Tianjin Brisk Metalwork Co., Ltd. is one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of structural steel hollow sections in China. We have world-leading production equipment and strong manufacturing capabilities. Please feel free to buy bulk durable structural steel hollow sections from our factory.
Which Types of Structural Hollow Section Do We Supply?
The right section depends on the manufacturing route, because that decides strength, tolerance, corner shape and price.
| Type | Manufacturing route | Typical strength | Detailed page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold formed | Strip is formed and welded cold, then sized | Tight dimensional tolerance, light to medium walls | Cold Formed Structural Steel Tube |
| Hot finished | Hot finished to a controlled normalised condition | Uniform properties around the section, good for heavy walls | Hot Finished Structural Steel Tube |
| Hot formed | Formed at high temperature | Even properties, fits demanding structures | Hot Formed Structural Hollow Section |
| Welded hollow section | High-frequency welded seam | Economical, wide size range | Welded Hollow Structural Sections |
| Electric resistance welded | ERW seam | Efficient for building and general frames | Electric Resistance Welded Hollow Section |
| Precision | Tighter size and straightness control | Machine frames, equipment, exposed work | Precision Structural Hollow Section |
| Large-diameter circular | LSAW welded | Foundation, bridge and heavy support work | EN 10219 DN 500 LSAW Steel Pipe |
A quick rule of thumb: for most building frames, cold-formed or welded sections are the economical default. For heavy walls, dynamic loading or low-temperature service, hot finished is the safer specification.
How Do the Standards Differ?
Standards decide chemistry, mechanical properties, tolerances and testing. Specify the wrong one and the order can be rejected on arrival. These are the standards we supply to:
| Standard | Region and use | Page |
|---|---|---|
| EN 10210 | European hot finished structural hollow sections | EN 10210 |
| EN 10219 | European cold formed welded hollow sections | EN 10219 |
| ASTM A500 | North American cold formed structural tube | ASTM A500 |
| ASTM A1085 | North American tube with tighter wall and strength control | ASTM A1085 |
| ASTM A501 | North American hot formed structural tube | ASTM A501 |
| AS/NZS 1163 | Australia and New Zealand | AS/NZS 1163 |
| JIS G 3466 | Japanese structural square and rectangular tube | JIS G 3466 |
Common mistake we help buyers avoid: an EN 10219 tube and an EN 10210 tube may carry the same grade name (for example S355) but are not interchangeable. The manufacturing route changes impact behaviour and the allowable design values. If your drawings only say "S355 SHS", ask the designer which standard applies before you order.
Which Surface Finish Should You Choose?
The finish protects the steel during storage and in service. Choosing it by site environment saves money and maintenance.
- Black Structural Hollow Section: mill finish, best for members that will be painted, galvanized or boxed in after fabrication.
- Galvanized Structural Hollow Section: zinc-protected inside and out, suited to exposed outdoor structures where repainting is difficult.
- Painted and coated sections: primer or paint systems for indoor frames or members that receive a topcoat.
If you are unsure, tell us the site location, exposure and required design life. We will recommend a finish before you commit to a coating budget.
Where Are Structural Hollow Sections Used?
Different applications put different demands on the tube. We group our product pages by use:
- Structural Hollow Section For Buildings: columns, roof trusses, canopies, façade support and mezzanines.
- Structural Hollow Section For Steel Frames: portal frames, warehouses, workshops and modular frames.
- Structural Hollow Section For Bridges: footbridges, truss bridges and railing systems where fatigue and corrosion matter.
- Heavy Duty Structural Hollow Section: thick-wall members for high loads, crane supports and industrial platforms.
- LSAW Pipe For Bridge Structure Support: large-diameter circular supports, piles and piers.
A Real Supply Example: How Did One Warehouse Frame Reduce Its Steel Cost?
A contractor building a steel warehouse frame of about 280 tonnes had specified hot finished S355J2H for every member. Our engineers reviewed the drawings with them. The primary columns (200 x 200 x 8 mm) and heavily loaded members stayed hot finished, while the secondary purlins and bracing (150 x 100 x 5 mm and smaller) were switched to EN 10219 S355J2H cold formed sections.
Roughly 60% of the tonnage moved to the cold-formed route. The contractor reported a material cost reduction of about 8%, shorter delivery for the secondary members, and no change to the structural design basis because both routes were permitted by the project specification. The saving came from matching the section type to the job of each member, not from lowering quality.
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between hot finished and cold formed hollow sections?
A: Hot finished sections are heat treated during manufacture and have uniform properties around the section. Cold-formed sections are shaped at room temperature and offer tighter tolerances at a lower price for lighter walls.
Q: Can I use EN 10219 tube where the drawing says EN 10210?
A: Only if the designer approves it. The two standards are not interchangeable, even at the same grade.
Q: Do you supply cut-to-length and bundled sections?
A: Yes. Standard lengths are 6 m and 12 m, and cutting is available on request.
Q: Can you supply sections to ASTM and EN in the same order?
A: Yes, provided the sizes and grades are available. Send the full list and we will confirm.
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