Stainless steel 310 tubes are suitable for your high temperature applications?

Using SS310 welded tubes as radiant tubes were common in the past. However, it found that the SS310 welded tubes deformed and not be able to be used under elevated temperatures in the long run.  In this article, we would like to explain the reasons and introduce our one-piece constructed HK40 centrifugally cast tubes for you looking for the better and suitable tubes for the high-temperature applications. 

A short history of SS310 tubes

SS310 tubes were related to the reformer tubes using at petrochemical plants strongly.  In the time of second war, SS310 tubes were as the workhorse at the petrochemical plants. Through time, centrifugally cast tubes were found that the cost as the reformer tubes were lower than SS310 tubes and the porosities on the tube surfaces were able to overcome.  Therefore, HK40 centrifugally cast tubes replaced the role of SS310 tubes gradually. 

The chemical composition of HK40 is quite similar to SS310.  However, the carbon content of HK40 is higher than SS310.  We only could say SS310 is the similar wrought grade of HK40 and they are not equal. 

Is any problem if using SS310 as radiant tubes?

It stated that SS310 is able to be applied in the environment around 1000 ℃. 

But, considering whether the tubes would be able to perform well not only oxidation resistance but also the creep resistance(Creep means the deformation under high temperature and pressure). From the paper, Short-Time Tensile and Long-Time Creep-Rupture Properties of the HK-40 Alloy and Type 310 Stainless Steel at Temperatures to 2000 °F, it stated that the HK40 alloy displayed about 5 to 6 times strength of type 310 at the same temperature and twice strength of type 310 at every test temperature during 1200~2000°F.

The cast grade heat-resistant alloys replace wrought grade SS310 

For general heat-applications, ASTM A297 is the good specification.  However, for pressure vessels, ASTM A315 is the right reference. Now the HK40 centrifugally cast tubes belong to ASTM A351. The HK40 tubes not only used as reformer tubes often in the past but also a good material as the furnace tubes nowadays. Most LAWAI's customers purchased the HK40 centrifugally cast tubes to replace the SS310 tubes of the old designs. 

Abandon the past material, choose LAWAI’s custom HK40 centrifugally cast tubes

Maintenance cost is easy to be ignored. In order to avoid the tubes changing the sizes easily and quickly and couldn’t get the suitable spare parts to replace if the tragedy happened, choosing the right material is quite important in the beginning. 

LAWAI’s HK40 centrifugally cast tubes are one-piece construction and with higher strength than SS310 tubes. 

If you are looking for the custom HK40 tubes or other heat-resistant tubes, please contact us to confirm the production possibility!

The dimensions LAWAI is able to produce are as follows.

OD>50 mm

Thickness >4.5 mm

L<4000 mm

LAWAI INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION

No.1283-1, Ren-ai Road, Chunan Town, 

Miaoli County, Taiwan

Tel: +886-3-6581116

E-mail: [email protected] 

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