Shields Made From Specific Materials Like Stainless Steel Or Alloys
Material-specific erosion shields provide tailored protection for industrial pipes and boiler tubes, enhancing durability against abrasion, corrosion, and high-temperature wear.
Protect boiler tubes from erosive high-velocity flue gases, steam, and particles that cause rapid degradation.
Extend tube lifespan by 3–10 times, with a typical operational life of 3–5 years aligned with boiler overhauls.
Minimize maintenance costs and prevent forced outages—achieving return on investment in just 1–3 years.
The cross-sectional shape of boiler tube erosion shields is mostly semi-circular (180 degrees), with optional variants from 120 to 160 degrees.
These shields are primarily used on finned tubes in water-cooled wall sections. Boiler tube erosion shields are available in various forms, including straight wear-resistant shields, in-curve shields, outer-curve shields, side-curve shields, and s-curve shields.
The length of straight tube erosion shields typically ranges from 20 mm to 3000 mm, with 1000–2000 mm being the most common. For curved shields, a processing drawing is required with key parameters: outer diameter of the base tube, bending radius (R, to the centerline), bending angle, and the length of the straight segments on both ends of the arc.
The most critical dimension for boiler tube erosion shields is the outer diameter of the boiler tube (which corresponds to the inner diameter of the shield). Common outer tube diameters include: 32, 38, 42, 44.5, 48, 51, 57, 60, 63.5, 76, and 89 mm. The inner diameter of the shield is generally 1–3 mm larger than the tube’s OD to ensure a proper fit based on practical requirements.
| Product Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Half Round Tube Shield | Standard semi-cylindrical shield for straight boiler or heat exchanger tubes. |
| U Type Half Round Tube Shield | For U-bend tube sections; protects bends from thermal stress and erosion. |
| U Type Outer Half Round Tube Shield | Outer side coverage for U-bends; higher erosion exposure protection. |
| U Type Inner Half Round Tube Shield | Inner curve protection for tight bend radii; prevents thinning. |
| Half Round Tube Shield for LTSH Tube | Tailored for Low Temperature Superheater tubes prone to corrosion. |
| Half Round Straight Tube Shield | Designed for long straight superheater or water wall tube lengths. |
| Half Round Tube Shield for R/H Tube | For high-temperature Reheater Tubes; made from high-alloy steel grades. |
| Half Round Tube Shield for WW Screen | Used on water wall screen tubes exposed to flame and slag accumulation. |
| Inner Tube Shield for 90 Degree Bend | Protects inner radius of 90° bends where erosion and stress concentration occur. |
| Boiler Tube Shields | General category of protective shields for boiler tubes in all layouts. |
| Half Round Shield for Boiler Tube | Versatile design suitable for both vertical and horizontal tube arrays. |
| Power Plant Boiler Tube Shields | Heavy-duty shields made for large utility boilers in power generation sectors. |
Tube shields are designed to protect and maintain the integrity of your boiler and water distribution system.
Ideal for linear sections of boiler tubing
Custom pressed to match bends and angles
Special design for water wall and finned tubes
Quick-fit solutions with stainless steel clips
Choose from a wide range of shield configurations for straight tubes, tube bends, finned sections, or snap-on type installations based on flow direction and maintenance accessibility.
Manufactured to exacting standards using high-pressure pressing technology
Advanced equipment and precision moulds ensure optimal welding performance, smooth surfaces, and rapid turnaround times [[2, 5]].
Arc-shaped wear-resistant tiles are formed using specialized moulds on high-pressure presses or pipe benders [[2, 9]].
This process delivers:
Positive Material Identification (PMI) testing verifies stainless steel composition before production, ensuring compliance with API 578 standards [[1, 3]].
Raw materials are sourced directly from certified steel mills with Mill Test Certificates (MTC). Excess material is repurposed into snap rings for zero-waste manufacturing [[5, 15]].
Explore detailed material grades, dimensional standards, and configuration types for stainless steel tube shields used in high-temperature boiler environments.
Boiler tube erosion shields are manufactured using heat- and corrosion-resistant alloys for superior durability in demanding thermal systems such as superheaters, economizers, and reheaters.
| Material Grade | Operating Temp | Chromium (%) | Nickel (%) | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS 304 | Up to 600°C | 18% | 8% | General boiler protection |
| SS 316 | Up to 650°C | 16–18% | 10–14% | Corrosive steam systems |
| SS 309 | Up to 750°C | 22–24% | 12–15% | High-temp gas zones |
| SS 310S | Up to 1000°C | 24–26% | 19–22% | Extreme flue gas exposure |
| SS 310 | Up to 1200°C | 24–26% | 19–22% | Aggressive chemical plants |
| Carbon Steel | Up to 1400°C | 26–28% | 22–25% | High-temperature gas systems |
| Inconel 600 | Up to 1200°C | 15% | 72% | Aggressive chemical plants |
Tube erosion shields are precision-engineered to match a wide range of pipe diameters and curvature profiles, ensuring exact fit and reliable performance in erosive gas flows.
| Specification | Standard Range | Common Sizes | Customization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tube Outer Diameter | 32–89mm | 38, 42, 48, 51, 57, 63.5, 76mm | Other diameters available |
| Shield Length | 20–3000mm | 1000–2000mm | As per project requirement |
| Shield Thickness | 2–5mm | 3mm, 4mm | Based on wear conditions |
| Coverage Angle | 120°–240° | 180° (Semi-circular) | Tailored arcs for complex bends |
| Shield Clearance | 1–3mm | 2mm typical | For thermal expansion fit |
Tube erosion shields are precision-engineered to fit straight sections, tube bends, finned pipes, and other complex geometries, providing long-term protection in high-wear boiler zones.
Also known as anti-wear plates, anti-corrosion shields, boiler tube protection covers, or snap-on climbing plates, these components are typically paired with snap rings to ensure firm and efficient installation on boiler surfaces.
Each erosion shield is manufactured using a high-pressure pressing process with precision moulds. The result is a smooth surface finish, excellent weldability, and strong attachment performance without risk of separation under thermal stress.
Curved tube shields are shaped using custom tube benders or formed under pressure, making them ideal for use in elbows, U-bends, and complex heat exchanger tube paths. The shields effectively absorb erosive wear from sootblowers, high-speed flue gas, and abrasive particles.
By preventing localized thinning and cracking, these shields significantly reduce boiler downtime, extend tube life, and lower maintenance costs, especially in CFB boilers, waste heat recovery systems, and coal-fired power plants.
Proper installation of boiler tube erosion shields is essential for preventing wear, prolonging service life, and avoiding critical failures like boiler explosions.
Erosion shields are installed primarily to protect the heating surfaces of boiler tubes from high-velocity flue gases and abrasive particles. They reduce wear and enhance heat transfer efficiency in high-stress environments such as CFB boilers and waste heat recovery units.
A snap ring is used to affix the erosion shield securely to the tube surface. It typically overlaps the shield slightly—usually with a 190°–200° arc—allowing it to clamp firmly while leaving space for welding. The ring width must be no less than 20mm for adequate support.
Each erosion shield requires 2–4 snap rings spaced at 200–500mm intervals. The rings and shield must be fully spot welded to prevent displacement from thermal expansion and vibrations during operation.
The installation procedure varies slightly for different shapes—straight, curved, or S-type. All joints must be secure, sealed, and aligned to ensure continuous protection without gaps.
Boiler tube erosion shields are typically attached using the following methods:
Yes,
we provide custom straight boiler tube shields based on customer requirements.
These can be tailored in shape, size, and material to suit specific boiler configurations.
Boiler tubes erosion shields protect critical boiler components from wear and corrosion, ensuring durability and efficiency across multiple industries.
Protects boiler tubes in coal-fired, natural gas, biomass, and waste-to-energy plants from abrasive flue gases and high temperatures.
Shields tubes in petrochemical, pulp and paper, food processing, and manufacturing boilers, reducing wear and maintenance costs.
Provides corrosion-resistant protection for marine boiler systems and offshore platform boilers in harsh, corrosive environments.
Enhances tube durability in gas turbine exhausts and industrial process systems, improving energy efficiency and longevity.
Reduces downtime with easy-to-install shields for straight, bent, and finned tubes, ensuring long-term boiler reliability.
Custom shields for unique boiler configurations, protecting against abrasive particles and high-pressure conditions.
| Industry | Application |
|---|---|
| Coal-Fired Power Plants | Protects superheaters, reheaters, and economizers from abrasive ash and flue gas erosion. |
| Natural Gas Combined Cycle | Shields tubes in high-pressure boilers from wear caused by high-velocity gas flows. |
| Biomass Power Stations | Reduces tube wear in boilers handling abrasive biomass materials like wood chips. |
| Waste-to-Energy Plants | Protects tubes from corrosion and erosion in incineration and waste processing systems. |
| Petrochemical Facilities | Ensures durability of boiler tubes in high-temperature, corrosive chemical environments. |
| Pulp and Paper Mills | Shields boiler tubes from wear in steam generation systems for paper production. |
| Food Processing Plants | Protects steam boiler tubes from wear and corrosion in hygienic processing environments. |
| Marine Boiler Systems | Provides corrosion-resistant protection for tubes in harsh marine environments. |
| Offshore Platform Boilers | Ensures tube longevity in remote, corrosive offshore conditions with minimal maintenance. |
| Heat Recovery Steam Generators | Enhances tube life in systems recovering heat from gas turbine exhausts. |
| Industrial Process Exhausts | Protects tubes in waste heat recovery systems handling variable, abrasive exhausts. |
The service life of boiler tube erosion shields varies depending on boiler type and installation location.
Normally, shields last throughout one overhaul cycle (3–5 years). During major maintenance, shields are inspected and replaced if:
In sections such as superheaters and economizers, erosion shields are placed on the flue gas flow-facing side of the tubes to protect against high-temperature abrasion. Curved shields are essential for elbows and U-bends to prevent wear in circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boilers, where demand is increasing.
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