Stainless Steel Coil Tube (Coiltube) — Wenzhou Jixing Metal Materials Co., Ltd.
1. Product Overview
The Stainless Steel Coil Tube (hereinafter referred to as "Coiltube") manufactured by Wenzhou Jixing Metal Materials Co., Ltd. is a precision-engineered continuous-length tubular product supplied in coiled form. Unlike straight-length seamless or welded pipes, coil tubes are wound into a continuous helical configuration, enabling downstream processing with minimal cutting waste, reduced handling losses, and superior material utilization efficiency.
Coiltubes are widely recognized in the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), industrial heat exchange, fluid conveying, and specialized equipment manufacturing sectors. The continuous coiled geometry facilitates automated forming, bending, and crimping operations, making it an indispensable intermediate product in high-volume manufacturing environments. Research studies, including investigations into the impact of variable operating conditions on fan coil unit (FCU) performance, have demonstrated that the geometric consistency and thermal conductivity uniformity of stainless steel coil tubes directly influence the overall efficiency and reliability of heat exchange systems.
2. Material and Properties
Wenzhou Jixing Metal Materials Co., Ltd. offers Coiltubes fabricated from a range of austenitic and duplex stainless steel grades, selected to meet the rigorous demands of corrosive environments, high-temperature service, and hygienic applications.
2.1 Available Grades
- ASTM A213 TP304 (UNS S30400): The most versatile austenitic grade, offering excellent corrosion resistance, formability, and weldability. Suitable for general industrial, food processing, and HVAC applications.
- ASTM A213 TP316 (UNS S31600): Contains 2.00–2.50% Molybdenum (Mo), providing superior resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride-containing environments. Ideal for marine, chemical, and pharmaceutical applications.
- ASTM A213 TP316L (UNS S31603): Low-carbon variant of 316 with carbon content ≤ 0.030%, enhancing weldability and resistance to intergranular corrosion.
- ASTM A213 TP321 (UNS S32100): Titanium-stabilized grade offering excellent resistance to intergranular corrosion at elevated temperatures (up to 870°C / 1600°F).
- ASTM A213 TP347 (UNS S34700): Niobium-stabilized grade providing enhanced strength and resistance to intergranular corrosion at high-temperature service conditions.
2.2 Key Mechanical and Physical Properties (Typical Values for Grade 304)
- Tensile Strength: ≥ 515 MPa (75,000 psi)
- Yield Strength (0.2% Offset): ≥ 205 MPa (29,750 psi)
- Elongation (at Break): ≥ 40% (minimum, in 50 mm / 2 in. gauge length)
- Thermal Conductivity: 16.3 W/(m·K) at 25°C
- Specific Heat: 500 J/(kg·K) at 25°C
- Thermal Expansion Coefficient: 17.3 × 10⁻⁶ /°C (10–100°C)
- Density: 8.0 g/cm³
- Maximum Service Temperature: 870°C (1600°F) in oxidizing atmosphere
2.3 Surface Finish Options
- 2B Finish: Standard cold-rolled, annealed, and pickled finish; suitable for general industrial use.
- No. 4 Finish: Brushed finish with a uniform matte appearance; commonly used in decorative and architectural applications.
- Mirror (8K) Finish: Highly polished finish with reflectivity ≥ 90%; used in pharmaceutical and food-grade applications.
- Pickled and Passivated: Surface free of oxide scale with a chromium-rich passive film; essential for maximum corrosion resistance.
- Electropolished: Electrochemical finishing achieving Ra ≤ 0.4 μm surface roughness; required for sanitary and bioprocessing applications.
3. Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Standard Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Outer Diameter (OD) | 6.00 mm – 159.00 mm (¼" – 6") | ASTM A213 / EN 10216-5 |
| Wall Thickness (WT) | 0.50 mm – 6.00 mm (0.020" – 0.236") | ASTM A213 / EN 10216-5 |
| Coil Diameter | 600 mm – 1,500 mm (24" – 60") | Manufacturer Specification |
| Coil Length (per coil) | 50 m – 500 m (164 ft – 1,640 ft), customizable | Manufacturer Specification |
| OD Tolerance | ± 0.05 mm to ± 0.15 mm (depending on diameter range) | ASTM A213 |
| Wall Thickness Tolerance | ± 10% of nominal (minimum ± 0.05 mm) | ASTM A213 |
| Roundness | ≤ 10% of wall thickness | ASTM A213 |
| Straightness (post-uncoiling) | ≤ 2 mm per meter | EN 10216-5 |
| Material Grade | 304, 304L, 316, 316L, 321, 347, 904L, 2205 (Duplex) | ASTM A213 / ASTM A269 |
| Manufacturing Method | Seamless / Welded (ERW, FBW, Orbit) | ASTM A213 / EN 10216-5 |
| Surface Finish | 2B, No. 4, Mirror (8K), Electropolished, Pickled & Passivated | ASTM A480 |
| Packaging | Wooden pallet with stretch film, protective end caps, export-grade | ISO 4126 |
4. Manufacturing Process
The production of Wenzhou Jixing Coiltubes follows a rigorously controlled multi-stage manufacturing process, ensuring dimensional accuracy, metallurgical integrity, and surface quality throughout the product lifecycle.
4.1 Process Flow
- Raw Material Procurement and Inspection: Stainless steel billets or strips are sourced from certified mills and subjected to incoming quality control (IQC), including spectroscopic analysis (OES / XRF) to verify chemical composition compliance with the specified grade.
- Hot Rolling or Hot Extrusion: Billets are heated to forging temperature (1,150–1,200°C) and hot-rolled or extruded into hollow sections, establishing the initial tubular geometry.
- Piercing and Sizing (Seamless Route): The hot-rolled blank is pierced using a mandrel or plug to create the internal bore, followed by rolling or sizing passes to achieve the target OD and wall thickness.
- Forming and Welding (Welded Route): Cold-rolled stainless steel strip is formed into a tubular profile using roll-forming mills, and the longitudinal seam is welded using Electric Resistance Welding (ERW), Flash Butt Welding (FBW), or Orbit welding techniques.
- Heat Treatment: The tube is solution-annealed at 1,010–1,120°C followed by rapid water quenching to dissolve carbides, restore full austenitic microstructure, and achieve the required mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.
- Pickling and Passivation: The annealed tube is immersed in a mixed acid solution (HNO₃ / HF) to remove oxide scale, followed by passivation in a nitric acid bath to form a protective chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) passive film.
- Cold Drawing / Cold Sizing: For precision Coiltubes, the annealed tube undergoes cold drawing through a die and mandrel set to achieve tight dimensional tolerances (± 0.05 mm OD) and improved surface finish.
- Coiling: The finished tube is wound onto a large-diameter coil former using a tension-controlled winding system. The coil diameter and winding pattern are optimized to prevent deformation, kinking, or work hardening during the coiling process.
- Final Quality Inspection: Each coil undergoes comprehensive inspection including dimensional verification (OD, WT, roundness), hydrostatic pressure testing, surface visual inspection, and, where required, non-destructive testing (NDT) such as ultrasonic testing (UT) or eddy current testing (ECT).
- Packaging and Dispatch: Coils are wrapped in protective film, fitted with end caps, and secured on export-grade wooden pallets for safe transportation.
4.2 Process Advantages
- Continuous coiling eliminates the need for field welding of straight pipe segments, reducing installation labor costs by up to 30%.
- Cold drawing after annealing ensures exceptional dimensional consistency and surface quality, critical for heat exchanger tube insertion and brazing applications.
- The tension-controlled coiling process prevents microstructural distortion, maintaining uniform mechanical properties throughout the coil length.
5. Applications
Wenzhou Jixing Coiltubes serve a broad spectrum of industrial and commercial applications, leveraging the inherent advantages of stainless steel's corrosion resistance, hygienic properties, and thermal performance.
5.1 HVAC and Fan Coil Units (FCUs)
Coiltubes are the core heat exchange elements in fan coil units, air handlers, and chillers. Research into variable operating conditions has confirmed that the geometric precision and thermal conductivity of stainless steel coil tubes directly impact the heat transfer efficiency, pressure drop characteristics, and long-term reliability of FCU systems. Coiltubes enable the manufacture of compact, high-surface-area heat exchangers with optimized airflow and fluid distribution.
5.2 Additional Applications
- Food and Beverage Processing: Dairy, beer, wine, and pharmaceutical processing lines requiring sanitary-grade tubing (electropolished, Ra ≤ 0.4 μm).
- Chemical and Petrochemical Industry: Process piping, heat exchangers, and condensate recovery systems exposed to aggressive chemical media.
- Marine and Offshore: Seawater cooling systems, ballast water treatment, and offshore platform piping systems utilizing 316L or duplex 2205 grades.
- Automotive and Aerospace: Fuel lines, exhaust components, brake lines, and hydraulic systems requiring high-temperature and high-pressure resistance.
- Medical and Bioprocessing: CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems, reactor piping, and sterilization loops in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Architectural and Decorative: Handrails, structural elements, and decorative trim using No. 4 or mirror-finish Coiltubes.
- Power Generation: Boiler tubes, condenser tubes, and superheater elements in thermal power plants.
6. Quality Certifications and Compliance
Wenzhou Jixing Metal Materials Co., Ltd. maintains a comprehensive quality management system and holds the following certifications and complies with the following international standards:
6.1 Management System Certifications
- ISO 9001:2015 — Quality Management System (QMS)
- ISO 14001:2015 — Environmental Management System (EMS)
- ISO 45001:2018 — Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS)
- ISO/TS 22163 — Quality Management Systems for Medical Devices (where applicable)
6.2 Product Standards Compliance
- ASTM A213: Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Tubes for High-Pressure Boilers and Heat-Exchanger Tubes
- ASTM A269: Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipe and Tube
- EN 10216-5: Heat-Exchanger and Heat-Tracer Tubes and Pipes — Technical Delivery Conditions — Part 5: Austenitic Stainless Steel Tubes
- ASME B36.19M: Welded and Seamless Wrought Steel Pipe (for dimensional reference)
- DIN 17457 / DIN 17458: German Standard for Stainless Steel Tubes
6.3 Testing and Inspection
- Chemical composition verification via Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)
- Hydrostatic pressure testing at 3–5× working pressure per ASTM A213
- Hardness testing (Rockwell B or Vickers) per ASTM A92
- Intergranular corrosion testing (ASTM A923 Method A or E)
- Ultrasonic flaw detection (UT) and eddy current testing (ECT) for wall integrity
- Third-party inspection available (SGS, Bureau Veritas, TÜV)
- Mill Test Certificate (MTC / EN 10204 3.1) provided with every shipment