ASME SA179 U-Bend Seamless Cold-Drawn Low-Carbon Steel Tubes for Heat Exchangers and Condensers

Place of Origin: CHINA
Brand Name: YUHONG
Certification: ABS, GL, DNV, NK, PED, AD2000, GOST9941-81, CCS, ISO 9001-2008
Model Number: HEAT EXCHANGER TUBE
Minimum Order Quantity: 500KGS
Price: Negotiable
Packaging Details: Wooden case/ Ply-Wooden Cases with Steel Frames
Delivery Time: Depends on order quantity
Payment Terms: T/T,L/C
Supply Ability: 800 Tons / Month
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Specifications
Highlight Features

ASME SA179 U-Bend heat exchanger tubes

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seamless cold-drawn steel condenser tubes

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low-carbon steel heat exchanger tubes

Product Description
ASME SA179 U-Bend Seamless Cold-Drawn Low-Carbon Steel Tubes
Specialized heat exchanger tubes for condensers and heat transfer applications in power generation, oil & gas, and chemical processing industries.
Manufacturing Capability
Yuhong Group Co., Ltd. specializes in designing and manufacturing industrial heat transfer and pressure equipment, including shell and tube heat exchangers, pressure vessels, and air coolers. The company holds ASME U-Stamp certification and complies with TEMA standards, ABS, GL, DNV, PED, AD2000, and ISO 9001-2008.
Beyond complete equipment fabrication, Yuhong supplies critical components: U-tube bundles, finned tube bundles, heat exchanger tubesheets (tube plates), baffles, and channel heads.
Chemical Composition
ASME SA179/SA-179M specifies a killed low-carbon steel chemistry with the following elemental ranges:
Element ASME SA-179 / SA-179M Requirement
Carbon (C) 0.06 - 0.18%
Manganese (Mn) 0.27 - 0.63%
Phosphorus (P) ≤ 0.035%
Sulfur (S) ≤ 0.035%
Silicon (Si) -- (not specified)
The low carbon content (≤0.18%) ensures excellent cold-draw formability and weldability, while the controlled manganese range provides adequate strength without compromising ductility. The material is fully killed (deoxidized) to ensure uniform grain structure and consistent mechanical properties throughout the tube wall.
Mechanical Properties & Dimensional Scope
Property ASME SA-179 / SA-179M Requirement
Tensile Strength ≥ 325 MPa
Yield Strength (min) ≥ 180 MPa
Elongation ≥ 35%
Hardness ≤ 72 HRB
Dimensional Scope: The specification covers seamless tubes from 1/8″ to 3″ (3.2 mm to 76.2 mm) outside diameter, inclusive. Tubes are supplied on a minimum-wall-thickness basis.
Manufacturing Process & Testing Requirements
Production Route: SA179 U-bend tubes begin as straight seamless tubes manufactured by the seamless process and cold drawn. After the final cold-drawing pass, straight tubes are heat treated at a minimum temperature of 1200°F (650°C).
U-Bend Fabrication: The bending operation is performed according to approved customer drawings. Bend radius typically ranges from 1.5 × OD to a maximum of 1250 mm. Straight leg lengths can extend up to 12,500 mm.
Critical Manufacturing Controls
  • Bend ovality: ≤12% for nominal bend radius ≤2×OD; ≤10% for bend radius between 2×OD and 4×OD
  • Wall thinning at bend: Monitored and controlled per purchase order requirements
  • Post-bend stress relief: Required when bend radius is below 1000 mm; performed via gas-fired or induction heat process
Required Testing (Per ASME SA-450/SA-450M)
Test Application
Flattening Test One specimen from each of two tubes per lot
Flaring Test One specimen from each of two tubes per lot
Flange Test Substitute for flaring test when wall <10% of OD
Hardness Test ≤72 HRB verification
Hydrostatic Test 10-25 MPa minimum, or specified NDE alternative
Eddy Current Test 100% inspection before U-bend formation
Ultrasonic Test As specified in material purchase specification
Surface Condition: Finished tubes shall be free of scale; only a slight degree of oxidation is acceptable.
Companion Manufacturing Capability & Material Grades
Yuhong supplies SA179 U-tubes as part of complete heat exchanger packages or as standalone tube bundles. Companion components are available in matching material grades:
Component Available Material Grades
Tubesheet SA266 Gr.2 / SA266 Gr.2N / SA516 Gr.70 / SA516 Gr.70N
Shell SA516 Gr.70
Baffles SA285 / Carbon Steel
Channel / Floating Head SA266 / SA516
All components can be supplied with full material test certificates (MTC) and inspection reports, with heat-number traceability maintained throughout production.
Application Scenarios
SA179 U-bend tubes are specified for heat transfer service in the following industries and applications:
  • Power Generation: Surface condensers, feedwater heaters, and boiler systems in thermal power plants
  • Oil & Gas / Refineries: Shell and tube heat exchangers, reboilers, and condensers in refinery process units
  • Chemical & Petrochemical Plants: Process fluid heat exchangers, coolers, and vaporizers
The U-bend configuration is particularly advantageous when differential thermal expansion between the tube bundle and shell would make a fixed tubesheet design unsuitable, and when conditions preclude a floating head selection.
Technical Advantages & Customization
Key Technical Advantages
  • Thermal expansion compensation: The U-bend allows each tube to expand independently, eliminating thermal stress at the tubesheet joint
  • Compact footprint: U-bend design enables efficient tube layout within the shell, optimizing heat transfer surface area per unit volume
  • Single tubesheet design: Reduces the number of potential leak paths compared to floating head or fixed tubesheet designs
  • Proven low-carbon steel performance: SA179 offers a balanced combination of thermal conductivity, machinability, and resistance to water treatment chemicals
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between ASTM A179 and ASME SA179?
A: ASTM A179 and ASME SA179 are technically identical in chemical composition and mechanical property requirements. The "SA" designation indicates the material is acceptable for use under the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (Section II, Part A). For ASME code-stamped pressure vessels and heat exchangers, SA179 is the required specification.
Q: Why is stress relief required after U-bending?
A: Cold bending induces residual stresses in the bend area. Stress relief annealing (typically performed at temperatures specified per ASME Section VIII, Table UCS-56 for P-No.1 materials) eliminates these residual stresses, preventing stress corrosion cracking and ensuring dimensional stability during service.
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