Forged Tubesheets

A forged tubesheet is commonly made from a round disc forging with holes drilled to accept the tubes or pipes in an accurate location and pattern relative to one another. The tubesheets are used to support and isolate tubes in heat exchangers and boilers to ensure effective heat transfer or to support filter elements.

Tubes are attached to the tubesheet by hydraulic pressure or by roller expansion. A tubesheet may be covered in a cladding material which serves as a corrosion barrier and insulator.

In shell and tube heat exchangers, two plates support the tubes, one on each end. They are in contact with both fluids on the shell side and the tube side, so they must be corrosion resistant and sealed tightly. Many heat exchanger design codes and standards require forged tubesheets.

Forged tubesheets are generally produced by die forging and have a fine crystal structure and high strength. They are also more expensive than other tubesheets.

FCI manufactures forged tubesheets from a variety of material grades from our on-site raw material inventory. We are capable of producing tubesheets to any customer requirement.