Structural Steel Tube Properties

Hollow structural sections, also called HSS tube or structural steel tube, is one of the most versatile forms of steel currently available on the market. Its high strength-to-weight ratio and aesthetic appeal make it ideal for a variety of commercial construction uses including railings, building trusses, scaffolding, columns, and bleacher frames. Features of Totten Tubes’ structural tubing include:

• Produced in accordance with mechanical and chemical property requirements of ASTM specification A500, Grades B and C
• Continuous lengths available splice-free through 80 feet
• Jumbo HSS tube sizes
• And more!

For further structural steel tube properties and specifications, visit Totten Tubes’ free spec sheet library. No matter your industry, we have the knowledge, resources, and inventory to match your requirements. You can also view a full glossary of structural steel abbreviations on our site too. 

Contact us with any questions or to get your quote or order started today.

Engineering Data for Structural Tubing

HSS tube is made from round tubing on specially designed rolls on a reducing mill. Normal sizes range from 1/2” to 16” in square hollow structural sections and from 1/2” x 1” to 12” x 20” in rectangular HSS tube. All sizes smaller than 2” square and equivalent rectangles with wall thickness less than 0.120 are manufactured to ASTM A513. Sizes 2” and above with wall thickness of 0.120 and heavier are manufactured to ASTM A500. 

Tolerances for Outside Dimensions & Wall Thickness of HSS Tube

Largest outside dimension across flats, inches	2 1/2 & under	Over 2 1/2 to 3 ½ incl.	Over 3 1/2, 5 1/2 incl.	Over 5 1/2
Tolerance for outside dimensions including convexity or concavity	0.020	0.025	0.030	1%
Wall thickness tolerance	10% of nominal wall thickness exclusive of weld area.

Note: Measurements are taken to conformance with outside dimensions and squareness. Squareness and corner radii should be taken at least 2” from either end of the section. For rectangular HSS tube, the tolerance calculated for the larger flat dimensions should also apply to the smaller dimension. This tolerance may be increased 50% if the ratio of cross-sectional dimensions is between 1 1/2 and 100% when the ratio exceeds 3.

Hollow Structural Sections Maximum Twist

Twist is measured by holding down one end of a square or rectangular structural steel tube on a flat surface plate and noting the difference in height of the opposite end’s corners above the plate. It can also be taken by measuring this difference on heavier hollow structural sections using a suitable measuring device. The difference in height shall not exceed the below values, and twist measurements should not be taken within 2” of either end of the product.

Specified dimensions of longest side, inches	2 to 2 1/2 incl.	Over 2 1/2 to 4 incl.	Over 4 to 6 incl.	Over 6 to 8 incl.	Over 8
Maximum twist per 3 feet of length, inches	.062	.075	.087	.100	.112

Lengths & Permissible Variation in Structural Steel Tube

Tube lengths	22 feet and under	Over 22 feet
Length tolerance for specified mill length, inches	1/2 over and 1/4 under	3/4 over and 1/4 under
Squareness of sides	Adjacent sides may deviate from 90 degrees by a tolerance of +/- 2 degree maximum.
Variations from exact straightness	Permissible variation shall be 1/8” times the number of feet of total length divided by 5.

CUTTING DIAGRAM: Please use this diagram when describing your miter (bevel) cutting inquiries to Totten Tubes. We miter to 60”.

Maximum Outside Corner Radii

The radius of any outside corner of the hollow structural section shall not exceed three times the nominal wall thickness.

ASTM A500 Structural Carbon Steel Tube

All HSS tube from Totten Tubes is produced in accordance with mechanical properties and chemical composition requirements of ASTM A500 (cold-formed) carbon steel.

Chemical Composition of ASTM A500 Structural Tubing

	GRADE B	GRADE C
Carbon, max. %	0.26	0.23
Manganese, max. %	--	1.35
Phosphorus, max. %	0.04	0.04
Sulphur, max. %	0.05	0.05
Copper, when copper steel is specified, min. %	0.20	0.20

Mechanical ASTM A500 Structural Steel Tube Properties

	GRADE B	GRADE C
Tensile Strength, min. PSI	58,000	62,000
Yield Point, min. PSI	46,000	50,000
Elongation in 2”, min. %	23	21

Totten Tubes is America’s Most Diversified & Specialized HSS Tube Supplier

Interested in learning more about how Totten Tubes can support your operations as your dedicated structural steel tube supplier? Contact us today! To begin an order and receive inventory information, timeline estimates, or pricing details specific to your order, request a quote. A member of our expert team will be in touch as soon as possible.