Why use BWG instead of SCH?

BWG is a historical convention specific to the exchanger sector, still widely used on tube bundle drawings. SPS can convert to an equivalent SCH/EN designation on request.

Do you supply exchanger tubes at the exact bundle length?

Yes, cut-to-length is available under 6 m with a -0/+5 mm tolerance; beyond that, on request.

Is cupronickel heat exchanger tube covered on this page?

No — cupronickel has its own page in the copper alloys cluster, dedicated to its use in marine exchangers and condensers.

Which BWG thicknesses do you offer?

BWG 12 to 20 are common examples for diameters 15.88 to 38.1 mm — see the table above, to confirm against your bundle drawing.

STAINLESS TUBES · HEAT EXCHANGER

Stainless heat exchanger tube

Heat exchanger tube equips the tube bundles of steam generators, condensers and process exchangers. Dimensions are expressed as outer diameter and BWG wall thickness, in standard austenitic and H/stabilised grades for creep resistance.

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Dimensional table

Common heat exchanger tube dimensions (ASTM A213/A249/EN 10216-5, BWG)
OD (mm)	BWG	Épaisseur (mm)
15.88	20	0.89
15.88	18	1.24
15.88	16	1.65
19.05	20	0.89
19.05	18	1.24
19.05	16	1.65
19.05	14	2.11
25.4	18	1.24
25.4	16	1.65
25.4	14	2.11
25.4	12	2.77
31.75	16	1.65
31.75	14	2.11
38.1	14	2.11
38.1	12	2.77

My dimension isn't listed → · See the full table →

What is a stainless heat exchanger tube?

A heat exchanger tube is a small-diameter tube (typically 16 to 38 mm outer diameter) used to build the tube bundle inside an exchanger or boiler. Its dimensional designation is still commonly expressed in BWG, a historical convention still in use in this specific sector even though it has disappeared elsewhere.

How to choose it?

Grade choice depends on the shell-side and tube-side fluid, and on service temperature. Standard austenitics cover most cases; H/stabilised grades (321H, 347H) are needed for high-temperature creep. For a seawater or marine cooling circuit exchanger, see the cupronickel and titanium pages in the copper alloys cluster.

Available grades

Austenitic grades (304/304L, 316/316L) cover most process bundles. H and stabilised grades (321H, 347H) are used in boilers and biomass for creep resistance. For seawater, see cupronickel and titanium.

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Applicable standards

ASTM A213
ASTM A249
EN 10216-5

Partner stock or mill?

Heat exchanger tube follows the same stock/mill logic as the rest of the stainless tube cluster, depending on the volume of the bundle being sourced.

From partner stock: 48 hours for urgent needs, 5 working days as standard.

We go through the mill when volume and lead time make sense — typically container-load quantities, sometimes less, with a lead time of a few months including transport. That arbitration is ours to make: when buying at source works out cheaper for you, we say so.

Frequently asked questions

Why use BWG instead of SCH?: BWG is a historical convention specific to the exchanger sector, still widely used on tube bundle drawings. SPS can convert to an equivalent SCH/EN designation on request.
Do you supply exchanger tubes at the exact bundle length?: Yes, cut-to-length is available under 6 m with a -0/+5 mm tolerance; beyond that, on request.
Is cupronickel heat exchanger tube covered on this page?: No — cupronickel has its own page in the copper alloys cluster, dedicated to its use in marine exchangers and condensers.
Which BWG thicknesses do you offer?: BWG 12 to 20 are common examples for diameters 15.88 to 38.1 mm — see the table above, to confirm against your bundle drawing.