# Tube Expansion (Titanium & Stainless Steel)

Once the tubes are in, each one is expanded into its tubesheet hole to seal and lock the joint. Our references cover titanium and stainless steel tubes in condensers, heat exchangers and desalination evaporators.

On a new build or a retube alike, every tube has to be expanded into the tubesheet once it is installed. The quality of that expansion decides whether the joint will leak, which makes it one of the critical steps of the whole job.

Our expansion equipment is developed in-house, and several items are patented. The same crew can install, expand, trim and weld in one continuous sequence, with fewer handovers between trades.

## Scope

- Condensers, shell-and-tube heat exchangers and desalination evaporators
- Tube ends on turbine gland seal components and similar parts
- Tube materials: titanium, stainless steel, copper alloy

## Work steps

1. Check tube and hole dimensions; set the expansion parameters
2. Clean the tube holes and tube ends
3. Expand the tubes (in several passes where specified)
4. Inspect the expanded joints
5. Move on to trimming, facing and welding as required

## Duration

Depends on the number of joints, the tube material and site conditions; we agree a plan before work starts.

## Quality control

- Tube holes cleaned and inspected before expansion
- Expanded joints inspected and leak tested
- Hydrostatic test as required by the design

## FAQ

**Is the expansion equipment your own?**

Yes. Our tools for tube installation, expansion, trimming, tube-end welding and tube pulling are designed and built in-house, and several are patented.
We also sell the tools – see our product website.

## Related projects

- [Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 & 4: New-Build Condenser Tubing](https://www.heatexchangersolution.com/en/projects/tianwan-nuclear-new-units/)
- [12-Effect Desalination Evaporator: On-site Fabrication](https://www.heatexchangersolution.com/en/projects/desalination-evaporator-onsite/)

Web page: https://www.heatexchangersolution.com/en/services/tube-expansion/

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Contact Lanbo: +86 136 3706 9797 · Lanbo@hflanbo.com.cn · https://www.heatexchangersolution.com/en/contact/