Handbook ofWelded Carbon SteelMechanical Tubing

HANDBOOK OFWELDED CARBON STEEL

MECHANICAL TUBING

STEEL TUBE INSTITUTE OF NORTH AMERICA

2000 Ponce de Leon, Suite 600, Coral Gables, FL 33134 • Tel: (305) 421-6326E-mail: STINA@steeltubeinstitute.org • Website: http://www.steeltubeinstitute.org

FOREWORD

It has become evident, with the growth in the knowledgeof mechanics, that the tubular shape possesses distinctadvantages over other shapes. Pound for pound weldedsteel tubing is stronger in many applications than othersteel sections. It is pleasing to the eye, can be readilyfabricated, and is widely available. This Handbook hasbeen prepared for engineers, designers, andmanufacturers who have used tubing, and also for thosewho contemplate its use. Readily accessible data areincluded to aid them in the selection of the proper tube fortheir application. Obviously it is not possible to cover allcontingencies, and further information is available fromany member of the Steel Tube Institute.

The data in this book apply to Electric ResistanceWelded (ERW) carbon and alloy mechanical steeltubing, whether used in the as-welded condition or afterfurther processing. Unlike pipe, mechanical tubing is notintended for the transmission of fluids, except in fluidpower applications, and is produced to exact rather thannominal OD or wall dimensions, and to exactingtolerances.

Mechanical steel tubing is distinguished from steelpressure tubing by its use or application. Pressure tubingis used to contain or convey fluids under pressure andgenerally at other than ambient temperatures.Mechanical tubing is used in a multitude of applicationsnot involving fluids. These include applications wherestrength, appearance, machinability and fabricability,resistance to torsion, and maximum strength to weightratio are required.

It is hoped that readers will come to recognize whywelded mechanical steel tubing enjoys universalacceptance, and will become aware of some of its manyapplications. The data will cover mechanical tubing only.Literature on carbon steel pressure tubing and structuraltubing is also available from the Steel Tube Instituteoffice or from its individual member companies.

Steel Tube Institute of North America2500 Ponce de Leon, Suite 200Coral Gables, FL 33134

The data contained in this Handbook reflect the general state of theart in the production of welded tubing. This material is not intended tobe all inclusive, nor to be a substitute for any specific arrangementsbetween suppliers and users of welded tubing. The data shown forproperties, test procedures, tolerances, sizes and other characteristicsof tubing reflect those in general use but are for reference andguidance only. Most of these data appear in public specifications andare duly referenced. Different or additional specifications andcharacteristics are or may be available from various tubing sources.The user of welded tubing should consult with a tubing sourceconcerning this particular requirements.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION I – General Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . 2

SECTION II – Manufacturing Process . . . . . . . . . . . 2Raw Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2ubing Mill Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2The Welding Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2The Weld Flash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Cold Drawn and Cold Worked Tubing 3Thermal Treatments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Straightening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Secondary Cutting and End Finishing . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Inspection and Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

SECTION III – Data on Commonly Produced Sizes ofRound, Square, Rectangular and Shaped Tubing . 3Round Tubing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Squares and Rectangles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Special Shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

SECTION IV – Product Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18As-Welded Hot Rolled or Cold Rolled Flash-In . . . . . 18As-Welded Hot Rolled or Cold Rolled

Flash Controlled or Removed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Sink Drawn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Drawn over Mandrel (DOM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Special Smooth ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Coated Tubing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

SECTION V – Special Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Hydraulic Line Tubing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Hydraulic Cylinder Tubing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Propeller Shaft Tubing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

SECTION VI – Fabrication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Cutting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Bending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Swaging (Cold) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Die Sizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Expanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Flanging and Beading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Upsetting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Spinning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Joining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Polishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

SECTION VII – Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

SECTION VIII – Technical Data andReference Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Design Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Reference Tables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

SECTION IX – Glossary of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

SECTION X – Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42