L-Type Wound Finned Tube (ASME SA179 Steel Tube with AL1060 Aluminum Fin)
The L-Type Wound Finned Tube is a cost-effective and thermally efficient heat transfer solution developed for low-to-medium temperature air-cooled heat exchangers, condensers, oil coolers, and industrial cooling systems. Manufactured using an ASME SA179 seamless carbon steel tube and high-purity AL1060 aluminum fin strip, this finned tube provides a substantial increase in external heat transfer area while maintaining excellent mechanical reliability.
The fin is mechanically formed into an "L" profile and helically wound around the tube surface under controlled tension. The foot of the fin tightly wraps around the tube, creating continuous metal-to-metal contact that promotes efficient heat transfer. Additionally, the overlapping fin foot partially shields the tube surface from atmospheric exposure, helping to reduce external corrosion under suitable operating conditions.
Due to its economical construction and proven performance, the L-type wound finned tube remains one of the most widely used finned tube configurations in air-cooled heat transfer equipment.
- High thermal efficiency through expanded external surface area.
- Excellent thermal conductivity from AL1060 aluminum fin material.
- Economical design for large-scale heat exchanger projects.
- Lightweight construction reduces overall equipment weight.
- Continuous fin-to-tube contact improves heat transfer performance.
- Partial protection of the tube surface from environmental exposure.
- Suitable for low and moderate operating temperatures.
- Uniform fin geometry ensures consistent performance.
- Easy integration into various heat exchanger designs.
- Available in customized dimensions and fin configurations.
L-type wound finned tubes are produced by mechanically wrapping a pre-formed aluminum strip around the outer surface of the base tube. During the finning process, the aluminum strip is shaped into an L-profile, and the fin foot is tightly wound under tension to achieve intimate contact with the tube wall.
Unlike welded finned tubes, no high-temperature joining process is involved, preserving the original metallurgical properties of both the steel tube and aluminum fin.
The manufacturing process delivers:
- Consistent fin pitch
- Uniform fin height
- Stable fin attachment
- Excellent dimensional accuracy
- Reliable thermal performance
- Smooth external fin surface
Ideal for low and medium temperature cooling duties in process industries where enhanced air-side heat transfer is required.
Provides increased surface area for efficient condensation and heat rejection.
Suitable for cooling:
- Lubricating oils
- Hydraulic oils
- Compressor oils
- Industrial process fluids
Widely used in commercial and industrial cooling systems requiring efficient heat dissipation.
Applied in:
- Petrochemical plants
- Chemical processing facilities
- Power generation stations
- Food processing industries
- Manufacturing operations
| Parameter | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Base Tube Material | ASME SA179 Seamless Carbon Steel |
| Fin Material | AL1060 Aluminum |
| Tube Outside Diameter | 15.88 mm – 50.8 mm (5/8" – 2") |
| Tube Wall Thickness | 1.24 mm – 4.11 mm |
| Tube Length | Up to 18,000 mm |
| Fin Height | 7 mm – 16 mm |
| Fin Thickness | 0.25 mm – 0.40 mm |
| Fin Pitch | 2.0 mm – 5.0 mm |
| Fin Density | 5 – 13 Fins Per Inch (FPI) |
| Operating Temperature Range | Up to 150°C – 180°C |
| Fin Type | L-Type Wound Fin |
| Manufacturing Standard | Customer Specification / Industry Standard |
Custom fin geometry and tube dimensions can be supplied according to project requirements.
| Element | Composition (%) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.18 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.27 – 0.63 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.035 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.035 |
The low-carbon steel composition provides excellent thermal conductivity, formability, and weldability, making it suitable for heat exchanger service.
| Property | Minimum Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 325 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 180 MPa |
| Elongation | 35% |
| Hardness | In accordance with ASME requirements |
These properties ensure dependable structural performance under normal operating conditions.
| Element | Composition (%) |
|---|---|
| Aluminum (Al) | ≥ 99.60 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.25 |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.35 |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.05 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 0.03 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | ≤ 0.03 |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 0.05 |
| Titanium (Ti) | ≤ 0.03 |
The high aluminum purity contributes to exceptional thermal conductivity and excellent fin-forming characteristics.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 60 – 110 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ≥ 20 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 20% |
| Thermal Conductivity | Approximately 230 W/m·K |
These properties enable efficient heat transfer while maintaining flexibility during the winding process.
Each L-type wound finned tube undergoes rigorous inspection procedures throughout manufacturing to ensure product consistency and reliability.
- Mill Test Certificate verification
- Material traceability review
- Chemical composition validation
- PMI testing available upon request
- Tube outside diameter measurement
- Wall thickness verification
- Fin height inspection
- Fin pitch verification
- Length tolerance measurement
- Straightness checking
- Tensile testing
- Flattening test
- Expansion test
- Fin winding integrity evaluation
- Eddy current testing
- Hydrostatic pressure testing
- Pneumatic leak testing (if specified)
- Surface defect inspection
- Fin uniformity inspection
- Surface finish assessment
- Fin attachment verification
- Packaging inspection
Independent inspection services can be arranged through internationally recognized agencies such as SGS, TÜV, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, and Lloyd's Register.
Compared with bare tubes, L-type wound finned tubes offer:
- Significantly larger heat transfer area
- Improved thermal efficiency
- Reduced exchanger footprint
- Lower overall equipment cost
- Lightweight construction
- Proven reliability in low-temperature applications
- Economical manufacturing process
These benefits make L-type wound finned tubes an excellent choice for projects requiring cost-effective heat transfer enhancement.
To prevent fin damage during transportation and storage, products are supplied using export-grade protective packaging, including:
- Seaworthy wooden cases
- Steel-framed bundles
- Protective spacers
- Tube end protection caps
- Customized project packaging solutions
All packaging methods are designed to preserve fin geometry and product quality throughout shipment and site handling.
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