Boiler tubes are seamless tubes and are made of either carbon steel or alloy steel. They are widely used in steam boilers, for power generation, in fossil fuel plants, industrial processing plants, electric power plants, etc. Boiler tubes can either be medium-pressure boiler pipe or high-pressure boiler pipe.
Boiler pipe materials and standards
Standards and material for steel pipe is available at carbon, alloy, and stainless steel material.
Carbon steel: ASTM/ASME A/SA 106, ASTM A179, ASTM A192, ASTM/ASME A/SA 210, ASTM A333 Gr 1, 6,7 to Gr 9,
Alloy steel: ASTM/ASME A/SA 213 T1, T2, T5, T9, T11, T12, T22, T91, T92; ASTM A335 P1, P2, P5, P9, P11, P12, P22, P91, P92
Stainless Steel: ASTM A268, ASTM A213, TP304/L, TP316/L, 310S,309S,317,317L,321,321H, and duplex stainless steel material etc.
Common Sizes: OD from 6mm to 1240mm, thickness from 1mm to 50mm
Types: Straight boiler pipe, and U boiler steel pipe for tube exchanger bundle.
These standards specify the classification, size, shape, weight and allowable deviation, technical requirements, inspection and test, packaging, marking and quality certificate of seamless steel tubes for boiler.
Boiler Pipe Size
Boiler pipe size range complied with the different ASTM standard required. Like ASTM A106 or ASTM 179, 192 etc.
But most of the boiler pipe size is small, outer diameter usually less than 1 1/2" (1/4", 1/2", 3/4", 1" and 1 1/2"). Then 2", 2 1/2", 3" and maximum to 4".
Medium and high pressure boiler pipe differences
Based on different working temperature, the medium or high pressure boiler pipe shall be used. Normally classified as below cases:
a. The operation temperature of general boiler pipe is lower than 450℃. The medium pressure boiler pipeline mainly adopts hot rolling process or cold drawing process.
b. High pressure boiler pipes are often used in high temperature and high pressure conditions. Under the action of high temperature flue gas and steam, the pipe will occur oxidation and corrosion. It is required high pressure boiler pipe that has high durable strength, high oxidation corrosion resistance and good tissue stability.
| ASTM A 210 – A&C | Specification for Seamless Medium-Carbon Steel Boiler and Superheater Tubes |
| ASTM A 213 - T-5, T-9, T-11, T-22, T-91 | Specification for Seamless Alloy-Steel Boiler, Superheater and Heat Exchanger Tubes |
How to choose the right boiler tube
1. Look at the cross-section of the tube. A good quality seamless tube will have a smooth cross-section and will be devoid of bumps and irregularities.
2. Check the density of the pipe to understand the percentage of impurities in the pipe. If the pipe shows low density, steer clear!
3. Check the surface of the boiler tube. A good quality boiler tube will have a smooth surface. If you find the surface to be rough and uneven, you can be sure that the quality is not up to the mark
Fields of use for Boiler Tubes
Steam Boilers
Fossil Fuel Plants
Heat Exchangers
Electric Power Plants
Cogeneration Facilities
Air Preheater Unit
Waste Heat Plants
Power Generation
Economiser etc
