Designation: A498/A498M −25
Standard Specification for
Seamless and Welded Carbon Steel Heat-Exchanger Tubes
with Integral Fins
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This standard is issued under the fixed designation A498/A498M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification describes seamless or welded low-
carbon steel tubes on which the external or internal surface, or
both, have been modified by a cold forming process to produce
an integral increased surface area for improved heat transfer.
The tubes are used in tubular heat exchangers, surface
condensers, evaporators, superheaters, and similar heat-
transfer apparatus in outside diameters up to 2 in. [50 mm],
inclusive.
1.2 Units—This specification is expressed in both inch-
pound units and in SI units; however, unless the purchase order
or contract specifies the applicable M specification designation
(SI units), the inch-pound units shall apply. The values stated in
either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately
as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets.
The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents;
therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other.
Combining values from the two systems may result in non-
conformance with the standard.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
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A179/A179M Specification for Seamless Cold-Drawn Low-
Carbon Steel Heat-Exchanger and Condenser Tubes
A214/A214M Specification for Electric-Resistance-Welded
Carbon Steel Heat-Exchanger and Condenser Tubes
A334/A334M Specification for Seamless and Welded Car-
bon and Alloy-Steel Tubes for Low-Temperature Service
A450/A450M Specification for General Requirements for
Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Tubes
A941 Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Related
Alloys, and Ferroalloys
A1016/A1016M Specification for General Requirements for
Ferritic Alloy Steel, Austenitic Alloy Steel, and Stainless
Steel Tubes
A1047/A1047M Test Method for Pneumatic Leak Testing of
Tubing
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of general terms used in this
specification, refer to Terminology A941.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 land—a length of unmodified tube between adjacent
sections of modified tube; used as support zones for baffles, or
for bending where surface modification might compromise
material integrity, or for other reasons.
3.2.2 modified surface—the surface of a tube having a series
of integral fins, grooves, or ribs on the outside diameter, inside
diameter, or both, for the purpose of increasing the surface area
and improving heat transfer.
3.2.3 unmodified surface—the cylindrical surface of a tube
made to the reference standards.
3.3 Symbols (Integral Fin Tube Nomenclature):
3.3.1 Bare tube symbols, see Fig. 1,Fig. 2, or Fig. 3.
3.3.1.1 OD = outside diameter of unmodified sections, and
3.3.1.2 W= wall thickness of unmodified sections.
3.3.2 OD surface modification symbols, see Fig. 1.
3.3.2.1 od = outside diameter of modified sections,
3.3.2.2 rd = root diameter of outside fins,
3.3.2.3 W
f
= wall thickness at fin groove, either minimum or
average,
3.3.2.4 FH = fin height,
3.3.2.5 N
fpu
= number of fins per unit length, the reciprocal
of p,
3.3.2.6 p= pitch, the distance from a point on one fin to the
corresponding point on the adjacent fin along the tube longi-
tudinal axis, and
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This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.09 on Carbon Steel Tubular Products.
Current edition approved May 1, 2025. Published May 2025. Originally
approved in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 2023 as A498/A498M – 17
(2023). DOI: 10.1520/A0498_A0498M-25.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at www.astm.org/contact. For Annual Book of
ASTM Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary
page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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