15.88 x 1.2mm Mild Steel Tubes ERW Round Tubing

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 – 15.88mm
• Wall Thickness – 1.2mm
• Internal Diameter – 13.48mm

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

How is Mild Steel Tubing Made?

Mild steel tubing is manufactured through a series of processes that convert raw steel into the final tubular shape. Here’s a breakdown of how mild steel tubing is made, divided into paragraphs for clarity:

Raw Material Preparation: Mild steel tubing begins its life as a flat sheet of steel, also referred to as a “skelp.” This steel has a relatively low carbon content, typically around 0.05% to 0.25%, which gives it its “mild” designation. The skelp is prepared in large coils and is unrolled and cut to the desired width based on the final size of the tube. Before shaping, the flat steel is often cleaned to remove any impurities or oxides on its surface.

Forming and Welding: The flat steel strip is then passed through a series of rollers that gradually bend it into a tubular shape. Once the desired shape is achieved, the edges of the strip meet, and the tube is welded along its length. This process is called Electric Resistance Welding (ERW). In ERW, electric current is passed through the edges, causing them to heat up and fuse together, forming a strong, long-lasting weld.

Sizing and Cutting: After welding, the tube passes through additional rollers to fine-tune its dimensions, ensuring it meets the desired specifications. The continuous length of tubing is then cut into the required lengths using either a mechanical saw or a laser cutter.

Heat Treatment and Finishing: Depending on the application, the tubing might undergo a heat treatment process to improve its mechanical properties. This step can change the steel’s microstructure, improving its strength and ductility. Finally, the surface of the tube may be treated or coated to enhance corrosion resistance. Common treatments include galvanising, where a protective layer of zinc is applied, or painting.

Inspection and Testing: The final step in the manufacturing process involves inspecting the tubes to ensure they meet all quality and dimensional standards. Testing might include visual inspections, mechanical property tests and checks for imperfections in the welds. Once the tubes pass all checks, they are bundled together, ready for shipment to distributors or end-users.

The aforementioned steps provide a general overview. Specific manufacturing methods can vary based on the desired properties, dimensions and end-use of the mild steel tubing.

Are Mild Steel Tubes Expensive?

Mild steel tubes are generally considered one of the more cost-effective options when compared to metals like stainless steel or aluminum, primarily due to their simpler material composition and efficient production processes, such as Electric Resistance Welding (ERW). However, the final cost of mild steel tubes can fluctuate based on a variety of factors. These include global supply and demand dynamics, specific tube dimensions and thickness, any additional surface treatments or finishes, transportation costs, and local market conditions, including import tariffs. While they typically present a cost advantage over other materials, for precise pricing, it’s beneficial to consult with local distributors or manufacturers based on specific requirements.

Is it Possible to Galvanise Mild Steel Tubes After Fabrication?

Yes, it is possible to galvanise mild steel tubes after fabrication. In fact, this is a common practice for many steel structures, including tubes, to enhance their corrosion resistance. The process involves the following steps:

1. Cleaning: Before galvanising, the fabricated mild steel tubes need to be thoroughly cleaned to remove any dirt, grease, oil, paint or rust. This is typically done through a caustic cleaning process, followed by rinsing.

2. Pickling: After cleaning, the steel is immersed in a dilute solution of sulfuric or hydrochloric acid to remove mill scale and rust. This process is known as pickling.

3. Fluxing: The pickled steel is then immersed in a flux solution, usually consisting of zinc ammonium chloride, which helps in the removal of any remaining oxides and prevents further oxidation before the galvanising process.

4. Hot-Dip Galvanising: The cleaned and fluxed tubes are then submerged in a bath of molten zinc, typically at temperatures around 450°C (842°F). The steel reacts with the zinc to form a series of zinc-iron alloy layers.

5. Cooling and Inspection: After galvanising, the tubes are cooled, either passively in the open air or by quenching in water. Once cooled, they undergo quality inspections to ensure the coating thickness and quality are up to standards.

It’s important to note that the design of the fabricated structure should take galvanising into account. For example, sealed hollow structures can be problematic because the trapped air can expand when heated and cause an explosion. Adequate vent and drainage holes should be provided to allow the escape of air and the complete filling and draining of the molten zinc.

In summary, galvanising mild steel tubes post-fabrication is not only possible but is a common practice to provide the structures with long-lasting protection against corrosion.

Check out our blog discussing cutting, welding and shaping mild steel round tube. 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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