ASTM A500 is a standard specification published by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) that covers cold-formed welded and seamless carbon steel structural tubing in round, square, rectangular, and "special" shapes. It is frequently used in construction projects, such as bridges and buildings, due to its high strength and low weight.
The standard includes four grades of steel based on their strength. The most common grade of steel used in construction is ASTM A500 Grade B, which has a minimum yield strength of 42000 psi. ASTM A500 Grade C is also commonly used, ASTM A500 Grade C minimum yield strength of 46000 psi. Also, heat treatment is required for Grade D. By meeting the requirements of the ASTM A500 standardS, construction projects can ensure that they are using high-quality materials that will meet their needs
ASTM A500 STEEL PIPE GRADES
ASTM A500 standard steel pipe has four steel grade products, respectively ASTM A500 grade a/b/c/d. The steel grade classification is mainly based on the hardness and thickness of steel. Which is directly related to the pipe's pressure resistance and corrosion resistance.
The more commonly used grades are ASTM A500 gr.b and gr.c. Below are the products of TUSPIPE, you can click to view the detailed information.
ASTM A500 Grade A
ASTM A500 Grade A is the lowest steel grade in ASTM A500 standard, and therefore it is the most common steel grade used in structural applications. It has good weldability and formability properties, as well as excellent strength properties.
ASTM A500 Grade B
Grade B in the ASTM A500 standard is a steel grade that is used in construction.The most common application for steel tube Gr. B is in construction, where it is used to create everything from tubular steel framing to steel beams.
ASTM A500 Grade C
ASTM A500 Grade C steel is the most common steel grade used in round, square and rectangular Steel Tubes for structural applications. Grade C steel is more affordable and thus a more popular choice for many construction projects.
ASTM A500 Grade D
The ASTM A500 standard defines steel grade D as structural steel with a minimum yield strength of 36,000 psi and a minimum ultimate tensile strength of 58,000 psi.
ASTM A500 Material Component Propertie
ASTM A500 structural tube is only made from materials that meet the carbon steel requirements. ASTM A500 tube is mostly composed of iron, with additional carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, and copper. For accurate SA500 carbon steel chemical characteristics, see the chart below
| Element | Composition, % | |
|---|---|---|
| Heat analysis | Product analysis | |
| Carbon | 0.26 | 0.3 |
| Manganese | 1.35 | 1.4 |
| Phosphorus | 0.035 | 0.035 |
| Sulfur | 0.035 | 0.045 |
| Copper | 0.2 | 0.18 |
Mechanical Properties of ASTM A500
The amount of stretching tension that a material can endure before breaking or failing is referred to as its tensile strength. The ultimate tensile strength of A500 carbon steel is computed by dividing its area by the stress applied to it, which is represented in pounds or tons per square inch of material. Tensile strength is a critical indicator of ASTM A500's capacity to perform in a given application.
–Round structural tubing
| Steel Grade | Tensile Strength | Yield Strength | Elongation in 50.8mm | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| psi | Mpa | psi | Mpa | Min | |
| ASTM A500 Gr. A | 45,000 | 310 | 33,000 | 228 | 25% |
| ASTM A500 Gr. B | 58,000 | 400 | 42,000 | 290 | 23% |
| ASTM A500 Gr. C | 62,000 | 427 | 46,000 | 317 | 21% |
| ASTM A500 Gr. D | 58,000 | 400 | 36,000 | 250 | 23% |
–Shaped structural tubing
| Steel Grade | Tensile Strength | Yield Strength | Elongation in 50.8mm | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| psi | Mpa | psi | Mpa | Min | |
| ASTM A500 Grade A | 45,000 | 310 | 39,000 | 269 | 25% |
| ASTM A500 Grade B | 58,000 | 400 | 46,000 | 317 | 23% |
| ASTM A500 Grade C | 62,000 | 427 | 50,000 | 345 | 21% |
| ASTM A500 Grade D | 58,000 | 400 | 36,000 | 250 | 23% |
ASTM A500 Carbon Steel Permissible Dimensional Variations
Outside diameter measurements for the ASTM A500 carbon steel tube must be taken at least 2″ (50.8mm) from each end.
The outer diameter of round structural tubing having a nominal OD of 1.900″ (48.26mm) or less may vary no more than 0.5 percent of the specified size, rounded to the closest 0.005″ (0.13mm). Outside diameter may not vary more than 0.75 percent, rounded to the closest 0.005″, for nominal ODs of 2″ (50.8mm) and greater.
Square and rectangular structural tubes must be measured across the flats with an allowance for convexity or concavity. The dimensions specified must not exceed the plus/minus tolerances stated in the table below.
Outside Dimensional Tolerances for ASTM A500 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 describe the exact outside dimensional tolerances for A500 carbon steel pipe.
| Outside Large Flat Dimension | 2½ in or under | Over 2½ to 3½ in | Over 3½ to 5½ in | Over 5½ in |
| 63.5mm or under | Over 63.5mm – 88.9mm | Over 88.9mm – 139.7mm | Over 139.7mm | |
| Large Flat Dimension Tolerance | ± 0.020 in | ± 0.025 in | ± 0.030 in | 0.01 times large flat dimension |
| ± 0.51mm | ± 0.64mm | ± 0.76mm |
Requirement OF ASTM A500
Wall Thickness Requirement OF ASTM A500: 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 Requirement OF ASTM A500: For a structural tube, the allowable variation in straightness is 1/8″ times the entire length in feet (or 10.4mm times the number of meters) divided by five.
Side deviation: For square structural tubing and rectangular structural tubing, adjacent sides may deviate from 90° by no more than ±2°.
| Specified Dimension of Longest Side | Maximum Twist in the First 3 ft (1 m ) and in each additional 3 ft | |
|---|---|---|
| in .( mm ) | in. | mm |
| 11/%(38.1) and under | 0.05 | 1.39 |
| Over 1/2 to 2/2(38.1 to 63.5), incl | 0.062 | 1.72 |
| Over 2/% 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 | 0.1 | 2.78 |
| Over 8(203) | 0.112 | 3.11 |
Applications of ASTM A500 Steel Structural Pipe
Depending on its size, A500 structural pipe is used in construction, heavy equipment, agricultural, machinery, fabrication, and general structural purposes.
In construction, they are often used as support beams or columns.
In heavy equipment manufacturing, they are used in the construction of machineries such as tractors and excavators.
In agriculture, they are often used in the construction of irrigation systems.
In fabrication, they are commonly used to create sections for steel beams and pillars.
As a result, ASTM A500 structural pipes have a wide range of applications in many industries.
ASTM A500 Carbon Steel Structural Tubing Benefits
ASTM A500 Carbon Steel Structural Tubing has various advantages that make it a popular building material for structural load-bearing applications. Some of the most noticeable advantages that A500 Carbon Steel Structural Tubing offers are:
Excellent weldability
Good machinability
Can be cold worked
Aesthetically pleasing
