ASTM A268 Ferritic & Martensitic Stainless Steel Tubing Testing
ASTM A268 is a standard specification that covers and gives detailed information regarding the number of grades of nominal wall thickness stainless steel tubing for general corrosion-resistant and high-temperature service. Most of these types are ferrimagnetic and known as straight chromium types.
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- Overview
- Scope, Applications, and Benefits
- Test Process
- Specifications
- Instrumentation
- Results and Deliverables
Overview
ASTM A268 specifies requirements for seamless and welded ferritic and martensitic stainless steel tubing intended for general corrosion-resistant and high-temperature service. The standard defines chemical composition, mechanical properties, heat treatment conditions, and dimensional tolerances.
This specification is widely used in industries such as power generation, automotive, heat exchangers, and industrial processing. It ensures that stainless steel tubing meets performance requirements for strength, durability, and resistance to oxidation and corrosion.
Scope, Applications, and Benefits
Scope
ASTM A268 covers tubing made from ferritic and martensitic stainless steels, produced by either the seamless or the welded process. The specification ensures compliance with chemical composition, mechanical properties, and heat treatment requirements.
The standard evaluates:
- Chemical composition of stainless steel grades
- Mechanical properties such as tensile strength and hardness
- Heat treatment and tempering conditions
- Dimensional tolerances and surface quality
- Corrosion and oxidation resistance
Applications
- Heat exchangers and condensers
- Boiler and superheater tubing
- Automotive exhaust systems
- Industrial piping and tubing systems
- Power plant and energy sector components
- General engineering applications
Benefits
- Ensures consistent material quality and performance
- Provides corrosion and oxidation resistance
- Supports high-temperature service applications
- Assists in material selection and design
- Enables comparison between tubing grades
Test Process
Material Identification
Tubing grade and specifications are verified based on ASTM requirements.
1Mechanical Testing
Tensile and hardness tests are performed to evaluate strength and durability.
2Chemical Analysis
Elemental composition is analyzed to confirm compliance with specified grades.
3Data Recording & Evaluation
Results are compared against ASTM A268 requirements for acceptance.
4Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Applicable Materials | Ferritic and martensitic stainless steels |
| Product Forms | Seamless and welded tubing |
| Outer Diameter Range | ~6 mm to 250 mm |
| Wall Thickness | ~0.5 mm to 25 mm |
| Tensile Strength | ~415 MPa to 760 MPa |
| Hardness Range | ~150 to 300 HB |
Instrumentation Used for Testing
- Universal testing machine
- Optical emission spectrometer (OES)
- Hardness tester (Brinell/Rockwell)
- Dimensional measurement tools
- Metallurgical microscope
- Data acquisition system
Results and Deliverables
- Chemical composition verification
- Mechanical property test results
- Dimensional and surface inspection data
- Material grade confirmation
- Test condition summary
- ASTM compliance report
Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM A268 includes chemical composition, mechanical properties, heat treatment, dimensional tolerances, surface finish, and corrosion resistance, ensuring seamless and welded ferritic and martensitic stainless steel tubing meets general service requirements.
ASTM A268 covers ferritic and martensitic stainless steels in seamless and welded tubing forms, used for applications requiring moderate corrosion resistance and mechanical strength.
ASTM A268 defines tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and hardness requirements, ensuring tubing materials meet performance criteria for structural and industrial applications.
ASTM A268 tubing is used in heat exchangers, boilers, condensers, and general industrial piping systems requiring stainless steel materials with corrosion resistance and strength.
ASTM A268 defines properties under controlled conditions and may not account for welding effects, fabrication processes, or service environments influencing long-term performance of stainless steel tubing.
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