ASTM A249 is equivalent to several global stainless steel grades like EN 1.4301 (304), 1.4404 (316L), and SUS304/316, but the tube manufacturing and quality assurance requirements are much higher under A249. Always verify that your international material supplier complies with weld integrity, annealing, and mechanical testing as defined in ASTM A249 when substituting equivalents.
ASTM A249 is a standard specification for welded austenitic stainless steel tubes, mainly used in heat exchangers, condensers, superheaters, and other high-temperature, high-pressure environments. It includes stringent requirements for weld bead flattening, expansion, and corrosion resistance, making it suitable for demanding industrial applications.
ASTM A249 Grade | EN Equivalent (Europe) | JIS (Japan) | GB (China) |
---|---|---|---|
TP304 | 1.4301 / X5CrNi18-10 | SUS304 | 06Cr19Ni10 |
TP304L | 1.4307 / X2CrNi18-9 | SUS304L | 022Cr19Ni10 |
TP316 | 1.4401 / X5CrNiMo17-12-2 | SUS316 | 06Cr17Ni12Mo2 |
TP316L | 1.4404 / X2CrNiMo17-12-2 | SUS316L | 022Cr17Ni12Mo2 |
TP321 | 1.4541 / X6CrNiTi18-10 | SUS321 | 06Cr18Ni11Ti |
TP347 | 1.4550 / X6CrNiNb18-10 | SUS347 | 0Cr18Ni11Nb |
⚠️ Note: While these are considered comparable equivalents, application-specific properties (e.g., flattening test, grain size control, weld quality) under ASTM A249 are often stricter than their base material equivalents used in general tubing.
What sets ASTM A249 apart from other tubing standards (like ASTM A269 or A270) is that it includes:
Weld bead performance tests (flattening, reverse flattening)
More rigorous mechanical and corrosion testing
Requirements for bright annealing or pickling
Application in high-pressure and cyclic temperature environments
Standard | Key Use Case | Pressure/Temp Rating | Weld Quality Requirements |
---|---|---|---|
ASTM A249 | Heat exchangers, boilers, condensers | High | Very strict |
ASTM A269 | General-purpose stainless steel tubing | Medium–Low | Standard |
ASTM A270 | Sanitary/hygienic tubing (e.g., food, pharma) | Medium | Sanitary grade (ID/OD finish) |