ASME SB171 C46400 Copper Alloy Tubesheet for Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger
ASME SB171 C46400 tubesheet is a copper alloy heat exchanger component manufactured from C46400 copper-zinc alloy material.
The tubesheet is installed between the shell and tube side of a shell and tube heat exchanger. It provides tube support and forms the separation boundary between the shell-side and tube-side fluids.
C46400 is commonly known as Naval Brass, a copper-zinc alloy used in marine and industrial equipment. For heat exchanger applications, the tubesheet dimensions, tube hole arrangement, thickness, and connection configuration are manufactured according to the equipment design and engineering drawings.
Material and Standard
C46400 Copper Alloy
Material Standard: ASME SB171
Material Grade: C46400
UNS: C46400
Material Type: Copper-Zinc Alloy / Naval Brass
Product Type: Heat Exchanger Tubesheet
ASME SB171 covers copper-alloy plate, sheet, and circles for pressure vessels, condensers, and heat exchangers.
For a fabricated tubesheet, C46400 material is machined into the required tubesheet geometry according to the heat exchanger design.
C46400 Naval Brass
C46400 is a copper-zinc alloy containing copper and zinc as the principal alloying elements.
The material is commonly identified as Naval Brass.
Typical alloying elements include:
- Copper (Cu)
- Zinc (Zn)
- Tin (Sn)
- Lead (Pb), where applicable according to the specified grade requirements
The chemical composition and mechanical properties shall comply with the applicable ASME SB171 requirements for C46400.
Tubesheet Design
Tube Hole Layout
The tubesheet is machined with multiple tube holes according to the heat exchanger tube layout.
Key parameters include:
- Tube hole diameter
- Tube pitch
- Tube pattern
- Number of tube holes
- Tube hole tolerance
Common tube arrangements include:
- Triangular pitch
- Square pitch
- Rotated square pitch
The final arrangement should follow the heat exchanger engineering drawing.
Shell-Side and Tube-Side Separation
The tubesheet separates the shell-side and tube-side flow channels while providing the structural interface for the tube bundle.
Tube Connection
Depending on the heat exchanger design, tubes can be connected to the tubesheet through:
- Tube expansion
- Seal welding
- Strength welding
- Expansion + seal welding
The connection method should be determined according to the equipment design and project specification.
Manufacturing Process
C46400 Material Preparation
C46400 copper alloy material is supplied according to the applicable ASME SB171 requirements.
Plate or Circle Cutting
The raw material is cut to the required tubesheet blank dimensions.
CNC Machining
The tubesheet is machined according to engineering drawings.
Machining may include:
- Outer diameter machining
- Thickness machining
- Tube hole drilling
- Bolt hole drilling
- Groove machining
- Facing
Tube Hole Drilling
Tube holes are machined according to the specified:
- Tube outside diameter
- Tube pitch
- Hole tolerance
- Tube layout
Final Inspection
Finished tubesheets are inspected for dimensional accuracy, surface condition, tube hole position, and other project requirements.
Product Specifications
| Item |
Specification |
| Product Name |
ASME SB171 C46400 Tubesheet |
| Material Standard |
ASME SB171 |
| Material Grade |
C46400 |
| UNS |
C46400 |
| Material Type |
Copper-Zinc Alloy / Naval Brass |
| Product Type |
Heat Exchanger Tubesheet |
| Manufacturing |
Cutting, CNC Machining & Drilling |
| Application |
Heat Exchanger, Condenser |
Available Dimensions
Tubesheet dimensions are normally customized according to heat exchanger drawings.
| Parameter |
Specification |
| Outside Diameter |
Customized |
| Thickness |
Customized |
| Tube Hole Diameter |
According to Tube OD |
| Tube Pitch |
Customized |
| Tube Hole Pattern |
Triangular / Square / Customized |
| Number of Tube Holes |
According to Drawing |
| Bolt Holes |
Customized |
| Grooves |
Customized |
Applications
Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger
ASME SB171 C46400 tubesheets can be used as structural components in shell and tube heat exchanger assemblies.
Applications include:
- Process heat exchangers
- Industrial heat exchangers
- Condensers
- Coolers
- Thermal process equipment
Condenser Equipment
C46400 tubesheets can be manufactured for condenser assemblies according to the specified tube material and operating environment.
Marine and Industrial Equipment
C46400 Naval Brass is also associated with marine and industrial equipment where the specified copper alloy is suitable for the design conditions.
Quality Control and Inspection
Material Inspection
Inspection may include:
- Chemical composition verification
- Mechanical property testing
- Material certificate review
Dimensional Inspection
Key dimensions include:
- Outside diameter
- Thickness
- Tube hole diameter
- Tube pitch
- Hole position
- Bolt hole dimensions
- Flatness
Surface Inspection
Inspection may cover:
- Machined surface
- Tube hole surface
- Edge condition
- Groove dimensions
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