ASTM A179/A179M (ASME SA179)
Standard Specification for Seamless Cold-Drawn Low-Carbon Steel Heat-Exchanger and Condenser Tubes
 

1. Scope
1.1 This specification2 covers minimum-wall-thickness, seamless cold-drawn low-carbon steel tubes for tubular heat exchangers, condensers, and similar heat transfer apparatus.
1.2 This specification covers tubes 1/8 to 3 in. [3.2 to 76.2 mm], inclusive, in outside diameter.
Note 1—Tubing smaller in outside diameter and having a thinner wall than indicated in this specification is available. Mechanical property requirements do not apply to tubing smaller than 1/8 in. [3.2 mm] in outside diameter or with a wall thickness under 0.015 in. [0.4 mm].
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification. The inch-pound units shall apply unless the “M” designation of this specification is specified in the order.
 
2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) 
ASTM Standards
A450/A450M Specification for General Requirements for Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Tubes

3. Ordering Information
3.1 Orders for material under this specification should include the following, as required, to describe the desired material adequately:
3.1.1 Quantity (feet, metres, or number of lengths),
3.1.2 Name of material (seamless tubes),
3.1.3 Manufacture (cold-drawn),
3.1.4 Size (outside diameter and minimum wall thickness),
3.1.5 Length (specific or random),
3.1.6 Optional requirements (product analysis, Section 9, flange test, 11.3),
3.1.7 Test report required (Certification Section of Specifi- cation A450/A450M),
3.1.8 Specification number, and
3.1.9 Special requirements.
 
4. General Requirements
4.1 Material furnished under this specification shall con- form to the applicable requirements of the current edition of Specification A450/A450M, unless otherwise provided herein.
 
5. Manufacture
5.1 Tubes shall be made by the seamless process and shall be cold drawn.
 
6. Heat Treatment
6.1 Tubes shall be heat treated after the final cold draw pass at a temperature of 1200°F [650°C] or higher.
 
7. Surface Condition
7.1 Finished tubes shall be free of scale. A slight amount of oxidation will not be considered as scale.
 
8. Chemical Composition
8.1 The steel shall conform to the following requirements as to chemical composition:

Material	Chemical Composition(%)
	C	Si	Mn	P	S
ASTM A179	0.06-0.18	≤ 0.25	0.27-0.63	≤0.035	≤0.035

8.2 Supplying an alloy grade that specifically requires the addition of any element other than those listed in 8.1 is not permitted.


9. Product Analysis
9.1 When requested on the purchase order, a product analy- sis shall be made by the supplier from 1 tube per 250 pieces or when tubes are identified by heat, one tube per heat shall be analyzed. The chemical composition thus determined shall conform to the requirements specified.
 
9.2 If the original test for product analysis fails, retests of two additional billets or tubes shall be made. Both retests, for the elements in question, shall meet the requirements of the specification; otherwise all remaining material in the heat or lot (Note 2) shall be rejected or, at the option of the producer, each billet or tube may be individually tested for acceptance. Billets or tubes which do not meet the requirements of the specifica- tion shall be rejected.
NOTE 2—A lot consists of 250 tubes.


10.Mechanical Propertie

Grade	ASTM A179
Tensile Strength(MPa)	≥325
Yield Strength(MPa)	≥180
Elongation,%	≥35
Hardness, HRB	≤72

 
11. Mechanical Tests Required
11.1 Flattening Test—One flattening test shall be made on specimens from each of two tubes from each lot (Note 2) or fraction thereof.
11.2 Flaring Test—One flaring test shall be made on speci- mens from each of two tubes from each lot (Note 2) or fraction thereof.
11.3 Flange Test—When specified as a substitute for the flaring test, for tubes having a wall thickness (actual mean wall) less than 10 % of the outside diameter, one test shall be made on specimens from each of two tubes from each lot (Note2) or fraction thereof. For tubes other than specified above, the flange test shall not be required.
11.4 Hardness Test—Rockwell hardness tests shall be made on specimens from two tubes from each lot. The term lot applies to all tubes, prior to cutting, of the same nominal diameter and wall thickness which are produced from the same heat of steel. When final heat treatment is in a batch-type furnace, a lot shall include only those tubes of the same size and the same heat which are heat treated in the same furnace charge. When the final heat treatment is in a continuous furnace, a lot shall include all tubes of the same size and heat, heat treated in the same furnace at the same temperature, time at heat, and furnace speed.
11.5 Hydrostatic Test—Each tube shall be subjected to the hydrostatic test, or, instead of this test, a nondestructive electric test may be used when specified by the purchaser.

 
12. Product Marking
12.1 In addition to the marking prescribed in Specification A450/A450M, the marking shall include the name and order number of the purchaser.
 
13. Keywords
13.1 cold drawn tube; condenser tubes; heat exchanger tubes; low carbon steel; seamless tube