Stainless Steel Spiral Coiltube — Hot Push Forming Process
Product Code: JX-ST-1555 | Manufacturer: Wenzhou Jixing Metal Materials Co., Ltd. | Classification: Process Engineering & Forming Technology
1. Product Overview
The Stainless Steel Spiral Coiltube (Coiltube) is a precision-engineered tubular product manufactured through the Hot Push Spiral Forming Process — an advanced manufacturing methodology that combines controlled thermal expansion with helical winding to produce seamless spiral coils and associated elbow fittings. Unlike conventional cold-drawn or rolled coil tubes, the hot push forming method enables the production of large-diameter, thick-walled spiral tubes with superior dimensional accuracy and uniform microstructure.
This product category encompasses both the continuous spiral coil tubes and the integral elbow fittings formed using the same hot push forming equipment and methodology. The technology is particularly suited for applications requiring high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and mechanical integrity in continuous coil configurations.
2. Material & Properties
2.1 Applicable Grades
- Austenitic Stainless Steels: SUS304 (1.4301), SUS304L (1.4307), SUS316 (1.4401), SUS316L (1.4404), SUS321 (1.4541), SUS310S (1.4845)
- Duplex Stainless Steels: SUS31803 (1.4404), SUS32205 (1.4462)
- Super Austenitic Stainless Steels: SUS904L (1.4539), Alloy 20 equivalent grades
- Custom Grades: Available upon specification for specialized corrosion or temperature requirements
2.2 Mechanical Properties (Typical — SUS316L Reference)
| Property | Unit | Typical Value | Test Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (Rm) | MPa | ≥ 485 | ASTM A270 / EN 10216-5 |
| Yield Strength (Rp0.2) | MPa | ≥ 205 | ASTM A270 / EN 10216-5 |
| Elongation (A50) | % | ≥ 40 | ASTM A270 / EN 10216-5 |
| Hardness (HV30) | HB | ≤ 220 | ASTM A270 |
| Maximum Service Temperature | °C | ≤ 870 | Material-specific |
| Cold Bending Capability | — | ≥ 5D without cracking | EN 10216-5 |
2.3 Chemical Composition (SUS316L — Typical)
| C | Si | Mn | P | S | Cr | Ni | Mo | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 1.00 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.030 | 16.5–18.5 | 10.0–14.0 | 2.00–2.50 | ≤ 0.10 |
3. Specifications
| Parameter | Range / Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Outer Diameter (OD) | Φ6.0 mm – Φ219.1 mm (1/4" – 8") | Custom sizes available upon request |
| Wall Thickness (WT) | 0.3 mm – 6.0 mm | Standard: 0.5 / 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.5 / 2.0 mm | Spiral Pitch | 30 mm – 300 mm | Determined by application geometry requirements |
| Coil Length per Spool | 5 m – 200 m (continuous) | Unlimited continuous production capability |
| Helix Diameter (H) | Φ50 mm – Φ2,000 mm | Custom helical winding configurations |
| Surface Finish | 2B, No.1, BA, HL, Mirror (Ra ≤ 0.1 μm) | Electropolished finish available |
| Dimensional Tolerance (OD) | ±0.05 mm (precision grade) | Standard grade: ±0.10 mm |
| Dimensional Tolerance (WT) | ±10% of nominal | Per ASTM A270 |
| End Condition | Plain, Beveled, Threaded, Flanged | Custom end preparation available |
| Elbow Angle (Integral) | 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, 180° | Formed in-line during hot push process |
| Standard Reference | ASTM A269, A270, A312; EN 10216-5; GB/T 12771 | Multi-standard compliance |
4. Manufacturing Process
4.1 Process Flow Diagram
- Raw Material Inspection & Receiving: Stainless steel strip or tube blank received from certified mills; incoming inspection per ASTM A270 for chemical composition (OES analysis), mechanical properties, and surface quality.
- Pre-Forming Preparation: Dimensional verification, surface cleaning, and marking of coil blank for traceability.
- Hot Push Forming (Core Process): The tube blank is heated to a controlled temperature range (typically 850–1,050°C for austenitic grades) using induction heating or controlled furnace heating. The heated tube is then pushed through precision spiral forming dies using hydraulic or mechanical push systems. The combination of elevated temperature and controlled die geometry produces the helical spiral configuration with minimal residual stress.
- Elbow Integration (if applicable): Integral elbow fittings are formed during the same hot push operation by redirecting the tube through angled die stations. This eliminates the need for separate welding of elbow components, producing a fully seamless configuration.
- Controlled Cooling & Stress Relief: Post-forming controlled cooling (air cooling or furnace cooling depending on grade) followed by solution annealing at 1,010–1,150°C with water quench to restore full austenitic microstructure and eliminate forming stresses.
- Surface Finishing: Pickling and passivation treatment (HNO₃/HF acid bath) to remove scale and restore chromium oxide passive layer. Optional mechanical polishing or electropolishing for high-surface-quality applications.
- Dimensional Inspection: Full-length dimensional verification using laser measurement systems, ultrasonic wall thickness gauging, and helix geometry verification (pitch, helix diameter, roundness).
- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): 100% eddy current testing (ECT) for surface and near-surface defects; ultrasonic testing (UT) for internal wall integrity; visual inspection per ASTM E165.
- Packaging & Dispatch: Protected packaging with moisture barrier, coil secured on custom spools, accompanied by mill test certificates (MTC) and traceability documentation.
4.2 Hot Push Forming — Technical Advantages Over Conventional Methods
- Seamless Configuration: Eliminates longitudinal weld seams present in welded spiral tubes, providing superior pressure containment and corrosion resistance along the full tube length.
- Integrated Elbow Formation: Elbows are formed as part of the continuous hot push process, eliminating separate fabrication and welding of fittings — reducing potential failure points by up to 40%.
- Uniform Microstructure: Hot forming followed by controlled solution annealing produces a homogeneous, fully austenitic grain structure with excellent fatigue resistance.
- Large Diameter Capability: The hot push method enables spiral tube production in diameter ranges (up to Φ219 mm) that are impractical for cold-drawn spiral forming.
- Reduced Work Hardening: Forming at elevated temperatures avoids excessive strain hardening, preserving ductility and formability for downstream operations.
5. Applications
5.1 Primary Industries
- Heat Exchanger Manufacturing: Spiral coil tubes used as tube bundles in shell-and-tube heat exchangers, condensers, evaporators, and air coolers — particularly where compact heat transfer geometry is critical.
- Petrochemical & Oil/Gas Processing: Process piping coils, heat tracing lines, and spiral configurations in distillation units, heat recovery systems, and refinery utilities.
- Pharmaceutical & Bioprocessing: Electropolished spiral coils for sanitary heat exchangers, CIP/SIP systems, and clean-in-place process loops requiring GMP compliance.
- Food & Beverage Processing: Sanitary-grade coil configurations for pasteurization, sterilization, and thermal processing equipment.
- Power Generation: Spirally coiled tubes in waste heat recovery (WHR) systems, superheater and reheater circuits, and steam generator tube bundles.
- Automotive & Aerospace: Precision spiral coils for fuel lines, hydraulic systems, and thermal management circuits.
- Marine & Offshore: Corrosion-resistant spiral coils for desalination plants, ballast water treatment, and offshore platform piping systems.
- Chemical Processing: Process coils in reactors, condensers, and heat exchangers handling aggressive chemical media (acids, chlorides, alkalis).
- Medical Equipment: Precision spiral tubing for medical gas delivery systems, sterilization autoclaves, and diagnostic imaging equipment.
5.2 Typical Operating Conditions
| Application Sector | Temperature Range | Pressure Range | Corrosive Media |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrochemical Processing | -40°C to 600°C | 0.1 – 15 MPa | H₂S, CH₄, aromatics |
| Pharmaceutical | 20°C to 150°C | 0.1 – 1.0 MPa | Steam, sanitizing agents |
| Marine/Desalination | 10°C to 90°C | 0.1 – 4.0 MPa | Seawater, chlorides |
| Power Generation | 200°C to 650°C | 1.0 – 15.0 MPa | Water/steam |
6. Quality Certifications & Compliance
6.1 Quality Management System Certifications
- ISO 9001:2015 — Quality Management System Certification
- ISO 3834-2 — Quality Requirements for Welding of Metallic Materials (where welding operations are involved)
- ISO 14001:2015 — Environmental Management System
- ISO 45001:2018 — Occupational Health and Safety Management System
6.2 Product & Process Certifications
- EN 10204 3.1 & 3.2 — Inspection Certificates (Mill Test Certificates with third-party inspection available)
- EN 10216-5 — Tubes for Heat Exchangers and Heat Generators
- ASTM A269 / A270 / A312 — Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Tubes
- GB/T 12771 — Chinese National Standard for Seamless Stainless Steel Tubes
- ASME SA-213 / SA-269 / SA-778 — Boiler and Heat Exchanger Tubes (