ASTM B163-22 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM B163-22 — Standard Specification for Seamless Nickel and Nickel Alloy Condenser and Heat-Exchanger Tubes. This specification defines the chemical, mechanical, dimensional, and testing requirements for seamless nickel and nickel-alloy tubing intended for condenser and heat-exchanger service, including permitted alloys, furnishing conditions, and required inspection and test methods.

Abstract

This specification covers seamless tubes of nickel and nickel alloys for use in condensers and heat exchangers. It specifies acceptable alloys and conditions, dimensional limits (outside diameter and average or minimum wall), chemical composition limits, mechanical-property requirements (tensile, yield, elongation, hardness), and required test procedures (chemical analysis, tension, flattening/rounding, hardness, grain size, and hardness conversions). The standard is intended to ensure tubing is suitable for service in heat-exchange environments and is approved for use by U.S. government agencies.

General information

• Status: Published / Current.
• Publication date: Approved April 1, 2022 (Published April 2022).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 23.040.15 (Non‑ferrous metal pipes); 77.150.40 (Nickel and chromium products).
• Edition / version: B163-22 (current edition, designation B163 − 22).
• Number of pages: 14 pages (standard PDF/printed length as published).

Scope

ASTM B163-22 applies to seamless nickel and nickel‑alloy tubes for condenser and heat‑exchanger service. The specification covers tubes up to 3 in. (76.2 mm) outside diameter with specified minimum and average wall thickness limits (minimum wall thicknesses up to about 0.148 in. / 3.76 mm and average wall thicknesses up to about 0.165 in. / 4.19 mm, see the standard for exact sizing rules). Tubes are furnished in the alloys and heat/condition states listed in the standard; converter/small-diameter sizes are addressed in an appendix. The standard gives SI conversions for reference but uses inch‑pound units as the standard.

Key topics and requirements

• Alloys covered: wide range of nickel and nickel‑base alloys (example UNS designations included such as N02200, N02201, N04400, N06025, N06045, N06600, N06603, N06686, N06690, N06696, N08120, N08800 series, N08825, etc.).
• Dimensional limits: outside diameter and either average‑wall or minimum‑wall requirements; primary size range ≤ 3 in. OD with specified wall limits.
• Chemical composition: element limits specified for Ni, Cu, Mo, Fe, Mn, C, Si, Cr, Al, Ti, P, Ce, Zr, Y, B, Co, Nb (columbium), W, N and others as applicable per alloy table.
• Mechanical properties: required tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and Rockwell hardness values by alloy/condition; acceptance criteria and test methods provided.
• Specified tests and inspection: chemical analysis, tension tests, flattening/rounding procedures, Rockwell hardness tests, grain‑size determination, hardness conversion tables and other referenced ASTM test methods.
• Furnishing conditions: alloys to be supplied in designated conditions (annealed, stress‑relieved, or cold‑worked) as listed in the alloy/condition tables.
• Notes on code use: references to related ASME/industry specifications where applicable (see Related standards).

Typical use and users

Typical users include tube manufacturers, heat‑exchanger and condenser fabricators, procurement/specification engineers in power generation, petrochemical, chemical processing, desalination and seawater systems, offshore oil & gas, and maintenance/quality departments requiring corrosion‑resistant heat‑exchanger tubing. Common applications are shell‑and‑tube heat exchangers, condensers, feedwater heaters, and other heat‑transfer equipment exposed to aggressive environments.

Related standards

Related and cross‑referenced standards include ASME SB‑163 (for ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code applications), other ASTM nickel/alloy tube and pipe specifications (for example B423, B424, B704, B751 and general nickel alloy tube/pipe standards), and referenced ASTM test methods cited within B163-22. Users should consult those documents for complementary requirements and code‑specific applicability.

Keywords

nickel, nickel‑alloy, seamless tube, condenser tube, heat‑exchanger tube, B163-22, UNS, metallurgy, chemical composition, tensile, hardness, heat exchanger, condenser, ASME SB‑163.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM B163-22 is the ASTM International specification that sets requirements for seamless nickel and nickel‑alloy tubes intended for condenser and heat‑exchanger service.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers permissible alloys and conditions, dimensional limits (outside diameter and average or minimum wall), chemical composition limits, mechanical properties (tensile, yield, elongation, hardness), and required inspection and test methods for seamless tubes used in heat‑exchange and condenser applications.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Tube manufacturers, heat‑exchanger fabricators, materials and procurement engineers in power generation, petrochemical and chemical processing, seawater and desalination plants, and other industries specifying corrosion‑resistant heat‑exchanger tubing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The current published edition is B163-22 (approved April 1, 2022). Users should verify whether a newer revision has been issued before specifying or purchasing.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: B163 is part of ASTM’s body of standards covering nickel and nickel‑base alloys and is used alongside related ASTM and ASME specifications (for example ASME SB‑163 and other ASTM nickel alloy tube/pipe standards). It references and is cross‑linked to several other standards and test methods.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include: nickel alloy tubing, condenser tube, heat‑exchanger tube, seamless tube, UNS alloy, chemical composition, tensile, hardness, ASTM B163-22.