What SA179 is
ASME SA179 covers seamless cold-drawn low-carbon steel tube for tubular heat exchangers, condensers, and similar heat transfer equipment. It is the default choice when the process side is not corrosive enough to justify stainless or copper alloy, and it is the tube most fabricators order by the thousand.
Because it is cold drawn, SA179 arrives with tight dimensional tolerances and a smooth bore, which matters for tube-to-tubesheet rolling and for heat transfer efficiency.
Why fabricators buy it from Ameritube
- Stocked, not sourced. The 3/4" and 1" sizes above sit on the floor in Hillsboro. Most orders ship within days.
- Same quality system as our copper. Every SA179 lot is received, inspected, and released under our ISO 9001:2015 procedures, with a traveler and a documented receiving inspection.
- Mixed-alloy orders on one PO. Exchanger jobs often call for SA179 shells alongside admiralty or copper-nickel bundles. We quote and ship both.
- Cut-to-length and U-bends. Tell us the tube sheet layout and we will quote finished lengths or bent tube.
Chemical composition
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Carbon | 0.06 to 0.18% |
| Manganese | 0.27 to 0.63% |
| Phosphorus | 0.035% max |
| Sulfur | 0.035% max |
Mechanical properties
| Property | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 47,000 psi (325 MPa) |
| Yield strength | 26,000 psi (180 MPa) |
| Elongation in 2" | 35% |
| Hardness | 72 HRB max |
Where it is used
Refinery and petrochemical shell-and-tube exchangers, surface condensers, air coolers, oil coolers on compressor skids, and HVAC chillers. If chlorides, seawater, or acidic condensate are present, ask us about C44300 admiralty, C70600 copper-nickel, or TP316L instead.
OD, minimum or average wall, length, quantity in pieces, any U-bend or cut-to-length needs, and whether you need SR heat treatment or a specific MTR format for your customer.