Quick answer: Square Hollow Sections (SHS) and Rectangular Hollow Sections (RHS) are primary cold-formed and hot-finished structural steel products used in steel building frames, agricultural machinery, vehicle chassis, racking systems, and bridge construction. Sourcing structural tubes requires specifying four critical criteria: Manufacturing Standard (Cold-formed EN 10219-1/2 vs Hot-finished EN 10210-1/2 vs North American ASTM A500 Grade B/C), Steel Strength Level (Standard mild structural steels S235JRH and S275J0H, medium-strength S355J2H with -20°C Charpy impact guarantee, fine-grain structural S460NH, or ultra-high-strength 700MPa structural grades such as S700MC / Q690 for lightweight high-load machinery), Surface Protection (Black self-colour, Pre-galvanized strip with Z100–Z275 coating, or Hot-Dip Galvanized HDG to ISO 1461 with 50–85μm heavy zinc protection), and Export Bundle Logistics (Hexagonal bundling with high-tensile steel straps, bevel/square end deburring, and twin heavy-duty nylon lifting slings). Sino East Steel supplies full mill ranges (20x20mm up to 500x500mm square and 20x40mm up to 400x600mm rectangular) certified to EN 10204 3.1. Contact [email protected] or WhatsApp +86 186 2208 8833 for CIF European port quotations within 24h.
What are Structural Hollow Sections (SHS & RHS)? Applications and Forming Routes
Square Hollow Sections (SHS) and Rectangular Hollow Sections (RHS) belong to the structural tubing family engineered to deliver superior multi-axial torsional rigidity, optimal radius of gyration, and high strength-to-weight efficiency compared with open structural profiles (such as HEA/HEB I-beams or UPN channels).
In modern European construction and mechanical engineering, SHS and RHS are the backbone of prefabricated industrial warehouse frames, stadium roof trusses, solar ground-mount racking, offshore module framing, boom arms for cranes and excavators, and agricultural trailers. Structural tubes are produced via continuous cold forming on automated roll-forming mills from hot-rolled or pickled carbon steel coil, longitudinally welded using High-Frequency Induction (HFW/ERW), sized through turks-head calibrating stands, and cut by flying rotary saws.
International Standards Comparison: EN 10219 vs EN 10210 vs ASTM A500
Selecting the correct standard ensures geometric tolerances, corner radii, and corner zone impact properties meet structural Eurocode design standards:
| Standard | Forming & Thermal Condition | Key Grades | Corner Radius & Wall Tolerances | Primary European Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN 10219-1 / EN 10219-2 | Cold formed from strip, non-heat treated or normalized seam | S235JRH, S275J0H, S355J2H, S460NH | External radius: 1.6T to 3.0T. Thickness: ±10% (≤5mm) / ±0.5mm (>5mm) |
Standard architectural frames, industrial halls, fencing, machinery frames, solar structures. |
| EN 10210-1 / EN 10210-2 | Hot finished or cold formed followed by full normalizing heat treatment | S275J2H, S355J2H, S355NH, S460NH | External radius: max 3.0T. Uniform mechanical properties in corners. |
Dynamic fatigue structures, offshore platforms, bridges, high-rise building columns. |
| ASTM A500 / A500M | Cold formed welded or seamless carbon steel structural tubing | Grade A, Grade B, Grade C, Grade D | Corner radius: max 3.0T. Thickness tolerance: ±10% nominal. |
Equipment export to North America, industrial racking, commercial construction. |
Steel Grades Matrix: Standard S235/S355 up to 700MPa High-Strength Tubing
Modern engineering demands higher yield strength to reduce dead weight while increasing payload capacity. Sino East Steel provides structural tubes across the full spectrum from standard carbon steel to 700MPa advanced high-strength steel (AHSS):
| Steel Grade | Standard | Min Yield Strength ReH (MPa) | Tensile Strength Rm (MPa) | Min Elongation A (%) | Charpy Impact Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S235JRH | EN 10219 | 235 MPa | 360 – 510 MPa | 24% | 27 J at +20°C |
| S275J0H | EN 10219 | 275 MPa | 430 – 580 MPa | 20% | 27 J at 0°C |
| S355J2H | EN 10219 | 355 MPa | 470 – 630 MPa | 20% | 27 J at -20°C |
| S460NH | EN 10219 | 460 MPa | 550 – 720 MPa | 17% | 40 J at -20°C |
| 700MPa (S700MC / Q690D) | EN 10149 / Mill Spec | 700 MPa (101,500 psi) | 750 – 950 MPa | 12–14% | 27 J at -20°C / -40°C |
Surface Protection: Black, Pre-Galvanized and Hot-Dip Galvanized (HDG)
To match environmental corrosion classes (C1 to C5 according to ISO 9223), we offer three distinct surface finishes:
- Black Self-Colour (Bare Steel): Supplied lightly oiled or un-oiled for indoor structural fabrication where blast cleaning and final painting/powder-coating are conducted post-welding.
- Pre-Galvanized Strip (Continuous HDG Strip): Roll-formed directly from pre-coated hot-dip galvanized strip (Z100 to Z275 g/m²). The weld seam is continuously zinc-metallized in-line using twin-wire arc spraying, providing smooth, cost-efficient protection for fencing and greenhouse structures.
- Post Hot-Dip Galvanized (Batch HDG to ISO 1461): Finished tubes are submerged into a molten zinc bath (+450°C) following chemical pickling. Heavy metallurgical zinc-iron alloy coating (50–85 μm / 350–600 g/m²) completely encapsulates both exterior and interior surfaces, delivering 30–50+ years maintenance-free service in harsh outdoor C3/C4 environments.
Dimensional Range & Mill Capabilities
Sino East Steel supplies square and rectangular hollow sections across one of the industry’s broadest dimensional matrices:
- Square Hollow Sections (SHS): 20 × 20 mm up to 500 × 500 mm. Wall thickness: 1.2 mm to 20.0 mm.
- Rectangular Hollow Sections (RHS): 20 × 40 mm up to 400 × 600 mm. Wall thickness: 1.5 mm to 22.0 mm.
- Standard Lengths: 6.0m, 11.8m, 12.0m, and custom cut-to-length (tolerances ±2mm on automated CNC saw lines).
Export Bundle Packaging & Lifting Slings
To ensure safe container loading and rapid discharge at European maritime terminals (Gdańsk, Gdynia, Szczecin, Rotterdam), all tubes are packaged under strict export standards:
- Hexagonal Bundling: Tubes are assembled into tight hexagonal bundles strapped with high-tensile galvanized steel banding (minimum 6–8 straps per 6m/12m bundle).
- Corner Edge Protectors: Plastic or composite corner guards placed beneath steel strapping to prevent surface gouges on galvanized and painted surfaces.
- Heavy-Duty Nylon Lifting Slings: Two certified woven nylon lifting slings attached to each bundle for hook-free crane offloading without tube distortion.
- Plastic End Wrapping: Bundle ends wrapped in heavy polyethylene stretch wrap to prevent road dirt and water ingress during transit.
What is the difference between EN 10219 and EN 10210 hollow sections?
EN 10219 covers cold-formed structural hollow sections with tighter corner radii and strain hardening. EN 10210 covers hot-finished or post-normalized hollow sections, which feature uniform metallurgical properties across corners and zero residual forming stress, making them ideal for dynamic fatigue applications.
Can you supply high-strength structural tubes with yield strengths up to 700MPa?
Yes. We manufacture advanced high-strength structural tubes in grades S700MC and Q690D (700MPa minimum yield strength), allowing crane manufacturers, trailer builders, and structural designers to reduce component wall thickness and weight by up to 35–45% while maintaining structural load capacity.
What is the difference between pre-galvanized and batch hot-dip galvanized (HDG) tubes?
Pre-galvanized tubes are rolled from pre-coated zinc strip (Z100–Z275, 14–20μm zinc) with an arc-sprayed weld seam. Batch hot-dip galvanized tubes (ISO 1461) are dipped in molten zinc after fabrication, producing a heavy 50–85μm zinc layer covering both inside and outside surfaces for 30+ year outdoor durability.
What dimensional tolerances apply to square and rectangular steel tubes?
Under EN 10219-2, outside dimensions have a tolerance of ±1% (minimum ±0.5mm), wall thickness ±10% for WT ≤ 5mm (±0.5mm for WT > 5mm), squareness 90° ± 1°, and straightness max 0.15% of total length.
What documentation is provided with tube shipments to Europe?
Every shipment includes an EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Certificate detailing ladle chemical composition (including CEV/CET values), tensile tests, yield strength, elongation, Charpy impact test results at -20°C, and NDT weld testing reports.
Can you cut square and rectangular tubes to exact custom lengths?
Yes. In addition to standard 6.0m and 12.0m lengths, we provide high-precision CNC saw cutting to custom lengths from 500mm to 18,000mm with length tolerances of ±1mm or ±2mm and full end deburring.
How are tube bundles handled during container shipping?
Bundles are fitted with dual heavy-duty nylon lifting slings, secured with high-tensile steel strapping and wooden dunnage chocks in 20ft or 40ft GP/HQ containers, preventing movement and ensuring fast discharge at European ports.
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) and lead time?
Our standard production MOQ is 5 to 10 metric tons per dimension. Standard production lead time is 15–20 days, with maritime delivery to Polish ports (Gdańsk/Gdynia) taking 30–35 days.
Request a Factory Quotation for Square & Rectangular Tubes
Submit your inquiry (dimensions, wall thickness, steel grade, finish, length, quantity, and delivery port) for a complete CIF quotation within 24 hours: