Heat Exchanger Tube Sheet

Heat Exchanger Tube Sheet performance under fluctuating thermal loads is governed by its ability to minimize differential expansion stresses. Multi-pass welding qualification procedures, PWHT (Post Weld Heat Treatment), and controlled ferrite content in stainless steel tube sheets reduce stress risers. These attributes are essential for maintaining metallurgical stability during repeated startup-shutdown cycles. 

Outside Diameter (OD)

300–3000 mm (±0.1% of OD or ±1.5 mm, whichever is smaller)

Thickness

20–150 mm (±0.5 mm for t ≤50 mm, ±1.0 mm for t >50 mm)

Material Specification

Carbon Steel (ASME SA-516 Gr.70), CuNi Alloy (SB-111 C70600), Titanium (SB-338 Gr.2)

Number of Tube Holes

50–10,000+ holes (±0.1% of total count)

Tube Hole Diameter

12–50 mm (±0.025 mm for expansion, ±0.05 mm for welded joints)

Product Description

Heat Exchanger Tube Sheet integrity is compromised when exposed to dissimilar media on the shell and tube sides. Duplex, super duplex, and titanium-clad tube sheets are selected based on electrochemical potential differences and pH levels of operating fluids. Surface passivation and CRA overlays further extend resistance to crevice corrosion and intergranular attack. 

Tube Hole Pitch

Triangular (30°/60° layout), Square; Pitch = 1.25× tube OD (±0.1 mm)

Pass Lane Configuration

50–300 mm wide (±2 mm), Divider Plate Groove Depth – +0.5/–0 mm

Surface Finish Requirements

Machined Face – Ra ≤ 3.2 µm, Gasket Surfaces – Ra ≤ 1.6 µm, Hole ID – Ra ≤ 0.8 µm

Drilling/Machining Tolerance

Hole Position – ±0.2 mm, Perpendicularity – 0.1 mm/100 mm, Burr Height – ≤0.05 mm

Certification Standard

ASME Sec. VIII Div.1, TEMA Class R/C/B, ISO 9001, PED 2014/68/EU (for pressure equipment)

Technical Advantages

Heat Exchanger Tube Sheet must retain flatness and mechanical strength under design pressures exceeding 100 bar. Thickness-to-diameter ratios are defined using ASME Section VIII and FEA-backed stress contouring. High-strength forgings with verified grain flow orientation and hydrostatic load-bearing capabilities ensure zero flange deflection or creep deformation. 

Heat Exchanger Tube Sheet accuracy in hole pitch, roundness, and spacing is critical to avoid axial stress on tubes. Hole tolerances are maintained within H7 class with deviation under 0.02 mm using multiaxis CNC boring and coordinate measurement systems. This alignment ensures consistent expansion or welding and eliminates fretting under flow-induced vibration. 

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Industry Applications

Petrochemical Processing Units

Supports tube bundles in high-pressure heat exchangers handling hydrocarbons, withstanding thermal cycling and aggressive chemical exposure in cracking systems. 

Offshore Oil and Gas Platforms

Used in compact heat exchangers exposed to saline environments, requiring corrosion-resistant alloys and robust mechanical properties for continuous operation. 

Nuclear Power Plant Steam Generators

Forms structural base for thousands of U-tubes operating under neutron flux, requiring precise hole tolerances and radiation-resistant material grades. 

Fertilizer and Ammonia Plants

Operates in exchangers where synthesis gas contains hydrogen and nitrogen, requiring tube sheets with high hydrogen embrittlement resistance and metallurgical stability. 

Desalination and Brine Concentration Systems

Deployed in multi-effect evaporators and condensers where tube sheets must resist chloride pitting, crevice corrosion, and thermal fatigue from brine fluids. 

Cryogenic Air Separation Units

Integrated into heat exchangers transferring low-temperature oxygen and nitrogen, necessitating materials with high notch toughness at sub-zero operating conditions. 

 

Sealing Optimization in Multi-Pass Layouts

Heat Exchanger Tube Sheet sealing grooves require uniform compression geometry for gasket integrity across multiple partitions. Machined groove depth and surface finish are tailored to the gasket material modulus and thermal cycling behavior. Fluid bypass is prevented through precise partition slot machining and verified gasket seating force distribution. 

Heat Exchanger Tube Sheet materials are selected and treated to meet specified Brinell or Rockwell hardness profiles while avoiding carbide precipitation. Ferrite-austenite balance is preserved through controlled cooling rates, reducing susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking. Grain size control ensures dimensional stability during long-duration exposure to elevated temperatures. 

Heat Exchanger Tube Sheet

Having Doubts? Our FAQ

Check all our Frequently Asked Question

How does Frigate ensure concentricity and pitch accuracy in tube hole drilling?

Frigate uses 5-axis CNC machining centers with closed-loop control systems to achieve concentricity deviations under 0.02 mm. Each Heat Exchanger Tube Sheet undergoes coordinate measurement inspection to verify pitch accuracy within H7 tolerance. These parameters are critical for minimizing tube stress and flow disruption. Final inspection reports are provided with every delivery. 

What material testing does Frigate perform on Heat Exchanger Tube Sheets used in critical pressure systems?

Frigate conducts ultrasonic testing (UT), liquid penetrant testing (LPT), and full spectrochemical analysis as per ASME Section VIII Div. For high-temperature and pressure environments, grain size and hardness are validated to prevent creep and fatigue failures. PMI (Positive Material Identification) ensures material traceability. All tests are documented in MTCs for compliance. 

How does Frigate handle tube sheet fabrication for dissimilar metal tube interfaces?

Frigate provides bimetallic and clad Heat Exchanger Tube Sheets using weld-overlay or explosion-bonded processes. These allow secure joints between carbon steel sheets and corrosion-resistant alloys like titanium or Inconel. Galvanic compatibility and thermal expansion mismatch are analyzed in-house. Design validation includes thermal fatigue and metallurgical stability assessment. 

How does Frigate ensure sealing integrity in multi-pass Heat Exchanger Tube Sheet configurations?

Frigate machines precision gasket grooves with Ra ≤ 1.6 µm surface finish for optimized compression sealing. Partition grooves are engineered to minimize fluid bypass between passes. All groove dimensions are validated using 3D CMMs. Gasket seating force simulations are conducted during the design phase for leak-proof operation. 

 

What steps does Frigate take to reduce residual stresses in Heat Exchanger Tube Sheets?

Frigate applies controlled Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) after welding operations and before final machining. Stress-relief cycles are tailored based on material grade and sheet thickness. This prevents distortion during operation and enhances fatigue life. Stress relief data is recorded and included in the quality dossier. 

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LOCATIONS

Global Sales Office

818, Preakness lane, Coppell, Texas, USA – 75019

Registered Office

10-A, First Floor, V.V Complex, Prakash Nagar, Thiruverumbur, Trichy-620013, Tamil Nadu, India.

Operations Office

9/1, Poonthottam Nagar, Ramanandha Nagar, Saravanampatti, Coimbatore-641035, Tamil Nadu, India. ㅤ

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