ASTM A179 vs ASTM A192 Seamless Tubing

ASTM A179/ASME SA179 - Standard for cold-drawn seamless low-carbon steel pipes used in heat transfer equipment such as heat exchangers and condensers. The characteristics of A179 material are good brightness, high precision, and light weight, and it is mainly used in the fields of petroleum, chemical industry, etc.

ASTM A192/ASME SA192 - Standard specification for seamless carbon steel boiler pipes for high pressure. The characteristics of A192 material are high temperature resistance, high pressure resistance, and corrosion resistance, which can meet the requirements of various heat exchange equipment.

ASTM A179 and ASTM A192 are both standards for seamless carbon steel pipes for boilers and heat exchangers, but they have significant differences in chemical composition, mechanical properties, applicable temperature range, and main uses. The following is a detailed comparison of the two:

1. Chemical composition
The basic chemical composition of the two is almost the same, but ASTM A192 is usually used in higher temperature environments, so the control of impurities is more stringent.

2. Mechanical properties comparison

Performance	Tensile strength (MPa)	Yield strength (MPa)	Elongation (%)	Hardness (HRB)
ASTM A179	≥325	≥180	≥35	≤72
ASTM A192	≥325	≥180	≥35	≤77

The mechanical properties are basically the same, but ASTM A192 allows higher hardness (≤77 HRB vs. ≤72 HRB) to adapt to higher working pressures.

3. Applicable temperature range
ASTM A179: Maximum operating temperature (≤475℃), suitable for medium and low temperature heat transfer equipment such as heat exchangers and condensers
ASTM A192: Maximum operating temperature (450℃~650℃), suitable for high-pressure boiler heating surface pipes (such as economizers, superheaters)

Key differences:

A179 is suitable for medium and low temperature heat exchange equipment (such as condensers, water-cooled walls).
A192 is designed for high-pressure boilers and can withstand higher temperatures (such as supercritical boilers).

ASTM A179 vs ASTM A192: How to choose?

Selection factors	Temperature requirements	Pressure requirements	Main uses	Economical
ASTM A179	≤475℃	Medium and low pressure	Heat exchangers, condensers	Low cost
ASTM A192	≤650℃	High pressure (≤9.8MPa)	Boiler heating surface tubes	High cost

Conclusion:

If used for heat transfer equipment such as heat exchangers and condensers, choose ASTM A179 (good economy).

If used for high-pressure boilers (such as power plants and petrochemical industries), choose ASTM A192 (high temperature and high pressure resistance).

Read more: Types of seamless carbon steel pipes or Boiler tube size chart