Heat Exchanger Manufacturing
Heat Exchanger Steel Materials: At-A-Glance
Primary Steel Grades: ASTM A516-70 (Carbon), A515-70, A387 (Grades 11, 22).
Equipment Supported: Shell and tube exchangers, condensers, evaporators, and boilers.
Processing Services: Precision plasma/oxy-fuel burning, saw cutting, and custom sizing.
Key Attributes: High thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and ASME/ASTM compliance.
Steel is a versatile material used for a vast array of machinery and mechanisms used in all sort of different industries. Heat exchangers are one of those common mechanisms made out of steel. Used to transfer heat between two or more fluids of different temperatures, heat exchangers can be used in both a cooling and warming processes. They can be found in common household items, such as refrigerators, air conditioners, and space heaters, or in much larger settings, such as power stations, petroleum plants, chemical plants, and even breweries. There are a few different types of heat exchangers, and most are constructed of strong steel that can with withstand a multitude of temperatures during the heating and cooling processes that occur through an exchange. Delaware Valley Steel has extensive experience in providing steel for various heat exchangers, including shell and tube heat exchangers and plate heat exchangers, and has even worked on exchangers that employ solid graphite. We also provide local delivery options for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, as well as nationwide shipping.
| Grade | Category | Primary Benefit |
| A516-70 | PVQ Carbon | Superior notch toughness for pressure vessels |
| A515-70 | Carbon Steel | Designed for intermediate & higher temp service |
| A387 | Alloy (Chrome-Moly) | Exceptional creep resistance and thermal stability |
Types of Heat Exchangers
When it comes to heat exchangers, there are a host of possibilities in structure and design. Some of the most common you will find include:
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- Shell and tube heat exchangers
- Plate heat exchangers
- Double pipe heat exchangers
- Condensers, evaporators, and boilers
How They Work
The shell and tube heat exchangers are by far the most common, compiled of tubes encapsulated in a cylindrical shell or pressure vessel with one liquid flowing through the tubes and another flowing through the shell. Plate heat exchangers are made up of various steel plates stacked and welded together creating passageways for the liquids to flow through. The simplest of designs by far is the double pipe heat exchanger with simply 2 large tubes, a smaller one on the inside and a larger one on the outside with the warm and cold fluid flowing through each pipe.
Heat Exchanger Steel
At Delaware Valley Steel we pride ourselves on our past experience supplying steel plates for various heat exchanger machinery. Common steel found in the components of a heat exchanger are A515-70; A516-70; A387-11, A387-22, which can all be found at our shop. We offer an array of steel plate services including processing, plate burning, and plasma cutting. Do you have a cracked heat exchanger and are looking to craft a new one? Let Delaware Valley Steel be your go-to steel plate supplier for your next heat exchanger. Call us at 800 322 4130 today for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best steel grade for shell and tube heat exchangers?
A: ASTM A516 Grade 70 is the most widely used carbon steel for heat exchanger shells due to its high tensile strength and excellent performance in moderate to low-temperature service.
Q: Does Delaware Valley Steel stock alloy plates for high-heat applications?
A: Yes. We stock ASTM A387 (Chrome-Moly) alloy plates, which are specifically engineered for elevated temperature service in condensers and power plant boilers where oxidation resistance is critical.
Q: Can you provide heavy-thickness plates for tubesheets?
A: Absolutely. We maintain an inventory of heavy-gauge carbon and alloy plates up to 14″ thick, which can be precision-burned to your exact circular or rectangular specifications for tubesheets and baffles.
Want More Information ?
For more information on our steel plate processing, or to contact Delaware Valley Steel for services or products, click below. An expert from our steel plate distributor is ready to assist you!
Delaware Valley Steel
2249 Manor Ave
Upper Darby, PA 19082
Phone: (800) 322-4130
Fax: (610) 449-4337