ASTM B163/B163M - Standard Specification for Seamless Nickel and Nickel Alloy Condenser and Heat-Exchanger Tubes

1. Scope  

- Covers seamless tubes made from nickel and nickel alloys (e.g., UNS N02200, N04400, N06600, etc.) for condenser and heat-exchanger applications.  

- Includes tubes for general corrosion-resistant and high-temperature service.  

- Two unit systems: B163 (inch-pound) and B163M (SI/metric).  

2. Referenced Documents  

- Key standards:  

  - ASTM B751 (general requirements for nickel alloy tubes).  

  - ASTM E8/E8M (tensile testing).  

  - ASTM E29 (rounding test data).  

3. Ordering Information  

Buyers must specify:  

l  ASTM designation (B163 or B163M) and year of issue.  

l  Alloy UNS number (e.g., N06690).  

l  Dimensions (OD, wall thickness, length).  

l  Quantity (total length or number of tubes).  

l  Certification/Test Reports (if required).  

l  Special Requirements (e.g., hydrostatic testing, non-destructive examination).  

4. Material and Chemical Composition  

- UNS Alloy Codes: Common grades include:  

  - Pure Nickel: N02200, N02201.  

  - Nickel-Copper: N04400.  

  - Nickel-Chromium-Iron: N06600, N06690.  

- Chemical Limits: Strict adherence to composition ranges (e.g., Ni, Cu, Fe, Cr) per ASTM B163 tables.  

5. Mechanical Properties  

- Tensile Strength, Yield Strength, Elongation: Varies by alloy (e.g., N06600: min. tensile 80 ksi [550 MPa]).  

- Hardness Requirements: Optional, if specified.  

- Hydrostatic Testing: Mandatory unless waived; pressure calculated per standard formulas.  

6. Inspection and Testing  

- Chemical Analysis: Performed on each heat/lot.  

- Mechanical Tests: Tensile tests on samples from finished tubes.  

- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): Eddy current or ultrasonic testing optional unless specified.  

- Visual Inspection: Surface defects must not exceed specified limits.  

- Certification: Manufacturer must provide compliance certification if requested.  

7. Dimensions and Tolerances  

- Outside Diameter (OD): ±0.005 in. or ±0.13 mm for precision tubes.  

- Wall Thickness: ±10% typical (varies by size).  

- Length: ±1/8 in. for cut lengths; longer tolerances for uncut tubes.  

8. Marking and Packaging  

- Marking: Includes ASTM standard, alloy UNS, heat number, size, and manufacturer’s ID.  

- Packaging: Protected against damage during shipment (e.g., wooden crates for long tubes).  

9. Keywords  

- Nickel alloy tubes, seamless tubes, condensers, heat exchangers, corrosion-resistant, high-temperature service.  

The ASTM B163/B163M standard covers seamless nickel and nickel alloy tubes for condenser and heat-exchanger applications. Below is a list of the material codes (UNS numbers) included in the latest version of the standard, along with their corresponding alloy names:

Material Codes (UNS) in ASTM B163/B163M  

| UNS Number | Alloy Name / Common Designation | Primary Composition |

l | N02200   | Nickel 200                       | 99.6% min. Nickel (Ni) |

l | N02201   | Nickel 201 (low-carbon Nickel 200)| 99.6% min. Ni, low carbon |

l | N04400   | Monel 400                        | Ni-Cu (66% Ni, 31.5% Cu) |

l | N06600   | Inconel 600                      | Ni-Cr-Fe (72% Ni, 15% Cr) |

l | N06601   | Inconel 601                      | Ni-Cr-Fe (61% Ni, 23% Cr) |

l | N06603   | Inconel 603GT                    | Ni-Cr-Fe with Al & Ti |

l | N06690   | Inconel 690                      | Ni-Cr-Fe (60% Ni, 30% Cr) |

l | N08800   | Incoloy 800                      | Fe-Ni-Cr (32% Ni, 21% Cr) |

l | N08810   | Incoloy 800H                     | High-carbon Incoloy 800 |

l | N08811   | Incoloy 800HT                    | Thermally treated 800H |

l | N08825   | Incoloy 825                      | Ni-Fe-Cr-Mo-Cu (42% Ni, 21.5% Cr) |

l | N10276   | Hastelloy C-276                  | Ni-Mo-Cr (57% Ni, 16% Mo, 15% Cr) |

Notes:  

1. UNS (Unified Numbering System) codes are standardized alloy identifiers.  

2. Common Trade Names: Some alloys are widely known by commercial names (e.g., Monel, Inconel, Incoloy).  

3. Chemical & Mechanical Properties: Each alloy has specific requirements for composition, tensile strength, and corrosion resistance, detailed in ASTM B163/B163M tables.  

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