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SS 304 Condenser Tubes
UNS S30400 contains 18.0–20.0% chromium and 8.0–11.0% nickel. 304 stainless steel condenser tubes suit clean freshwater and closed-loop cooling systems where chloride concentration remains controlled.
Stainless Steel Condenser Tubes Manufacturer in India
MLTI Private Limited (Moonlight Tube Industries) manufactures, supplies and exports stainless steel condenser tubes from Gujarat, India, with production operations dating to 2008. A condenser tube separates cooling water from condensing vapour while transferring heat through its wall. Like other stainless steel heat exchanger tubes, condenser tubes require appropriate diameter, wall thickness, water chemistry and grade selection for reliable performance.
Our stainless steel condenser tubing is supplied primarily to ASTM A249 / ASME SA-249, while our seamless tubes are available to ASTM A213 / ASME SA-213. Additionally, our feedwater-heater tubes are supplied to ASTM A688 / ASME SA-688 in 15.9 mm to 25.4 mm outside diameter, utilizing the specific austenitic grades covered by that standard. Welded grades include 304, 304L, 310, 316, 316L, 321, 321H, 347, 347H and 904L; 316Ti is supplied seamless to ASTM A213 / ASME SA-213. The range covers 12.7 mm to 101.6 mm outside diameter and 1.016 mm to 3.251 mm wall thickness.
We supply welded types, specifically ERW (in which high-frequency electrical resistance heating and forge pressure fuse the longitudinal strip edges without filler metal) SS condenser tubes, in straight lengths. Seamless tubes, produced from solid billets pierced and drawn without a weld seam, are also available. Both welded and seamless tubes are supplied annealed and pickled, bright annealed, or polished to order. PMI, tensile, hardness, and dimensional inspections support EN 10204 3.1 certification for each lot. Each tube is given a hydrostatic or eddy current test. Flattening, flange and reverse-bend tests are done per lot. We hold ISO 14001 and 45001 certifications, along with BIS/ISI Mark, EIL, IBR and PED approvals, which are available as applicable to the order.
SS Condenser Tube Specifications
The principal grades, standards, manufacturing routes, dimensions, heat treatment and finishing requirements for our stainless steel condenser tubes are given below.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Grades | 304, 304L, 310, 316, 316L, 316Ti, 321, 321H, 347, 347H, 904L |
| Applicable standards | ASTM A249 / ASME SA-249: Standard Specification for Welded Austenitic Steel Boiler, Superheater, Heat-Exchanger, and Condenser Tubes ASTM A213 / ASME SA-213: Standard Specification for Seamless Ferritic and Austenitic Alloy-Steel Boiler, Superheater, and Heat-Exchanger Tubes ASTM A688 / ASME SA-688: Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Feedwater Heater Tubes applies to feedwater heater tubes only, 15.9 mm to 25.4 mm outside diameter, in the grades listed in that specification |
| Manufacturing route | Welded (including ERW), seamless |
| Section | Round |
| Outside diameter | 12.7 mm (1/2") to 101.6 mm (4") |
| Wall thickness | 1.016 mm (19 SWG) to 3.251 mm (10 SWG) |
| Length | Cut to ordered length |
| Delivery condition | Solution annealed and rapidly cooled at 1040°C for 304, 304L, 310, 316, 316L, 316Ti, 321, 347; 1100°C for 904L (seamless and welded); 321H and 347H (1100°C for welded and 1050°C minimum for seamless) |
| Finish | Annealed and pickled; bright annealed; polished to order |
Stainless Steel Condenser Tube Grades
The key factors influencing condenser tube grade selection are cooling-water chemistry, chloride concentration, temperature, and the possibility of deposits. The available SS condenser tube grades cover general water service through more demanding chloride and high-temperature duties.
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Stainless Steel 304L Condenser Tubes
UNS S30403 limits carbon to 0.030% under ASTM A249 and 0.035% under ASTM A213, reducing sensitisation risk after welding. 304L condenser tubes are suitable where welded tube attachments or fabrication operations may leave the joint without subsequent solution annealing.
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310 Condenser Tubes
Grade 310 contains 24.0–26.0% chromium and 19.0–22.0% nickel. SS 310 condenser tubes are intended for high-temperature process applications rather than ordinary aqueous chloride cooling service.
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Alloy 316 Condenser Tubes
With 2.00–3.00% molybdenum, 316 offers greater resistance to chloride-induced pitting than 304. 316 stainless steel condenser tubes are therefore used where cooling water becomes more concentrated through recirculation.
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SS 316L Condenser Tubes
UNS S31603 combines molybdenum with a 0.030% under ASTM A249 and 0.035% under ASTM A213 maximum carbon level. 316L condenser tubes are preferred for welded assemblies where low carbon helps control sensitisation at the weld area.
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ASTM A213 TP316Ti Condenser Tubes
Titanium stabilisation reduces the risk of chromium carbide precipitation during elevated-temperature exposure. 316Ti condenser tubes are used where repeated thermal cycling and higher operating temperatures make stabilised austenitic stainless steel appropriate.
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SS 321 Condenser Tubes
Grade 321 uses titanium stabilisation with a 17.0–19.0% chromium, 9.0–12.0% nickel austenitic composition. 321 stainless steel condenser tubes suit elevated-temperature vapour and process-condensing duties where resistance to intergranular attack after heating is required.
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SS 321H Condenser Tubes
The controlled higher carbon range of 321H provides improved high-temperature creep and rupture properties compared with standard 321. These tubes are used for elevated-temperature condenser and auxiliary steam duties.
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Stainless Steel 347 Condenser Tubes
Niobium stabilises grade 347 against chromium carbide precipitation. 347 stainless steel condenser tubes are suitable for refinery and process-condensing systems involving thermal cycling and elevated metal temperatures.
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SS 347H Condenser Tubes
Grade 347H has controlled carbon and niobium levels for improved high-temperature strength. It is selected for condenser duties where sustained elevated metal temperature makes creep and stress-rupture properties important.
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SS 904L Condenser Tubes
904L contains 4.0–5.0% molybdenum, 1.00–2.00% copper and 23.0–28.0% nickel. 904L condenser tubes are considered for aggressive cooling water, including brackish conditions, where the resistance of standard 304 or 316 is insufficient.
Stainless Steel Condenser Tube Sizes
Stainless steel condenser tube sizes are normally specified by outside diameter and wall thickness. Our range covers 12.7 mm to 101.6 mm OD, with the following SWG wall options.
Common condenser sizes are 15.875, 19.05 and 25.4 mm OD in 16 to 19 SWG. Other sizes on enquiry.
| Nominal Size | OD (mm) | 10 SWG | 12 SWG | 14 SWG | 16 SWG | 18 SWG | 19 SWG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2" | 12.7 | 3.251 | 2.642 | 2.032 | 1.626 | 1.219 | 1.016 |
| 5/8" | 15.875 | 3.251 | 2.642 | 2.032 | 1.626 | 1.219 | 1.016 |
| 3/4" | 19.05 | 3.251 | 2.642 | 2.032 | 1.626 | 1.219 | 1.016 |
| 1" | 25.4 | 3.251 | 2.642 | 2.032 | 1.626 | 1.219 | 1.016 |
| 1 1/4" | 31.75 | 3.251 | 2.642 | 2.032 | 1.626 | 1.219 | 1.016 |
| 1 1/2" | 38.1 | 3.251 | 2.642 | 2.032 | 1.626 | 1.219 | 1.016 |
| 2" | 50.8 | 3.251 | 2.642 | 2.032 | 1.626 | 1.219 | 1.016 |
| 2 1/2" | 63.5 | 3.251 | 2.642 | 2.032 | 1.626 | 1.219 | 1.016 |
| 3" | 76.2 | 3.251 | 2.642 | 2.032 | 1.626 | 1.219 | 1.016 |
| 3 1/2" | 88.9 | 3.251 | 2.642 | 2.032 | 1.626 | 1.219 | 1.016 |
| 4" | 101.6 | 3.251 | 2.642 | 2.032 | 1.626 | 1.219 | 1.016 |
Stainless steel tube dimensions may be specified by outside diameter and wall thickness, with gauge systems such as SWG or BWG used in some project specifications. Our listed SS tube range is provided in SWG and millimetres; the required wall thickness should therefore be confirmed in millimetres before manufacture.
Condenser Tube Forms and Types
The stainless steel condenser tube range is available in welded (ERW) and seamless construction, supplied in straight lengths for conventional tubesheet joints. The manufacturing route and end preparation are selected according to pressure, inspection and bundle design requirements.
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Welded (ERW) Condenser Tubes
Welded tubes are formed from strip and joined along a longitudinal seam by an automatic process with no filler metal. ERW is one such route, using electrical resistance heating followed by pressure to form the seam. Under ASTM A249 the tube is then cold worked in the weld, or in both weld and base metal, and solution annealed before delivery. These routes are widely used for stainless steel condenser tubing in standard industrial applications.
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Seamless Condenser Tubes
Seamless condenser tubes are manufactured from solid billet through piercing and subsequent drawing. The finished tube has no longitudinal weld and is selected where the design, specification or inspection requirement calls for seamless construction.
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Straight-Length Condenser Tubes for Rolled Joints
Straight condenser tubes are supplied to the ordered length with square-cut, deburred ends for tubesheet expansion. Dimensional consistency and suitable hardness are important because the tube end must expand into the tubesheet without cracking.
Stainless Steel Condenser Tubes Industrial Applications
Stainless steel condenser tubes are used in power generation, refrigeration, sugar and distillery plants, and chemical processing. Grade selection depends on cooling-water chemistry, chloride exposure, operating temperature and the required resistance to pitting or thermal degradation.
Thermal and Nuclear Power Generation
Surface condensers maintain low turbine exhaust pressure by condensing steam against cooling water. Grades 304 and 316 are used according to water chemistry, with the tubes expanded into the tubesheet at both ends.
Refrigeration and Cold Storage
Refrigeration and evaporative condenser systems use stainless tubing where water chemistry, condensate and cleaning conditions make copper-based materials unsuitable. The appropriate grade depends on the refrigerant-side and water-side operating conditions.
Sugar and Distillery Plants
Evaporator condensers and distillation equipment handle wet vapour with acidic or contaminated condensate. Grades 304 and 316 are commonly selected according to chloride concentration and process-water quality.
Chemical and Petrochemical Processing
Overhead condensers, reflux condensers and process coolers require grades matched to the condensate composition. 316L is used where chlorides are present, while stabilised grades may be specified for elevated-temperature service.
Material Selection Criteria
Three conditions deserve particular attention when evaluating condenser tube performance: inlet-end erosion, chloride pitting and tubesheet joints.
Cooling water carrying suspended solids or entrained air can cause accelerated erosion near the tube inlet. Deposits can also create localised conditions that promote pitting, particularly when chloride concentration increases. At the tubesheet, the tube must have sufficient ductility for reliable expansion without cracking.
Stainless steel is not automatically suitable for every seawater condenser. Once-through seawater service can exceed the chloride resistance of conventional 304 and 316, making titanium or higher-alloy materials more appropriate in demanding applications.
Shipping and Packaging Stainless Steel Condenser Tubes
Tubes are packed to protect the surface and tube ends in transit, with packing arranged to suit the consignment and destination.
- Tubes are bundled by grade, diameter, and wall thickness and secured for transport.
- Plastic end plugs and protective sleeving are provided where required for tubesheet rolling.
- Straight lengths are packed to minimise damage and deformation at the tube ends.
- Each lot is supplied with an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate.
- Export consignments can be arranged on FOB or CFR terms.
- Pan-India deliveries are arranged by road from our facility.
Why Choose MLTI Private Limited?
Buyers return to Moonlight Tubes for certified material, approved grades and stock that ships on schedule. Every order is backed by documented quality, a wide size range and delivery commitments we hold to.
Quality Certification
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IBR & EIL Approved
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Why
Choose Us
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Wide Range of Grades & Sizes
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Timely Global Delivery
Stainless Steel Condenser Tubes FAQs
ASTM A249 / ASME SA-249 is the principal specification for welded austenitic Stainless Steel Condenser Tubes. Seamless Tubes are covered by ASTM A213 / ASME SA-213, while Feedwater-Heater Tubes fall under ASTM A688 / ASME SA-688.
Our Stainless Steel Condenser Tubes range from 12.7 mm to 101.6 mm outside diameter, with wall thicknesses from 1.016 mm (19 SWG) to 3.251 mm (10 SWG).
Condenser Tubes are commonly specified using BWG, particularly in power-generation projects. Our production range is based on SWG, so the required wall should preferably be stated in millimetres to avoid gauge-system confusion.
No. Passivation is not a continuous service requirement. The chromium-rich passive film naturally reforms when the stainless surface is exposed to suitable oxygen-containing environments. Pickling and passivation may nevertheless be specified as a manufacturing finish.
Yes. Each supplied lot is released with an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate carrying the relevant heat information. PMI, tensile, hardness and dimensional inspection are available according to the applicable specification and order requirements.