ASTM B163
Seamless nickel and nickel-alloy condenser and heat-exchanger tubes
Covers seamless nickel and nickel-alloy condenser and heat-exchanger tubes, including alloys 600, 800, 825 and Monel 400.
- Pipe & tube
- ASME SB-163
- 4 grades supplied to it
Reviewed by the Kanak Steel & Engineering Co. technical team · Updated October 2026
What is ASTM B163?
ASTM B163 is the specification for seamless nickel and nickel-alloy condenser and heat-exchanger tubes, covering alloys such as Nickel 200, Monel 400 (N04400), Alloy 600 (N06600), Alloy 800 (N08800) and Alloy 825 (N08825). Tubes are ordered by outside diameter and wall. ASME adopts it as SB-163.
ASTM B163 at a glance
| Products | Seamless condenser and heat-exchanger tubes |
|---|---|
| Alloys | N02200, N04400, N06600, N06690, N08800, N08825 and others |
| ASME designation | SB-163 |
How to write ASTM B163 on a purchase order
Name the product, size, material specification and grade, the dimensional standard and the certificate. An example line:
Illustrative only — sizes, tests, inspection level and any project values come from your purchase specification.
ASTM B163 edition and verification status
Which edition we have confirmed, and what is still being checked before any numerical requirement is published here.
| Current edition (publisher listing) | B163-26a — checked 7 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Full-text verification | In progress — numerical requirements are published here only after the current text has been reviewed |
| Edition on your order | The edition named in your purchase order or design code governs — confirm it with your enquiry |
What to know before ordering to ASTM B163
The points that decide whether material to ASTM B163 is accepted at inspection.
- Tubes are ordered by OD and wall, with U-bending as an optional requirement.
- Non-destructive testing of every tube is standard.
- For process pipe in the same alloys, use the pipe specifications (B423, B165, B167).
Grades and products we supply to ASTM B163
| Grade | Product | Designation on the certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Inconel 825 | Pipe & Tube | ASTM B163 · B423 |
| Inconel 600 | Pipe & Tube | ASTM B163 · B167 |
| Incoloy 800 / 800H / 800HT | Pipe & Tube | ASTM B163 · B407 |
| Monel 400 | Pipe & Tube | ASTM B163 · B165 |
How ASTM B163 fits into an order
A purchase order line is only complete when it names the material standard, the dimensional standard and the inspection document. Miss one and the mill, the inspector and the buyer can each read the order differently.
Standards used with ASTM B163
Same family
ASTM B163 — questions buyers ask
What is ASTM B163?
ASTM B163 is the specification for seamless nickel and nickel-alloy condenser and heat-exchanger tubes, covering alloys such as Nickel 200, Monel 400 (N04400), Alloy 600 (N06600), Alloy 800 (N08800) and Alloy 825 (N08825). Tubes are ordered by outside diameter and wall. ASME adopts it as SB-163.
B163 or B423 for Alloy 825 tube?
B163 for condenser and heat-exchanger tubes; B423 for general pipe and tube.
Which grades do you supply to ASTM B163?
Inconel 825, Inconel 600, Incoloy 800 / 800H / 800HT, Monel 400 — see the table on this page for the exact product and designation.
What is the difference between ASTM B163 and ASME SB-163?
ASME SB-163 is the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (Section II) adoption of ASTM B163. The technical requirements are usually identical to a specific ASTM edition; pressure-equipment codes call for the ASME designation, and most mill certificates show both.
What is the current edition of ASTM B163?
The publisher's listing checked on 7 October 2026 shows B163-26a as the current edition. The edition that governs an order is the one named in the purchase order or design code. Full-text review of the current edition is in progress, so numerical requirements are not published on this page yet.
Do you supply certificates to this standard?
Yes. Material is supplied with mill test certificates to EN 10204 3.1 showing the standard, grade and heat number; 3.2 with third-party inspection on request.
Sources: the ASTM / ASME specifications named on this page and producer datasheets · Last updated October 2026