How to choose a good quality boiler tube?

When buying boiler tubes, you need to pay attention to the material, size, manufacturing process, quality inspection and other aspects of the boiler tubes. Only by purchasing high-quality boiler tubes can the normal operation and service life of the boiler be ensured.

1. Choose the right material for boiler tubes
The material of the boiler tube is one of the key factors affecting the quality and service life. Generally, carbon structural steel, alloy steel or stainless steel such as 20#, 20G, 20MnG and 25MnG are used as materials.

Among them, carbon steel is more affordable, but its corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance are relatively poor, which is suitable for some low temperature and low pressure applications. Alloy steel and stainless steel are widely used in high temperature and high pressure fields because of their excellent corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance. When purchasing, you can choose the corresponding material according to the use of the boiler.

2. Choose the size correctly
The selection of boiler tube size needs to be determined according to the specific use requirements. Generally speaking, the size of the boiler tube should match the specifications of the boiler, and the inner diameter, outer diameter, wall thickness, length and other parameters of the tube need to be considered. If the selection is inappropriate, it may cause premature wear, deformation or bursting of the tube during use.

The outer diameter of the boiler tube is generally Φ51-108mm, the wall thickness is 2.5-10mm, and the length is 4-12m. At the same time, its size needs to be comprehensively considered according to the use environment and process requirements of the boiler.

3. Manufacturing process of boiler tubes
The manufacturing process of boiler tubes is a key factor in ensuring quality. At present, the main processes used are hot rolling, cold drawing, cold rolling, etc. These processes can ensure the dimensional accuracy, surface finish and strength of the tube, thereby ensuring the quality of the boiler tube.

Among them, the seamless boiler tube manufactured by the cold drawing process has a smooth surface, seamless inner and outer walls, good corrosion resistance and long service life. The seamless boiler tube manufactured by the hot rolling process has a rough surface, holes and gaps on the inner and outer walls, is easily affected by corrosion, and has a short service life.

4. Quality inspection of boiler tubes
When purchasing boiler tubes, you must pay attention to the issue of quality inspection. Qualified boiler tubes should undergo multiple quality inspections, including appearance inspection, chemical composition analysis, mechanical property testing, non-destructive testing, etc., to ensure that their quality meets the standards.

For example:
When choosing a boiler tube, please pay attention to the following points to pick out a suitable and high-quality tube:

a. Check the cross section of the tube. The cross section of a high-quality seamless tube is smooth, without bulges and irregularities.
b. Check the surface of the boiler tube. The surface of a high-quality boiler tube is smooth. If the surface is found to be rough and uneven, it can be confirmed that the quality is not up to standard.
c. Check the density of the pipe to understand the percentage of impurities in the pipe. If the pipe density is low, please avoid it!
d. Be sure to check the trademark. Well-known manufacturers always put their trademarks on seamless pipes.

How to choose a suitable boiler tube manufacturer?

‌Choosing a suitable boiler tube manufacturer requires considering the following aspects‌:

‌1. Product quality and certification‌
First, the quality and certification of the boiler tube should be examined. Check whether the product has passed the inspection and certification of relevant national departments, such as CE certification, ASME certification, etc. In addition, it is also very important to understand the material, manufacturing process and quality control process of the key components of the product. High-quality materials and exquisite craftsmanship are the key to ensure stable product performance and long service life‌.

‌2. Manufacturer qualifications and strength‌
Confirm whether the manufacturer has legal production qualifications, including business license, production license, etc., and check whether it has obtained industry-related certifications, such as special equipment manufacturing license (boiler), etc. Investigate the manufacturer's production scale, historical evolution and industry experience. Manufacturers that have been operating stably in the industry for a long time usually have richer production experience and a more complete management system‌.

‌3. Service and support‌
Choose a manufacturer that provides complete after-sales service, including installation and commissioning, technical training, repair and maintenance, etc. Good after-sales service can ensure that users can get timely and effective solutions when they encounter problems during use. In addition, it is also very important to understand the manufacturer's pre-sales service, such as product consultation, solution design, etc.‌

‌4. Price and cost-effectiveness‌
When comparing products from different manufacturers, price is an important consideration. However, price should not be used alone as the basis for selection, but should be considered comprehensively. Product quality, performance, service and other factors. Choosing products with high cost-effectiveness can meet the needs of use while saving costs‌.

‌5. Customer evaluation and market feedback‌
Understand other customers' evaluation and feedback on the manufacturer. Customer reviews can directly reflect the service quality and product performance of the manufacturer. Choosing manufacturers with good market reputation and customer reviews can usually provide more reliable products and services. In short, purchasing high-quality boiler tubes requires comprehensive consideration of various factors to ensure that the purchased products meet actual needs.

Read more: What are seamless boiler tubes and how are they made?