ASME SA240 SS304 Heat Exchanger Tubesheet for General Industrial & Petrochemical Service
Yuhong Group Co., Ltd. supplies ASME SA240 SS304 heat exchanger tubesheets as part of our comprehensive heat exchanger and pressure vessel component offering. Our product range includes complete heat exchangers, pressure vessels, air coolers, as well as tube bundles, U-tubes, heat exchanger tubes, finned tubes, and accessories such as baffles, channel covers, and flanges.
Product Overview
The heat exchanger tubesheet is a perforated plate that secures and aligns the tube bundle while maintaining a pressure-tight barrier between shell-side and tube-side fluids. This tubesheet is manufactured from ASME SA240 Type 304 stainless steel plate or forging, a standard austenitic grade suitable for general industrial heat transfer service. The material provides a balance of corrosion resistance, formability, and weldability, with a maximum operating temperature range typically up to 870°F (465°C) in oxidizing environments.
Material Specifications & Chemical Composition
All tubesheets are produced in strict compliance with ASME SA240 / ASTM A240 for material properties. No alternative standard substitutes are applied.
| Element |
Composition (%) - ASME SA240 304 |
| Carbon (C) |
≤ 0.08 |
| Manganese (Mn) |
≤ 2.00 |
| Phosphorus (P) |
≤ 0.045 |
| Sulfur (S) |
≤ 0.030 |
| Silicon (Si) |
≤ 0.75 |
| Chromium (Cr) |
18.0 - 20.0 |
| Nickel (Ni) |
8.0 - 10.5 |
| Nitrogen (N) |
≤ 0.10 |
Mechanical Properties (at room temperature):
- Tensile Strength: ≥ 515 MPa (75,000 psi)
- Yield Strength (0.2% offset): ≥ 205 MPa (30,000 psi)
- Elongation: ≥ 40%
- Hardness: ≤ 92 HRB (or ≤ 201 HBW)
Inspection & Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Requirements
All tubesheets undergo inspection to verify material integrity and dimensional accuracy. Full material traceability is maintained with Mill Test Reports (MTRs) provided for each plate.
| Test Method |
Purpose |
Acceptance Criteria |
| Ultrasonic Testing (UT) |
Detection of subsurface flaws (inclusions, laminations, voids) |
ASME SA240 / customer specification |
| Penetrant Testing (PT) |
Detection of surface discontinuities (cracks, porosity) |
ASME SA240 / customer specification |
| Dimensional Inspection |
Verification of hole diameter, pitch, groove depth, surface finish, and overall OD/thickness |
Per TEMA layout and customer drawing |
| PMI (Positive Material Identification) |
Verification of alloy composition |
XRF analysis per material certificate |
| Visual Inspection |
Surface finish, pass partition groove alignment, and sealing face condition |
Per ASME and TEMA requirements |
Application Scenarios
ASME SA240 SS304 tubesheets are specified for heat exchanger services where the tube-side or shell-side fluid is mildly corrosive and chloride concentrations remain low. Common applications include:
- Petrochemical processing: Heat exchangers in refining, chemical separation, and gas processing
- Power generation: Feedwater heaters, condenser bundles, lube oil coolers
- Food and beverage: Sanitary heat exchangers for pasteurization and process heating/cooling
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing: Zero-contamination heat exchangers in sterile environments
- HVAC and refrigeration: Chiller barrels, evaporator bundles, and condenser units
Technical Advantages & Customization
- Precision hole drilling: CNC-machined hole patterns (triangular or square pitch) with +0.2 mm tolerance relative to tube OD, ensuring consistent tube-to-tubesheet joint quality
- Groove machining: Pass partition grooves and tube hole serrations machined per design to enhance seal reliability under thermal cycling
- Forged construction: Tubesheets are produced from forged plate or forged rings where thickness exceeds standard plate availability, providing improved grain flow and mechanical integrity
- Thickness range: Standard from 1" (25 mm) to 6" (150 mm+); custom thickness available per ASME VIII Div. 1 design calculations
- Clad options: 304 solid or 304 clad over carbon steel substrate available upon request for cost optimization
Common Technical Considerations
Q: How does tube hole tolerance affect heat exchanger performance?
Hole diameter tolerance directly impacts tube-to-tubesheet joint strength. Oversized holes reduce expansion effectiveness and increase leak risk; undersized holes cause tube insertion difficulty and potential tube damage. Our standard tolerance of +0.2 mm relative to tube OD aligns with TEMA Class R and ASME VIII requirements.
Q: What is the significance of pass partition grooves?
Pass partition grooves create a sealing recess for gaskets that separate fluid passes on the tubesheet face. Improper groove depth or location can cause pass-to-pass leakage, reducing thermal effectiveness.
Q: When should 304 vs. 316 tubesheets be specified?
Type 304 provides adequate corrosion resistance for freshwater, steam, and many organic chemicals. Where chlorides exceed 25 ppm or where pitting resistance is critical, Type 316 with molybdenum addition is typically recommended.
