Carbon Steel Hollow Sections for Structural Fabrication
ASTM A500 covers cold-formed carbon steel structural tubing, commonly called hollow structural sections or HSS. Its requirements address the material properties and dimensional control needed for welded, riveted or bolted structures, including bridges, buildings and general structural work.
The closed section provides a different geometry from an open beam or channel. Choosing round, square or rectangular tubing brings the member shape, connection arrangement and required strength together in the structural design. A500 is carbon structural steel; outdoor corrosion protection is selected for the exposure and project specification.
ASTM A500 Round, Square and Rectangular Tubes
Round ASTM A500 tubes provide a circular section for columns, bracing and other structural members. They are specified by outside diameter and wall thickness, with the grade matched to the structural design.
ASTM A500 square tubing provides equal outside dimensions and flat faces for fabricated frames and connections. Rectangular tubing offers unequal outside dimensions, allowing the designer to orient the deeper side of the section to suit the member’s loading and available space.
ASC supplies these three forms for structural projects. The required grade, outside dimensions and wall thickness identify the section being quoted, while the project drawings establish its use and connection details.
ASTM A500 Grades B, C and D
The current ASTM A500/A500M-23 specification includes Grades B, C and D. Grade B and Grade C have different minimum strength requirements; Grade D has its own strength limits and requires heat treatment.
ASTM A500 permits cold-formed welded and seamless tubing. Its welded construction uses electric-resistance welding, or ERW. The construction and delivery condition for the supplied material are agreed with the quotation. Do not infer availability of every construction permitted by the standard; confirm the construction offered for the actual section.
ASTM A500 Tube Sizes, Wall Thickness and Lengths
Round tubing is measured by outside diameter; square and rectangular tubing is measured across its flat faces. ASC quotes these structural sections in the dimensions and lengths required for the project.
ASTM A500/A500M-23 has scope limits of 88 in [2235 mm] for the total section perimeter and 1.000 in [25.4 mm] for specified wall thickness. These are specification limits, not a stocked-size range. Inch-pound and SI values belong to separate standardised unit systems.
ASC confirms the available section dimensions, wall thickness and length for the requested grade in the quotation. Lengths and any cutting requirements can be discussed against the fabrication schedule.
ASTM A500 Pipes and Tubes Supplier, Exporter and Stockist
ASC exports internationally and welcomes ASTM A500 enquiries from buyers in the USA, the UK and Europe, including Germany and the Netherlands. We supply structural tube requirements for fabrication contracts, industrial projects and distributor purchasing. Domestic supply is also available.
We specialize in fast delivery and give priority to urgent requirements. The schedule depends on the selected grade and section, order quantity, material availability and destination. Bundle packing or wooden boxes can be arranged as appropriate to the tube dimensions and order.
Request an ASTM A500 Pipes and Tubes Export QuoteASTM A500 Chemical Composition
Carbon and manganese limits vary with the grade and the standard’s permitted adjustments. The table separates Grade C from Grades B and D and identifies the copper requirement as an ordered option.
| Element | Grades B and D | Grade C |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon, maximum | 0.26 | 0.23 |
| Manganese, base maximum | 1.35 | 1.35 |
| Phosphorus, maximum | 0.035 | 0.035 |
| Sulfur, maximum | 0.035 | 0.035 |
| Copper, minimum when copper-containing steel is ordered | 0.20 | 0.20 |
For each 0.01 percentage point reduction below the carbon maximum, manganese may increase by 0.06 percentage point, up to 1.50% by heat analysis.
The copper minimum applies only when copper-containing steel is specified. Heat-analysis limits are distinct from product-analysis limits; the ordered edition governs acceptance.
ASTM A500 Mechanical Properties by Grade
The current specification applies the following strength minima to round, square, rectangular and special structural tubular shapes. Yield strength is relevant to the onset of permanent deformation; tensile strength describes the maximum tensile stress reached in the material test.
| Grade | Yield strength, minimum MPa | Tensile strength, minimum MPa |
|---|---|---|
| B | 315 | 400 |
| C | 345 | 425 |
| D | 250 | 400 |
Grade D requires heat treatment. These are specification minima, not actual heat-test results or a member’s allowable load.
Elongation requirements depend on grade and specified wall thickness and use a 2 in [50 mm] gauge length. Thin-wall adjustments or agreed requirements apply, so elongation should be checked for the actual section.
Structural Industries and Applications
Building and steelwork contractors use hollow sections in columns, bracing and framed assemblies. The choice of shape depends on the load direction, member length and connection design rather than tensile strength alone.
Industrial fabricators use structural tubing in equipment supports, machinery frames and service-platform frameworks. In these applications, the tubing forms the supporting structure; it is not a pressure-containing process tube.
ASTM A500 also covers structural bridge construction, but projects needing low-temperature notch toughness or particular fatigue performance require the engineer’s specified material and testing provisions. A500 designation alone does not establish Charpy impact performance.
ASTM A500 and ASTM A847 Structural Tubing
ASTM A500 and ASTM A847 both address structural tubing, but they specify different material requirements. For exposed steelwork, corrosion performance is a material-selection decision alongside section strength and connection design.
| Specification | Material purpose | Selection distinction |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM A500/A500M | Cold-formed carbon steel structural tubing | Grades B, C and D; no weathering-steel performance implied by the A500 designation. |
| ASTM A847/A847M | High-strength low-alloy structural tubing with improved atmospheric corrosion resistance | A separate weathering structural specification, not an automatic equivalent to A500. |
Any substitution requires review against the design and material requirements. Matching a shape or a strength value alone does not establish equivalence.
Material Documents and Inspection
Mill test certificates and additional inspection can be requested for ASTM A500 orders. The agreed documentation should identify the specification, edition and grade and provide the relevant material test results. Dimensional or project-specific inspection requirements can be included in the order scope.
Project-specific impact testing, coating requirements and additional acceptance criteria can be included in the material enquiry.
ASTM A500 Pipes and Tubes FAQs
What are ASTM A500 pipes and tubes used for?
ASTM A500 is a carbon steel structural tubing specification for applications such as building frames, columns, bracing and industrial supports. It also covers structural bridge construction. The section, grade and any additional testing must match the project’s design requirements.
Which grades are included in the current ASTM A500 specification?
ASTM A500/A500M-23 includes Grades B, C and D. Grade C has higher minimum yield and tensile strengths than Grade B. Grade D has separate strength requirements and mandatory heat treatment. The quotation and material documents should identify the requested grade.
Does ASC offer round, square and rectangular ASTM A500 tubing?
Yes. ASC supplies round, square and rectangular ASTM A500 pipes and tubes. Round sections use outside diameter and wall thickness; square and rectangular sections use outside side dimensions and wall thickness. Available dimensions and lengths are confirmed for the required grade.
Is ASTM A500 tubing welded or seamless?
The standard permits both welded and seamless construction. Welded A500 tubing is made by the electric-resistance-welding process. The manufacturing method and delivery condition for the order should be agreed with the quotation.
Is ASTM A500 the same as Corten or weathering steel?
No. ASTM A500 covers carbon steel structural tubing and does not itself specify improved atmospheric corrosion resistance. ASTM A847 is a separate structural weathering-tube specification. The material and any corrosion-protection system must suit the exposure and design.
Can ASTM A500 tubing be used as pressure pipe?
A500 is a structural tubing specification, not a pressure-service specification. A quoted tensile or yield strength is not an operating-pressure rating. Pressure-containing equipment needs the material specification and design requirements selected for that service.
Can I request mill test certificates or additional inspection?
Yes. Mill test certificates and additional inspection can be requested. Agree the specification edition, grade and any project-specific test requirements with the order so the supplied documentation can be checked against the intended application.
How are ASTM A500 tubes packed, and what affects delivery?
Bundles or wooden boxes can be arranged to suit the tube dimensions and order. ASC specializes in fast delivery; the actual schedule depends on grade, section size, quantity, availability and destination. Include any inspection and packing requirements when requesting a quotation.