What are the Best Material Choices for Heat Exchanger Tubes?

Heat Exchanger tubes can help transfer heat between hot and cold fluid to maximize the heat flow per unit area. They are applicable at many places. Right from automobiles to simple room heaters, they are everywhere! However, when choosing the right tube for your particular need, you need to choose wisely.

Truth be told, there isn’t one best material choice for heat exchanger tubes. It all depends on your requirements. In this article, we talk about the considerations before deciding your material of choice for your finned tubes, seamless tubes and heat exchanger tubes in general.

Considerations While Choosing A Material:

 
The three top considerations while deciding the best material for your heat exchanger tubes are:

1. Temperature Range

 
1. How hot the fluids flowing through your heat exchanger tubes will be is key to deciding the best material for them. Picking an alloy that can resist the temperature efficiently is key to getting the best performance out of your tubes.

2. Corrosion Resistance

 
Different metals have different corrosion resistance ranges. The corrosion dynamics will also change depending on your fluids. Find alloys or metals that will not corrode when in contact with your material, or at least not corrode easily. Corrosion can lead to performance degradation as well as contaminate your fluids. Corrosive properties of the material are a must to be studied before you finalize the material for your heat exchanger tubes.

3. Heat Transfer Characteristics

 
The speed of heat transfer needed will also change the material you need. If your heat exchanger tubes are to cool down fluids, certain materials may work better and if your set-up is to heat fluids some other may.

Choices Of Material:

 
The list of the types of materials you can choose from for your heat exchanger tubes is endless. A wide variety of metal alloys and ceramics can be used in tubes. Let’s discuss the three most common choices.

1. Steel

 
Carbon steel or alloy steel tubes make for great heat exchange tubes in setups that are prone to corrosion. Steel tubes are also great for when you are on a budget for your heat exchanger pipes. However, they may take slightly longer than others to heat or cool.

2. Copper

 
For situations where the environment that the tubes will be used in is not highly corrosive and heat needs to be transferred fast, copper heat exchanger tubes fit perfectly. They do, however, require you to be on the higher side budget-wise. Copper tubes will give you high performance and longevity.

3. Aluminium

 
Aluminium and aluminium alloys work best for when the corrosion levels are medium to low. Aluminium also heats faster than steel while still not being the most expensive of the lot. Aluminium brings in cost-effectivity and good performance.

Many other materials can be used in the making of heat exchanger tubes. The best material for you depends largely on your application of the tubes. Your temperature range, corrosion, environment, and heat requirements will change the metal of choice for you. It is important to thoroughly research your fluids and your material options before finalizing your choice.