Shape, design, and making
Square tubing of steel has a hollow inner section. The rectangular ones are used in welded steel frames that are subjected to loading from different directions. Those in square and circular cross section are often used as columns.
Steel tubing can be welded or seamless. Welded ones are made by curling a rolling plate into the desired shape and welding the resulting seam together. Seamless tubes are manufactured by passing molten steel over a piercing rod. This creates a hollow inner section without any joints. Welded or seamed tubing of steel were initially considered less superior to seamless ones. Recent advancements in technology however have enabled welded tubes to be as strong as, or better than their seamless counterparts. Seamless tubes are typically used for pressure applications. Welded ones are used for structural and support needs.
Why steel tubing is preferred
Square tubing made of stainless steel are tough, durable, and strong. They are also greatly resistant to corrosion and high temperatures, and are useful in fabrication projects where the material gets exposed to corrosive environments such as acids, chemical, petrochemical, etc. Square tubing of steel also withstands saline and fresh water environments without much damage. Another reason they find such extensive use is that they can be machined and welded into desired shapes with ease for use in architectural applications.
Uses of square steel tubing
The benefits listed above make steel tubing a great choice for many industries when longevity and resilience are key to the applications in concern.
• Construction – in residential or commercial buildings, square tubing is often used as columns. They are more commonly seen in the interiors as railings along a staircase. Plumbers often use these hollow structures by employing their corrosion and rust resistance abilities. Interior designers make use of their chic industrial aesthetic to develop and decorate interiors that are rich in metalwork or which have a lot of bare and exposed elements.
• Industrial – square steel tubing can be found within many permanent and temporary structures in manufacturing industries.
• Medical applications – square tubing made from steel finds use in protective railing, surgical equipment etc. They provide the support structure for medical facilities and also find their way into instrumentation ( http://elitesteelandsupply.com/about-us/ ), technology and much of the framework on which they are built.
Visually, steel square tubes may seem like a long hollow rod. However, in proper lengths and thicknesses these components can create sturdy foundations and act as crucial components to larger structures.