ASTM A513 Grade 1026 Tubes Applications, Materials, and Manufacturing Process Overview

ASTM A513 Grade 1026 Tubes Applications, Materials, and Manufacturing Process Overview

ASTM A513 Grade 1026 Corten steel tubes are widely used in industrial applications due to their characteristics, such as corrosion resistance, high tensile strength, and exceptional durability under harsh conditions. These carbon steel tubes are primarily used in applications that require high power. They can withstand high loads and perform well in mechanical applications. In this blog, we will discuss the applications, physical composition, and manufacturing process of ASTM A513 1026 tubes.

ASTM A513 1026 Tubes Applications

1. Automotive Industry

ASTM A513 grade 1026 tube plays an important role in automotive components, including:

  • Steering Column
  • Drive shaft
  • Axle and suspension parts
  • exhaust systems

The durability  of corrosion resistance increases their reliability, especially in the harsh conditions for e.g. exposure to intense heat, moisture and road salts. Their high tensile strength enables them to endure continuous mechanical stress without deforming or breaking under heavy loads

2. Construction and Structural Application

ASTM A513 grade 1026 tubes are used extensively in construction and structural applications like automotive components, structural frameworks, hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders, industrial machinery, agricultural equipment and oil and gas industry. Due to its load-bear capacity, these tubes provide reliable support, stability and structural integrity, making them an essential component in various construction projects. 

Major applications in construction:

  1. Expedited structures
  • These tubes are widely used in  scaffolding systems , which provides temporary support and safety for workers at elevated levels
  • The high strength-to-wisdom ratio ensures stability, maintaining handling and assembly. 
  1. Support beams
  •  Used as load-bearing elements in buildings, bridges, and other structures. 
  •  Their resistance to bending stress and external forces like magnetic and electric forces and air pressure ensures long-term structural reliability. 
  1. Building Construction Frame 
  • ASTM A513 grade 1026 tubes serve as a main component in steel-formed structures, including  residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. 
  • They contribute to increased durability and stability and high tensile strength construction 

These properties make ASTM A513 grade 1026 tubes a preferred option in the manufacturing industry, ensuring long-lasting performance, safety, and structural efficiency.

3. Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing

Manufacturers use ASTM A513 grade 1026 tubes for production of:

  • Hydraulic cylinder
  • Machinery component of ASTM A513 1026 Tubes
  • Roll cage and security structures

Their high dimensional accuracy and mechanical properties make them a perfect choice in the engineering field.

4. Furniture and Equipment Manufacture

Due to their strength and flexibility, these tubes are used in:

  • Metal furniture frames
  • gym equipment
  • Industrial storage rack

Contact us today for ASTM A513 Grade 1026 Tubes requirements and get a custom quote!

ASTM A513 Grade 1026 Tubes Material Structure

ASTM A513 grade 1026 tube is made from carbon steel with the following chemical composition:

Carbon (C) 0.22% – 0.28%
Manganese (MN) 0.60% – 0.90%
Phosphorus (P) ≤ 0.035%
Sulfur (S) ≤ 0.035%

This composition provides an ideal balance of power, flexibility and weldability.

ASTM A513 1026 Tubes Manufacturing Process

The production process of the ASTM A513 grade 1026 tubes ensures stability, superior surface finish and better mechanical properties. Major stages include:

1. Electrical Resistance Welding (ERW)

The ASTM A513 1026 tubes are manufactured using Electrical Resistance Welding (ERW), a process that ensures the production of high-quality, seamless-looking tubes with strong and uniform joints. ERW is widely used in the automotive, construction, and mechanical industries due to its ability to create durable tubes with excellent structural integrity, dimensional accuracy, and cost efficiency.

2. Cold Drawing on Mandrel (dome process)

After welding, the tube undergoes cold drawing on a mandrel, which improves dimensional accuracy, surface finish and mechanical properties such as pickling and lubrication, final sizing and straightening, cutting, inspection, and testing

3. Heat Treatment

Tubes are subjected to heat treatment to enhance toughness & ductility. Increase strength for improved load-bearing capacity. This process enhances the tube’s mechanical properties, ductility, and machinability while reducing the internal stress of warping or dimensional instability during machining.

4. Accurate Cutting and Finishing

These are the critical steps in manufacturing ASTM A513 Grade 1026 tubes, ensuring that the tubes meet precise dimensional tolerances, smooth surfaces, and optimal functionality for various industrial applications.

Key Benefits of ASTM A513 Grade 1026 Tubes

  • High-Strength Applications – These tubes offer excellent tensile and yield strength, allowing them to withstand heavy loads and mechanical stress without deformation.
  • Excellent Machinability – The tubes can be welded using standard techniques like MIG, TIG, and arc welding, ensuring strong and seamless joints.
  • Diamond accuracy – The DOM (Drawn Over Mandrel) process ensures that the tubes have consistent inner and outer diameters with minimal variations.
  • Corrosion resistance – When used in fluid systems, they can be treated with anti-corrosion coatings to prevent degradation from oil, hydraulic fluids, or chemicals to enhance their resistance to rust and environmental damage.
Industry Applications
Automotive Steering columns, drive shafts, axles, exhaust systems
Construction Scaffolding, support beams, building frames
Mechanical Engineering Hydraulic cylinders, machinery components, roll cages
Furniture & Equipment Metal furniture, gym equipment, storage racks

Materials of ASTM A513 1026 Tubes

Element Composition (%)
Carbon (C) 0.22 – 0.28
Manganese (Mn) 0.60 – 0.90
Phosphorus (P) ≤ 0.035
Sulfur (S) ≤ 0.035

Manufacturing Process of ASTM A513 1026 Tubes

Step Description
Electric Resistance Welding (ERW) Steel strips are welded to form tubes
Cold Drawing Over Mandrel (DOM) Improves diamond accuracy. surface finish, and strength
Heat Treatment (Annealing) Enhances strength, eliminating residual stresses on tubes caused by the drawing process.
Precision Cutting & Finishing Ensures quality and ASTM compliance

Composition of ASTM A513 1026 Tubes

Element Composition (%)
Carbon (C) 0.22 – 0.28
Manganese (Mn) 0.60 – 0.90
Phosphorus (P) ≤ 0.035
Sulfur (S) ≤ 0.035

Specification of ASTM A513 1026 Tubes

Property Specification
Standard ASTM A513
Grade 1026
Manufacturing Process ERW / DOM
Surface Finish Smooth, Precision Cut
Lengths Custom as per requirement

Properties of ASTM A513 1026 Tubes

Property Value
Tensile Strength 490 MPa (Approx.)
Yield Strength 400 MPa (Approx.)
Elongation 10 – 15%
Hardness ≤ 90 HRB

Conclusion

The ASTM A513 Grade 1026 tubes are essential components for different industries, offering a combination of strength, accuracy and versatility. Their well -defined manufacturing process and material structure makes them a preferred choice for applications requiring reliable and high quality tubular products.

FAQs

The ASTM A513 1026 tubes are thermal and corrosion resistant that make them resistant to harsh environmental conditions 

According to DIN standards, ASTM A513 is equivalent to DIN 17175 Grade 16Mo5

The 1026 tubing is a type of carbon steel tube specified under Astm A513 and ASTM A519 standards

Type 1: Made using hot-rated steel and produced by electric resistance welding (ERW). It has a low surface quality.
Type 2: Made from cold-rated steel, also produced by ERW, but provides better dimensional accuracy, surface finish and mechanical properties.