Square tube specific weight: weight per linear meter

A profile tube is steel rolled metal whose cross-sectional shape differs from a round one. The section profile can be oval, rectangular, square or ribbed. Profile tubes are made by cold or hot rolling of steel blanks. After passing through the rolling mill, the longitudinal seam is welded, and additional processing removes surface irregularities and internal mechanical stresses.

Depending on production technology, profile tubes can be:

• made of carbon and low-alloy steel,
• aluminum,
• stainless,
• galvanized.

Galvanizing technology is used in the production of rolled metal resistant to environmental exposure and for visually attractive profiles of open metal structures. Galvanizing increases the service life of rolled metal, and such a coating has high anti-corrosion properties.

The advantages of use are:

• reduced metal consumption and, accordingly, reduced building weight due to the low weight of profile tubes,
• simpler and cheaper installation of lightweight metal structures,
• modern appearance,
• low fire hazard,
• high strength and reliability when material quality and installation conditions are observed.

It is also worth noting that profile rolled metal is much more convenient for transportation and storage than round pipe.

Weight of profile tubes

Profile rolled metal is used in the construction of building frames, various metal structures and automotive production, that is, under increased mechanical and vibration loads.

Correct calculation of the quantity and mass of rolled metal plays an important role. When buying material at wholesale warehouses, nobody measures kilometers of pipe. Therefore, kilograms are used as the unit of measurement for rolled metal. If you know the weight of a square profile tube in 1 linear meter, it is easy to calculate the weight of the entire length.

The size of profile tubes is determined by the length of the section side. For example, a square tube with a 20 mm side is marked as 20x20, and with a 40 mm side as 40x40.

The profile size is chosen based on technical tasks. For simple structures such as furniture, playground elements, decorative fencing and similar items, products with a 20x20 section can be used. For massive structures, for example advertising boards, a profile designed for higher loads is needed.

Profile tube wall thickness also affects its mass. If you need the most accurate weight of square tubes, a product range table is the best option. Metal weight calculators can be used, but actual batch weight may differ from theoretical values because of tolerances in wall thickness, profile dimensions, corner radii and steel grade.

For a square or rectangular tube, the approximate weight of a steel profile can be estimated by the formula:

Mp ≈ 0.0157 × S × (A + B - 2S)

where A and B are the outer profile sides in mm, S is wall thickness in mm, and Mp is the mass of 1 linear meter in kg. The formula gives an approximate value; for accurate purchasing, use the assortment table or the manufacturer’s certificate.

A 20x20 square tube has a weight of 1 meter with a wall thickness of 1 mm equal to 0.583 kg, and with 2 mm equal to 1.075 kg.