Detailed Overview of the ASTM A179 Standard

ASTM A179/A179M is a standard specification for seamless, cold-drawn, low-carbon steel tubes with minimum wall thickness, designed specifically for use in tubular heat exchangers, condensers, and similar heat-transfer equipment. Its primary focus is ensuring that the tubes possess the wall thickness required to withstand pressure, rather than specifying mechanical properties at elevated temperatures.

Scope and Dimensional Limits
The standard defines clear parameters regarding the dimensions and applicability of the products:

Product Type: Must be manufactured using a seamless process and subjected to cold-drawing.

Dimensional Range: Applicable to tubes with an outside diameter (OD) ranging from 1/8 inch to 3 inches (3.2 mm to 76.2 mm).

Exemptions: For tubes with an outside diameter of less than 1/8 inch or a wall thickness of less than 0.015 inch (0.4 mm), the mechanical property requirements specified in the standard do not apply.

Chemical Composition and Manufacturing Requirements
Regarding material composition, the standard requires both heat analysis and product analysis to ensure that the chemical makeup—specifically the levels of carbon, manganese, phosphorus, and sulfur—falls within the prescribed limits. For the exact elemental limits, please refer to the full text of the standard; specific values are not provided in this summary.

Required Tests and Inspections
Each tube or batch of tubes must typically undergo the following evaluations to ensure quality and performance:

Hardness test

Flattening test

Flaring test

Flanging test

Hydrostatic test