Stainless steel rectangular hollow sections (RHS) are produced according to various international standards to ensure consistent quality, structural integrity, and performance across applications. These standards cover dimensions, material properties, manufacturing processes, and testing requirements, and they help ensure that RHS can reliably meet the demands of structural, architectural, and industrial uses. Here are some key standards commonly applied to stainless steel RHS.
ASTM A554 – Standard Specification for Welded Stainless Steel Mechanical Tubing
ASTM A554 is widely used for stainless steel rectangular and square tubing in mechanical and structural applications. This standard specifies the grades, dimensions, and mechanical properties, including the strength and corrosion resistance of welded stainless steel RHS. It is commonly used in architectural applications due to its high-quality finish and durability.
ASTM A312 / A312M – Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
While originally intended for stainless steel pipes, ASTM A312 is often referenced for stainless steel RHS, especially in industrial settings. This standard covers seamless and welded austenitic stainless steel, ensuring strength, corrosion resistance, and durability for high-pressure or harsh environments.
EN 10210 – Hot Finished Structural Hollow Sections of Non-Alloy and Fine Grain Steels
EN 10210 covers structural hollow sections, including rectangular, square, and circular forms. Though primarily used for carbon steel, it is also applied to stainless steel RHS when hot-finished hollow sections are needed for load-bearing applications. This standard ensures consistency in structural properties and durability in structural engineering projects.
EN 10219 – Cold Formed Welded Structural Hollow Sections of Non-Alloy and Fine Grain Steels
EN 10219 applies to cold-formed, welded structural hollow sections, including rectangular hollow sections, and is sometimes used for stainless steel. This standard covers material and dimensional requirements, tolerances, and inspection standards. EN 10219 is often preferred for applications where precise dimensions and structural strength are required.
JIS G3466 – Japanese Industrial Standard for Carbon Steel Square and Rectangular Tubes for General Structural Purposes
Although JIS G3466 is primarily used for carbon steel, it is also referenced in the production of stainless steel RHS in Japan and other regions where Japanese standards are recognized. This standard specifies the manufacturing and dimensional tolerances, ensuring reliable structural performance for rectangular and square hollow sections in general construction applications.
AS/NZS 1163 – Australian/New Zealand Standard for Structural Steel Hollow Sections
AS/NZS 1163 is a standard specific to Australia and New Zealand that applies to structural steel hollow sections, including rectangular and square sections. It sets requirements for the manufacture, testing, and certification of cold-formed welded steel hollow sections, and it can include stainless steel RHS for structural applications in regions adhering to these standards.
ISO 11228-2 – International Organization for Standardization for Manual Handling and Safety
Although ISO 11228-2 is not specific to stainless steel RHS, it establishes guidelines for the safe handling of rectangular hollow sections during manufacturing and construction. It ensures that practices are in place to protect workers from physical strain and injury, particularly relevant to larger or heavier stainless steel RHS components.
GB/T 6728 – Chinese National Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Hollow Sections for General Structures
This Chinese standard specifies requirements for cold-formed steel hollow sections, including rectangular hollow sections, used in general structural applications. GB/T 6728 is often used in China for both carbon steel and stainless steel RHS, ensuring that products meet necessary structural quality and dimensional standards.
In summary, these standards guide the quality, structural integrity, and dimensional consistency of stainless steel RHS across various industries and applications. Compliance with these standards ensures that stainless steel RHS can reliably meet the demands of construction, architectural, and industrial projects worldwide.