SPECIFICATION FOR WELDED AUSTENITIC

STAINLESS STEEL FEEDWATER HEATER TUBES

SA-688/SA-688M

01 (Identical with ASTM Specification A 688/A 688M-98 except that the solution treatment of Grade UNS N08637
in 8.1 is mandatory.)

1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This specification covers welded austenitic stain- 3.1 Definitions of Terms — For definitions of terms
less steel feedwater heater tubes including those bent, used in this specification, refer to Terminology A 941.
if specified, into the form of U-tubes for application
in tubular feedwater heaters.
4. Ordering Information
1.2 The tubing sizes covered shall be 5⁄8 to 1 in.
[15.9 to 25.4 mm] inclusive outside diameter, and 4.1 Orders for material to this specification should
average or minimum wall thicknesses of 0.028 in. [0.7 include the following, as required, to adequately describe
mm] and heavier. the desired material:

1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound units or 4.1.1 Quantity (length or number of pieces).
SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. 4.1.2 Material description.
Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The
values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; 4.1.3 Dimensions — Outside diameter, wall thick-
therefore, each system shall be used independently of ness (minimum or average wall), and length.
the other. Combining values from the two systems may 4.1.4 Grade (chemical composition) (Table 1).
result in nonconformance with the specification.
4.1.5 U-bend requirements, if order specifies bend-
ing, U-bend schedules or drawings shall accompany
the order.
2. Referenced Documents 4.1.6 Optional requirements — Purchaser shall
2.1 ASTM Standards: specify if annealing of the U-bends is required or
A 262 Practices for Detecting Susceptibility to Intergran- whether tubes are to be hydrotested or air tested
ular Attack in Austenitic Stainless Steels (see 11.6).
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Test- 4.1.7 Supplementary requirements — Purchaser
ing of Steel Products shall specify on the purchase order if material is to
A 450/A 450M Specification for General Requirements be eddy current tested in accordance with Supplementary
for Carbon, Ferritic Alloy, and Austenitic Alloy Steel Requirement S1 or S2, and if special test reports are
Tubes required under Supplementary Requirement S3.
A 480/A 480M Specification for General Requirements
for Flat-Rolled Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel
Plate, Sheet, and Strip
5. General Requirements
A 941 Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel,
Related Alloys, and Ferroalloys 5.1 Material furnished to this specification shall con-
E 527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys (UNS) form to the applicable requirements of the latest pub-

1168

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Licensed by Information Handling Services
 PART A — FERROUS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS SA-688/SA-688M

lished edition of Specification A 450/A 450M unless harmful carbide precipitation as determined in Section
otherwise provided herein. 13. UNS N08367 shall be solution annealed from
2025°F [1107°C] minimum followed by rapid
quenching.
6. Materials and Manufacture 8.2 N08926 shall be heat-treated to a minimum
6.1 The tube shall be made from flat-rolled steel by temperature of 2010°F [1100°C] followed by quenching
an automatic welding process with no addition of filler in water or rapidly cooling by other means.
metal. 8.3 If heat treatment of U-bends is specified, it shall
6.2 Subsequent to welding and prior to final heat satisfy the annealing procedure described in 8.1 and
treatment, the tubes shall be cold worked either in both 8.2, and shall be done as follows:
the weld and base metal, or in the weld metal only. 8.3.1 The heat treatment shall be applied to the
The method of cold work may be specified by the U-bend area plus approximately 6 in. [150 mm] of
purchaser. When cold drawn, the purchaser may specify each leg beyond the tangent point of the U-bend.
the minimum amount of reduction in cross-sectional
area or wall thickness, or both. 8.3.2 If the heat treatment specified in 8.3 is
accomplished by resistance-heating methods wherein
6.3 Many surface contaminants may have detrimental electrodes are clamped to the tubes, the clamped areas
effects on high temperature properties or corrosion shall be visually examined for arc burns. Burn indica-
resistance of tubing. Contamination by copper, lead, tions shall be cause for rejection unless they can be
mercury, zinc, chlorides, or sulfur may be detrimental removed by local polishing without encroaching upon
to stainless steels. The manufacturer shall employ tech- minimum wall thickness.
niques that minimize surface contamination by these
elements. 8.3.3 Temperature control shall be accomplished
through the use of optical or emission pyrometers, or
both. No temperature-indicating crayons, lacquers, or
7. Cleaning Before Annealing pellets shall be used.

7.1 All lubricants of coatings used in the manufacture 8.3.4 The inside of the tube shall be purged with
of straight-length tube or in the bending shall be a protective or an inert gas atmosphere during heating
removed from all surfaces prior to any annealing treat- and cooling to below 700°F [370°C] to prevent scaling
ments. U-bends on which a lubricant had been applied of the inside surface. The atmosphere should be noncar-
to the inside surface during bending shall have the burizing.
cleanness of their inside surface confirmed by blowing
close fitting acetone-soaked felt plugs through 10% of
the tubes of each bend radius. Dry, oil-free air or inert 9. Surface Condition
gas shall be used to blow the plugs through the tubes. 9.1 The straight tubes, after final annealing, shall be
If the plugs blown through any tube shows more than pickled using a solution of nitric and hydrofluoric acids
a light gray discoloration, all tubes that have had a followed by flushing and rinsing in water. If bright
lubricant applied to the inside surface during bending annealing is performed, this requirement does not apply.
shall be recleaned. After recleaning 10% of the tubes
of each bend radius whose inside surface had been 9.2 A light oxide scale on the outside surface of U-
subjected to bending lubricants shall be retested. bend area shall be permitted for tubes which have been
electric-resistance heat treated after bending.

8. Heat Treatment
10. Chemical Composition
8.1 All finished straight tubing or straight tubing
10.1 Product Analysis:
ready for U-bending shall be furnished in the solution-
annealed condition. The annealing procedure, except 10.1.1 When requested in the purchase order, a
for N08367 and N08926, shall consist of heating the product analysis shall be made by the supplier from
material to a minimum temperature of 1900°F [1040°C] one tube or coil of steel per heat. The chemical
followed by a rapid cooling to below 700°F [370°C]. composition shall conform to the requirements shown
The cooling rate shall be sufficiently rapid to prevent in Table 1.

1169

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Licensed by Information Handling Services
 SA-688/SA-688M 2001 SECTION II

10.1.2 A product analysis tolerance of Specification with the mandrel parallel to the weld and in contact
A 480/A 480M shall apply. The product analysis toler- with the outside surface of the tube. The weld shall
ance is not applicable to the carbon content for material be at the point of maximum bend. There shall be no
with a specified maximum carbon of 0.04% or less. evidence of cracks or lack of penetration in the weld
or of overlaps resulting from flash removal of the weld.
10.1.3 If the original test for product analysis fails,
retests of two additional lengths of flat-rolled stock or NOTE 3 — The reverse bend test is not applicable when specified
tubes shall be made. Both retests for the elements in wall is 10% or more of the specified outside diameter, or the wall
thickness is 0.134 in. [3.4 mm] or greater, or the outside diameter
question shall meet the requirements of this specifica- size is less than 0.375 in. [9.5 mm]. Under these conditions, the
tion; otherwise all remaining material in the heat or reverse flattening test of Specification A 450/A 450M shall apply.
lot (Note 1) shall be rejected, or at the option of the
11.4 Flattening Test — Flattening tests shall be made
producer, each length of flat-rolled stock or tube may
on specimens from each end of one finished tube, not
be individually tested for acceptance. Lengths of flat-
the one used for the flange test, from each lot (Note 1).
rolled stock or tubes that do not meet the requirements
of this specification shall be rejected. 11.5 Flange Test — Flange tests shall be made on
specimens from each end of one finished tube, not the
NOTE 1 — For flattening and flange requirements, the term “lot”
applies to 125 tube groupings, prior to cutting to length, of the same
one used for the flattening test, from each lot (Note 1).
nominal size and wall thickness, produced from the same heat of
steel and annealed in a continuous furnace.
11.6 Pressure Test:
11.6.1 Each straight tube or each U-tube after
completion of the bending and post-bending heat treat-
ment, shall be pressure tested in accordance with one of
11. Mechanical Requirements
the following paragraphs as specified by the purchaser.
11.1 Tensile Properties:
11.6.1.1 Hydrostatic Test — Each tube shall be
11.1.1 The material shall conform to the tensile
given an internal hydrostatic test in accordance with
properties shown in Table 2.
Specification A 450/A 450M, except that the test pres-
11.1.2 One tension test shall be made on a specimen sure and hold time, when other than that stated in
for lots of not more than 50 tubes. Tension tests shall Specification A 450/A 450M, shall be agreed upon
be made on specimens from two tubes for lots of more between purchaser and manufacturer.
than 50 tubes (Note 2).
11.6.1.2 Air Underwater Test — Each tube shall
11.2 Hardness: be air underwater tested in accordance with Specification
11.2.1 Grade TP XM-29 tubes shall have a hardness A 450/A 450M.
number not exceeding 100 HRB or its equivalent. Tubes
of all other grades shall have a hardness number not
exceeding 90 HRB or its equivalent. This hardness 12. Nondestructive Test (Electric Test)
requirement is not to apply to the bend area of U- 12.1 Each straight tube shall be tested after the finish
bend tubes which are not heat treated after bending. heat treatment by passing it through a nondestructive
11.2.2 Brinell or Rockwell hardness tests shall be tester capable of detecting defects on the entire cross
made on specimens from two tubes from each lot. section of the tube, in accordance with Specification
A 450/A 450M.
NOTE 2 — For tension, hardness, and corrosion test requirements,
the term “lot” applies to all tubes prior to cutting to length, of the
same nominal diameter and wall thickness, produced from the same
heat of steel and annealed in a continuous furnace at the same 13. Corrosion Resisting Properties
temperature, time at heat, and furnace speed.
13.1 One full section sample 1 in. [25.4 mm] long
11.3 Reverse Bend Test: from the center of a sample tube of the smallest radius
11.3.1 One reverse bend test shall be made on a bend which is heat treated shall be tested in the heat
specimen from each 1500 ft [460 m] of finished tubing. treated condition in accordance with Practices A 262.
11.3.2 A section 4 in. [100 mm] in length shall 13.2 One full-section sample 1 in. [25.4 mm] long
be split longitudinally 90° on each side of the weld. from each lot (Note 2) of straight tubes shall be tested
The sample shall then be opened and bent around a in the finished condition in accordance with Practices
mandrel with a diameter four times the wall thickness, A 262.

1170

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Licensed by Information Handling Services
 PART A — FERROUS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS SA-688/SA-688M

13.3 The appearance of any fissures or cracks in Table 3. The difference in lengths of the tube legs
the test specimen when evaluated in accordance with shall not be greater than 1⁄8 in. unless otherwise specified.
Practices A 262 indicating the presence of intergranular
14.4 The end of any tube may depart from square
attack, shall be cause for rejection of that lot.
by not more than the amount given in Table 4.
14.5 The leg spacing measured between the points
14. Permissible Variations in Dimensions (Fig. 1) of tangency of the bend to the legs shall not vary
from the value (2R – specified tube outside diameter)
14.1 Permissible variations from the specified outside by more than 1⁄16 in. [1.5 mm] where R is the center-
diameter shall be in accordance with Specification A line bend radius.
450/A 450M. Those tolerances do not apply to the
bent portion of the U-tubes. At the bent portion of a 14.6 The bent portion of the U-tube shall be substan-
U-tube for R p 2 × D or greater, neither the major tially uniform in curvature, and not to exceed ±1⁄16 in.
nor minor diameter of the tube shall deviate from the [1.5 mm] of the nominal center-line radius.
nominal diameter prior to bending by more than 10%. 14.7 Permissible deviation from the plane of bend
If less than 2 × D is specified, tolerances could be (Fig. 1) shall not exceed 1⁄16 in. [1.5 mm] as measured
greater. from the points of tangency.
14.2 Permissible Variations from the Specified Wall
Thickness:
14.2.1 Permissible variations from the specified 15. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
minimum wall thickness shall not exceed +20% −0. 15.1 Tubing purchased to this specification is intended
14.2.2 Permissible variations from the specified for use in heat exchangers, and will be inserted through
average wall thickness are ±10% of the nominal wall close-fitting holes in baffles or support plates, or both,
thickness. spaced along the tube length. The tube ends will also
be inserted into very close-fitting holes in a tubesheet
14.2.3 The wall thickness of the tube in the U- and expanded and may be welded therein. The tubes
bent section shall not be less than value determined shall be able to stand expanding and bending without
by the equation: showing cracks and flaws, and shall be finished reason-
ably straight and suitable for the intended purpose.
4RT
tf p 15.2 The residual chloride salt contamination of the
4R + D
inside and outside surface of the tubing at the time of
where: packing for shipment from the mill shall not exceed
tfp wall thickness after bending, in. [mm], a concentration of 1 mg/ft2 [10.7 mg/m2] of tube
Tp minimum wall thickness of 14.2.1 or 14.2.2, in. surface. One tube in each five hundred pieces shall be
[mm], checked immediately prior to packing for shipment for
Rp centerline bend radius, in. [mm], and chloride salt contamination by a procedure agreed upon
Dp nominal outside tube diameter, in. [mm]. by the manufacturer and purchaser.

14.3 Permissible Variations from the Specified

Length: 16. Inspection
14.3.1 Straight Lengths — The maximum permissi-
16.1 The inspector representing the purchaser shall
ble variations for lengths 24 ft [7.3 m] and shorter
have entry, at all times, to those areas where inspection
shall be +1⁄8 in. [3 mm], −0; for lengths longer than
and testing is being performed on the purchaser’s
24 ft [7.3 m], an additional over tolerance of +1⁄8 in.
ordered material. The manufacturer shall afford the
[3 mm] for each 10 ft [3 m], or fraction thereof, shall
inspector all reasonable facilities to satisfy him that
be permitted up to a maximum of +1⁄2 in. [13 mm].
the material is being furnished in accordance with this
14.3.2 U-Bends — In the case of U-tubes, the specification. All required tests and inspections shall
length of the tube legs as measured from the point of be made at the place of manufacture prior to shipment,
tangency of the bend and the tube leg to the end of unless otherwise specified, and shall be conducted so
the tube leg, shall not be less than specified, but may as not to interfere unnecessarily with the operation of
exceed the specified values by the amount given in the works.

1171

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Licensed by Information Handling Services
 SA-688/SA-688M 2001 SECTION II

17. Rejection 19. Product Marking

17.1 Each length of tubing received from the manufac- 19.1 All tubes shall be marked with the heat number.
turer may be inspected by the purchaser, and, if it 19.2 Containers and packages shall be marked or
does not meet the requirements of the specification tagged to show the purchaser’s order number, the
based on the inspection and test method outlined in manufacturer’s order number, specification, grade, size
the specification, the tubing may be rejected and the and gage of tubing, number of pieces contained in the
manufacturer shall be notified. Disposition of rejected package, and item number (if appropriate).
tubing shall be a matter of agreement between the
manufacturer and the purchaser.
20. Packaging
17.2 Material that fails in any of the forming opera- 20.1 All tubing shall be packaged and blocked in
tions or in the process of installation and is found to such a manner as to prevent damage in ordinary handling
be defective, shall be set aside, and the manufacturer and transportation. The boxes shall be constructed in
shall be notified. Disposition of such material shall be such a manner that no nails, staples, screws, or similar
a matter for agreement between the manufacturer and fasteners are required to close and secure the box after
the purchaser. the tubes have been placed in the box. The box shall
be lined with plastic sheet or vapor barrier materials
so as to prevent chloride contamination of the tube
during handling, transportation, and storage.
20.2 The U-bent tube shall be arranged in boxes so
that the smaller radius bends may be removed without
18. Certification disturbing larger radius bends. Tubes for an item number
18.1 A test report, signed by an authorized employee shall be boxed together.
or representative of the manufacturer, shall be furnished
to the purchaser to indicate the specification and grade,
21. Keywords
the results of the heat analysis, hardness and tensile
properties. Product analysis will be reported only when 21.1 austenitic stainless steel; feedwater heater tubes;
requested on the purchase order as provided in 4.1.7. stainless steel tube; steel tube; welded steel tube.

1172

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Licensed by Information Handling Services
 PART A — FERROUS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS SA-688/SA-688M

FIG. 1 PLANE BEND FOR U-TUBE

FIG. 2 EDDY-CURRENT TEST STANDARD

1173

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Licensed by Information Handling Services
 SA-688/SA-688M 2001 SECTION II

TABLE 1
CHEMICAL REQUIREMENTS
Grade TP 304 TP 304L TP 304LN TP 316 TP 316L TP 316LN TP XM-29 TP 304N TP 316N ... ...

UNS
Element
DesignationA S30400 S30403 S30453 S31600 S31603 S31653 S24000 S30451 S31651 N08367 N08926

Composition, %

Carbon, max 0.08 0.035 0.035 0.08 0.035

0.060 0.035 0.08 0.08 0.030 0.020
B 11.50–
Manganese, max
2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 14.50 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00
Phosphorus, max 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.060 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.03
Sulfur, max 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.01
Silicon, max 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 1.00 0.75 0.75 1.00 0.5
8.00– 8.00– 8.00– 10.00– 10.00– 10.00– 2.25– 8.00– 10.00– 23.50– 24.00–
Nickel
11.00 13.00 13.00 14.00 15.00 15.00 3.75 11.0 14.00 25.50 26.00
18.00– 18.00– 18.00– 16.00– 16.00– 16.00– 17.00– 18.0– 16.0– 20.00– 19.00–
Chromium
20.00 20.00 20.00 18.00 18.00 18.00 19.00 20.0 18.0 22.00 21.00
2.00– 2.00– 2.00– 2.00– 6.00–
Molybdenum
... ... ... 3.00 3.00 3.00 ... ... 3.00 7.00 6.0–7.0
0.10– 0.10– 0.20– 0.10– 0.10– 0.18– 0.15–
NitrogenC
... ... 0.16 ... ... 0.16 0.40 0.16 0.16 0.25 0.25
Copper ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0.75 max 0.5–1.5
A
New designation established in accordance with Practice E 527 and SAE J1086, Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys (UNS).
B
Maximum, unless otherwise noted.
C
The method of analysis for nitrogen shall be a matter of agreement between the purchaser and manufacturer.

TABLE 2
TENSILE REQUIREMENTS
304L, 304N, 304LN,
Grade 304, 316 316L XM-29 316N 316LN ... ... ...

S30400, S30403, S30451, S30453, N08367 N08367

UNS Designation S31600 S31603 S24000 S31651 S31653 t ≤ 0.187 t > 0.187 N08926
Tensile strength, min
ksi [MPa] 75 [515] 70 [485] 100 [690] 80 [550] 75 [515] 100 [690] 95 [655] 94 [650]
Yield strength, min ksi
[MPa] 30 [205] 25 [175] 55 [380] 35 [240] 30 [205] 45 [310] 45 [310] 43 [295]
Elongation in 2 in. or 50
mm, min, % 35 35 35 35 35 30 30 35

TABLE 3
TUBE LEG LENGTH TOLERANCE
Plus Tolerance,
Leg Length, ft [m] in. [mm]
1
Up to 20 [6], incl ⁄8 [3.2]
5
Over 20 to 30 [6 to 9], incl ⁄32 [4.0]
3
Over 30 to 40 [9 to 12.2], incl ⁄16 [4.8]

TABLE 4
SQUARENESS OF ENDS TOLERANCE
Tube OD, in. [mm] Tolerance, in. [mm]
5
⁄8 [15.9], incl 0.010 [0.25]
Over 5⁄8 to 1 in. [15.9 to 25.4], incl 0.016 [0.4]

1174

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Licensed by Information Handling Services
 PART A — FERROUS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS SA-688/SA-688M

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

The following supplementary requirement or requirements may become a part of

the specification when specified in the inquiry or invitation to bid, and purchase
order or contract. These requirements shall not be considered, unless specified in
the order, in which event the necessary tests shall be made by the manufacturer
prior to the bending or shipment of the tubing.

S1. Nondestructive Eddy-Current Test notches, and are intended for use only to assure instru-
ment phase settings capable of yielding optimum inside
S1.1 Each tube in the finished condition, except for
surface sensitivity.
bending if that is required, shall be tested by passing
it through an electric nondestructive tester capable of S1.4.1 All notches shall be produced by EDM
detecting defects on the entire cross section of the methods. The outside diameter notches shall be of the
tube. Suitable instrumentation shall be used to clearly dimensions shown in Table S1.1 and Fig. 2.
distinguish the artificial defects. The outside and inside
S1.5 All tubing shall meet this specification. The
surfaces of the tubes shall be free of loose scale,
instrument calibration shall be verified at the start of
metallic particles, or other material which would tend
testing, after any shut down of the test equipment,
to restrict signals or create electrical noise. The tubing
shall be inspected by feeding it longitudinally through after any test equipment adjustment, or at least every
1
⁄2 h of continuous production testing or both. Tubes
an inspection coil or coils with a diameter suitable for
generating a signal above the outside diameter calibra-
the diameter of tubing to be inspected. The instrument
tion standard sensitivity level shall be rejected.
calibration shall be accomplished with a reference stan-
dard prepared from an appropriate length of selected S1.6 Tubes may be reconditioned and retested pro-
tubing of the same size, grade, and physical condition vided reconditioning does not adversely effect the mini-
as the material to be inspected. The standard shall be mum wall thickness or other properties of the tube
fed through the coil at the same speed at which the specification requirements. Upon agreement between
inspection of the tubing is performed. purchaser and manufacturer, the referee method, em-
S1.2 The factors listed in S1.3 shall be selected or ploying ultrasonic testing, may be employed for retesting
adjusted, or both, in accordance with the instrument tubes rejected by the eddy-current test. The calibration
manufacturer’s instructions, for the particular instrument standard for this test shall be identical to that required
involved as required to achieve optimum instrument for the eddy-current test.
distinction between the reference defects and plain
portions of the tube.
S2. Nondestructive Eddy-Current Testing (Select
S1.3 The following as well as other factors involved Commercial Grade)
shall not be used in such a manner that they detract
from the overall ability of the instrument to detect S2.1 The manufacturer shall test the tubing using
defects: test frequency, direct-current saturation level, the procedure outlined in Supplementary Requirement
filter networks, phase-analysis circuits, coil diameter, S1, except for the notch standards, which shall be as
and instrument gain. indicated in Table S2.1.

S1.4 The reference standard shall consist of a defect-

free sample of the same size, alloy, and condition
S3. Report
(temper) as that being tested, and shall contain longitudi-
nal and circumferential notches on the outside diameter S3.1 A report shall be furnished by the manufacturer
establishing the rejection level of the tubing to be to include a record of all tests performed to qualify
tested. Inside diameter notches, both longitudinal and material to this specification. This record shall include
transverse, shall also be a part of the reference standard. numbers of tests performed and qualitative or quantita-
These inside notches may be larger than the outside tive results as is applicable.

1175

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Licensed by Information Handling Services