ASTM B338 specifies titanium and titanium-alloy tubing intended for:
Referenced Edition: ASTM B338-17(2026)
Standard Title: Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Titanium and Titanium Alloy Tubes for Condensers and Heat Exchangers
The referenced standard covers 28 titanium and titanium-alloy grades, including both seamless and welded tubes.
The required manufacturing method must be clearly identified in the purchase order.
ASTM B338 includes commercially pure titanium and several alloyed titanium families.
| Grade | UNS Designation | Material Characteristics & Selection Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | R50250 | Commercially pure titanium with relatively high ductility. Used where its corrosion resistance and fabrication characteristics meet equipment requirements. |
| Grade 2 | R50400 | Widely specified commercially pure titanium for condenser and heat-exchanger tubing. Combines corrosion resistance, strength, and fabrication characteristics for many industrial and seawater applications. |
| Grade 2H | R50400 | Uses the same UNS designation as Grade 2, with a higher guaranteed minimum ultimate tensile strength of 400 MPa [58 ksi]. |
| Grade 7 | R52400 | Commercially pure titanium alloyed with 0.12–0.25% palladium for enhanced corrosion resistance in specific aggressive environments. |
| Grade 7H | R52400 | Corresponds to the Grade 7 alloy system, with a higher guaranteed minimum ultimate tensile strength of 400 MPa [58 ksi]. |
| Grade 9 | R56320 | Titanium alloy containing approximately 3% aluminum and 2.5% vanadium. Provides higher strength than commercially pure titanium grades. |
| Grade 11 | R52250 | Lower-strength palladium-bearing titanium containing 0.12–0.25% palladium for specified corrosion-resistant applications. |
| Grade 12 | R53400 | Titanium alloy containing approximately 0.3% molybdenum and 0.8% nickel, selected for its particular corrosion and mechanical characteristics. |
| Grade | Material Characteristics & Selection Considerations |
|---|---|
| Grade 16 | Commercially pure titanium with a lower palladium addition than Grade 7. Used where the project specification identifies Grade 16. |
| Grade 17 | Lower-strength palladium-bearing titanium for specified corrosion-resistant service. |
ASTM B338 also includes specialized titanium alloys modified with ruthenium, palladium, nickel, cobalt, and other alloying elements.
Additional grades listed in the standard include:
Grade 13, 14, 15, 18, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39.
Available grades should be confirmed against the applicable ASTM B338 specification and actual manufacturing capability.
Ordering requirement: Specify the exact grade and applicable UNS designation when requesting a quotation.
Both are commercially pure titanium grades.
| Grade | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Lower strength with higher ductility |
| Grade 2 | Higher strength while retaining good fabrication and corrosion characteristics |
Grade 2 is widely specified for condenser and heat-exchanger tubing. Grade 1 may be selected where its lower-strength, higher-ductility characteristics are preferred.
Final selection should follow the equipment specification and operating conditions.
| Grade | Composition & Selection Basis |
|---|---|
| Grade 2 | Commercially pure titanium |
| Grade 7 | Commercially pure titanium with 0.12–0.25% palladium |
The palladium addition in Grade 7 improves corrosion resistance in certain aggressive environments.
Selection should be based on the actual process medium and corrosion conditions. Grade 7 should not automatically replace Grade 2 solely because it is more highly alloyed.
ASTM B338 defines separate chemical-composition requirements for each titanium grade.
Depending on the grade, controlled elements can include titanium, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, iron, aluminum, vanadium, palladium, ruthenium, nickel, molybdenum, cobalt, chromium, niobium, and other grade-specific elements.
Chemical requirements must be verified against the exact ordered grade and UNS designation. A single chemical-composition table does not apply to the entire ASTM B338 product family.
Mechanical-property requirements vary across commercially pure and alloyed titanium grades.
| Property | Requirement Basis |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | According to the specified titanium grade |
| Yield Strength | According to the specified titanium grade |
| Elongation | According to the applicable grade requirements |
The ordered grade should be confirmed before material selection, quotation, and production.
ASTM B338 covers both manufacturing routes.
Seamless tubes are produced from hollow billets by a cold-reduction or cold-drawing process capable of producing tubing that meets the specification requirements.
Welded tubes are manufactured from flat-rolled material by an automatic arc-welding process.
The tubes are sufficiently cold worked to final size so that subsequent heat treatment transforms the cast weld microstructure into a typical equiaxed microstructure.
Specify the required construction in the RFQ: SMLS — Seamless or WLD — Welded.
ASTM B338 tubing is required to receive at least the applicable stress-relief heat treatment.
Exact requirements depend on:
Any project-specific final condition or heat-treatment requirement should be identified in the purchase specification.
| Inspection Area | Applicable Verification |
|---|---|
| Chemical Composition | Chemical analysis |
| Mechanical Properties | Tensile testing |
| Forming Performance | Flattening and expansion testing |
| Dimensions | Dimensional inspection |
| Surface Condition | Surface inspection |
| Tube Integrity | Applicable integrity testing |
Additional project-specific testing should be identified at the enquiry stage.
For seamless ASTM B338 tubing, applicable integrity test methods can include:
The required method should be stated according to the project and purchase specification.
For welded tubing, applicable test requirements should be confirmed against the ordered manufacturing route and the applicable ASTM B338 requirements.
| Standard | Product Scope |
|---|---|
| ASTM B338 | Seamless and welded titanium and titanium-alloy tubes for condensers and heat exchangers |
| ASTM B861 | Seamless titanium and titanium-alloy pipe |
For heat-exchanger and condenser tube bundles, ASTM B338 is the application-specific tube standard. The required specification should be identified in the equipment and purchase documentation.
FYN’s titanium tube supply capability is reviewed according to the specific RFQ.
The technical review includes:
Titanium tube capability is confirmed separately from FYN’s carbon and alloy steel tube range. Actual manufacturability and availability depend on the specified grade, construction, dimensions, and project requirements.
For applicable condenser systems exposed to seawater or other cooling-water conditions requiring titanium corrosion resistance.
For marine and industrial heat exchangers handling seawater or compatible chloride-containing cooling media.
For applicable evaporators, condensers, and heat-transfer systems used in desalination plants.
For process equipment where the selected ASTM B338 titanium grade is compatible with the chemical medium.
For evaporator tube bundles requiring titanium or titanium-alloy tubing for corrosion-resistant heat-transfer service.
For condenser and heat-exchanger retubing projects where the existing equipment specification identifies ASTM B338 material.
Material review for replacement projects should consider:
Documentation availability should be confirmed according to the titanium grade and project requirements.
Available records can include:
Required documentation should be stated at the RFQ stage.
Typical packing options can include:
Titanium tubes should be handled and packed to minimize surface contamination, scratching, and mechanical damage.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Custom Requirements | Subject to grade and technical review |
| Minimum Order Quantity | According to grade, dimensions, and production requirements |
| Lead Time | According to grade, manufacturing method, dimensions, quantity, and inspection requirements |
| Packing Requirements | According to project and transport requirements |
| Item | Information to Provide |
|---|---|
| Standard | ASTM B338 and required edition, if specified |
| Material | Titanium grade / UNS designation |
| Construction | Seamless / Welded |
| Dimensions | Outside Diameter × Wall Thickness × Length |
| Quantity | Required order quantity |
| Material Condition | Heat-treatment / final condition, if specified |
| Application | Equipment type and intended service |
| Service Medium | Cooling / process medium |
| Operating Conditions | Operating temperature |
| Tubesheet | Tubesheet material, where relevant |
| Testing | NDT / integrity test requirements |
| Documentation | Required inspection documents |
| Third-Party Inspection | Required scope, if applicable |
| Packing | Project-specific packing requirements |
| Delivery | Destination |
For condenser and heat-exchanger projects, send your tube list, equipment datasheet, MTC, or technical specification for review.
Please send your requirements in the following format:
ASTM B338 + Grade / UNS + Seamless or Welded + OD × Wall Thickness × Length + Quantity
ASTM B338 Grade 2 / UNS R50400 — Seamless — 25.4 × 0.7 × 6000 mm — 1,000 pcs
For condenser and heat-exchanger projects, also include:
Cooling / Process Medium + Operating Temperature + Tubesheet Material + Testing Requirements
For replacement or retubing projects, provide the existing MTC, tube specification, or equipment datasheet for material verification.
