What is the difference between A249 and A213?

Dec 16, 2025

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What is the difference between A249 and A213?

The main differences lie in the manufacturing methods and applications: ASTM A213 specifies seamless ferritic/austenitic alloy tubes for boilers/heat exchangers, while ASTM A249 covers welded, cold-worked austenitic tubes for similar heat transfer applications (boilers, superheaters, condensers). A213 tubes are seamless and have higher strength; while A249 tubes are welded from steel strips, making them suitable for heat exchange systems requiring good pressure/temperature resistance.

What are the specific specifications of ASTM A213 T11?

Seamless alloy tubing conforming to ASTM A213 T11 typically has an inside diameter of 1/8 inch [3.2 mm] to 5 inches [127 mm] and a wall thickness of 0.015 inches to 0.500 inches (inclusive of 0.4 mm to 12.7 mm), with a minimum wall thickness of 0.4 mm to 12.7 mm (inclusive of 0.015 inches and 0.500 inches), or, if otherwise specified in the order, an average wall thickness.

ASTM A213/A213M is a general technical specification published by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for seamless ferritic and austenitic alloy steel tubing used in boilers, superheaters, and heat exchangers. It specifies the chemical composition, mechanical properties, heat treatment, dimensional tolerances, and non-destructive testing requirements for seamless stainless steel (such as TP304H and TP316L) and alloy steel (such as T11 and T22) tubing suitable for high-temperature and high-pressure environments. It is a core standard for selecting, procuring, and accepting critical high-temperature pressure-bearing tubing in industries such as power generation, petrochemicals, and boiler manufacturing, ensuring the safety and reliability of materials under harsh service conditions.

ASTM A249/A249M is a general technical specification published by ASTM for welded austenitic stainless steel tubing used in boilers, superheaters, heat exchangers, and condensers. It specifies the chemical composition, mechanical properties, welding quality, heat treatment, dimensional tolerances, and non-destructive testing requirements for austenitic stainless steel (such as 304, 316, and 321) welded pipes (usually longitudinal seam welds). It is suitable for medium- and high-temperature corrosive media environments and is the main standard for the selection and acceptance of key pressure-bearing welded pipes in industries such as petrochemicals, food and pharmaceuticals, power, and refrigeration, ensuring their safety and reliability under specific working conditions.

ASTM A249 and ASTM A213 standards

Standard	Tolerance of Outside Diameter (mm)		Wall thickness(%)	Length Tolerance(mm)
ASTM A249	<25.0	+0.10 -0.11	±10%
	≥25.0-≤40.0	±0.15
	>40.0-<50.0	±0.20		OD<50.8	+3.0-0.0
	≥50.0~<65.0	±0.25
	≥65.0-<75.0	±0.30
	≥75.0~<100.0	±0.38		OD≥50.8	+5.0-0.0
	≥100~≤200.0	+0.38 -0.64
	>200.0-≤225.0	+0.38 -1.14
ASTM213	D＜25.4	± 0.10	+20/0	+3.0/0
	25.4~38.1	±0.15
	38.1~50.8	±0.20
	50.8~63.5	±0.25	+22/0	+5.0/0
	63.5~76.2	±0.30
	76.2~101.6	±0.38
	101.6~190.5	+0.38/-0.64
	190.5~228.6	+0.38/-1.14

ASTM A249 (Welded)

Type: Welded austenitic stainless steel tube.

Manufacturing process: Rolled steel strip, welded, then cold-worked and heat-treated; specific requirements apply to the weld.

Applications: Boilers, superheaters, heat exchangers, condensers, and pressure systems where heat transfer is critical.

ASTM A213 (Seamless)

Type: Seamless ferritic and austenitic alloy steel tube.

Manufacturing process: Manufactured from hot-rolled steel billets, ensuring a weld-free surface and providing superior strength for high-pressure applications.

Applications: Boiler, superheater, and heat exchanger tubes, typically used in high-temperature, high-pressure environments, with specified minimum wall thicknesses.

Key differences summarized:

A249 = welded pipe; A213 = seamless pipe.

A249 requires welding (cold working/weld control); A213 is inherently a seamless pipe.

Both are suitable for high-temperature and high-pressure environments, but different manufacturing processes are used for stainless steel/alloy pipes.

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