ASME SA213 TP444 Stainless Steel U Bend Heat Exchanger Tube

Introduction

The ASME SA213 TP444 is a ferritic stainless steel tube designed for high-temperature and corrosive environments, commonly used in heat exchangers, boilers, and superheaters. The U-bend design allows for thermal expansion and efficient heat transfer in shell-and-tube heat exchangers.

Material Specifications

Standard: ASME SA213 (Seamless Ferritic and Austenitic Alloy-Steel Boiler, Superheater, and Heat-Exchanger Tubes)

Grade: TP444 (A ferritic stainless steel with improved corrosion resistance)

UNS Designation: S44400

Chemical Composition

Mechanical Properties

Key Features & Advantages

Excellent Corrosion Resistance – Resists pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in chloride environments.
High-Temperature Performance – Suitable for heat exchangers operating in elevated temperatures.
Ferritic Structure – Magnetic, with good resistance to oxidation and scaling.
Stabilized with Ti/Nb – Prevents sensitization and intergranular corrosion.
U-Bend Design – Allows thermal expansion, reduces stress, and improves heat transfer efficiency.

Applications

Shell-and-tube heat exchangers

Condensers & evaporators

Power plant boilers & superheaters

Chemical processing equipment

Oil & gas refineries

Manufacturing & Testing

Seamless construction (cold-drawn or hot-finished)

U-bend forming (cold bending with precise radius)

Non-destructive testing (NDT) (Eddy current, hydrostatic, ultrasonic)

Heat treatment (Annealed for optimal corrosion resistance)

Comparison with Other Grades

Conclusion

The ASME SA213 TP444 U-bend tube is ideal for corrosive and high-temperature heat exchanger applications, offering superior chloride resistance compared to standard ferritic grades. Its U-bend design enhances thermal performance while minimizing mechanical stress.