steel tube properties table

Hollow steel cylinders, also known as steel tubes, are often utilized for transferring fluids or reinforcing physical structures. These tubes typically vary in size – ranging from a few millimetres to a max of a few metres – and with a wall-thickness from a few millimetres up to several centimetres. Moreover, there are various materials used in their construction such as carbon steel, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and titanium.

Carbon steel tubes are the go-to option for many applications, and usually fall into three main groups: seamless, welded, and extruded. Seamless tubes are produced by hot-working a billet or bloom before undergoing a cool finish. Welded tubes are formed by bending the steel to create a seam, then welding said seam. Extruded tubes come to life when a billet or bloom is heated and then cooled to form the desired product.

Steel tubes exhibit remarkable strength, hardness, and toughness that are dictated by the materials they are crafted of and the techniques used in their manufacturing. Strength describes a material’s capacity to bear weight without experiencing deformation. Hardness describes its resistance to indentation, scratches, and abrasions. Tangibly, toughness translates to the material being able to take up energy without breaking.

Carbon steel tubes typically have a yield strength of around 35,000 psi, while stainless steel tubes can exhibit an impressive yield strength of around 75,000 psi. This strength can be referred to as the point at which the material initiates plastic deformation under duress.

To assess the rigidity of a steel tube, Rockwell hardness – typically 35 for carbon steel and 75 for stainless steel – is widely used as an indicator.

A carbon steel tube has an approximate Charpy impact strength of 35 ft-lbs, whilst a stainless steel tube boasts a Charpy impact strength of roughly 75 ft-lbs; both of which are measures that help to identify the potential toughness of the steel tube.

From carrying liquids such as water and oil to supporting structural elements and enclosing pressurized gases, steel tubes are a highly versatile material with multiple uses. Steel tubes are prominently employed in the transportation of fluids, enabling easy and efficient distribution. They are also widely used in the conveyance of structural elements such as scaffolding and reinforcement bars, providing reliable support. Lastly, steel tubes are ideal for enclosing pressurized gases like those found in pressure vessels and boilers.

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