ASTM A500 Carbon Steel Structural Tubing
Superior construction projects require materials that can withstand numerous environments and a variety of extreme conditions. High strength A 500 carbon steel structural tubing from Totten Tubes provides the high-end framework and skeletal support for projects of all sizes.
Totten Tubes offers A500 structural steel tubing in a range of sizes and shapes. The ASTM A500 specification covers cold-formed welded and seamless
and “special” carbon steel shapes for welded, riveted, or bolted construction applications, as well as for general structural purposes.
Contact us for more information regarding premium A500 carbon steel structural tubing, or call us at 800-882-3748 and we will gladly discuss the specific requirements of your next project. Totten Tubes is your premium resource for advanced quality A 500 structural carbon steel tubing.
ASTM A500 Carbon Steel Structural Tubing Benefits
A500 Carbon Steel Structural Tubing provides several advantageous qualities that make it a highly sought after construction material for structural load bearing applications. Some of the most recognizable beneficial qualities that A500 Carbon Steel Structural Tubing provides includes:
A500 Steel Advantages
- Excellent weldability
- Good machinability
- Can be cold worked
- Aesthetically pleasing
ASTM A500 Carbon Steel Structural Tubing Specifications & Requirements
The ASTM A500 specifications state that manufactured carbon steel tubing must meet certain specifications before being sold for any type of project. The A 500 carbon steel spec sheet provides a convenient and simple way to check material standards before beginning your next project.
A500 Carbon Steel Manufacturer Specifications
ASTM A500 spec states that welded tubing shall be made from flat-rolled steel using electric-resistance welding. Longitudinal butt joints of welded tubing shall be welded across its thickness in such a manner as to assure the structural design strength of the tubing section. Welded structural steel tubing is typically furnished without the removal of inside flash.
A500 Carbon Steel Material Component Properties
A500 carbon steel structural tubing is only manufactured from materials that match the criteria for carbon steel. The chemical composition for A500 is mostly iron with added carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, and copper. Check out the chart below for exact A500 carbon steel chemical specifications.
Chemical Requirements of ASTM A500 Grade A, ASTM A500 Grade B, ASTM A500 Grade D, and ASTM A500 Grade C
Tables are best viewed on desktop. Scroll tables left to right as needed.| Composition, % | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Grades A, B and D | Grace C | ||
| Heat Analysis |
Product Analysis |
Heat Analysis |
Product Analysis |
|
| Carbon, max | 0.26 | 0.30 | 0.23 | 0.27 |
| Manganese, max | ... | ... | 1.35 | 1.40 |
| Phosphorus, max | 0.035 | 0.045 | 0.035 | 0.045 |
| Sulfur, max | 0.035 | 0.045 | 0.035 | 0.045 |
| Copper, when copper steel is specified, min |
0.20 | 0.18 | 0.20 | 0.18 |
A500 Carbon Steel Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength refers to the amount of stretching stress a material can withstand before breaking or failing. The ultimate tensile strength of A500 carbon steel is calculated by dividing the area of the steel by the stress placed on it, which is expressed in terms of pounds or tons per square inch of material. Tensile strength is an important measure of A500’s ability to perform in an application. A500 carbon steel’s tensile strength is described in the chart below.
Tensile Requirements of ASTM A500 Grades
| Round Structural Tubing | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade A | Grade B | Grade C | Grade D | |
| Tensile strength, mn, ps (MPa) | 45 000 (310) |
58 000 (400) |
62 00 (427) |
58 000 (400) |
| Yield strength, mn, psi (MPa) | 33 000 (228) |
42 000 (290) |
46 000 (317) |
36 000 (250) |
| Elongation in 2 in. (50.8 mm), min, %A | 25B | 23C | 21D | 23C |
| Shaped Structural Tubing | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade A | Grade B | Grade C | Grade D | |
| Tensile strength, mn, ps (MPa) | 45 000 (310) |
58 000 (400) |
62 00 (427) |
58 000 (400) |
| Yield strength, mn, psi (MPa) | 39 000 (269) |
46 000 (317) |
50 000 (345) |
36 000 (250) |
| Elongation in 2 in. (50.8 mm), min, %A | 25B | 23C | 21D | 23C |
ASTM A500 Carbon Steel Permissible Dimensional Variations for Outside Dimensions
Outside diameter measurements for A500 carbon steel tube must be made at positions at least 2” (50.8mm) from either end of the tubing.
For round structural tubing with nominal OD of 1.900” (48.26mm) and smaller, the outside diameter may not vary more than ±0.5%, rounded to the nearest 0.005” (0.13mm), of the specified size. For nominal ODs of 2” (50.8mm) and larger, outside diameter may not vary more than ±0.75%, rounded to the nearest 0.005”.
Square structural tubing and rectangular structural tubing must be measured across the flats and include an allowance for convexity or concavity. Specified dimensions shall not exceed the plus/minus allowances shown in the table below.
A500 Outside Dimensional Tolerances for Square & Rectangular Steel tubing
There are multiple considerations that must be accounted for when determining the outside dimensional tolerances for square and rectangular steel tubing. The chart below and the following attributes describes the exact outside dimensional tolerances for A500 carbon steel.
| Outside Large Flat Dimension, in. (mm) | Large Flat Dimension Tolerance, A plus and minus, in. (mm) |
|---|---|
| 2½ (63.5) or under | 0.020 (0.51) |
| Over 2½ to 3½ (63.5 to 88.9), incl | 0.025 (0.64) |
| Over 3½ to 5½, inc | 0.030 (0.76) |
| Over 5½ (139.7) | 0.01 times large flat dimension |
- WALL THICKNESS: Minimum wall thickness at any point of measurement shall not be less than 90% of specified nominal wall thickness. Maximum wall thickness, excluding weld seams, shall not be more than 110% of specified nominal wall thickness. Wall thickness of square structural tubing and rectangular structural tubing must be measured at the center of the flat.
- STRAIGHTNESS: Permissible variation in straightness for structural tubing is 1/8” times the total length in feet (or 10.4mm times the number of meters) divided by five.
- SIDE SQUARENESS: For square structural tubing and rectangular structural tubing, adjacent sides may deviate from 90° by no more than ±2°.
- CORNER RADII: For square structural tubing and rectangular structural tubing, the radius of anyone outside corner may not exceed three times (3x) the specified wall thickness.
- TWIST: For square structural tubing and rectangular structural tubing, the tolerances for twist (variation with respect to axial alignment) are shown in the table below.
Twist Tolerances for Square and Rectangular Structural Tubing
| Specified Dimension of Longest Side, in. (mm) | Maximum Twist in the First 3 ft (1 m) and in each additional 3 ft | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| in. | mm | ||
| 1½ (38.1) and under | 0.050 | 1.39 | |
| Over 1½ to 2½ (38.1 to 63.5),incl | 0.062 | 1.72 | |
| Over 2½ to 4 (63.5 to 101.6), incl | 0.075 | 2.09 | |
| Over 4 to 6 (101.6 to 152.4), incl | 0.087 | 2.42 | |
| Over 6 to 8 (152.4 to 203.2), incl | 0.100 | 2.78 | |
| Over 8 (203) | 0.112 | 3.11 | |
A500 Carbon Steel Twist Tolerances for Square & Rectangular Structural Tubing
Twist is measured by either holding down one end of a square/rectangular tube on a flat surface, with the bottom side of the tube parallel to the surface plate of the two corners at the opposite end of the bottom side of the tube; or, by measuring this difference on the heavier sections by a suitable measuring device. Difference in the height of the corners must not exceed the values in the table above.A500 vs. A513 Steel Tube
While A513 steel tube shares many similarities with A500, it is significantly less durable and unsuited to heavy-duty structural assemblies. However, as it can be worked to much tighter tolerances, A513 performs considerably better for more precise projects.Contact Totten Tubes for ASTM A500 Carbon Steel Structural Tubing Today
Contact us for more information regarding ASTM A 500 steel structural tubing specifications and product options, or request a quote for further pricing details today.