SA 370

A2.5.1.1 Flattening Test — The flattening test as commonly made on

specimens cut from tubular products is conducted by subjecting rings from the
tube or pipe to a prescribed degree of flattening between parallel plates (Fig.
A2.4). The severity of the flattening test is measured by the distance between the
parallel plates and is varied according to the dimensions of the tube or pipe. The
flat- tening test specimen should not be less than 21⁄2 in. (63.5 mm) in length
and should be flattened cold to the extent required by the applicable material
specifications.

A2.5.1.2 Reverse Flattening Test — The reverse flattening test is designed

primarily for application to elec- tric-welded tubing for the detection of lack of
penetration or overlaps resulting from flash removal in the weld. The specimen
consists of a length of tubing approximately 4 in. (102 mm) long which is split
longitudinally 90° on each side of the weld. The sample is then opened and
flattened with the weld at the point of maximum bend (Fig. A2.9).

A2.5.1.3 Crush Test — The crush test, sometimes referred to as an

upsetting test, is usually made on boiler and other pressure tubes, for evaluating
ductility (Fig. A2.10). The specimen is a ring cut from the tube, usually about
21⁄2 in. (63.5 mm) long. It is placed on end and crushed endwise by hammer or
press to the distance prescribed by the applicable material specifications.

A2.5.1.4 Flange Test — The flange test is intended to determine the

ductility of boiler tubes and their ability to withstand the operation of bending
into a tube sheet. The test is made on a ring cut from a tube, usually not less than
4 in. (100 mm) long and consists of having a flange turned over at right angles
to the body of the tube to the width required by the applicable material
specifications. The flaring tool and die block shown in Fig. A2.11 are
recommended for use in making this test.

A2.5.1.5 Flaring Test — For certain types of pres- sure tubes, an alternate
to the flange test is made. This test consists of driving a tapered mandrel having
a slope of 1 in 10 as shown in Fig. A2.12 (a) or a 60° included angle as shown in
Fig. A2.12 (b) into a section cut from the tube, approximately 4 in. (100 mm) in
length, and thus expanding the specimen until the inside diameter has been
increased to the extent required by the applicable material specifications.
 A2.5.1.6 Bend Test — For pipe used for coiling in sizes 2 in. and under a
bend test is made to determine its ductility and the soundness of weld. In this test
a sufficient length of full-size pipe is bent cold through 90° around a cylindrical
mandrel having a diameter 12 times the nominal diameter of the pipe. For close
coiling, the pipe is bent cold through 180° around a mandrel having a diameter
8 times the nominal diameter of the pipe.
 SA 1016

1. Reverse Flattening Test

1.1 A section 4 in. [100 mm] in length of finished welded tubing in sizes down
to and including 1⁄2 in. [12.7 mm] in outside diameter shall be split
longitudinally 90° on each side of the weld and the sample opened and flattened
with the weld at the point of maximum bend. There shall be no evidence of
cracks or lack of penetration or overlaps resulting from flash removal in the
weld.

2. Reverse Bend Test

2.1 A section 4 in. [100 mm] minimum in length shall be split longitudinally
90° on each side of the weld. The sample shall then be opened and bent around
a mandrel with a maximum thickness of four times the wall thickness, with the
mandrel parallel to the weld and against the original outside surface of the tube.
The weld shall be at the point of maximum bend. There shall be no evidence of
cracks or of overlaps resulting from the reduction in thickness of the weld area
by cold working. When the geometry or size of the tubing make it difficult to
test the sample as a single piece, the sample may be sectioned into smaller
pieces provided a minimum of 4 in. of weld is subjected to reverse bending.
2.2 The reverse bend test is not applicable when the wall is 10 % or more of
the specified outside diameter, or the wall thickness is 0.134 in. [3.4 mm] or
greater, or the outside diameter is less than 0.375 in. [9.5 mm]. Under these
conditions, the reverse flattening test shall apply.
3. Flaring Test
A section of tube approximately 4 in. [100 mm] in length shall stand being flared
with a tool having a 60° included angle until the tube at the mouth of the flare has
been expanded to the percentages specified in Table 5 without cracking or
showing imperfections rejectable under the provisions of the product
specification.

4. Flange Test
4.1 A section of tube shall be capable of having a flange turned over at a right
angle to the body of the tube without cracking or showing imperfections
rejectable under the provi- sions of the product specification. The width of the
flange for carbon and alloy steels shall be not less than the percentages specified
in Table 6. For the austenitic grades, the width of the flange for all sizes listed in
Table 6 shall be not less than 15 %.

5. Hardness Test
5.1 For tubes with wall thickness 0.200 in. [5.1 mm] or over, either the Brinell
or Rockwell hardness test shall be used. When Brinell hardness testing is used, a
10-mm ball with 3000, 1500, or 500-kg load, or a 5-mm ball with 750-kg load
shall be used, at the option of the manufacturer.
5.2 For tubes with wall thickness 0.065 in. [1.7 mm] or over but less than 0.200
in. [5.1 mm], the Rockwell hardness test shall be used.
5.3 For tubes with wall thickness less than 0.065 in. [1.7 mm], the hardness test
shall not be required.
5.4 The Brinell hardness test shall, at the option of the manufacturer, be made
on the outside of the tube near the end, on the outside of a specimen cut from the
tube, or on the wall cross section of a specimen cut from the tube. This test shall
be made so that the distance from the center of the impression to the edge of the
specimen is at least 2.5 times the diameter of the impression.
5.5 The Rockwell hardness test shall, at the option of the manufacturer, be
made on the inside surface, on the wall cross section, or on a flat on the outside
surface.
5.6 For tubes furnished with upset, swaged, or otherwise formed ends, the
hardness test shall be made as prescribed in
24.1 and 24.2 on the outside of the tube near the end after the forming operation
and heat treatment.
5.7 For welded or brazed tubes, the hardness test shall be made away from the
joints.