Forged tubesheets are typically made from high-strength, corrosion-resistant metal materials to ensure reliability under high-pressure, high-temperature, and complex operating conditions. Common materials include carbon steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel. Carbon steel offers good forgeability and strength, making it suitable for general pressure piping and low-temperature environments; alloy steel exhibits superior strength, toughness, and wear resistance in high-temperature and high-pressure settings, and is frequently used in petrochemical, boiler, and heat exchange equipment.
Forged tubesheets made of stainless steel offer excellent corrosion and oxidation resistance, making them ideal for applications involving highly corrosive media, such as in the chemical, marine, and food industries. Additionally, for extreme temperatures or highly corrosive environments, heat-resistant steels or high-nickel alloys may be selected to meet specific operational requirements.
Material selection affects not only the mechanical properties and durability of the tubesheet but also its weldability and response to heat treatment. During design and procurement, factors such as working pressure, media characteristics, temperature range, and service life requirements must be weighed against material strength, toughness, corrosion resistance, and manufacturability to ensure the forged tubesheet performs safely and reliably in actual application.