ASME SA213 TP304L U-Bend Boiler Tube – Applications & Key Features

SA213 TP304L is a low-carbon austenitic stainless steel (18% Cr, 8% Ni, low C) used in U-bend boiler tubes for high-corrosion resistance and flexibility in heat exchangers.

Primary Applications
1. Heat Exchangers & Condensers

• Shell & tube heat exchangers (U-bends allow thermal expansion).
• Surface condensers in power plants (resists steam/condensate corrosion).

2. Boilers & Superheaters

• Recovery boilers (handles flue gas condensates).
• Low-pressure steam boilers (where chloride stress corrosion is a concern).

3. Petrochemical & Refining

• Reboilers, feedwater heaters (resists acidic/alkaline conditions).
• Refinery heat recovery systems (exhaust gas applications).

4. Food & Pharmaceutical Processing

• Sanitary heat exchangers (non-reactive, easy to clean).

5. Marine & Desalination

• Desalination plant tubing (resists saltwater pitting/crevice corrosion).

Why Use SA213 TP304L U-Bend Tubes?

✔ Excellent corrosion resistance (vs. carbon steel in acidic/chloride environments).
✔ Low carbon content (0.03% max) – prevents sensitization & intergranular corrosion.
✔ Good weldability – no post-weld heat treatment required.
✔ High ductility – U-bends withstand thermal expansion stresses.
✔ Oxidation resistance up to ~800°C (1472°F).

Comparison with Other Grades

Common FAQs
1. Can TP304L handle high-pressure steam?

• Yes, but for >500°C (932°F), TP321/TP347 is preferred due to better creep strength.

2. Why U-bend instead of straight tubes?

• Absorbs thermal expansion (reduces stress on tube sheets).
• Compact design (saves space in heat exchangers).

3. How to prevent stress corrosion cracking (SCC)?

• Avoid chloride exposure >60°C (140°F).
• Use TP316L if chlorides are present.

4. What’s the max operating temperature?

• Continuous: ~800°C (1472°F) (oxidizing environments).
• For pressure service: ~425°C (797°F) per ASME limits.

5. How to inspect U-bend tubes?

• Dye penetrant (PT) for surface cracks.
• Radiography (RT) for internal defects.
• Need Custom Specifications
• Bend radius: Standard (1.5D–3D) or custom.
• Finishing: Pickling/passivation for enhanced corrosion resistance.
• Certification: EN 10204 3.1 / MTC with PMI test reports.

Yuhong Holding Group has more than 35 years experience for pipeline products, till now we have 3 big joint venture factories,  the total production area more than 130000 square meters, and more than 600 workers with 106 production lines give our clients excellent supporting always.   The factories already got certificates like : ABS, LR, DNV-GL, BV, KR, CCS, ASME, ISO 9001, ISO14001, ISO18001, ect.

Our factories main products as below : 
Factory 1th: Stainless steel seamless tube, Duplex steel seamless tube, Super duplex steel seamless tube, Nickel alloy steel seamless tube;

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Factory 3th: High frequency welding fin tube(HFW fin tube, Solid Fin tube, Studded Tube, Serrated Fin tube, Longitudinal welding fin tube), Wound fin tube(L type fin tube, LL type fin tube,  KL type fin tube), Embedded G type fin tube , Extruded fin tube,  low fin tube, U bend & 180deg. Return;

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