Metallurgical characterization of refrigeration tubing formed from plain carbon steel strip stock

Ball indentation hardness testing and metallography were used to investigate the metallurgical changes that occur during the manufacture and bending of plain carbon steel tubing for use in large-scale refrigeration equipment such as evaporative condensers and thermal storage coils. A significant increase in hardness occurred in going from flat strip starting material to creating the electrical resistance welded tubing that was subsequently bent to form coils. The weld region exhibited the greatest hardness. Metallographic examination revealed that the spheroidized ferritic microstructure of the flat strip was retained during welding. However, the accompanying heating did cause small grains to form and a significant rise in the number of carbide particles.