A513 steel pipe refers to a type of carbon steel mechanical tubing that is manufactured to the ASTM A513 specification. Here's a clear breakdown:
What is A513 Steel Pipe?
Material:
A513 steel is made from carbon steel. It is commonly produced from 1008, 1010, or 1020 steel grades, meaning it is low to medium carbon content steel.
Manufacturing Method:
A513 pipes are electric resistance welded (ERW). This means flat steel sheets or strips are formed into a tube and the edges are welded together without adding filler material.
Main Use:
A513 is intended for mechanical applications, not for pressure piping. It is widely used in automotive parts, furniture frames, handrails, industrial equipment, and other structures where strength, formability, and good surface quality are important.
Key Features of A513 Steel Pipe:
Property |
Description |
Manufacturing process |
Electric Resistance Welded (ERW) |
Shape |
Round, square, or rectangular tubing |
Strength |
Good mechanical strength and toughness |
Surface finish |
Smooth and clean, good for further processing (e.g., painting, plating) |
Weldability |
Excellent |
Formability |
Good for bending, shaping, and machining |
Types of A513:
Type 1 (A513-1):
Made from hot-rolled steel, less strict dimensional tolerance, used when surface finish is not critical.
Type 2 (A513-2):
Made from cold-rolled steel, tighter dimensional tolerances, better surface quality, preferred for precision applications.
Common Applications:
Automotive components (seat frames, control arms)
Furniture tubing (office chairs, tables)
Agricultural equipment
Structural support frames
Mechanical parts that require moderate strength and good appearance
Important Note:
A513 tubing is not rated for high-pressure applications like boiler tubes or pressure piping. If you need steel pipe for carrying fluids under pressure, you'd be looking at specifications like ASTM A53 or ASTM A106 instead.