Titanium Welded Tube for Heat Exchangers

Titanium Welded Tube for Heat Exchangers

Titanium welded tubes are widely used in heat exchangers because of their excellent corrosion resistance, especially in seawater and chloride-containing environments. They are commonly applied in condensers, desalination systems, chemical plants, and power plants.

Common Material Grades

The most frequently used titanium grades include:

• Grade 1 – excellent corrosion resistance and high ductility

• Grade 2 – the most commonly used grade with good strength and corrosion resistance

• Grade 12 – improved resistance to crevice corrosion

These tubes are typically manufactured according to standards such as ASTM B338 (for seamless and welded tubes for condensers and heat exchangers) and ASTM B862 (for titanium welded tubes).

Typical Dimensions

Common sizes used in heat exchanger applications include:

• Outside Diameter: 12.7 mm, 19.05 mm, 25.4 mm

• Wall Thickness: 0.5–1.2 mm

• Length: 6 m to 12 m

Manufacturing Process

Titanium welded tubes are generally produced through the following process:

Forming titanium strip → TIG welding → Cold working → Heat treatment → Non-destructive testing (eddy current test) → Hydrostatic testing.

Advantages

• Outstanding corrosion resistance in seawater

• Long service life (often over 20 years)

• High strength-to-weight ratio

• Lower cost compared with seamless titanium tubes

Because of these advantages, titanium welded tubes are increasingly used in heat exchangers, replacing traditional materials such as copper-nickel tubes in many seawater cooling systems.