12.7 x 1.2mm Mild Steel Pipe ERW Round Tube

ERW means Electric Resistance Welded. ERW tube is made by welding a steel strip to form a tube shape. The tube is continuously seam welded which means that there is a neat weld running along the inside of the tube.

Mild steel round tube is widely used in a variety of applications and also comes in both square and rectangular options.

Why Choose Speciality Metals

Speciality Metals is known to be the United Kingdom’s best up-and-coming small-quantity metal company.

• FREE UK delivery on all orders
• Order dispatch within 24 hours of order
• Located in Warrington, UK which is the UK home of mesh and metals
• Our experienced staff are experts in the mesh market and care personally about your customer experience

Furthermore we stock a vast range of round tube options that compliment our mesh range perfectly.

Over 50,000 customers of Specialty Metals are provided with fast, friendly customer service every year. We’re the place to try when you need metal of any shape and size. We’re based in Warrington, UK. We pride ourselves on our rapid turnaround and a large range of options.

Key information:

• Shape – Round Tube
• Grade – EN10305E220
• Hot or Cold Rolled – Cold Rolled
• External Diameter – 12.7mm
• Wall Thickness – 1.2mm
• Internal Diameter – 10.3mm

We also carry a wide range of mild steel sheet metal, angle iron and flat bar.

Mild steel is a quality strong metal. However it is not rust proof and may do so over time. Please use galvanised or stainless steel if you need resistance to rust. If this metal tube does show signs of rust then simply remove this with WD40 or fine sanding.

• Bending & Forming – Fair. You could only bend this tubing with bending tools but not by hand
• Corrosion Resistance – Poor. Mild steel is uncoated, so there is no additional protection against corrosion
• Machining & Grinding – Good. Mild steel is the metal choice for many forms of machining and grinding, but stainless steel can also offer good results
• Welding – Excellent. You could easily weld with this tubing to suit your requirements
• Painting – Good. We suggest that a mild steel product is always used when a layer of paint needs to be applied. Galvanised and stainless steel will not take paint
• Wear Resistance – Fair. As there is no protective layer, we suggest stainless steel or galvanised steel if you require a stronger wear resistance

The grade of plain steel that we have available has mechanical properties that provide excellent machinability, formability and weldability.

Mild steel can be welded and it’s also suitable for painting. Mild steel is a magnetic grade of metal. Magnets will stick to this sheet but it is not itself a magnet.

FAQs About This Product

Is Mild Steel Round Tubing Magnetic?

Yes, mild steel round tubing is magnetic. Mild steel, which has a low carbon content, retains the ferromagnetic properties of iron, making it attractable to magnets. This characteristic distinguishes it from materials like stainless steel, where only certain grades (like the 400 series) are magnetic and from aluminum, which is non-magnetic. The magnetic nature of mild steel is often utilized in applications that require magnetic properties or in situations where magnetism can be used for testing or verification purposes.

Can Mild Steel Round Tubes be Recycled?

Yes, mild steel round tubes can be recycled. Steel is one of the most recyclable materials in the world, and its recycling processes are well-established and efficient. When mild steel tubes reach the end of their useful life or are generated as scrap during manufacturing or construction processes, they can be collected, sorted and sent to steel mills or recycling facilities.

During the recycling process, the old steel is melted down in furnaces, purified, and then cast or rolled into new steel products. This recycling loop can be repeated numerous times without degrading the quality of the steel, making it a highly sustainable material.

Recycling steel not only conserves raw materials such as iron ore, coal and limestone but also saves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to producing steel from virgin materials. As a result, there’s a strong economic and environmental incentive to recycle mild steel tubes and other steel products.

How do I Prevent Rust on my Mild Steel Tube?

Preventing rust on mild steel tubes is essential to prolong their life and maintain their appearance. Here are some effective methods to prevent rust:

1. Painting: This is one of the most common methods. Start by cleaning the tube thoroughly and removing any existing rust. Once clean, apply a primer to ensure better adhesion of the paint. Once the primer is dry, you can apply one or more coats of a suitable paint. Paint acts as a barrier, preventing moisture and air from coming into contact with the steel.

2. Galvanising: This process involves coating the steel tube with a layer of zinc. The zinc acts as a sacrificial layer, corroding before the steel does, thus offering protection. Hot-dip galvanising is a popular method where the steel is dipped in molten zinc.

3. Powder Coating: This method involves applying a powdered paint material to the steel tube which is then heated until the powder melts and fuses into a protective layer. It offers both an aesthetic finish and corrosion protection.

4. Oil or Grease: For temporary protection, especially during storage or transportation, a layer of oil or grease can be applied. It creates a barrier that prevents moisture from reaching the steel surface. However, it may not be suitable for all applications, especially where cleanliness or aesthetics is a concern.

5. Bluing: This is a passivation process where the steel is treated to form a layer of magnetite, a type of iron oxide. It offers a certain level of corrosion resistance and is often used for firearms.

6. Varnish or Lacquer: Clear coatings like varnish or lacquer can be applied to provide a protective layer while retaining the appearance of the steel.

7. Environmental Control: Keeping the environment around the steel tube dry can prevent rust. This might involve using dehumidifiers or ensuring proper ventilation in storage areas.

8. Cathodic Protection: This is an advanced method mainly used for pipelines or underwater steel structures. It involves using a sacrificial anode which corrodes in place of the steel.

9. Plating: Methods like chrome or nickel plating can be used to coat the mild steel tube with another metal, providing a protective layer against rust.

10. Use of Inhibitors: There are chemical solutions available that can be applied to the steel surface to slow down or prevent the rusting process.

Remember that no method is completely full-proof, and maintenance is crucial. Regularly inspect the steel tube, and if any signs of rust appear, address them promptly to prevent further spread.

Check out our blog discussing ‘What is Steel Box Section?‘. It will prove a useful read to help you to make an informed decision on which material would work best for you. 

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Our goal for our blogs and help guides is to answer as many questions as possible to help to explain the possibilities of mesh to our customers.  Contact us today if you have any questions at all. We are always really keen to help in any way that we can.

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