Tube to Tubesheet Clearance:
Total Wall Thickness:
Tube ID:
Total Wall Reduction:
| Material | TEMA Standard Target % Wall Reduction | API-660 Target % Wall Reduction |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum 3003 or 4004 | 4 – 6% | 5 – 7% |
| Aluminum 6061-T | 6 – 9% | 8 – 10% |
| Carbon Steel & low-alloy steel (max 9% Chromium) | 5 – 8% | 8% max* |
| Stainless Steel and high-alloy steel | 5 – 8% | 6% max* |
| Duplex Stainless Steels | 4 – 6% | Not Specified** |
| Titanium (and other nonferrous, work hardening materials) | 4 – 6% | 5% max* |
| Admiralty Brass (and other nonferrous, non-work hardening materials) | 4 – 9% | 8%* |
| Copper & Copper Alloys | 7 – 10% | Not Specified |
Tube Expanding is the art of reducing a tube wall by compressing the O.D. of the tube against a fixed container, such as rolling tubes into tube sheets, drums, ferrules or flanges. To assure a proper tube joint, the tube wall must be reduced by a predetermined percentage.
To ensure high-quality tube expansions, the tube wall must be reduced by a predetermined percentage and be consistent with each expansion. In order to complete the job efficiently, it is important to achieve the maximum expander tool life in order to reduce cost and downtime.
A mechanical tube joint is formed when the outer diameter of the tube is compressed against a fixed container. Rolling to the proper wall reduction will decrease the chances of under rolling and over rolling a tube, creating higher quality mechanical joints.
Tube Hole Gauges make it easy to accurately measure tube IDs and tube sheet holes found in vessels such as heat exchangers, chillers, and surface condensers.
