ASTM A179/A179M specifies minimum-wall-thickness, seamless cold-drawn low-carbon steel tubes for:
Specified Standard Edition: ASTM A179/A179M-24
Standard Title: Standard Specification for Seamless Cold-Drawn Low-Carbon Steel Heat-Exchanger and Condenser Tubes
ASTM A179 requires tubes to be manufactured by the seamless process and cold drawn.
ASTM A179 does not define a series of material grades. Its material requirements are defined directly by the A179 specification.
| Parameter | Standard Scope |
|---|---|
| Outside Diameter | 1/8–3 in. [3.2–76.2 mm], inclusive |
| Wall Basis | Minimum Wall Thickness |
The standard also notes that smaller-diameter and thinner-wall tubing can be available.
Mechanical-property requirements do not apply to tubing:
ASTM A179 is a minimum-wall-thickness specification. The ordered wall basis should therefore be clearly identified during purchasing.
ASTM A179 low-carbon steel shall meet the following chemical-composition requirements:
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.06–0.18% |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.27–0.63% |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.035% |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.035% |
The specification does not permit supplying an alloy grade that specifically requires the addition of elements other than those defined by the A179 chemical requirements.
For ASTM A179, hardness and fabrication performance are particularly relevant to heat exchanger tube production.
| Property | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Hardness | 72 HRBW |
| Forming Performance | Applicable flattening and flaring requirements |
The standard requires applicable forming tests, including flattening and flaring, to verify tube ductility and fabrication performance.
For heat exchanger manufacturing, these requirements support operations such as tube expansion and tube-to-tubesheet assembly.
ASTM A179 should not be assigned generic tensile or yield-strength values taken from other carbon steel tube standards unless those values are specifically required by the applicable specification or project documentation.
ASTM A179 requires tubes to be heat treated after the final cold-drawing pass.
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Heat-Treatment Temperature | 1200°F [650°C] |
| Heat-Treatment Stage | After final cold drawing |
This final heat treatment is a defined requirement of the specification and should not be replaced by an untreated cold-drawn delivery condition.
Finished ASTM A179 tubes are required to be free of scale.
A slight amount of oxidation resulting from heat treatment is not considered scale under the specification.
Additional surface requirements should be stated in the purchase specification where required by heat exchanger fabrication or service conditions.
ASTM A179 tubes are subject to applicable inspection and testing requirements, including:
General requirements are supplemented by ASTM A450/A450M.
ASTM A179 includes hydrostatic testing as part of tube integrity verification.
Where permitted by the applicable specification and purchase requirements, nondestructive electric testing can be specified according to ASTM A450/A450M requirements.
FYN can review requirements for:
The required test method and acceptance criteria should be stated during the RFQ stage where project-specific requirements apply.
ASTM A179 and ASTM A214 are both commonly specified for carbon steel heat exchanger and condenser tubes, but their manufacturing routes differ.
| Standard | Product Description |
|---|---|
| ASTM A179 | Seamless, cold-drawn low-carbon steel heat exchanger and condenser tube |
| ASTM A214 | Electric-resistance-welded carbon steel heat exchanger and condenser tube |
For projects requiring a seamless cold-drawn tube, ASTM A179 should be specified rather than selecting the material only by dimensions.
ASTM A179 and ASTM A192 are both seamless carbon steel tube specifications, but they cover different primary applications.
| Standard | Primary Application |
|---|---|
| ASTM A179 | Seamless cold-drawn low-carbon steel tubes for heat exchangers, condensers and similar heat-transfer equipment |
| ASTM A192 | Seamless carbon steel boiler tubes for high-pressure service |
The two specifications should not be treated as interchangeable solely because tube dimensions may overlap.
| Parameter | Capability |
|---|---|
| Product Form | Seamless Heat Exchanger & Condenser Tube |
| Material | Low-Carbon Steel |
| General Manufacturing Capability | Cold Drawn / Cold Rolled |
| ASTM A179 Manufacturing Requirement | Seamless and Cold Drawn |
| ASTM A179 Outside Diameter Range | 6–76.2 mm within FYN capability |
| Wall Thickness Capability | 0.8–25 mm, subject to ASTM A179 dimensional and technical requirements |
| Length | Up to 40 m |
| Inspection | Hydrostatic / UT / ET as specified |
| Documentation | MTC / Inspection Documentation / TPI as required |
| Third-Party Inspection | Available upon request |
| Custom Sizes | Subject to technical review |
| MOQ | According to dimensions and production requirements |
ASTM A179 standard requirements and FYN manufacturing capability are stated separately.
Actual manufacturable dimensions are confirmed according to outside diameter, minimum wall thickness, length, quantity, heat treatment and inspection requirements.
ASTM A179 seamless cold-drawn tubes are primarily used in equipment where heat is transferred through the tube wall between separate process streams.
For straight-tube or applicable bent-tube heat exchanger configurations requiring seamless low-carbon steel tubing.
For condenser tube bundles where ASTM A179 material is compatible with the operating medium, temperature and corrosion conditions.
For chemical, petrochemical, refinery and general industrial heat-transfer equipment where A179 is specified.
For industrial cooling equipment using carbon steel tube bundles under compatible service conditions.
For maintenance and retubing projects where existing heat exchanger documentation specifies ASTM A179.
Final material selection should consider operating temperature, pressure, process medium, corrosion allowance, tube-side and shell-side conditions and the applicable equipment design code.
Available documentation can include:
Required documentation should be specified during the RFQ stage.
Typical export packing includes:
Long-length tubes require appropriate handling and packing to minimize bending and transportation damage.
Production lead time depends on dimensions, length, quantity, heat treatment and inspection requirements.
For quotation, please specify:
ASTM A179/A179M + OD × Minimum Wall Thickness × Length + Quantity
| Required Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard | ASTM A179/A179M |
| Outside Diameter | Required outside diameter |
| Minimum Wall Thickness | Required minimum wall thickness |
| Length | Required tube length |
| Quantity | Required order quantity |
| Configuration | Straight or U-bent |
| Dimensional Tolerances | If specifically required |
| Testing | Hydrostatic / NDT requirements |
| Tube Ends | Tube-end requirements, if applicable |
| Documentation | Inspection documentation requirements |
| Third-Party Inspection | If required |
| Packing | Required packing arrangements |
| Delivery | Delivery destination |
For heat exchanger projects, send your tube sheet, tube list, equipment drawing or technical specification for technical review.
For an accurate quotation, please send your required outside diameter, minimum wall thickness, length and quantity.
For heat exchanger and condenser projects, please also provide the applicable tube sheet or tube list, operating medium, inspection requirements and drawing, where available.
For retubing projects, an existing MTC or equipment specification can help verify the original material and dimensional requirements.
