There are many applications of stainless steel square and rectangle tubing across numerous industries. With the majority of these markets already applying use of corrosive-resistant shapes, Stainless Structurals increased their product portfolio to include stainless steel hollow sections to provide improved solutions for their customers.
Tube Production and Availability
Stainless Structurals has supplied stainless steel square and rectangle tubing for many years. Initially, this tubing was only produced from our Swiss facility and had to be transported in shipping containers. Over time, demand consistently increased for domestic tubing as well as shorter lead times. In order to meet this requirement, Stainless Structurals expanded its facility in Texas and added new equipment such as a solid-state fiber-based laser welder for a complete tube production line in the USA.
To produce our square and rectangle tubing, we employ the same technology used to assemble the structural shapes. Our flagship technology, laser welding, produces HSS with a sharp 90° corner and full penetration weld up to 5/8” thick. 304/L and 316/L are the most common stainless steel grades used for tubing but we can also manufacture in other stainless and carbon steel alloys. All of our stainless tubing will have our standard bead-blasted & passivated finish. There is an expansive size range to which tubing can be made.
These include:
H x W: 1”x1” thru 35”x20”, profile dependent
Wall Thickness: 3/16” – 1-1/4”
Length: 120” – 540” (standard of 240”)
Standards: ASTM A1069 ; A554
Advantages of Stainless Steel Tubing
There are several advantages to using stainless steel structural tubing. The biggest being the corrosion resistance properties. This is important for many industrial applications in unforgiving environments. Stainless steel has naturally enhanced heat and fire resistance compared to other metals used in construction. It also provides for easy fabrication and effortless cleaning and maintenance. The aesthetics of stainless steel is also unmatched by other alloys or materials.
Stainless Structurals’ tubing has distinct advantages over other tube suppliers. The first is the customization; in a traditional welded tube, you are limited to one wall thickness. With laser welding you can mix and match wall thicknesses allowing for better strength-to-weight ratios where you can reduce mass while increasing load capacity. This method allows for the production of non-standard sizes and alloys with only a 1-length order minimum.
The sharp corners of our tubing is also beneficial for architectural purposes, meeting or exceeding AESS guidelines. Modern architecture promotes straight edges and clean lines, which are evident in our square and rectangle tubing. Structural glass companies also prefer the square corners and straight edges for glass facades and supports.
Applications and Industries Served
Stainless steel tubing is primarily used in structural applications where added strength and corrosion resistance are required. It may also be used in other areas that involve high heat, high pressure, or when destructive elements such as chemicals, acids or salt are present. The most common applications are framework, structural supports and braces.
Almost every industry uses stainless steel in some form or fashion. The more frequently used functions of stainless square and rectangle tubing are architecture and ornamental projects, food processing, chemical, and marine and wastewater. You can find many examples of specific case studies in the blog section of our website.
More than Structurals
We are more than just structural shapes. Our fastest growing product over the past year has been square and rectangle tubing. We are preparing for even more growth by adding equipment, reducing lead times, and increasing productivity. We are here to help on your next design involving stainless or carbon steel tubing and profiles. Contact us today for more information or to request a quote.
