ASTM A213 seamless tubes are primarily specified for boiler, superheater, and heat-exchanger service in high-temperature environments; typical market pricing in 2025 for carbon/low-alloy seamless tubes ranges widely by grade, wall thickness, and finish — from roughly USD 500–1,200 per metric ton for plain carbon/seamless low-alloy products from major exporters, while stainless/alloy A213 grades command a significantly higher price band (many thousands USD per ton). We recommend selecting the narrowest grade and finish that meets your pressure-temperature requirements, then securing certified mill test reports and commercial terms before purchase.
What ASTM A213 covers
We work with ASTM A213 tubes every week. The specification defines seamless ferritic and austenitic alloy-steel boiler, superheater, and heat-exchanger tubes. The standard lists permitted grades, manufacturing tolerances, and testing requirements. Users select A213 tubes when the operating temperature and pressure demand reliable creep and high-temperature strength.
Typical grades and chemistry
Common grade families within the A213 portfolio divide into low-alloy (chromium-molybdenum) and austenitic stainless variants. Typical labels you will see include grade designations like T1, T5, T11, T22, T91 for alloy boiler tubes, and TP304, TP316 for austenitic heat-exchanger tubes. Each grade carries distinct chromium, molybdenum, nickel percentages and heat treatment needs that determine high-temperature performance and corrosion resistance. If your process is high-temperature steam, high chromium-moly moly grades are frequent. If corrosive fluids need handling, TP304/TP316 may be needed.
Manufacturing methods, sizes, and finishes
A213 tubes are produced by the seamless route. Mills make them in two main finishes: hot-finished (hot-rolled) and cold-finished (cold-drawn or cold-rolled). Hot-finished tubes have lower cost and are suitable where dimensional precision is not critical. Cold-finished tubes have tighter tolerances and superior surface condition; they often cost more. Tubes are supplied in standard outside diameters from small bore (¼” and up) through large boiler headers, with wall thickness chosen per pressure rating. The specification details straightness, concentricity, and surface quality requirements.
Mechanical properties and required testing
Buyers typically require tensile testing, hardness checks, and non-destructive examinations (NDE) where service risk demands. For high-temperature service, creep-rupture properties and controlled heat treatment records are important. The standard also defines acceptance testing frequency and sampling plans. For critical boilers and superheaters, insist on complete mill test reports (MTRs) showing chemical analysis, mechanical test results, heat numbers, and applied heat treatments.
Common applications and service conditions
A213 tubes see use in:
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Fossil and waste-heat boilers.
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Superheaters and reheaters on steam generators.
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High-temperature heat exchangers in petrochemical and refinery units.
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Industrial furnaces and power plant piping that needs creep strength.
We pick grades with the minimum metallurgy that meets the temperature and corrosion demands, since metallurgy drives cost more than size or length.
Global price landscape
Price snapshots vary by supplier, furnace cycle, freight, and certification needs. The table below presents representative market quotations from a mix of manufacturers and stockists in 2024–2025. These are typical commercial offers observed on supplier marketplace listings and stockist pages and reflect broad bands rather than guaranteed contract pricing. For grand contracts, ask mills for current firm quotations.
| Region / supplier sample | Typical A213 product type | Representative price band (USD / metric ton) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| China — general steel exporters | Carbon / low-alloy seamless tubes (generic) | $500–$900 / t. | Lower end reflects large OD, thin-walled standard sizes with minimal certificates. |
| India — domestic stockists | Seamless carbon pipes (industrial) | ~$700–$1,000 / t (local currency quoted). | Local taxes, transport major components of landed cost. |
| Global stockist — stainless A213 (TP304) | Precision cold-finished A213 TP304 | $6,000–$9,900 / t. | Stainless grades and precision finishes command premium. |
| Exporter (special alloy boiler tubes) | Alloy grades like T11/T22/T91 | $900–$2,500+ / t (wide band) | Price depends strongly on Cr-Mo content and heat treatment. |
| Niche precision mills / small batches | Cold-drawn, certified, traceable lots | $1,200–$4,000 / t | Premium for small MOQ, rapid delivery, custom lengths. |
How to interpret: These numbers show the range you can expect during price discovery. Carbon seamless items that carry minimal certification sit at the low end. Fully certified cold-finished stainless and chrome-moly alloy tubes sit at the high end. Always obtain a written quote that lists grade, OD, wall, length, finish, MTRs, and incoterm.
Price drivers and commercial variables
We focus on these variables that quickly change a quotation:
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Raw-material cost: Scrap and hot-rolled coil prices swing steel tube pricing.
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Grade alloying: Nickel and molybdenum content are costly. Higher nickel drives big jumps.
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Finish & tolerances: Cold-drawn, annealed tubes cost more than hot-finished.
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Certification & documentation: Third-party inspection and full MTRs add fees.
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Quantity and MOQ: Large orders reduce unit cost. Small lots attract premiums.
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Logistics & duties: Freight rates and import tariffs alter landed cost.
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Market cycle & lead time: Tight mill capacity or long lead times raise prices.
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Length and cut-to-length needs: Special cutting, packing, and testing for short runs add cost.
We recommend a total landed cost assessment that includes freight, duty, insurance, local testing, and storage. That number matters more than the raw unit price.
Buying strategy and procurement checklist
When we quote or procure A213 tubes for customers, we follow an exact checklist to reduce surprises:
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Specify the exact A213 grade and required designation (e.g., T11, TP316).
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Define dimensions: OD, wall, length tolerance, and quantity.
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Pick finish: hot-finished or cold-finished, and surface condition.
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State mechanical & testing needs: tensile, hardness, hydrotest, NDE types.
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Ask for full MTRs: heat number, chemical analysis, mechanical results.
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Include inspection options: mill witness, third-party (BV/SGS/Intertek).
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Agree on packing: wooden crates, corrosion inhibitor, labeling.
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Lock incoterm: EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP — each affects cost and risk.
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Request lead time and penalty terms for late delivery if critical.
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Negotiate payment terms and performance bonds for large orders.
Follow these steps and your procurement team will limit post-delivery issues and hidden costs.
Inspection, QA and certification notes
We insist on several documents for critical service tubes:
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MTR (mill test report) with full chemical and mechanical trace.
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Heat treatment records, where applicable.
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NDE certificates: UT, PMI, or RT where required.
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Third-party inspection reports if specified.
Common failure modes that inspection prevents include incorrect chemistry, improper heat treatment, and wall thickness out of tolerance. For power-plant and pressure systems, regulatory bodies typically require traceability by heat number.
Handling, storage, and lifecycle costs
Storage and pre-installation handling affect lifecycle cost:
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Keep tubes off wet ground on timber or racks.
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Avoid salt exposure during marine transit.
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Inspect for surface oxides prior to welding.
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Account for preheating and post-weld heat treatment where alloy requires it.
Lifecycle costs include replacement spares, scheduled inspections, and potential de-rated service life for improperly specified grades.
FAQs
Q1: Is ASTM A213 only for high-alloy or can carbon grades be supplied under A213?
A1: A213 primarily targets ferritic and austenitic alloy steels used in boilers and heat exchangers. Plain carbon tubes more commonly follow other specifications; however, some suppliers list carbon or low-alloy tubes under A213 when the application suits. For critical high-temperature service, pick an explicit grade from the A213 table and confirm chemistry via MTR.
Q2: How much more does cold-finished A213 cost versus hot-finished?
A2: Cold-finished tubes carry a premium for dimensional precision and surface finish. The uplift can range from a modest percentage in large contracts to several hundred percent for small precision lots. Exact premium depends on mill process, OD, wall thickness, and required certification. Getting both finish options quoted on the same RFQ helps quantify tradeoffs.
Q3: What documentation should I insist on when buying A213 tubes?
A3: Require MTRs, heat-treatment records, NDE certificates, and inspection reports. For critical service, third-party witness inspection and full traceability to heat numbers must be contractually specified. These documents prevent mis-shipments and provide legal recourse in case of failure.
Q4: Why do stainless A213 grades cost many times more than carbon tubes?
A4: Stainless grades include high nickel and chromium content, which are expensive raw materials. Cold-finishing and additional corrosion-resistance testing contribute to cost. For TP304/TP316, premium raw materials plus processing produce prices that commonly sit well above carbon equivalents.
Q5: How should I budget for logistics and taxes when comparing supplier quotes?
A5: Convert supplier EXW or FOB quotes to a single landed cost basis by adding freight, insurance, duties, local handling, inland transport, and any required testing at destination. These items often add 5–30% on top of the unit price depending on origin and incoterm. Always request a full landed cost summary when running a bid.
Closing summary
We produce A213 procurements regularly. In 2025 the market shows broad price bands: generic carbon seamless tubes can be found near the lower hundreds of USD per ton from large exporters, while precision stainless and chrome-moly alloy A213 grades sit much higher. When building your specification, prioritize clear grade selection, documented tests, and a full landed cost comparison. That approach reduces risk and prevents surprises at installation.
