A tubing manufacturer has many alternatives for manufacturing and testing stainless steel tubing
for feedwater heater and condenser applications. ASTM/ASME specifications are basic
requirements intended to cover all applications. These minimum requirements may not be
sufficient for providing the appropriate quality tube for demanding requirements, such as
continuous duty for 18 to 24 months common with feedwater heaters and condensers today. This
paper summarizes the basic ASTM/ASME requirements with many of the additional property
and testing options available to ensure reliable service for today’s power plant environment. It
identifies the advantages and disadvantages of each and provides suggestions on what could be
specified to ensure the best value tubing for your application.
