Yuhong Group: Complete Heat Exchanger Components – From Tubes to Tubesheets
Yuhong Group Co., Ltd. designs and manufactures a comprehensive range of thermal equipment for global industries. Our core offerings include shell and tube heat exchangers, pressure vessels, air coolers, and a complete supply of critical components: finned tube bundles, U-tube bundles, heat exchanger tubesheets, and all related parts – ensuring full support for new projects and maintenance.
Shown in the attached photographs is one of our ASME SA240 304 stainless steel tubesheets – a rolled plate component precision-machined for shell & tube heat exchanger assembly, with PT (penetrant testing) completed to verify surface integrity.
Product Focus: 304 Stainless Steel Plate Tubesheet – Economical & Corrosion-Resistant
The heat exchanger tubesheet is the critical component that anchors every tube in the bundle, separates the tube side from the shell side, and must withstand both mechanical tube expansion forces and operational pressure/temperature cycling.
Based on the images, this tubesheet exhibits:
Material: ASME SA240 Type 304 (austenitic stainless steel plate)
Material form: Rolled plate – suitable for moderate pressures and thicknesses
NDE performed: PT (Penetrant Testing) – confirming surface integrity, no cracks or defects on the tubesheet face
Machining: Precision-drilled tube holes with grooves for mechanical tube expansion
Marking: Clear YUHONG GROUP identification with full traceability
Key Quality Feature: PT (Penetrant Testing) Verification
The penetrant test (PT) visible on the tubesheet surface is a critical non-destructive examination (NDE) method that detects surface-breaking defects such as cracks, porosity, or laps. This test ensures:
Zero surface defects on the tubesheet face and around tube holes
Reliable tube-to-tubesheet sealing – no leakage paths from surface flaws
ASME code compliance – PT is often required for pressure-retaining components
Extended service life – surface defects that could lead to fatigue cracking are identified and eliminated
Why Choose Plate (SA240) vs. Forged (A182) Tubesheet?
| Characteristic | Rolled Plate Tubesheet (SA240) | Forged Tubesheet (A182) |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing method | Cut from rolled stainless steel plate | Hot forged from billet |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Typical thickness range | Up to ~100mm | Unlimited |
| Mechanical properties | Directional (anisotropic) | Uniform (isotropic) |
| Internal soundness | Generally good; possible minor segregation | Very high; no porosity |
| Best suited for | Moderate pressure, thinner tubesheets | High pressure, thick tubesheets |
When to specify SA240 304 plate tubesheet:
Tubesheet thickness ≤75mm
Tube side design pressure ≤30 bar
Service is non-cyclic or moderately cyclic
Budget is a primary consideration
Key Components That Interface with This Tubesheet
| Component | Material (Typical) | How It Interfaces with the Tubesheet |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Exchanger Tube | Stainless steel seamless (304/316L) | Rolled or welded into the tubesheet holes – the tubesheet anchors each tube. |
| U-Tube Bundle | Stainless steel tubes | Tubesheet is the only anchor point for all U-tubes. |
| Shell / Channel Gasket | Compressed fiber, spiral-wound, or PTFE | Seals against the tubesheet face – prevents cross-leakage. |
| Channel / Bonnet | Carbon steel or stainless steel | Bolted to the tubesheet; distributes tube-side fluid. |
| Finned Tube Bundle (optional) | Stainless steel + aluminum fin | Fins start beyond the tubesheet face – for gas-cooling applications. |
| Baffles | Stainless steel (304/316L) | Located downstream; support tubes and direct flow. |
Technical Highlights of Our SA240 304 Plate Tubesheet
ASME SA240 certified plate: Full material traceability with Mill Test Certificate (MTC).
PT (Penetrant Testing) completed: Surface integrity verified – no cracks, porosity, or laps on the tubesheet face or tube hole walls.
304 stainless steel: Provides good resistance to organic acids, mild chemicals, and atmospheric corrosion – suitable for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and general industrial services (not seawater).
Precision drilling: Tube holes drilled to exact diameter tolerances (typically +0.05/-0.00 mm) for consistent tube rolling.
Grooved tube holes: Internal grooves (typically 2 or 3 per hole) increase pull-out strength of expanded tubes.
Cost-effective: Plate tubesheets are significantly less expensive than forged equivalents for the same thickness.
Fast delivery: Plate is readily available; machining typically 1-2 weeks.
Knowledge Module: SA240 304 vs. SA240 316L for Tubesheets – Which to Choose?
| Consideration | 304 (SA240) | 316L (SA240) |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | Good for mild chemicals, food, water | Better for chlorides, acids, marine |
| Chloride pitting resistance | Moderate (PREN ~19) | Better (PREN ~25) |
| Cost | Lower | ~20-30% higher |
| Typical applications | Fresh water, steam, food, pharma, HVAC | Cooling tower water, dilute acids |
| Limitation | Not for seawater or high chlorides | Not for seawater >500 ppm chlorides |
Selection rule of thumb:
Fresh water, steam, clean chemicals, food service → 304 is sufficient
Cooling tower water (200-500 ppm chlorides) → 316L recommended
Seawater or brackish water → 304 not suitable
Knowledge Module: PT (Penetrant Testing) – Why It Matters for Tubesheets
Penetrant testing is a simple but highly effective NDE method that reveals surface-breaking defects invisible to the naked eye.
Common surface defects detectable by PT:
Grinding cracks – from machining or surface finishing
Laps – folds in the material surface from plate rolling
Porosity – small voids or gas pockets
Quench cracks – from heat treatment
Stress corrosion cracks – even very fine cracks
Why PT is essential for tubesheets:
Defects in the tube hole wall can cause leakage under pressure
Surface cracks on the tubesheet face can propagate into fatigue cracks
PT provides visual evidence of quality – essential for ASME documentation
Simple, low-cost inspection that adds significant reliability value
Typical Applications for SA240 304 Tubesheets
| Industry | Application | Why 304 is Suitable |
|---|---|---|
| Food & beverage | Pasteurizers, CIP heaters, syrup coolers | Non-corrosive to food products; easy to clean |
| Pharmaceutical | Purified water loops, WFI coolers | No rust; meets sanitary requirements |
| HVAC / district heating | Steam converters, hot water generators | Fresh water / steam service |
| Chemical (mild) | Dilute organic acids, solvents | Resists mild chemical attack |
| Power (auxiliary) | Demineralized water heaters, sample coolers | High purity water service |
Advantages of Ordering Tubesheets from Yuhong Group
Exactly to your drawing: We machine your dimension, hole pattern, groove specification, and bolt hole layout.
NDE included: PT (penetrant testing) completed and documented – as shown in your photographs.
Fast turnaround: Plate blanks are stocked; drilling and grooving typically 1-2 weeks.
Any stainless steel grade: 304, 304L, 316, 316L, 321, 347, duplex.
Component-only or full bundle: We supply just the tubesheet – or the complete U-tube bundle (tubes, tubesheet, baffles, tie rods) assembled.
Full documentation: Material test certificate (MTC), PT report, dimensional report, PMI test report (optional).
Component-Only Supply – We Also Provide
If you need just parts (not a full exchanger), we supply:
Heat exchanger tubes – stainless steel seamless (304, 304L, 316, 316L) – cut to length, end-prepared for rolling
Finned tube bundles – stainless steel base with aluminum or stainless fins for air cooler retrofits
U-tube bundles – complete with tubesheet, baffles, and tie rods
Baffles, tie rods, spacers – machined to your pattern
Channel covers, gaskets, fasteners – complete spare parts packages
Quality Assurance & Documentation
Every SA240 304 tubesheet we ship includes:
Mill Test Certificate (MTC) per EN 10204 3.1 – chemical analysis and mechanical properties
PT (Penetrant Testing) report – confirming surface integrity
Dimensional inspection report – tube hole diameters, groove dimensions, bolt circle
Heat number stamping – for full traceability
PMI (Positive Material Identification) – available on request
Third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TÜV) – at buyer's request
Get a Quotation for Your SA240 304 Tubesheet
To quote a stainless steel plate tubesheet like the one in your photographs, send the following to jimmy@steelseamlesspipe.com:
Drawing (PDF, scan, or hand sketch with key dimensions: OD, thickness, tube hole size & pitch, bolt circle)
Or: send us your old tubesheet for reverse engineering (return shipping arranged)
Material grade: SA240 304 (as shown) or other
NDE requirements: PT included as standard; UT, MT, or RT available on request
Quantity required (single piece or production run)
We will respond with a dimensional drawing for approval, price, and delivery schedule – typically within 48 hours.
