What is an Integral High Finned Tube
An integral high finned tube is a specialized heat exchanger component designed to enhance thermal performance in systems where heat transfer between fluids with significantly different thermal conductivities is required. Unlike standard finned tubes, high-fin tubes feature exceptionally tall, densely spaced fins that dramatically increase the surface area exposed to a fluid, typically a gas or low-viscosity liquid. This design addresses challenges in applications where one fluid (e.g., air or gas) has poor heat transfer properties compared to the other (e.g., water or steam).
Key Structural Features of Integral High Finned Tubes
- Base Tube: The core tube, usually made of materials like copper, aluminum, stainless steel, or carbon steel, through which the primary fluid (liquid or high-velocity gas) flows.
- Extended Fins:
- Fins are 10–15 mm in height (far taller than low-fin tubes) and may be arranged in helical or longitudinal patterns.
- Fin density ranges from 50 to 125 fins per meter, depending on the application.
- Materials often include aluminum (for corrosion resistance) or copper (for high thermal conductivity).
The Manufacturing Process of Integral High Finned Tubes
Material Preparation
- Start with seamless base tubes made of ductile metals (e.g., copper, aluminum, carbon steel, or stainless steel) to withstand deformation during fin formation.
Cold Rolling/Extrusion
Use precision rollers or dies to plastically deform the tube’s outer surface.
- High-pressure rolling creates helical or axial fins (3–6 mm height) in a single pass.
- No welding or bonding; fins and tube remain a monolithic structure.
The Advantages of Integral High Finned Tubes
Enhanced Heat Transfer Density
Tall fins increase surface area by 5–10x vs. smooth tubes, maximizing thermal efficiency in high-temperature applications (e.g., boilers, thermal oxidizers).Monolithic Durability
Fins and tube form a single-material structure, eliminating weak joints or bonding interfaces prone to failure under thermal cycling or vibration.Corrosion Resistance
Seamless design avoids crevices; compatible with corrosion-resistant alloys (stainless steel, nickel-based) for acidic or high-moisture environments.High-Pressure Tolerance
Cold-worked fins retain base tube strength, handling pressures >50 bar without deformation, ideal for power plants or petrochemical systems.Low Maintenance
No fouling-prone gaps between fins and tube, reducing downtime in gas or clean-fluid applications.Material Versatility
Compatible with ductile metals (copper, aluminum, carbon steel) for tailored thermal/mechanical performance.
The Disadvantages of Integral High Finned Tubes
Fouling Susceptibility
Tight fin spacing traps particulates or viscous fluids, increasing maintenance in dusty or high-fouling environments (e.g., wastewater, sludge).Limited Material Options
Requires ductile metals (e.g., copper, aluminum) for cold-forming fins; incompatible with brittle alloys or ceramics for extreme corrosion/heat scenarios.High Initial Cost
Precision cold-working processes (rolling/extrusion) demand specialized equipment, raising production costs vs. welded or bonded alternatives.Reduced Flow Efficiency
Dense fins create turbulence in high-velocity fluids, risking pressure drop and energy losses in pumped systems.Mechanical Vulnerability
Tall fins (6+ mm) are prone to bending or damage during handling, limiting use in high-vibration or abrasive settings.Design Inflexibility
Fixed fin geometry (height, pitch) during manufacturing restricts post-production customization for niche applications.
Sizes and Materials of Our Integral High Finned Tubes
| Base Tube Diameter | 32 to 51 mm | 1. 1/4″ to 2″ NPS |
| Base Tube Wall Thickness | 4 to 8 mm | 0.16″ to 0.31″ |
| Base Tube Length | ≤32,000 mm | ≤92 ft |
| Base Tube Material | Carbon Steel (A106B, P235GH, A179, A210, A192, etc.) Alloy Steel (P5, T5, P9, T9, T11, T22, etc.) Stainless Steel (TP304, TP316, TP347, B407 800H/HT, etc.) aluminum, copper, titanium | |
| Fin Pitch | 50 to 125 FPM | 2 to 5 FPI |
| Fin Height | 3 to 15 mm | 0.118″ to 0.59″ |
| Fin Thickness | 1.6 to 2 mm | 0.063″ to 0.079″ |
| Fin Material | Same as base tube | |
| Fin Type | Integral high | |
For other customized requirements, please contact us.
Our Production Capacity of Integral High Finned Tubes
Total three integral high finned tube machines, monthly production capacity is 450,000 tons in total.
Application of Integral High Finned Tubes
- Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers: Widely used in power plants, refineries, and HVAC systems to cool process fluids (e.g., steam, oil) using ambient air.
- Waste Heat Recovery: Captures energy from industrial exhaust gases in systems like economizers or gas-to-liquid heat exchangers.
- Condensers/Evaporators: Improves efficiency in refrigeration cycles by enhancing heat exchange between refrigerants and air.
- Aerospace: Manages thermal loads in aircraft oil coolers and environmental control systems.
Why Choose Us
- a 16-year high fin tube manufacturer. We are experts.
- solutions for all your needs
- the highest product quality
- the low lead times
- excellent customer service
