Suitable for pressure and mechanical duties
Product formTubes
/ 01 — TECHNICAL OVERVIEW
Stainless Steel & High Nickel Alloy Seamless Tubes
Seamless tubing offers a continuous wall and is selected for pressure, heat-transfer, mechanical and specification-defined critical service. It may be cold drawn or pilgered to achieve closer dimensional control and surface quality.
Stainless steel tubes are manufactured for close dimensional tolerances, controlled surface finish and demanding service conditions. Depending on the application, tubes may be supplied in seamless or welded construction with annealed and pickled (AP), bright annealed (BA), polished or project-specific finishes.
Tubes are specified by actual outside diameter and wall thickness and are widely used where precision, cleanliness, corrosion resistance, heat transfer or reliable small-bore routing is critical.
Whether the requirement is for maintenance quantities or a project package, NESCO reviews the material, dimensions, specification, service conditions, inspection scope and delivery plan as one complete enquiry.
How it is made
01
A verified billet or hollow is heated and pierced or extruded without creating a longitudinal weld.
02
Cold drawing or pilgering reduces the outside diameter and wall to the required dimensional range.
03
Intermediate and final solution heat treatment establish the ordered metallurgical condition.
04
Straightening, sizing, cutting, deburring and surface conditioning prepare the tube for inspection.
05
Hydrostatic or nondestructive electric testing, dimensional checks and heat-wise marking complete the supply route.
Request reviewed quotation Material documents on request
/ 02 — PRODUCT DETAIL
Built around the specification.
Key characteristics and commonly referenced standards from the supplied technical content master.
Key features01 02 03 04
Good dimensional consistency when cold finished
Wide material and heat-treatment choices
Straight, cut-length or U-bent forms where applicable
Common specification references
STD
ASTM A269 for general-service stainless tubing
STD
ASTM A213 for seamless boiler, superheater and heat-exchanger tubing
STD
ASTM A789 for duplex stainless tubing
STD
Material-specific ASTM B-series standards
Explore the tubes range
/ PRODUCT RANGE
Tube formats matched to the duty.
NESCO reviews construction route, service conditions, finish and inspection requirements before confirming the appropriate tube supply.
01
Seamless Tubes
Manufactured without a longitudinal weld seam for pressure, temperature and specification-defined critical service.
02
Welded Tubes
Produced from formed strip or coil with a controlled longitudinal weld, supporting dimensional consistency and commercial efficiency.
03
Heat Exchanger Tubes
Designed for heat transfer in condensers, shell-and-tube exchangers, coolers, evaporators and process equipment.
04
Boiler Tubes
Specified for elevated-temperature and pressure service in boilers, superheaters, reheaters and steam-generating equipment.
05
Instrumentation Tubes
Precision tubing with controlled outside diameter, wall thickness, hardness and surface condition for instrumentation, hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
06
Hydraulic Tubes
Precision tubing for high-pressure hydraulic-fluid transfer, subject to the approved material, dimensional and system specification.
07
Bright Annealed Tubes
Tubes heat treated in a controlled atmosphere to provide a smooth, clean and bright finish for hygienic and high-cleanliness duties.
/ 03 — MATERIAL RANGE
Grades matched to the service.
Availability of specific grades is subject to the applicable product standard, dimensions, manufacturing route and project requirements.
Material familyAvailable materials and grades
Stainless Steel304, 304L, 316, 316L, 310S, 317L, 321, 347, 347H and 904L
Duplex Stainless SteelUNS S31803 and UNS S32205 (2205)
Super Duplex Stainless SteelUNS S32750 (2507) and UNS S32760
Nickel AlloysAlloy 20, Alloy 28, Alloy 200, Alloy 201, Monel 400, Inconel 600, Inconel 601, Inconel 625, Inconel 718, Incoloy 800, Incoloy 800H, Incoloy 800HT, Incoloy 825, Hastelloy C276 and Hastelloy C22
TitaniumGrade 2 and Grade 5
Copper-NickelCu-Ni 90/10 (UNS C70600) and Cu-Ni 70/30 (UNS C71500)
/ 04 — SUPPLY & CUSTOMISATION
Define the supply condition.
Final availability depends on the complete combination of material, dimensions, standard, condition, testing and quantity.
ParameterTypical information to specify
01Product standard
ASTM A213 / A269 as applicable; OD, wall thickness and tolerances as per the applicable tube standard or approved project drawing
02Manufacturing type
Seamless — pierced or extruded, then cold drawn or pilgered where required
03Typical NESCO enquiry range
1/8 in. OD to 4 in. OD; other dimensions reviewed based on grade, standard and manufacturing feasibility
04Wall thickness
Nominal or minimum wall thickness, as specified in the applicable standard and purchase order
05Length
Straight lengths, fixed cut lengths or U-bend configurations where applicable
06Ends
Square cut and deburred; capped or specially prepared ends available where specified
07Surface finish
Annealed and pickled; bright annealed or polished finish where specified and available
08Marking
Standard mill marking
09Packaging
Sleeved or bundled, end protected, boxed or export packed as required
SURFACE CONDITION
Finish selected around cleanliness and service.
Availability and final acceptance depend on the manufacturing standard, material, size and agreed surface requirement.
Annealed & Pickled (AP)
Heat treated and acid cleaned to remove scale and surface oxides; a common surface condition for general process tubing.
Bright Annealed (BA)
Annealed in a controlled atmosphere to minimise oxidation and produce a smooth, bright surface suitable for applications requiring enhanced surface quality and cleanliness.
Polished
Mechanically finished to an agreed grit or surface roughness where improved appearance, cleanability or surface finish is required.
Mill Finish
As-produced surface condition without additional mechanical polishing; supplied where permitted by the applicable product specification and suitable for the intended application.
/ 05 — DIMENSIONS & SIZE RANGE
Dimensions aligned to the manufacturing route.
Tube is normally ordered by actual outside diameter and wall thickness. State whether wall is nominal or minimum and include the required tolerance.
Tube requirementTypical optionsWhat to specifyControl point
Outside diameterPrecision OD in metric or inchExact OD and toleranceFitting, tube-sheet or fabrication fit
Wall thicknessNominal or minimum wallWall and permitted variationPressure, heat transfer and forming
Length / formStraight, fixed length, coil or U-bendLength, radius and developed geometryEquipment fit-up
Surface / endsBA, AP, polished; cut/deburred/cappedInternal and external finishCleanliness and sealing
/ TUBE SIZES & GAUGES
Tube OD and BWG wall reference.
Tubes are ordered by actual outside diameter and wall thickness. Use these common values as an enquiry reference; the ordered standard and agreed tolerances govern final supply.
Common tube outside diameters
9 reference sizesOD (inch)OD (mm)
1/46.35
3/89.53
1/212.70
5/815.88
3/419.05
125.40
1 1/431.75
1 1/238.10
250.80
BWG wall thickness — gauges 7 to 15
9 reference sizesBWGWall (inch)Wall (mm)
70.1804.572
80.1654.191
90.1483.759
100.1343.404
110.1203.048
120.1092.769
130.0952.413
140.0832.108
150.0721.829
BWG wall thickness — gauges 16 to 24
9 reference sizesBWGWall (inch)Wall (mm)
160.0651.651
170.0581.473
180.0491.245
190.0421.067
200.0350.889
210.0320.813
220.0280.711
230.0250.635
240.0220.559
BWG is a wall-thickness reference, not a substitute for the complete tube specification. State OD, wall, grade, standard, length, finish and testing with the enquiry.
/ 06 — MANUFACTURING STANDARDS
Standards aligned for every order.
The material standard, dimensional standard and project requirements should be stated separately.
Stainless and duplex tube standards
StandardWhat it covers
ASTM A213/A213MSeamless ferritic and austenitic alloy-steel boiler, superheater and heat-exchanger tubes
ASTM A269/A269MSeamless and welded austenitic stainless steel tubing for general service
ASTM A789/A789MSeamless and welded ferritic/austenitic stainless steel tubing for general service
ASTM A270/A270MSeamless and welded stainless steel sanitary tubing for hygienic service
Nickel-alloy tube standards
StandardWhat it covers
ASTM B163Seamless nickel and nickel-alloy condenser and heat-exchanger tubes
ASTM B407Nickel-iron-chromium alloy seamless pipe and tube
ASTM B444Nickel-chromium-molybdenum-niobium and related alloy seamless pipe and tube
ASTM B622Seamless nickel and nickel-cobalt alloy pipe and tube
/ TUBE SELECTION GUIDE
A practical starting point for specification review.
These references guide the enquiry only. The equipment design, material grade, service conditions and approved project specification govern the final selection.
ApplicationCommon specification basis
Heat exchangerASTM A213 for seamless tubes, as required by the equipment specification
Boiler / superheaterASTM A213 for seamless tubes, subject to the applicable grade and design specification
Instrumentation / general serviceASTM A269/A269M or the approved project tubing specification
Sanitary / hygienicASTM A270/A270M for seamless sanitary tubing, with the required internal and external surface finish
HydraulicApplicable precision hydraulic-tube or project-specific specification matched to pressure, fluid and fitting requirements
Nickel-alloy heat exchanger / process serviceApplicable ASTM B-series specification based on the nickel-alloy grade, product form and service requirements
CONSTRUCTION COMPARISON
Seamless and welded tubes, compared responsibly.
FeatureSeamlessWelded
Manufacturing routeProduced from solid feedstock by piercing or extrusion, followed by cold working where requiredFormed from strip or coil and longitudinally welded
Longitudinal weldNo longitudinal weld seamLongitudinal weld present and examined as required by the applicable product standard
Typical selectionOften considered for pressure, temperature and demanding mechanical service, subject to the applicable specificationCommonly specified for heat-transfer, process, hygienic, structural and mechanical applications, subject to the applicable specification
Dimensional / surface controlCold finishing can provide close OD, wall-thickness and surface controlControlled forming and finishing can provide consistent OD and surface characteristics
Commercial basisMay have a higher cost depending on grade, size, manufacturing route and requirementsMay offer a more economical option depending on grade, size, testing, welding requirements and finish
Design ratingGoverned by the applicable code, material standard, dimensions and service conditionsGoverned by the applicable code, material standard, dimensions, weld quality and service conditions
/ 06 — REFERENCE MATERIAL DATA
Reference material data.
Representative values for frequently requested stainless grades. Values are percentages by mass or minimum mechanical requirements unless shown otherwise; always verify the ordered material standard, product form and edition.
Chemical compositionSelected principal elements · % max or range
GradeCCrNiOther
TP304L≤0.03518.0–20.08.0–13.0—
TP316L≤0.03516.0–18.010.0–15.0Mo 2.0–3.0
TP321≤0.08017.0–19.09.0–12.0Ti: 5×(C+N) min–0.70
TP347≤0.08017.0–20.09.0–13.0Nb+Ta: 10×C min–1.00
Mechanical propertiesRoom-temperature minimums · verify the ordered product standard
GradeTensile MPaYield MPaElongation %
TP304L48517035
TP316L48517035
TP32151520535
TP34751520535
/ 07 — INSPECTION & TESTING
Evidence before dispatch.
01Material test certificate review and heat-number traceability
02Visual, dimensional, OD, wall-thickness and length checks
03Hydrostatic test or permitted nondestructive electric test, as specified
04Positive Material Identification (PMI) when requested
05Ultrasonic, eddy-current or other NDT to the purchase specification
06Intergranular corrosion, hardness, flattening or supplementary tests where applicable
07Third-party inspection coordination against an approved inspection plan
PACKAGING & MARKING
Protected and traceable.
01Heat-wise bundles with durable material and purchase-order identification
02Plain or prepared ends protected with plastic end caps where applicable
03Sleeves, waterproof wrapping, boxes or wooden export crates selected for the tube form and transport route
04Straight lengths and coils restrained to prevent movement, surface damage and contamination
05Heat number, batch, grade, OD, wall, length and standard retained on package identification
06Customer-specific marking and packing can be reviewed before order placement
/ 08 — APPLICATIONS & INDUSTRIES
Engineered for demanding service environments.
From process plants to marine systems, NESCO coordinates material, dimensions and documentation around the operating conditions of each application.
01
Shell-and-tube heat exchangers
02
Boilers and steam generators03
Condensers and coolers04
Instrumentation and control systems
05
Chemical dosing and sampling06
Hydraulic and pneumatic lines
07
Food and pharmaceutical process systems08
Semiconductor and high-cleanliness systems09
Dairy and biotechnology equipment10
HVAC and refrigeration11
Automotive and general engineeringIndustries servedOne supply partner across critical sectors.
/ 09 — WHY NESCO PIPE & TUBES
Built for buyers who cannot leave details to chance.
From specification review to export documentation, NESCO coordinates the technical and commercial details as one complete supply requirement.
01
Specification control
NESCO reviews the grade, product standard, dimensions, condition and acceptance criteria as one coordinated requirement.
02
Multi-material sourcing
Stainless steel, duplex, nickel alloy, copper-nickel and titanium requirements can be combined within one project enquiry.
03
Traceable documentation
Heat numbers, MTCs and agreed inspection records are aligned with the purchase order before dispatch.
04
Inspection coordination
PMI, dimensional checks, NDT and third-party witnessing can be arranged against an approved inspection plan.
05
Value-added processing
Cutting, machining, end preparation, polishing or protective finishing can be reviewed with the base material supply.
06
Export-ready packing
Identification, surface protection and packing are planned around product geometry and the final transport route.
07
Responsive RFQ review
Technical and commercial inputs are consolidated early so queries are resolved before quotation and production.
08
One accountable supply desk
NESCO provides a single contact for material, processing, documentation, packing and delivery coordination.
/ 10 — FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Clear answers before you specify.
Quick guidance on product selection, standards, dimensions, inspection and documentation. For project-specific requirements, NESCO will review the complete enquiry with your team.
01Why choose seamless instead of welded tube?
Seamless construction removes the longitudinal weld and is often selected for critical pressure, thermal or mechanical duties when required by the equipment specification.
02Can seamless tubes be supplied cold drawn?
Yes, subject to grade and size. Cold drawing or pilgering is commonly used where tighter OD, wall, surface or mechanical-property control is required.
03How is tube sizing different from pipe sizing?
Tube is normally ordered by actual outside diameter and wall thickness; pipe commonly uses NPS and schedule.
04When should I choose seamless tube?
It is commonly selected for demanding pressure, heat-transfer, instrumentation or mechanical duties where the project specification calls for a seamless route.
05Can NESCO supply heat-exchanger or U-bend tubes?
Straight and U-bend requirements can be reviewed against the grade, standard, OD, wall, developed length, bend radius and inspection scope.
06Which surface finishes are available?
Annealed and pickled, bright annealed, polished and project-specific finishes may be available depending on the manufacturing standard and size.
07What is the difference between tubes and pipes?
Tubes are normally ordered by actual outside diameter and wall thickness and are commonly used for precision, heat-transfer or instrumentation duty; pipes are commonly ordered by NPS and schedule for piping systems.
08What is the difference between seamless and welded tubes?
Seamless tube has no longitudinal weld; welded tube is formed from strip or coil and joined along a longitudinal seam. The correct route depends on the material standard, dimensions, service, inspection and project specification.
09Which standard is suitable for heat-exchanger tubes?
ASTM A213 for seamless and ASTM A249 for welded stainless tubing are common references. The exchanger design, material grade and project specification determine the correct standard.
10Which tube finish should I choose?
Annealed and pickled is common for general process duty, bright annealed for precision or hygienic duty, and polished finish where an agreed appearance or surface roughness is required.
11Can EN 10204 3.1 certification be supplied?
EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificates can be supplied when included in the quotation and purchase order. Third-party witnessed certification can be reviewed where the agreed inspection route supports it.
12Can tubes be supplied in coil form?
Coil supply may be available depending on the material, OD, wall thickness, condition and cleanliness requirement; larger or heavier tubing is generally supplied in straight lengths.
13Can third-party inspection be arranged?
Yes. Inspection by an agreed agency can be coordinated when the scope, hold points, document requirements and agency are confirmed before order placement.
14How do I request a quotation?
Use the product enquiry form and include the tube type, material grade, standard, OD, wall, length or coil geometry, quantity, testing, documentation and delivery destination.
/ 11 — REQUEST FOR QUOTATION Nesco direct sales desk
Ready to source?Start with the details you already have.
Our team will review the grade, dimensions, testing and delivery requirements together.