ASTM B163 covers seamless nickel and nickel-alloy tubes for condensers and heat exchangers.
Referenced Edition: ASTM B163-26a
Standard Title: Standard Specification for Seamless Nickel and Nickel Alloy Condenser and Heat-Exchanger Tubes
The standard covers tubes specified by either:
Because ASTM B163 covers multiple nickel-alloy systems, the UNS alloy designation must be included in the RFQ.
| Dimension | Scope |
|---|---|
| Outside Diameter | ≤3 in. [76.2 mm] |
| Minimum Wall Thickness — Minimum-Wall Tubes | ≤0.148 in. [3.76 mm] |
| Average Wall Thickness — Average-Wall Tubes | ≤0.165 in. [4.19 mm] |
Small-diameter and light-wall converter-size tubing is also addressed by the standard.
Dimensions outside these limits require a separate specification review. Manufacturing capability alone does not establish ASTM B163 compliance.
ASTM B163 includes multiple nickel and nickel-alloy systems. Representative UNS alloys are listed below.
| UNS Designation | Material / Alloy Family | Selection Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| N02200 | Nickel 200 | Commercially pure wrought nickel for heat-transfer equipment where its material characteristics and corrosion resistance are compatible with the process environment. |
| N02201 | Nickel 201 | Low-carbon nickel for projects requiring reduced carbon content under applicable elevated-temperature or process conditions. |
| N04400 | Nickel-Copper Alloy | For heat exchangers and condensers operating in compatible chemical and process environments. |
| N06600 | Nickel-Chromium-Iron Alloy | Combines corrosion resistance with elevated-temperature capability for applicable heat-transfer equipment. |
| N08800 | Nickel-Iron-Chromium Alloy | For heat exchangers and process equipment requiring the specified combination of corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. |
| N08810 / N08811 | Controlled Nickel-Iron-Chromium Alloys | For applications requiring elevated-temperature properties and controlled material conditions. |
| N08825 | Nickel-Iron-Chromium-Molybdenum-Copper Alloy | For heat-transfer and process equipment requiring its alloy-specific corrosion characteristics. |
Additional UNS alloys may be available. Material availability should be confirmed against the applicable ASTM B163 edition, required condition, dimensions, quantity, and project specification.
Ordering designation: Always specify ASTM B163 + UNS Alloy, such as ASTM B163 N06600 or ASTM B163 N08825.
| UNS Alloy | Key Distinction |
|---|---|
| N02200 | Commercially pure nickel |
| N02201 | Low-carbon nickel, commonly considered where reduced carbon content is required for applicable elevated-temperature service |
Final selection should follow the equipment design, process conditions, and project material specification.
| UNS Alloy | Key Distinction |
|---|---|
| N08800 | General alloy grade within the nickel-iron-chromium family |
| N08810 | Controlled chemistry and grain-size condition for elevated-temperature applications |
| N08811 | Additional compositional controls for elevated-temperature service |
These designations are not interchangeable. Select the appropriate material according to equipment design temperature, mechanical requirements, and the project specification.
ASTM B163 specifies separate chemical-composition requirements for each UNS alloy.
Depending on the alloy, controlled elements can include nickel, chromium, iron, copper, molybdenum, carbon, manganese, silicon, aluminum, titanium, cobalt, tungsten, nitrogen, and other alloy-specific elements.
Chemical requirements must be verified against the exact ordered UNS alloy. A single chemical-composition table does not apply to the entire ASTM B163 product family.
Mechanical-property requirements depend on the UNS alloy, material condition, tube dimensions, and applicable standard requirements.
| Property | Requirement Basis |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | According to the specified alloy and condition |
| Yield Strength | According to the specified alloy and condition |
| Elongation | According to the applicable alloy, condition, and dimensional requirements |
| Rockwell Hardness | According to the applicable standard requirements |
The complete material designation and condition should be stated in the purchase specification.
Depending on the specified UNS alloy, applicable material conditions may include:
Certain alloys have specific condition requirements related to their intended service and material properties.
The required condition should be confirmed for the exact UNS alloy. A generic annealed condition should not be applied to every ASTM B163 tube.
ASTM B163 permits two wall-thickness ordering bases. The selected basis must be stated clearly in the RFQ.
| Ordering Basis | Example |
|---|---|
| Average Wall | 25.4 × 1.65 mm — Average Wall |
| Minimum Wall | 25.4 × 1.65 mm — Minimum Wall |
These are different purchasing requirements. Wall basis affects dimensional acceptance and manufacturing requirements and should not be omitted from the purchase specification.
Inspection and testing depend on the ordered alloy, material condition, and project requirements.
| Inspection Area | Applicable Verification |
|---|---|
| Chemical Composition | Chemical analysis |
| Mechanical Properties | Tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation |
| Hardness | Rockwell hardness |
| Grain Size | Grain-size determination, where applicable |
| Dimensions | Dimensional inspection |
| Surface Condition | Surface inspection |
| Additional Testing | Integrity testing / NDT, as specified |
Additional integrity or nondestructive testing should be specified where required by the purchaser or equipment specification.
| Standard | Product Scope / Service |
|---|---|
| ASTM B163 | Seamless nickel and nickel-alloy tubes for condenser and heat-exchanger service |
| ASTM B407 | Nickel-iron-chromium alloy seamless pipe and tube for general corrosion-resistant and heat-resistant service |
| ASTM B165 | Nickel-copper alloy seamless pipe and tube |
Some alloy designations may overlap across specifications. Select the applicable standard according to the product form, equipment application, and project material specification.
For N04400 or other overlapping alloys, alloy designation alone is insufficient to determine the correct product standard.
FYN’s ASTM B163 nickel-alloy tube capability is reviewed according to the specific RFQ.
The technical review includes:
Nickel-alloy tube capability is confirmed separately from FYN’s carbon and alloy steel tube range. Actual manufacturability and supply availability are subject to the ordered material and project requirements.
For process equipment exposed to chemical media requiring the corrosion characteristics of the selected nickel alloy.
For heat-transfer equipment where the project material specification identifies an ASTM B163 UNS alloy.
For industrial condenser tube bundles requiring seamless nickel or nickel-alloy tubing.
For applicable heat-transfer equipment where alloys such as N06600, N08810, or N08811 are selected according to design temperature and required material properties.
For heat exchangers handling process media where N08825 or other specified ASTM B163 alloys provide the required corrosion performance.
For maintenance projects where the existing heat exchanger or condenser specification identifies ASTM B163 material.
Retubing review: In addition to outside diameter and wall thickness, review the existing UNS alloy, process medium, operating temperature, pressure, and corrosion history.
Documentation availability should be confirmed according to the alloy and project requirements.
Available records can include:
Required documentation should be stated at the RFQ stage.
Typical packing options can include:
Nickel-alloy tubes should be handled and packed to minimize contamination and mechanical damage.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Custom Requirements | Subject to alloy and technical review |
| Minimum Order Quantity | According to alloy, dimensions, and production requirements |
| Lead Time | According to alloy, dimensions, material condition, quantity, and inspection requirements |
| Packing Requirements | According to order and transport requirements |
| Item | Information to Provide |
|---|---|
| Standard | ASTM B163 and required edition, if specified |
| Material | UNS alloy designation |
| Dimensions | Outside Diameter × Wall Thickness × Length |
| Wall Basis | Average Wall / Minimum Wall |
| Material Condition | Required delivery condition |
| Quantity | Required order quantity |
| Application | Equipment type and intended service |
| Process Conditions | Process medium, design / operating temperature, and operating pressure, where relevant |
| Testing | Testing / NDT requirements |
| Documentation | Required inspection documents |
| Third-Party Inspection | Required scope, if applicable |
| Packing | Project-specific packing requirements |
| Delivery | Destination |
For heat exchanger and condenser projects, send your tube list, equipment datasheet, MTC, or technical specification for material and dimensional review.
Please send your requirements in the following format:
ASTM B163 + UNS Alloy + OD × Wall Thickness × Length + Wall Basis + Material Condition + Quantity
ASTM B163 N08825 — 25.4 × 1.65 × 6000 mm — Average Wall — Annealed — 1,000 pcs
For project enquiries, also include:
Process Medium + Operating Temperature + Operating Pressure + Testing Requirements
For replacement projects, provide the existing MTC, tube specification, or equipment datasheet for material verification.
