Tube plug material for A179 tubes 1

[khalidkhattak]

HI..
can we use SA 266 cl2 material for plugs, to be welded on A-179 tubes. Also please specify comparitive material if any.
regards

 

[metengr]

What is your application? The SA-179 specification is for seamless, low carbon steel heat exchanger and condenser tubes. The carbon content ranges from 0.06-0.18%.

The SA-266 Grades 1 and 2 carbon steel forgings could be used for welded tube plugs. A better alternative for welded plugs for use on SA-179 tubes would be an SA-311, Class A, Grade 1018 carbon steel bar. What is the tubesheet material?

 

[khalidkhattak]

Thanx for answering metengr.
This is LEAN AMINE TRIM COOLER.Cooling water in tubes while amine solution is toward shell side. The material for tube sheet is A-266 cl2.

 

[NickelMet]

Metengr is right, the 1018 carbon steel bar can be used for making plugs on SA-179. We have used that material and several other low carbon or mild steel materials for making plugs. (Even in the service you mention.)

There is an alternative if you don't want to make your own tubes though. Try:

http://www.expansionseal.com/html/hepg2.htm

These are something I've been wanting to try out for sealing up leaking cooling water bundles. I don't know if I'd trust them in anything else, but it may be worth a shot in the cooling water side of things. We've tried some similar plugs and found them quite easy to use.

~NiM

 

[EdStainless]

I have seen the ES plug used in all kinds of services, even very high pressures. They make a few different styles and offer many materials.
Unless you really want to do it yourself call ES, they do it for a living.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Corrosion never sleeps, but it can be managed.

http://www.trenttube.com/Trent/tech_form.htm

 

[valero]

I have tried the ES plugs. If you are going to use them you want to assure your tube is clean. They use small wire brushes that fit inside the tube to clean the floating end side of the tube, but they do not work to well. Depending on the success of you cooling water treatment program this service tends to get quite dirty. I would strongly recommend hydroblasting the tube to be plugged if you chose to go with the ES route. If you have a little extra time and do not know the exact failure mechanism of the tube you can do what I like to do. Have the local exchanger fabricator extract the tube in question and install pocket tubes in its place. A pocket tube is a little longer than the thickness of your tubesheet and open only on one end. After installation they are rolled in place. Once you have the tube you can cut it up and split it to evaluate the failure mode. This info is useful to correct the problem rather than repair the consequence. This is probably more info than you needed but I thought I through it in for free.

 

[unclesyd]

We use ES "Perma Plug" tube plugs in very corrosive conditions with excellent results. The highest pressure we have used them is 175 psig. We us the "Pop-A-Plug" for higher pressures.

Just remember that you have to buy the "Pop-A-Plug" tool for installation.

You also might want to look at 2 piece plugs for a lot less money..

 

[NickelMet]

Thanks for the votes of confidence in the Perma Plugs fellas. Makes it more the notice to try them.

~NiM

 

[unclesyd]

NickelMet
While you are in the trying mood here is another type for high pressure and temperature.

http://www.torq-n-seal.com/index.html

 

[khalidkhattak]

Thanx all of u for giving me much information on the subject.