What is integral low fin tubing?

Integral Low Fin tubing is kind of single metal fin tube, which is a type of extruded tubing that consists of small low fins. The low fin tube is very similar to the extruded "high fin" types but these tubes have the same diameter as the base tube. Low Fin Enhanced tubes can be used in standard shell and tube baffles and tube sheets. The primary advantage for the low fin tube is providing surface enhancement and better heat transfer over smooth tubing.

Low finned tubes have been successfully used for controlling the temperature of gases and liquids or for evaporating and condensing refrigerants. As mentioned before, due to their enlarged heat transfer surfaces, they provide a considerable potential for savings by reducing the tube length that is needed to achieve the required performance of the unit.

Integral low fin tube for use in situations where extended surface is required, but lack of space or heat exchanger type dictates otherwise.

Integral low fin tubing material:

Typical material, Admiralty Brass Tubing, Copper Tubing, Copper Nickel Tubing, Stainless Tubing, Carbon Alloy Tubing, Aluminum Brass Tubing stainless steel (304L, 316L, 321(H), 304H, 310, …), duplex, copper alloys, nickel alloys, hastelloy and titanium

Integral Low Fin Tube has the advantage that it can improve the thermal performance of a heat exchanger without the necessity for changing shell size, flow arrangement or the repositioning of piping.

The external surface of the tube is increased by the formation of low fins by direct extrusion from the material of the base tube.

Integral low fin tubing size range / dimensions:

- Tube size: 12,7mm, 15,88mm, 19,05mm and 25,4mm

-Fins per inch: 16, 19, 26, 28, 30, 32, 36, 40 and 43 fins/inch dependant on material

Integral low fin tubing quality test capabilities:

- Non-destructive eddy current examination

- Air under water testing

- Hydrostatic testing (with fluorescent dye)

-Fin profile examination at 50x magnification

- Dimensional & ring gage checks

Integral low fin tubing applications:

- Refrigeration, air conditioning, condenser, heat exchanger, boiler

- Low finned tubes are mainly used in the following applications:

- Heating

- Mechanical engineering

- Automotive engineering

- Chemical engineering

- Power plants

- Nuclear engineering

Integral low fin tubing norm standard:

- ASME pressure vessel code Sec.8, UG-8 and Div. 1 appendix 23

- ASTM B891: Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Titanium and Titanium Alloy Condenser and Heat Exchanger Tubes with Integral Fins

- ASTM A1012: Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Ferritic, Austenitic and Duplex Alloy Steel Condenser and Heat Exchanger Tubes with Integral Fins

- ASTM B924: Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Nickel Alloy Condenser and Heat Exchanger Tubes with Integral Fins

- ASTM A498: Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Carbon, Ferritic and Austenitic Alloy Steel Heat Exchanger Tubes with Integral Fins

- ASTM B359: Standard Specification for Copper and Copper-Alloy Seamless Condenser and Heat Exchanger Tubes with Integral Fins

In specifying Integral low fin tubing should advise:

1) Number of finned tubes required

2) Outside diameter of tube

3) Tube thickness or thickness required under root of fin

4) Length of finned tube

5) Number of fins per inch

6) Unfinned ends

7) Skipped portions and dimensions from one end

8) Material of tube

Technical drawing of integrally finned tube by low Finning

In specifying U-tubes you should advise:

1) Tube diameter, thickness and material

2) Straight leg length

3) Centre line radius (or diameter) and number off per row

4) Whether post bend heat treatment is required

5) Whether hydraulic testing is required

Integral Low Finned Tube, Integral Low Fin tubing