ASTM A210/A210M-19

Standard Specification for Seamless Medium-Carbon Steel Boiler and Superheater Tubes

ABSTRACT
This specification covers seamless medium-carbon steel boiler and superheater tubes. The specification also covers minimum-wall-thickness, tubing sizes, boiler flues including safe ends, arch and stay tubes. The specification provides tensile and hardness properties but only applicable to certain size limitations. Material manufacturing shall be killed. Tubes shall be made by seamless process, marked as either hot-finished or cold-finished. Surface condition shall be specifically stated in the order. Chemical composition shall conform to the requirements. Elemental composition other than listed here shall not be permitted. Tension test, flattening test, flaring test, hardness test, hydrostatic or nondestructive electric test shall be made on specimens. Superheater tubes shall be formed without defects and shall withstand expansion, beading, forging, welding, and bending.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification2 covers minimum-wall-thickness, seamless medium-carbon steel, boiler tubes and boiler flues, including safe ends (see Note 1), arch and stay tubes, and superheater tubes.  
Note 1: This type is not suitable for safe ending by forge welding.  
1.2 The tubing sizes and thicknesses usually furnished to this specification are 1/2 in. to 5 in. [12.7 to 127 mm] in outside diameter and 0.035 to 0.500 in. [0.9 to 12.7 mm], inclusive, in minimum wall thickness. Tubing having other dimensions may be furnished, provided such tubes comply with all other requirements of this specification.  
1.3 Mechanical property requirements do not apply to tubing smaller than 1/8 in. [3.2 mm] in inside diameter or 0.015 in. [0.4 mm] in thickness.  
1.4 This specification covers grades A-1 and C of Seamless Medium-Carbon Boiler and Superheater Tubes with different chemical and tensile requirements. (Table 1, Table 3, and Section 11.)  
1.5 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification. The inch-pound units shall apply unless the “M” designation of this specification is specified in the order.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2019
• ICS: 23.040.10 - Iron and steel pipes
• Technical Committee: A01 - Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys
• Drafting Committee: A01.09 - Carbon Steel Tubular Products

Relations

• Refers: ASTM A450/A450M-23 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM A450/A450M-18 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2018
• Refers: ASTM A450/A450M-15 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-May-2015
• Refers: ASTM A450/A450M-10 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010
• Refers: ASTM A450/A450M-09 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2009
• Refers: ASTM A450/A450M-07 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2007
• Refers: ASTM A450/A450M-04a - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Carbon, Ferritic Alloy, and Austenitic Alloy Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2004
• Refers: ASTM A450/A450M-04 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Carbon, Ferritic Alloy, and Austenitic Alloy Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2004
• Refers: ASTM A450/A450M-03 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Carbon, Ferritic Alloy, and Austenitic Alloy Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2003
• Refers: ASTM A450/A450M-96a - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Carbon, Ferritic Alloy, and Austenitic Alloy Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1996

Overview

ASTM A210/A210M-19, titled Standard Specification for Seamless Medium-Carbon Steel Boiler and Superheater Tubes, is an internationally recognized specification published by ASTM International. This standard outlines requirements for minimum-wall-thickness seamless tubes made of medium-carbon steel, primarily used in boilers and superheaters. The specification covers a variety of tube configurations, including boiler flues, safe ends, arch tubes, and stay tubes. It emphasizes strict chemical composition, mechanical properties, and manufacturing guidelines to ensure high reliability and performance in demanding thermal environments.

Key Topics

• Scope and Coverage
  • Specifies seamless medium-carbon steel tubing for boilers and superheaters.
  • Covers sizes typically from 1/2 in. to 5 in. (12.7 to 127 mm) outside diameter and 0.035 to 0.500 in. (0.9 to 12.7 mm) minimum wall thickness.
  • Includes boiler flues, arch and stay tubes, and safe ends (not suitable for forge welding).
• Grades and Requirements
  • Details Grade A-1 and Grade C, each with specified chemical composition and mechanical properties such as tensile strength and hardness.
  • Requires the steel to be killed (oxygen fully removed during manufacturing) for consistency and strength.
• Manufacturing and Processing
  • Tubes must be produced by a seamless process, and supplied as hot-finished or cold-finished as ordered.
  • Cold-finished tubes require heat treatment (subcritical anneal, full anneal, or normalization).
• Testing and Inspection
  • Chemical composition analysis ensures compliance with specified limits for elements such as carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, and silicon.
  • Mechanical tests include tension, flattening, flaring, hardness, and either hydrostatic or nondestructive electric tests.
• Documentation and Traceability
  • Markings must indicate hot- or cold-finished state and include product barcoding if requested.
  • Orders should specify all relevant details, including grade, size, manufacture process, and any special requirements.

Applications

• Boiler Tubes
  • Used in fire-tube and water-tube boilers as critical pressure components to safely conduct hot gases or steam.
• Superheater Tubes
  • Transfer heat from combustion gases to steam, raising its temperature for increased thermal efficiency.
• Boiler Flues and Stay Tubes
  • Essential elements in supporting boiler structures and conducting gases.
• Other Heavy-Industrial Uses
  • Suitable for installations where seamless, medium-carbon steel tubes are needed for high-pressure, high-temperature service.

By meeting ASTM A210/A210M-19, manufacturers and users can ensure safety, reliability, and long-term performance in power plants, industrial facilities, and energy production applications.

Related Standards

• ASTM A450/A450M
  • General requirements for carbon and low-alloy steel tubes, referenced for additional guidelines on ordering, testing, and inspection.
• ASME SA-210
  • Equivalent specification adopted by the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code for code-compliant applications.
• Other ASTM Boiler Tube Standards
  • ASTM A192 for seamless carbon steel boiler tubes
  • ASTM A213 for seamless ferritic and austenitic alloy-steel boiler, superheater, and heat-exchanger tubes

Practical Value

Implementing ASTM A210/A210M-19 ensures:

• Consistent Quality in seamless steel boiler and superheater tubes.
• Enhanced Safety for pressure containment under demanding boiler and superheater environments.
• Global Trade Compliance through adherence to internationally recognized standards.
• Simplified Procurement due to universal specifications for grades, testing, and reporting, reducing ambiguity between suppliers and users.

Keywords: seamless steel tubes, medium-carbon steel, boiler tubes, superheater tubes, ASTM A210, pressure vessel, industrial boiler, ASME SA-210, ASTM standards

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:A210/A210M −19
Standard Specification for
Seamless Medium-Carbon Steel Boiler and Superheater
Tubes
This standard is issued under the fixed designationA210/A210M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
2 3
1.1 This specification covers minimum-wall-thickness, 2.1 ASTM Standards:
seamless medium-carbon steel, boiler tubes and boiler flues, A450/A450M Specification for General Requirements for
including safe ends (see Note 1), arch and stay tubes, and Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Tubes
superheater tubes.
3. Ordering Information
NOTE 1—This type is not suitable for safe ending by forge welding.
3.1 Orders for material under this specification should
1.2 The tubing sizes and thicknesses usually furnished to
include the following, as required, to describe the desired
this specification are ⁄2 in. to 5 in. [12.7 to 127 mm] in outside
material adequately:
diameter and 0.035 to 0.500 in. [0.9 to 12.7 mm], inclusive, in
3.1.1 Quantity (feet, metres, or number of lengths),
minimum wall thickness.Tubing having other dimensions may
3.1.2 Name of material (seamless tubes),
be furnished, provided such tubes comply with all other
3.1.3 Grade,
requirements of this specification.
3.1.4 Manufacture (hot-finished or cold-finished),
1.3 Mechanical property requirements do not apply to
3.1.5 Size (outside diameter and minimum wall thickness),
tubing smaller than ⁄8 in. [3.2 mm] in inside diameter or 0.015
3.1.6 Length (specific or random),
in. [0.4 mm] in thickness.
3.1.7 Optional requirements (Sections 7 and 10),
3.1.8 Test report required, (see Certification Section of
1.4 This specification covers gradesA-1 and C of Seamless
Specification A450/A450M),
Medium-Carbon Boiler and Superheater Tubes with different
3.1.9 Specification designation, and
chemical and tensile requirements. (Table 1, Table 3, and
3.1.10 Special requirements.
Section 11.)
1.5 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units
4. General Requirements
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the
4.1 Material furnished under this specification shall con-
SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each
form to the applicable requirements of the current edition of
system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must
Specification A450/A450M, unless otherwise provided herein.
be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in nonconformance with the specifi-
5. Manufacture
cation. The inch-pound units shall apply unless the “M”
designation of this specification is specified in the order. 5.1 Steelmaking Practice—The steel shall be killed.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor- 5.2 The tubes shall be made by the seamless process and
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
shall be either hot-finished or cold-finished, as specified.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 6. Heat Treatment
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
6.1 Hot-finished tubes need not be heat treated. Cold-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
finished tubes shall be given a subcritical anneal, a full anneal,
or a normalizing heat treatment after the final cold finishing
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
process.
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.09 on Carbon Steel Tubular Products.
Current edition approved May 1, 2019. Published May 2019. Originally
approved in 1938. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as A210/A210M – 02 For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
(2012). DOI: 10.1520/A0210_A0210M-19. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications see related Specifi- Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
cation SA-210 in Section II of that Code. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
A210/A210M−19
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements determined from the size of the tubes as prescribed in Table 2.
NOTE 3—For tensile and hardness test requirements, the term “lot”
Element Composition, %
applies to all tubes prior to cutting, of the same nominal diameter and wall
Grade A-1 Grade C
thickness which are produced from the same heat of steel.When final heat
A
Carbon , max 0.27 0.35
treatment is in a batch-type furnace, a lot shall include only those tubes of
Manganese 0.93 max 0.29–1.06
the same size and the same heat which are heat treated in the same furnace
Phosphorus, max 0.035 0.035
charge.Whenthefinalheattreatmentisinacontinuousfurnace,alotshall
Sulfur, max 0.035 0.035
includealltubesofthesamesizeandheat,heattreatedinthesamefurnace
Silicon, min 0.10 0.10
at the same temperature, time at heat, and furnace speed.
A
For each reduction of 0.01 % below the specified carbon maximum, an increase
of 0.06 % manganese above the specified maximum will be permitted up to a
10. Tensile Requirements
maximum of 1.35 %.
10.1 The material shall conform to the requirements as to
tensile properties prescribed in Table 3.
TABLE 3 Tensile Requirements
10.2 Table 4 gives the computed minimum elongation
Grade A-1 Grade C
values for each ⁄32-in. [0.8-mm] decrease in wall thickness.
Tensile strength, min, ksi [MPa] 60 [415] 70 [485]
Where the wall thickness lies between two values shown
Yield strength, min, ksi [MPa] 37 [255] 40 [275]
Elongation in 2 in. or 50 mm, min, % 30 30
above, the minimum elongation value shall be determined by
A A
For longitudinal strip tests, a deduction shall be 1.50 1.50
the following equation:
made for each ⁄32-in. [0.8-mm] decrease in
wall thickness under ⁄16 in. [8 mm] from the
E 5 48t115.00 @E 5 1.87t115.00#
basic minimum elongation of the following
percentage points
where:
When standard round 2-in. or 50-mm gage length 22 20
E = elongation in 2 in. or 50 mm, %, and
or smaller proportionally s
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: A210/A210M − 02 (Reapproved 2012) A210/A210M − 19
Standard Specification for
Seamless Medium-Carbon Steel Boiler and Superheater
Tubes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A210/A210M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This specification covers minimum-wall-thickness, seamless medium-carbon steel, boiler tubes and boiler flues, including
safe ends (see Note 1), arch and stay tubes, and superheater tubes.
NOTE 1—This type is not suitable for safe ending by forge welding.
1.2 The tubing sizes and thicknesses usually furnished to this specification are ⁄2 in. to 5 in. [12.7 to 127 mm] in outside
diameter and 0.035 to 0.500 in. [0.9 to 12.7 mm], inclusive, in minimum wall thickness. Tubing having other dimensions may be
furnished, provided such tubes comply with all other requirements of this specification.
1.3 Mechanical property requirements do not apply to tubing smaller than ⁄8 in. [3.2 mm] in inside diameter or 0.015 in. [0.4
mm] in thickness.
1.4 This specification covers grades A-1 and C of Seamless Medium-Carbon Boiler and Superheater Tubes with different
chemical and tensile requirements. (Table 1, Table 3, and Section 11.)
1.5 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units
are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used
independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification. The
inch-pound units shall apply unless the “M” designation of this specification is specified in the order.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A450/A450M Specification for General Requirements for Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Tubes
3. Ordering Information
3.1 Orders for material under this specification should include the following, as required, to describe the desired material
adequately:
3.1.1 Quantity (feet, metres, or number of lengths),
3.1.2 Name of material (seamless tubes),
3.1.3 Grade,
3.1.4 Manufacture (hot-finished or cold-finished),
3.1.5 Size (outside diameter and minimum wall thickness),
3.1.6 Length (specific or random),
3.1.7 Optional requirements (Sections 7 and 10),
3.1.8 Test report required, (see Certification Section of Specification A450/A450M),
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee A01.09
on Carbon Steel Tubular Products.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2012May 1, 2019. Published November 2012May 2019. Originally approved in 1938. Last previous edition approved in 20072012 as
A210/A210M – 02 (2012).(2007). DOI: 10.1520/A0210_A0210M-02R12.10.1520/A0210_A0210M-19.
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications see related Specification SA-210 in Section II of that Code.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
A210/A210M − 19
TABLE 3 Tensile Requirements
Grade A-1 Grade C
Tensile strength, min, ksi [MPa] 60 [415] 70 [485]
Yield strength, min, ksi [MPa] 37 [255] 40 [275]
Elongation in 2 in. or 50 mm, min, % 30 30
A A
For longitudinal strip tests, a deduction shall be 1.50 1.50
made for each ⁄32-in. [0.8-mm] decrease in
wall thickness under ⁄16 in. [8 mm] from the
basic minimum elongation of the following
percentage points
When standard round 2-in. or 50-mm gage length 22 20
or smaller proportionally sized specimen
with the gage length equal to 4D (four times
the diameter) is used
A
See Table 4 for the computed minimum values.
3.1.9 Specification designation, and
3.1.10 Special requirements.
4. General Requirements
4.1 Material furnished under this specification shall conform to the applicable requirements of the current edition of
Specification A450/A450M, unless otherwise provided herein.
5. Manufacture
5.1 Steelmaking Practice—The steel shall be killed.
5.2 The tubes shall be made by the seamless process and shall be either hot-finished or cold-finished, as specified.
6. Heat Treatment
6.1 Hot-finished tubes need not be heat treated. Cold-finished tubes shall be given a subcritical anneal, a full anneal, or a
normalizing heat treatment after the final cold finishing process.
7. Surface Condition
7.1 If pickling or shot blasting or both are required, this shall be specifically stated in the order.
8. Chemical Composition
8.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements as to chemical composition prescribed in Table 1.
8.2 When a grade is ordered under this specification, supplying an alloy grade that specifically requires the addition of any
element other than those listed for the ordered grade in Table 1 is not permitted.
9. Product Analysis
9.1 When requested on the purchase order, a product analysis shall be made by the supplier from one tube or billet per heat.
The chemical composition thus determined shall conform to the requirements specified.
9.2 If the original test for product analysis fails, retests of two additional billets or tubes shall be made. Both retests for the
elements in question shall meet the requirements of the specification; otherwise, all remaining material in the heat or lot (see Note
2) shall be rejected or, at the option of the producer, each billet or tube may be individually tested for acceptance. Billets or tubes
which do not meet the requirements of the specification shall be rejected.
NOTE 2—For flattening and flaring requirements, the term “lot” applies to all tubes prior to cutting of the same nominal size and wall thickness which
TABLE 1 Chemica
...