Can I order a U-tube urgently within 48 hours?

No — U-tubes are on request, not a partner-stock offer available within 48 hours. Lead time depends on the bundle drawing and bend radius; send it for an accurate estimate.

What minimum bend radius do you offer?

As a general rule, 1.5D — send the bundle drawing for an exact confirmation, as the actual radius also depends on diameter and grade.

Does bending weaken the tube?

A correctly sized bend (radius, thickness, grade) doesn't introduce problematic weakening in normal service — this is exactly what SPS checks with the mill before confirming an order.

Do you also offer straight exchanger tubes?

Yes, see the heat exchanger tube page in the same cluster — U-tubes and straight tubes share the same base standards.

STAINLESS TUBES · U-TUBES

Stainless U-tubes

U-tubes are heat exchanger tubes bent into a hairpin, on request — not a standard partner-stock offer. Bend radius and leg length are set from the customer's bundle drawing before any production.

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What is a stainless U-tube?

A U-tube is a straight exchanger tube bent 180° into a hairpin, used in steam generator bundles and some exchangers where only one side of the shell is accessible. Bending introduces a local mechanical stress that grade and wall thickness must absorb without cracking.

How to choose it?

This product is defined from a bundle drawing, not a standard dimension catalogue: bend radius, leg length, grade and original wall thickness before bending. Best practice is to send the drawing directly in the quote request for an accurate priced answer.

Available grades

Standard austenitic and H/stabilised grades (321H, 347H) are the most common in U-tube, for the same creep-resistance reasons as straight exchanger tube.

My grade isn't listed →

Applicable standards

ASTM A213
ASTM A249

Partner stock or mill?

U-tubes are on request, not a standard partner-stock offer — bending is planned upfront, it isn't an item SPS keeps in stock.

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

Can I order a U-tube urgently within 48 hours?: No — U-tubes are on request, not a partner-stock offer available within 48 hours. Lead time depends on the bundle drawing and bend radius; send it for an accurate estimate.
What minimum bend radius do you offer?: As a general rule, 1.5D — send the bundle drawing for an exact confirmation, as the actual radius also depends on diameter and grade.
Does bending weaken the tube?: A correctly sized bend (radius, thickness, grade) doesn't introduce problematic weakening in normal service — this is exactly what SPS checks with the mill before confirming an order.
Do you also offer straight exchanger tubes?: Yes, see the heat exchanger tube page in the same cluster — U-tubes and straight tubes share the same base standards.