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STAINLESS STEEL SEAMLESS TUBES

Instrumentation Tubing

Small-diameter, high-precision tube for pressure, vacuum and signal lines in process and instrumentation systems, held to very tight OD and wall tolerances for leak-free compression fittings.

OD 3 – 25 MM WALL 0.5 – 8 MM ASTM A269
OVERVIEW

Tolerances tight enough for a compression fitting

Instrumentation tubing is almost always seamless and cold drawn, supplied in straight lengths or coils. Very tight tolerances on OD and wall thickness are what allow a compression fitting to seal reliably on transmitters, analysers and safety circuits.

Tubes are usually supplied in bright annealed or polished finish for a smooth internal bore and easy cleaning. 304 and 304L serve mild environments; 316 and 316L are the most common choice for process plants because of their resistance to chlorides, acids and coastal service.

Each and every tube is pressure tested and inspected by eddy current or ultrasonic methods for discontinuities.

Stainless steel instrumentation tubing with compression fittings
SPECIFICATION
OD RANGE
3 - 50.8 mm
WALL THICKNESS
0.5 – 8 mm; most instrumentation tubing 0.6 – 3.0 mm for small ODs
GRADES
304 / 304L general purpose; 316 / 316L for chlorides, acids and coastal service
STANDARDS
ASTM A269, A213, A268, A789; EN / ISO equivalents aligned with ASME and API
CONDITION
Annealed, bright annealed (BA) or polished bore; cleaned and pickled options
TESTING
Hydrostatic or pneumatic pressure test; eddy current or ultrasonic inspection
DOCUMENTATION
Mill certificates EN 10204 3.1 – 3.2 with heat-code marking on the tube
CHARACTERISTICS

What precision tubing must deliver

01

Leak-free joints

Tight OD and wall control is what makes compression fittings seal first time, every time.

02

Smooth bore

Bright annealed or polished finishes reduce roughness and particle retention.

03

Cold drawn accuracy

Drawing through dies and mandrels holds dimensional tolerance along the full length.

04

Verified integrity

Pressure testing plus eddy current or ultrasonic inspection on every lot.

QUICK REFERENCE — TYPICAL INSTRUMENTATION SIZES
OD (metric) OD (inch) Typical wall range Typical use case
6 – 8 mm1/4 in0.6 – 1.5 mmSmall signal lines, pneumatic
10 – 12 mm3/8 – 1/2 in1.0 – 2.0 mmGeneral process instrument lines
15 – 20 mm1/2 – 3/4 in1.5 – 2.5 mmHigher-pressure instrument and small process
25 mm1 in2.0 – 3.0 mmMain header or small process lines
APPLICATIONS

Where instrumentation tubing is used

Signal and sensing lines to pressure transmitters, flow meters and analysers
Small-bore hydraulic and air-signal lines in control cabinets and panels
Sanitary and high-purity skid piping in food, pharmaceutical and biotech plants
Safety circuits where a leak is not tolerable
ORDERING

What to send us for a firm quote

The more of this we have up front, the faster the quotation and the fewer clarifications later. Partial enquiries are welcome — we will tell you what else the specification needs.

Send an enquiry
Grade
e.g. 304L, 316L, 321, 904L, duplex 2205
OD and wall
Outside diameter x wall thickness in mm or inch
Length or form
Straight length, U-bend leg and radius, or coil length
Standard
ASTM / ASME, EN or DIN specification to be certified against
Finish
Mill, pickled, BA, mechanically polished or electropolished with target Ra
Testing
Hydrostatic or pneumatic, eddy current, ultrasonic, boroscope
Documentation
EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2, surface analysis, heat-code marking
Quantity and packing
Tonnage or metres, plus packing and marking requirements
FREQUENTLY ASKED

Instrumentation Tubing — common questions

Why do tolerances matter so much on instrument tube?

Compression fittings seal on the tube surface. Tight OD and wall control is what allows the ferrule to grip and seal reliably first time.

Which grade should I specify?

304 and 304L suit mild environments. 316 and 316L are the most common choice for process plants because of better resistance to chlorides, acids and coastal service.

Is the tube supplied in coils or straight lengths?

Both. Straight lengths and coils are available, cold drawn seamless and annealed with a bright annealed or polished bore.

What testing is carried out?

Hydrostatic or pneumatic pressure testing, plus eddy current or ultrasonic inspection for discontinuities, with EN 10204 3.1-3.2 certification.

Enquire about Instrumentation Tubing

Send grade, OD, wall, length, standard and finish for a firm quotation.

Request a Quote