Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Round Welded Tubes

B313/B313M-09: Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Round Welded Tubes

For engineers and manufacturers requiring reliable aluminum alloy tubing, adherence to industry-defined quality and performance standards is paramount. ASTM B313/B313M-09 provides an essential framework for the procurement and manufacturing of round, seam-welded aluminum and aluminum-alloy tubes, ensuring consistency and suitability for a wide range of demanding applications. This authoritative standard is a cornerstone for professionals seeking to specify, produce, or utilize these critical components.

What is B313/B313M-09?

ASTM B313/B313M-09 is a comprehensive standard specification that defines the requirements for aluminum and aluminum-alloy round tubes manufactured by forming sheet material and employing continuous seam welding methods. Originating from ASTM International, this specification's primary purpose is to establish uniform criteria for material composition, mechanical properties, dimensional tolerances, and testing procedures, thereby facilitating the seamless integration of these tubes into various engineering designs and manufacturing processes.

Scope & Purpose

This industry-leading standard governs the production and quality assurance of round, welded aluminum and aluminum-alloy tubes. It details acceptable alloy and temper designations, chemical composition limits, and specifies testing methodologies to verify material integrity and performance. While it covers the requirements for the welded tubes themselves, it references other standards for the base sheet material, such as ASTM B209, and does not explicitly cover applications requiring specialized joining techniques beyond the seam welding process.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Materials Engineers, Design Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers, Quality Inspectors, Procurement Specialists, and Fabricators.
• • Industries affected: Aerospace, Automotive, General Manufacturing, Fabrication, Construction, and industries utilizing fluid conveyance systems.
• • Compliance nature: Voluntary, recommended for best practice and to meet contractual obligations.
• • Enforcement: Typically enforced through contractual agreements, customer specifications, and internal quality control systems.

Key Requirements Overview

The standard requires that aluminum and aluminum-alloy tubes be produced from formed sheet and joined using continuous seam welding. Professionals must ensure that the alloy and temper designations conform to recognized industry systems, such as ANSI H35.1/H35.1(M). Key provisions include adherence to specified chemical composition limits for various alloys, as detailed in the standard's tables. Furthermore, the standard mandates specific testing methods, including tensile testing, to verify the mechanical properties of the welded tubes, ensuring they meet performance expectations.

Related Standards & References

ASTM B313/B313M-09 is often used in conjunction with other ASTM standards. Specification B209 provides complementary requirements for the aluminum and aluminum-alloy sheet used as the base material for forming the tubes. Test Methods B557 and B557M offer detailed procedures for conducting tension tests on wrought aluminum products, essential for verifying compliance with the mechanical property requirements of B313/B313M-09. Additionally, Practice E527 is referenced for the proper numbering and identification of aluminum alloys within the Unified Numbering System (UNS).