Bimetallic tubes, made of two bonded metals, are ideal for applications requiring distinct properties inside and outside the tube. This design generally combines a strong, cost-effective outer material with a premium, corrosion-resistant inner layer, offering the best of two worlds.
The two different alloys are metallurgically bonded together to assure good thermal transfer properties. Typically, the higher alloyed material (or zirconium) is used to minimize corrosion, while the lower alloyed material is the approved pressure vessel material.
Typical industrial applications
- Oil and gas industry – for pipelines or tubing carrying corrosive substances.
- Chemical and fertilizer processing (urea) – for resistance to aggressive acids or carbamates.
- Heat exchangers – where thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance are needed.
Zirconium-level performance
Alleima has developed innovative bimetallic tube solutions that deliver zirconium-level performance at an affordable price. The outer component consists of Alleima® 2RE69 (UNS S31002) Alleima® 2RE10 (UNS S31002) or another high-alloy stainless steel of your choice, while the inner component is in Zirconium 702. This combination results in superior corrosion resistance, strength and weldability.
Cost effective and reliable
Overall, bimetallic tubing is favored in industrial applications where both cost-effectiveness and specific materials properties, like corrosion resistance and structural integrity, are essential. One common application is for stripper tubes in urea production. Others include evaporators, cooler / condensers, heat exchanger equipment, cooling towers, tail gas heaters.
Compared to stainless alone:
- Higher thermal conductivity
- Lower thermal expansion
- Reduced risk of stress corrosion cracking
- Simplified welding and bending
- Pressure vessel approved load carrying grade by choice
- Compared to low alloy grades
- Better corrosion resistance
- Corrosion protection on outside or inside
- Customized alloy selection depending on corrosion conditions
Approved Quality Management System
Alleima Quality Management is approved for ASME, ISO, PED, ASTM and more. We also have product and/or shop approvals from bodies such as TüV, JIS, DNV and Lloyd’s Register. Approved by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) for use in accordance with ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Divisions 1 and 2.
What type of bimetallic tube do you need? Let’s make it happen together.