SA179 Seamless Tubes – ASTM A179 / ASME SA179 Heat Exchanger & Condenser Tubes
ASC LLP, Mumbai, supplies SA179 seamless tubes – seamless, cold-drawn, low-carbon steel tubes to ASTM A179 / ASME SA179 for heat exchangers, condensers and similar heat-transfer equipment. We supply straight lengths and U-bent tubes from ⅛” to 3″ OD, with EN 10204 3.1 certificates. See our full carbon steel tubes range.
What is SA179 Material?
SA179 (ASME SA-179, identical to ASTM A179) is a specification for seamless cold-drawn low-carbon steel tubes for tubular heat exchangers, condensers and similar heat-transfer apparatus. It covers tubes from ⅛” to 3″ (3.2 – 76.2 mm) OD. The steel is plain carbon steel – carbon 0.06 – 0.18% and manganese 0.27 – 0.63% – and the spec does not allow any other alloying elements to be added. After the final cold draw the tubes are heat-treated at 650 °C (1200 °F) or higher, which gives a soft tube (72 HRB max.) that can be rolled into tube sheets and bent into U-tubes without cracking.
“SA” is the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code version of the ASTM spec. Tubes certified to SA179 can be used in ASME Section VIII heat exchangers; most mills dual-certify to ASTM A179 / ASME SA179.
SA179 Tubes – Quick Facts
- Specification: ASTM A179 / ASME SA179 (general requirements: ASTM A450 / SA450)
- Type: seamless, cold drawn, heat-treated after final draw
- Size: ⅛” – 3″ OD (3.2 – 76.2 mm); wall usually ordered by BWG or minimum wall
- Hardness: 72 HRB maximum
- Forms: straight lengths, U-tubes, finned-tube base tubes
- Certificate: EN 10204 3.1; third-party inspection on request
Key Features of SA179 Seamless Tubes
- Seamless and cold drawn: no weld seam, close tolerances and a clean, smooth bore.
- Soft and ductile: 72 HRB max. – easy to expand (roll) into tube sheets and to U-bend.
- Good heat transfer: plain carbon steel conducts heat well (≈ 50 W/m·K) – about three times better than stainless steel.
- Low cost: the economical choice for heat exchangers where carbon steel suits the fluids.
- Limits: carbon steel is not corrosion-resistant – for seawater, acidic or chloride service choose stainless, copper-nickel or titanium tubes. SA179 is not a boiler tube specification.
Applications of SA179 Tubes
- Shell-and-tube heat exchangers in refineries, petrochemical and fertilizer plants
- Surface condensers and feedwater heaters in power plants
- Oil coolers, gas coolers and air-cooled heat exchangers (as finned-tube base tube)
- Reboilers, evaporators and process heaters with non-corrosive fluids
- HVAC, refrigeration and compressor intercoolers
Types of SA179 Tubes We Supply
- Straight heat exchanger tubes – cut to exact length for shell-and-tube bundles.
- SA179 U-tubes – U-bent to the bundle drawing; stress relief of bends on request.
- Condenser tubes – long straight lengths for surface condensers.
- Finned-tube base tubes – for air coolers and economiser-type coils.
For electric-resistance-welded (ERW) heat exchanger tube see ASTM A214 / SA214; for low-temperature service see ASTM A334 / SA334.
SA179 vs SA214, SA192 & SA210
| Spec | Type | Main use | OD range | Carbon (%) | Hardness max. |
| SA179 | Seamless, cold drawn | Heat exchangers, condensers | ⅛” – 3″ | 0.06 – 0.18 | 72 HRB |
| SA214 | ERW (welded) | Heat exchangers, condensers | up to 3″ | 0.18 max | 72 HRB |
| SA192 | Seamless | High-pressure boiler tubes | ½” – 7″ | 0.06 – 0.18 | 77 HRB |
| SA210 A-1 | Seamless, medium carbon | Boiler & superheater tubes | ½” – 5″ | 0.27 max | 79 HRB |
SA179 and SA192 have the same chemistry, but SA192 is the boiler-tube spec. For boilers, choose SA192 or SA210 from our boiler tubes range. More detail: A179 vs A210 tubes.
SA179 Seamless Tubes Specifications
| Item | Details |
| Specification | ASTM A179 / ASME SA179; general requirements ASTM A450 / SA450 |
| Type | Seamless, cold drawn |
| Outside diameter | ⅛” – 3″ (3.2 – 76.2 mm); common: ⅝”, ¾”, 1″, 1¼”, 1½”, 2″ |
| Wall thickness | BWG 10 – 20 (3.40 – 0.89 mm) typical; average or minimum wall |
| Length | Fixed cut lengths up to about 12 m; U-tubes to drawing |
| Heat treatment | Heat-treated at 650 °C (1200 °F) or higher after final cold draw |
| Ends | Plain, square-cut, deburred |
| Surface | Scale-free; bare, varnished or oiled; end caps |
| Certificate | EN 10204 3.1; 3.2 / third-party inspection on request |
Mechanical Properties of SA179 Tubes
| Property | SA179 / ASTM A179 |
| Tensile strength (design value) | 325 MPa (47 ksi) min. |
| Yield strength (design value) | 180 MPa (26 ksi) min. |
| Elongation in 50 mm (design value) | 35% min. |
| Hardness | 72 HRB max. (tested) |
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Thermal conductivity | ≈ 50 W/m·K |
ASTM A179 lists the tensile values for design purposes; the acceptance test on tubes is hardness (72 HRB max.), together with flattening and flaring tests.
SA179 Chemical Composition
| Element | SA179 / ASTM A179 (%) |
| Carbon (C) | 0.06 – 0.18 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.27 – 0.63 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.035 max. |
| Sulphur (S) | 0.035 max. |
| Other elements | Not permitted to be added |
SA179 Tube Size & Weight Chart (kg/m)
| OD | BWG 18 (1.24 mm) | BWG 16 (1.65 mm) | BWG 14 (2.11 mm) | BWG 12 (2.77 mm) | BWG 10 (3.40 mm) |
| ⅝” (15.88 mm) | 0.448 | 0.579 | 0.716 | 0.896 | – |
| ¾” (19.05 mm) | 0.545 | 0.708 | 0.881 | 1.112 | 1.312 |
| 1″ (25.40 mm) | 0.739 | 0.966 | 1.212 | 1.546 | 1.845 |
| 1¼” (31.75 mm) | 0.933 | 1.225 | 1.542 | 1.980 | 2.377 |
| 1½” (38.10 mm) | 1.127 | 1.483 | 1.873 | 2.413 | 2.909 |
| 2″ (50.80 mm) | 1.515 | 2.000 | 2.533 | 3.281 | 3.974 |
Weights in kg/m, calculated for carbon steel (7.85 g/cm³) at nominal wall. BWG 10 = 0.134″, 12 = 0.109″, 14 = 0.083″, 16 = 0.065″, 18 = 0.049″. Other OD, wall and length combinations on request.
SA179 Tolerances & Testing
| Item | Requirement (ASTM A450 / A179) |
| OD tolerance | up to 1″ OD: ±0.10 mm; 1″ – 1½”: ±0.15 mm; 1½” – 2″: ±0.20 mm; 2″ – 2½”: ±0.25 mm; 2½” – 3″: ±0.30 mm |
| Wall tolerance (minimum wall) | OD ≤ 1½”: +20% / −0; OD > 1½”: +22% / −0 |
| Wall tolerance (average wall) | ±10% |
| Cut length | OD under 2″: +3 mm / −0; 2″ and over: +5 mm / −0 |
| Hardness | 72 HRB max. – 2 tubes per lot |
| Flattening & flaring | 1 test each on 2 tubes per lot (flange test instead of flaring if specified) |
| Pressure test | Every tube hydrostatic tested, or eddy-current / NDE electric test when the buyer specifies |
A lot is up to 250 tubes of the same size and wall from the same heat. PMI, ultrasonic testing and third-party inspection are available as supplementary requirements.
SA179 Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Comparable grade | Note |
| ASTM / ASME | A179 / SA179 | Same specification |
| EN 10216-1 | P195TR1 / P195TR2 | Nearest European seamless tube grade |
| DIN 17175 / DIN 1629 (old) | St35.8 / St37.0 | Superseded German grades |
| JIS G3461 | STB340 | Japanese boiler & heat exchanger tube |
| GB 8163 / GB 3087 | 10# | Chinese low-carbon seamless tube |
These grades are similar but not identical – chemistry, heat treatment, testing and tolerances differ. Confirm with the equipment designer before substituting one for another.
Why Buy SA179 Tubes from ASC LLP?
- Correct certification: dual-certified ASTM A179 / ASME SA179 tubes with EN 10204 3.1 certificates and heat traceability.
- Exact lengths and U-tubes: straight tubes cut to bundle length and U-tubes bent to drawing.
- Related tubes: SA214 ERW, SA192 and SA210 boiler tubes and SA334 low-temperature tubes.
- Export packing: end caps, bundles in wooden boxes, protection against moisture.
Send your enquiry to sales@amardeepsteel.com, call 022-67439130 or contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions – SA179 Seamless Tubes
What is SA179 material?
SA179 (ASME SA-179 / ASTM A179) is a seamless, cold-drawn low-carbon steel tube for heat exchangers and condensers. It contains 0.06–0.18% carbon and 0.27–0.63% manganese, with no added alloying elements, and is heat-treated after the final cold draw to 72 HRB max.
What is the difference between ASTM A179 and ASME SA179?
The technical requirements are the same. SA179 is the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code version of ASTM A179, which allows the tubes to be used in ASME Code equipment. Most tubes are dual-certified to both.
What is the equivalent of ASTM A179?
The nearest equivalents are EN 10216-1 P195TR1/TR2, the old DIN St35.8 / St37.0, JIS G3461 STB340 and Chinese 10# steel. They are similar but not identical, so substitution should be confirmed by the designer.
What is the hardness of SA179 tubes?
The maximum hardness is 72 HRB (Rockwell B). This low hardness lets the tubes be rolled into tube sheets and U-bent without cracking.
Can SA179 tubes be used for boilers?
SA179 is a heat exchanger and condenser tube specification. For boiler tubes, specifications such as SA192 (same chemistry, seamless boiler tube) or SA210 (medium-carbon boiler and superheater tube) are normally used.
What sizes are SA179 tubes available in?
ASTM A179 covers outside diameters from 1/8″ to 3″ (3.2–76.2 mm). Common heat exchanger sizes are 5/8″, 3/4″, 1″, 1-1/4″, 1-1/2″ and 2″ OD in BWG 10 to 18 walls.
Global Reach
ASC LLP supplies heat exchanger and boiler tubes to fabricators and plants in the USA, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, with secure packing and full documentation. Buyers worldwide rely on our SA179 seamless tubes for certified material and traceability.
Countries We Export To
UNITED STATES, EUROPE, UK, UAE, SAUDI ARABIA, OMAN, KUWAIT, JORDAN, QATAR, INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, BRAZIL, SPAIN, ITALY, FRANCE, GERMANY, BAHRAIN, SRI LANKA, AZERBAIJAN, AUSTRALIA, AUSTRIA, PHILIPPINES, TURKEY, RUSSIA, IRAN, IRAQ, CANADA, KOREA, JAPAN, YEMEN, FINLAND, ZIMBABWE, HUNGARY, PORTUGAL, VIETNAM, MOROCCO, THAILAND, SOUTH AFRICA, MEXICO, SINGAPORE, GREECE, KUWAIT, POLAND, NEW ZEALAND, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, BELGIUM, BHUTAN, BANGLADESH, TAIWAN, ROMANIA, CAMBODIA, KAZAKHSTAN, AFGHANISTAN.
