Max 1.00-1.50
P 0.035 0.035 0.030
S 0.035 0.035 0.015
Si ... ... 0.10 Min.

Product Analysis

  1. When requested on the purchase order, a product analy- sis shall be made by the manufacturer or supplier from one tube per 100 pieces for sizes over 3 in. [76.2 mm] and one tube per 250 pieces for sizes 3 in. [76.2 mm] and under; or when tubes are identified by heat, one tube per heat shall be analyzed. The chemical composition thus determined shall conform to the requirements specified.
  2. If the original test for product analysis fails, retests of two additional lengths of flat-rolled stock or tubes shall be made. Both retests, for the elements in question, shall meet the requirements of the specification; otherwise all remaining material in the heat or lot (Note 2) shall be rejected or, at the option of the producer, each length of flat-rolled stock or tube may be individually tested for acceptance. Lengths of flat- rolled stock or tubes which do not meet the requirements of the specifications shall be rejected.

Mechanical Property of ASTM A178

Grade C & Grade D tubes shall conform to the requirements -tensile properties prescribed below

Item ASTM A178 Gr A / SA178A ASTM A178 Gr C / SA178C ASTM A178 Gr D / SA178D
Tensile strength, min, ksi [MPa] 47[325] 60[415] 70[485]
Yield strength, min, ksi [MPa] 26[180] 37[255] 40[275]
Elongation in 2 in. or 50mm, min, % 35 30 30
For longitudinal strip tests a deduction for 1.50A 1.50A 1.50A
Each1⁄32-in[0.8mm] decrease in wall thickness below 5⁄16in. [8mm]
From the basic minimum elongation of the following percentage points shall be made

Outside diameter and Wall Thickness Tolerance of ASTM A178 tubes

Outside Diameter tol Wall thickness tol
OD < 50 ±0.05mm S < 4mm ±12.5%
OD > 50 ±1% 4--20mm +15/-12.5%
S≧20mm ±12.5%

Referenced Documents

A450/A450M

ASTM A450 covers carbon and low alloy steel tube. Steel samples shall be melt processed and shall either be ingot cast or strand cast. Heat and product analyses shall be performed on the steel materials. Steel specimens shall also undergo tensile tests and shall conform to required values of yield strength and elongation. Flattening test, reverse flattening test, flaring test, flange test, hardness test, hydrostatic test, air underwater pressure test, and nondestructive tests shall be performed on the steel materials.

Manufacturing Process

Heat treatment:

After welding,all tubes shall be heat treated at a temperature of 1650°F(900℃) or higher and followed by cooling in air or in the cooling chamber of a controlled-atmosphere furnace,Cold-drawn tubes shall be heat treated after the final cold-draw pass at a temperature of 1200°F(650℃)or higher.

Surface Condition:

Finished tubes shall be free of scale,A slight amount of oxidation will not be considered as scale.

Mechanical Tests Required:

Flattenting Test/Flaring test/Flange test/Crush test/Tension test/Reverse Flattening test/Hydrostatic or Nondestructive Electric Test

Usage

Used in boiler, superheater, heat-exchanger and pressure equipment in Petrochemical factory, Refinery factory, sugar mill, power plant, power plant, shipbuilding.

Manufacture & Heat Treatment

The ASTM A178 Grade D steel shall be killed. ASTM A178 tubes shall be made by electric-resistance welding process. After welding, all tubes shall be heat treated at a temperature of 1650°F [900°C] or higher and followed by cooling in air or in the cooling chamber of a controlled-atmosphere furnace. Cold-drawn tubes shall be heat treated after the final cold-draw pass at a temperature of 1200°F [650°F] or higher.

Testing & Inspection

ERW tubes made from ASTM A178 steel may be tested or inspected in the following ways covering crush test, flattening test, flange test, tension test, reverse tension test, hydrostatic test, nondestructive electric test, dimension inspection, visual examination, as well as ultrasonic inspection.

Material Comparison Tables (ASTM ℃KS, JIS, DIN, BS, NBN, NF, UNI)

A 178 C-Steel Electric-Resistance-Welded Boiler Tubes

ASTM
STANDARD
UNS NO. KOREA/JAPANES GERMAN BRITISH BELGIAN FRENCH ITALIAN
KS/JIS Symbol KS/JIS Numbe Remarks DIN Type DIN
Number
Materiral
Number
Remarks B.S
Number
B.S Grade NBN Type NBN Grade Remarks AFNOR Type NF Number Ramarks UNI Type UNI Number Ramarks
Graade A K01200 STBH 340 / STB 35 D3563 / G3461 St 37.8 17177 1.0315 (7) 3059 ERW 320   (3) (3)
Grade c K03503 SHBH 410 / STB 42 D3563 / G3461 St 42.8 17177 1.0498 (7)   (3) (3)

Related ASTM A178 tubes

Delivery

Measurement size

Measure weld stee pipes
Measure weld stee pipes
Measure weld stee pipes
Measure weld stee pipes
Flat oval pipes
Flat oval pipes

Packing

Packing weld stee pipes
Packing weld stee pipes
Packing weld stee pipes
Packing weld stee pipes
Packing weld stee pipes
Packing weld stee pipes
Packing weld stee pipes
Packing weld stee pipes
Packing weld stee pipes

Welded pipes specification and size

API SPEC 5CT

Product Name Executive Standard Dimension (mm) Steel Code / Steel Grade
Casting API 5CT Ø48.3~273 x WT2.77~11.43 J55, K55, N80, L80
Tubing API 5CT Ø48.3~273 x WT2.77~11.43 J55, K55, N80, L80, H40
 

API SPEC 5L

Product Name Executive Standard Dimension (mm) Steel Code / Steel Grade
Line Pipes API 5L Ø60.3~273.1 x WT2.77~12.7 A25, A, B, X42, X46, X52, X56, X60, X65, X70, X80

ASTM / ASME

Product Name Executive Standard Dimension (mm) Steel Code / Steel Grade
Electric-Resistance-Welded Steel Pipes ASTM A135 Ø42.2~114.3 x WT2.11~2.63 A
Electric-Resistance-Welded Carbon Steel and Carbon-Manganese Steel Boiler and Superheater Tubes ASTM A178 42.2-114.3 x 2.11-2.63 A, C, D
ERW and Hot-dip Galvanized Steel Pipes ASTM A53 Ø21.3~273 x WT2.11~12.7 A, B
Pipes for Piling Usage ASTM A252 Ø219.1~508 x WT3.6~12.7 Gr.2, Gr.3
Tubes for General Structural Purpose ASTM A500 Ø21.3~273 x WT2.11~12.7 Gr.2, Gr.3
Square Pipes for General Structural Purpose ASTM A500 25 x 25~160 x 160 x WT1.2~8.0 Carbon Steel
 

DIN

Product Name Executive Standard Dimension (mm) Steel Code / Steel Grade
Threaded Steel Pipes DIN 2440 Ø21~164 x WT2.65~4.85 Carbon Steel

BS

Product Name Executive Standard Dimension (mm) Steel Code / Steel Grade
Screwed and Socketed Steel Tubes BS 1387 Ø21.4~113.9 x WT2~3.6 Carbon Steel

EN

Scaffolding Pipes EN 39 Ø48.3 x WT3.2~4 Carbon Steel

JIS

Product Name Executive Standard Dimension (mm) Steel Code / Steel Grade
Carbon Steel Tubes for General Structure Purpose JIS G3444 Ø21.7~216.3 x WT2.0~6.0 Carbon Steel
Carbon Steel Tubes for Machine Structure Purpose JIS G3445 Ø15~76 x WT0.7~3.0 STKM11A, STKM13A
Carbon Steel Pipes for Ordinary Piping JIS G3452 Ø21.9~216.3 x WT2.8~5.8 Carbon Steel
Carbon Steel Pipes for Pressure Service JIS G3454 Ø21.7~216.3 x WT2.8~7.1 Carbon Steel
Carbon Steel Rigid Steel Conduits JIS G8305 Ø21~113.4 x WT1.2~3.5 G16~G104, C19~C75, E19~E75
Carbon Steel Rectangular Pipes for General Structure JIS G3466 16 x 16~150 x 150 x WT0.7~6 Carbon Steel
Alloy Steel Pipe Inventory Alloy Steel Pipe Inventory

Advantage of ERW pipe

The alloy content of the coil is often lower than similar grades of steel plate, improving the weldability of the spiral welded pipe. Due to the rolling direction of spiral welded pipe coil is not perpendicular to the pipe axis direction, the crack resistance of the spiral welded pipe materials.

What is welded steel pipe?

Welded steel pipe refers to a steel pipe with seams on the surface that is welded by bending and deforming a steel strip or steel plate into a circular, square or other shape. The blanks used for welded steel pipes are steel sheets or strips.

Since the 1930s, with the rapid development of continuous rolling production of high-quality strip steel and the advancement of welding and inspection technology, the quality of welds has been continuously improved, and the varieties and specifications of welded steel pipes have been increasing.

When the T-shaped welded steel pipe contains Ni, it has strong corrosion resistance in an acidic environment. In an environment containing sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid, the higher the Ni content in the T-shaped welded steel pipe, the stronger the corrosion resistance. Under normal circumstances, only adding Cr to the T-shaped welded steel pipe can prevent the phenomenon of corrosion. The poor edge condition of the strip is another important cause of misalignment. The effects of changes in mass flow, heat flow density and structural parameters (ratio of helical curvature diameter to T-shaped welded steel pipe diameter Dc/D) on the heat transfer coefficient of saturated bubble boiling in vertical spiral pipes.

During the production of T-shaped welded steel pipes, misalignment occurs from time to time, and there are many influencing factors. In production practice, the steel pipe is often degraded by the wrong side and out of tolerance. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the reasons for the misalignment of the spiral steel pipe and its preventive measures.

Due to the poor shape and dimensional accuracy of the head and tail of the uncut steel strip, it is easy to cause the steel strip to bend hard and cause misalignment during butt joint. Simulation parameter range: vertical pipe: pipe diameter D=10mm, pipe length L=660mm; three types of vertical T-shaped welded steel pipe: pipe diameter D=10mm, the change of the ratio of the curvature diameter of the T-shaped welded steel pipe to the spiral pipe diameter is Dc /D=15, 20, 25, helical pitch Pt=20mm, tube lengths are L=503mm, L=660mm, L=817mm respectively. Mass flow G=200~400Kg/(m'2 s), heat flux density q=5~15KW/m'2, saturation pressure p, saturation=0.414880MPa, saturation temperature T, saturation=283.15K.

Technical requirements for welded pipes

The technical requirements and inspection of welded pipes are based on the provisions of the GB3092 "Welded Steel Pipes for Low-Pressure Fluid Transmission". It can be delivered according to fixed length or double length. The surface of the steel pipe should be smooth, and defects such as folds, cracks, delamination, and lap welding are not allowed. The surface of the steel pipe is allowed to have minor defects such as scratches, scratches, weld misalignment, burns and scars that do not exceed the negative deviation of the wall thickness. The thickening of the wall thickness and the presence of inner seam weld bars are allowed at the weld.

Welded steel pipes should be subjected to mechanical performance test, flattening test and flaring test, and must meet the requirements of the standard. When the steel pipe should be able to withstand the internal pressure, carry out a pressure test of 2.5Mpa, and keep it for one minute without leakage. The method of eddy current flaw detection is allowed to replace the hydrostatic test. The eddy current flaw detection is carried out according to the standard of GB7735 "Steel tube eddy current flaw detection inspection method". The eddy current flaw detection method is to fix the probe on the frame, keep a distance of 3~5mm between the flaw detection and the weld seam, and conduct a comprehensive scan of the weld seam by the rapid movement of the steel pipe. The flaw detection signal is automatically processed and sorted by the eddy current flaw detector. To achieve the purpose of flaw detection. The welded pipe after the flaw detection is cut off according to the specified length with a flying saw, and it is rolled off the assembly line through the turning frame. Both ends of the steel pipe should be chamfered with flat ends, printed with marks, and the finished pipes are packed in hexagonal bundles before leaving the factory.

Straight seam steel pipe processing method:

Straight seam steel pipe is a steel pipe whose weld seam is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the steel pipe. Generally, its strength is higher than that of straight seam welded pipe. Narrower billets can be used to produce welded pipes with larger diameters, and the same width of billets can be used to produce welded pipes with different pipe diameters. But compared with the straight seam pipe of the same length, the weld length is increased by 30~100%, and the production speed is lower. So what are its processing methods?

  1. Forging steel: a pressure processing method that uses the reciprocating impact force of the forging hammer or the pressure of the press to change the blank into the shape and size we need.
  2. Extrusion: It is a processing method in which steel puts metal in a closed extrusion box and applies pressure at one end to make the metal extrude from the specified die hole to obtain a finished product with the same shape and size. It is mostly used for the production of non-ferrous metals material steel.
  3. Rolling: A pressure processing method in which the steel metal billet passes through the gap between a pair of rotating rolls (various shapes), and the cross-section of the material is reduced due to the compression of the rolls, and the length is increased.
  4. Pulling steel: it is a processing method in which the rolled metal blank (type, pipe, product, etc.) is pulled through the die hole to reduce the cross section and increase the length. Most of them are used for cold processing.

Quenching Technology for Straight Seam Welded Pipe

The surface quenching and tempering heat treatment of straight seam welded pipe is usually carried out by induction heating or flame heating. The main technical parameters are surface hardness, local hardness and effective hardened layer depth. Vickers hardness tester can be used for hardness testing, and Rockwell or superficial Rockwell hardness tester can also be used. When the surface heat treatment hardened layer is thick, the Rockwell hardness tester can also be used. When the thickness of the heat-treated hardened layer is 0.4-0.8mm, the HRA scale can be used, and when the thickness of the hardened layer exceeds 0.8mm, the HRC scale can be used.

If the parts require high local hardness, local quenching heat treatment can be carried out by means of induction heating. Such longitudinal welded pipes usually need to mark the location of local quenching heat treatment and local hardness value on the drawing. Hardness testing of longitudinally welded pipes shall be carried out in the area. The hardness testing instrument can use a Rockwell hardness tester to test the HRC hardness value. If the heat-treated hardened layer is shallow, a surface Rockwell hardness tester can be used to test the HRN hardness value.

The three hardness values of Vickers, Rockwell and Superficial Rockwell can be easily converted to each other and converted into hardness values required by standards, drawings or users. The corresponding conversion tables are given in the international standard ISO, the American standard ASTM and the Chinese standard GB/T.

【H】 Ceramic lined pipe

Ceramic lined pipe is made through self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) technique.

【H】 Cast basalt lined steel pipe

Cast basalt lined steel pipe is composed by lined with cast basalt pipe, outside steel pipe and cement mortar filling between the two layers.

【H】 Ceramic Tile Lined Pipes

Ceramic tile lined pipes have very uniform coating of specially formulated ceramic material that is affixed to the inner of the pipe.

【H】 Rare earth alloy wear-resistant pipe

The material of the rare earth alloy wear-resistant pipe is ZG40CrMnMoNiSiRe, which is also the grade of rare earth alloy steel.

【H】 Tubes Erosion Shields

Tubes Erosion Shields are used to protect boiler tubing from the highly erosive effects of high temperatures and pressures thereby greatly extending tube life.

【H】 ASTM A213 T91 Alloy Tube

The ASTM A213 T91 seamless tubes are primarily used for boiler, superheater, and heat-exchanger.