Helical Solid Finned Tubes are advanced heat exchanger fins engineered to maximize thermal transfer by increasing the external surface area through a continuous fin strip spirally welded onto the base tube. These welded finned tubes utilize high-frequency resistance welding (HFRW) or gas metal arc welding (GMAW) to ensure a robust fin-to-tube bond, ideal for high-temperature and high-pressure environments. Conforming to standards like ASTM A179, A213, and ASME SB338, they are widely used in petrochemical, power generation, industrial boilers, and air-cooled heat exchangers, offering exceptional corrosion resistance and boiler pipeline protection.

The manufacturing process involves helically wrapping a fin strip (typically carbon steel, stainless steel, or aluminum) under tension around the base tube, followed by continuous welding to ensure strong contact and minimal thermal resistance. Base tube sizes range from 16mm to 273mm (10” OD), with fin heights of 10mm to 25mm, fin thicknesses of 0.8mm to 1.5mm, and fin pitches of 80 to 230 fins per meter. These tubes can be customized for lengths up to 20 meters, with plain or beveled ends for seamless integration into heat exchanger fins systems. Surface treatments like galvanization, 3LPE, or epoxy coatings enhance corrosion resistance, making them suitable for harsh environments involving seawater, acidic gases, or abrasive slurries.

Helical Solid Finned Tubes undergo rigorous testing, including hydrostatic, eddy current, tensile, and thermal performance tests, to meet ASTM A450/A450M and TEMA standards. Their helical fin design creates turbulent airflow, improving the heat transfer coefficient by 4-5 times compared to plain tubes, making them ideal for air cooled exchangers and boiler systems. The continuous weld ensures excellent heat transfer characteristics, low fin-side pressure drop, and minimal grain microstructure changes, even with high-chromium tubes (3%-9% Cr). These tubes are particularly suited for applications requiring high thermal efficiency, such as waste heat recovery and petrochemical refining.

Compared to longitudinal finned tubes, helical solid finned tubes offer superior heat transfer due to their spiral geometry, which enhances turbulence and reduces fouling. They are commonly used in air-cooled heat exchangers, boiler economizers, and fired heaters, where their compact design reduces material costs and equipment footprint. The ability to weld dissimilar materials (e.g., aluminum fins on stainless steel tubes) allows customization for specific thermal and corrosion requirements, making them versatile for diverse industrial applications.

Addressing challenges like pipeline wear, corrosion, and thermal stress, helical solid finned tubes provide a durable and efficient solution for thermal transfer tubes. Their robust construction and high heat transfer efficiency make them a preferred choice for engineers seeking reliable performance in demanding environments, ensuring long-term durability and energy efficiency in boiler pipeline protection and heat exchanger systems.

Key Features

Continuous MIG welding ensures high heat transfer coefficient (4–5× conventional fins)
Ability to weld dissimilar materials for specialized applications
Customizable fin height, pitch, and material selection
Applicable for both air-cooled and liquid-cooled heat exchangers
Ideal for power, HVAC, chemical, and petrochemical industries

Specifications of Helical Solid Finned Tubes (Finned Tubes/Pipes)
Parameter	Details / Range
Tube/Pipe Size	16 mm to 273 mm (10”) and more on request
Tube/Pipe Material	Carbon Steel (A106, A333, A179, A210, P5, P11, P22) + Stainless Steel (304, 316, Duplex, Super Duplex) + Nickel Alloys (Monel 400, Inconel 625)
Fin Material	Carbon Steel (A106, A333, A179, A210, P5, P11, P22) + Stainless Steel (304, 316, Duplex, Super Duplex) + Nickel Alloys (Monel 400, Inconel 625)
Fin Height	10 mm to 25 mm and more on request
Fin Thickness	1.2 mm to 1.5 mm (corrected decimal separator for consistency)
Number of Fins	From 80 fins/meter to 230 fins/meter

FAQs

Engineered to meet diverse industrial needs with robust materials and versatile designs.

Helical Solid Finned Tubes are welded finned tubes with spiral fins welded onto the base tube to enhance thermal transfer in heat exchanger fins.

Used in air cooled exchangers, boiler economizers, fired heaters, and waste heat recovery in petrochemical and power industries.

Carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or nickel alloys with coatings for corrosion resistance.

Suitable for temperatures up to 400°C, depending on material and welding method.

Spiral fins increase surface area and turbulence, boosting thermal transfer by 4-5 times.

Base tube OD: 16-273mm, fin height: 10-25mm, fin pitch: 80-230 fins/m, lengths up to 20m.

High-frequency resistance or gas metal arc welding of spiral fins onto the base tube.

Hydrostatic, eddy current, tensile, and thermal tests ensure ASTM A450/A450M and TEMA compliance.

Welded or expanded into tube sheets in air cooled exchangers for optimal airflow.

Helical Solid Finned Tubes offer higher turbulence and heat transfer efficiency than longitudinal fins, ideal for gas-to-liquid applications.

Test Instrument & Equipment

Our factory is equipped with professional technical research and design personnel who can provide product optimization design and services.

Advanced Equipment to Create Excellent Quality

Four ERW high frequency finning lines, daily capacity ~30 tons.
Three bending machines, maximum OD76×80.
Three ERW studding lines, daily capacity ~100,000 studs.
One DC ERW H/HH finning line, daily capacity ~20 tons.
Three PLC high-speed pressers.
Five L/LL/KL/KLM finning lines, daily capacity ~7,000 meters.
Five G finning lines, daily capacity ~5,000 meters.
Ten extrusion finning lines, daily capacity ~15,000 meters.

Main Test Equipments

Quality is the foundation of an enterprise. We adopt advanced production equipment and experienced technical personnel, constantly improve product technology, strictly control every processing step, and strive to compete with first-class quality products.

Hydraulic test lines up to 40MPa.
One underwater pneumatic test line.
Computer-controlled microscope projector.
Computer-controlled pull-off tester.
Penetration mirror microscope.
Ultrasonic thickness gauge.

Testing instrument

Hardness tester

Drawing Machine

Component analyzer

Aluminium KL finned tube

L LL KL G production line

Production equipments

Extrusion equipment

Fin tube bending

Classification of Finned Tubes

Finned tubes are available in many types and configurations. Below is a detailed classification based on fabrication process, fin geometry, material, and applications.

Rolling forming finned tubes (Extruded fin tubes)
Welded finned tubes (High-frequency welded, Submerged arc welded)
Roll forming finned tubes
Set forming finned tubes
Casting finned tubes
Tension wound finned tubes
Inserted finned tubes

Square fin tube
Round fin tube
Spiral fin tube
Vertical fin tube (Longitudinal finned tube)
Corrugated fin tube
Serrated spiral fin tube (Helical serrated)
Needle finned tube
Plate-fin tube
Inner finned tube

Single-metal finned tubes: Copper, Aluminum, Carbon steel, Stainless steel, Cast iron/steel
Bi-metal composite finned tubes: Base tube with dissimilar fin material