What is SA 249 TP304 material?
May 27, 2025
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What is SA 249 TP304 Material?
SA 249 TP304 refers to a welded austenitic stainless steel tube manufactured according to the ASME SA-249 specification, using Grade 304 stainless steel. These tubes are widely used in boilers, heat exchangers, superheaters, and condensers, where corrosion resistance and good mechanical strength are required under high-temperature and pressure conditions.
The designation breaks down as:
SA = ASME specification (identical to ASTM A249 but for pressure vessel code)
249 = Standard number for welded heat exchanger tubes
TP304 = Tube/Pipe Grade 304 (an 18/8 stainless steel)
🔸 1. What is the meaning of ASTM A249 TP304?
SA-249 is the ASME version of ASTM A249, covering welded austenitic stainless steel tubes used for boiler, heat exchanger, and condenser applications.
TP304 is a widely used stainless steel grade with 18% chromium and 8% nickel, offering:
Excellent corrosion resistance
Good formability and weldability
High-temperature strength
🔸 2. What is the chemical composition of SA 249 TP304?
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Chromium (Cr) | 18.0 – 20.0 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 8.0 – 11.0 |
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.08 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 2.00 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 1.00 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.045 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.030 |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
🔸 3. What are the mechanical properties of SA 249 TP304?
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 515 MPa (75 ksi) |
| Yield Strength (0.2%) | ≥ 205 MPa (30 ksi) |
| Elongation | ≥ 35% |
| Hardness (HRB) | ≤ 90 |
🔸 4. How is SA 249 TP304 different from seamless tubing like SA 213 TP304?
SA 249 TP304: Welded tube; suitable for non-critical or moderately high-pressure systems; cost-effective
SA 213 TP304: Seamless tube; used in critical high-pressure, high-temperature applications; more expensive
👉 Related: SA 213 vs SA 249 – What's the Difference?
🔸 5. What are typical applications of SA 249 TP304 tubes?
Shell-and-tube heat exchangers
Feedwater heaters
Power plant condensers
Petrochemical processing units
Brewery, dairy, and food industries
Marine and desalination systems
🔸 6. What are the testing and tolerances for SA 249 TP304?
SA 249 tubes must undergo:
Hydrostatic or Eddy Current Testing
Flattening, Flare, and Flange Tests
Weld bead treatment and heat treatment (solution annealed)
Dimensional tolerances for OD, wall thickness, and length per ASME specs
👉 Need a detailed tolerance chart? Let me know.
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