A179 Seamless Carbon Steel Extruded Fin Tube Aluminum Fin Heat Transfer Tube

Product Specification

Extruded Finned Tube – ASTM A179 Seamless Carbon Steel Base Tube with Aluminum Extruded Fins

High-Efficiency Heat Transfer Solution for Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers in Petrochemical & Refining Service

Our extruded finned tubes are engineered for forced-draft and induced-draft air-cooled heat exchangers (ACHEs) handling process streams in petrochemical plants, refineries, and gas processing facilities. In these applications, the air-side heat transfer coefficient is inherently low. The extruded aluminum fins dramatically increase external surface area while the ASTM A179 seamless base tube provides the required pressure integrity and corrosion resistance on the process side. The result is higher overall heat transfer rates, reduced bundle size, lower fan power consumption, and reliable long-term performance under thermal cycling and atmospheric exposure.

Product Structure – ASTM A179 Base Tube + Aluminum Extruded Fins

The tube consists of three integrated elements:

• Base Tube: ASTM A179 / ASME SA179 seamless cold-drawn low-carbon steel tube.
• Fin Material: High-purity aluminum (typically Al 1060 or Al 1100).
• Bonding Process: An aluminum muff (sleeve) is fitted over the cleaned base tube. The assembly is then cold-extruded through rotating discs that form continuous helical fins from the aluminum sleeve. This creates a continuous mechanical bond with zero contact thermal resistance and full encapsulation of the steel tube, protecting it from atmospheric corrosion.

Maximum continuous operating temperature is typically 280–300 °C.

Chemical Composition – ASTM A179 Base Tube Material

Chemical Composition – Aluminum Fin Material (Al 1060 typical)

Dimensional Tolerance Range – ASTM A179 Base Tube + Extruded Aluminum Fins

Custom sizes and fin configurations are available upon submission of drawings.

Performance Advantages in Air-Cooled Heat Exchanger Service

• Integral extruded bond eliminates contact resistance and maintains high fin efficiency even after repeated thermal cycles.
• Aluminum encapsulation fully protects the carbon-steel base tube against atmospheric corrosion and industrial pollutants.
• Large external surface area reduces required tube count and overall exchanger footprint.
• Lower air-side pressure drop compared with densely packed tension-wound fins of equivalent surface area, resulting in reduced fan power.
• Excellent resistance to vibration and thermal shock in forced-draft units.
• Suitable for process-side design pressures consistent with ASTM A179 mechanical properties (Tensile ≥ 325 MPa, Yield ≥ 180 MPa, Elongation ≥ 35%, Hardness ≤ 72 HRB).

Application Fields – Focused on Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers

These tubes are specifically applied in:

• Process stream air coolers in refining and petrochemical units (hydrotreater effluent, reformer reactors, fractionation column overheads).
• Gas processing plant coolers (natural gas, amine, glycol streams).
• HRSG economizer and low-temperature sections where air-side enhancement is required.
• Compressor intercoolers and aftercoolers.
• Any forced- or induced-draft ACHE where high thermal performance, corrosion protection of the base tube, and long service life under cyclic conditions are critical.

Packaging & Logistics

Tubes are packed in sturdy wooden crates or steel-frame boxes with plywood sides. Both ends of each tube are protected with plastic caps. Wooden separators and steel strapping prevent movement during ocean transport. Fumigation certificates (ISPM 15) are provided when required. Marking includes heat number, size, length, and order number for full traceability.

Certificates & Quality Control

• Material Test Certificates according to EN 10204 3.1 (or 3.2 upon request).
• Chemical analysis and mechanical tests on base tubes per ASTM A179.
• Dimensional inspection of fin height, pitch, thickness, and overall OD.
• Hydrostatic or eddy-current testing of base tubes.
• Fin bond integrity verification (pull-off / peel tests on sample lengths).
• Visual and dimensional final inspection before packing.
• Optional third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TUV, or customer-nominated agency).

Commercial Terms

• MOQ: 500 meters (or one full heat-exchanger bundle equivalent; smaller trial quantities available upon discussion).
• Price Basis: FOB Shanghai / Ningbo / Tianjin (other ports available).
• Lead Time: 25–40 days after order confirmation and drawing approval (depending on quantity and fin specification).
• Payment terms, packing details, and inspection arrangements can be customized according to project requirements.

For technical datasheets, detailed dimensional drawings, or quotation based on your specific air-cooler design conditions, please contact our sales team with your process parameters and drawings.