1. Specifications & Capability
FUSHUN METAL forges heat exchanger tubesheets in F22, F304 and F316, up to 3000 mm diameter, for refinery, nuclear and chemical exchangers. Tubesheets are forged as single pieces, then drilled and prepared for strength expansion of the tubes.
Forging the tubesheet from a single piece gives through-thickness uniformity – the critical requirement for the densely drilled plate that separates shell-side and tube-side fluids.
| Grade | Standard | Diameter |
|---|---|---|
| F22 | ASTM A336 | Up to 3000 mm |
| F304 / F316 | ASTM A182 | Up to 3000 mm |
2. Components & Service Conditions
The tubesheet is the thick, densely drilled plate that separates the shell-side from the tube-side fluid in a heat exchanger, with hundreds or thousands of tubes expanded into it. It must withstand the pressure differential across it while the ligament between holes remains structurally sound.
Through-thickness uniformity and freedom from lamination are the controlling requirements, because any internal defect between tube holes weakens the ligament. Forging from a single piece, with the grain oriented through the thickness, gives the homogeneous structure that drilling demands, and full-section ultrasonic testing confirms freedom from lamination before machining. F22 is used for high-temperature refinery service, F304/F316 for corrosion resistance.
3. Grade Equivalents – F22 / F304 / F316
| Designation | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| F22 | ASTM A336 | 2.25Cr-1Mo tubesheet |
| F304 | ASTM A182 | Austenitic stainless |
| F316 | ASTM A182 | Molybdenum-bearing stainless |
| 13CrMo4-5 / 1.7335 | EN 10222 | European Cr-Mo equivalent |
| 12Cr2Mo1 | GB/T 150 | Reference only, not used in certification |
| Grade | C | Mn | Cr | Ni | Mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F22 | 0.05-0.15 | 0.30-0.60 | 2.00-2.50 | – | 0.87-1.13 |
| F316 | 0.08 max | 2.0 max | 16.0-18.0 | 10.0-14.0 | 2.00-3.00 |
F22 gives elevated-temperature strength for refinery service; F316’s molybdenum improves corrosion resistance over F304 in chloride-bearing environments.
4. Manufacturing Process
Forging. FUSHUN METAL forges the tubesheet as a single piece, orienting the grain through the thickness for ligament strength.
Heat treatment. F22 is quenched and tempered; F304/F316 are solution annealed.
Drilling & expansion. The tubesheet is drilled and prepared for strength expansion of the tubes, with through-thickness uniformity verified.
Testing. Full-section UT for lamination, mechanical tests, with full traceability and inspection certificates under EN 10204 3.1.
5. Standards & Certification
Tubesheets are supplied to ASTM A336 and EN 10222, with inspection certificates under EN 10204 3.1 and optional 3.2 third-party inspection. FUSHUN METAL holds ISO 9001 and AS9120B certification.
Related forging: nuclear RPV forgings.
6. Typical Applications
Refinery exchangers
F22 tubesheets for refinery heat exchangers.
Nuclear exchangers
Tubesheets for nuclear steam generators and exchangers.
Chemical exchangers
F304/F316 tubesheets for chemical service.
Evaporators
Tubesheets for evaporator and condenser units.
7. Inquiry Essentials
To quote your tubesheet, please provide the tubesheet drawing with tube hole layout, the required grade, and the ultrasonic testing requirements.
