BS 6323 Part 1 Cold Finished ERW Welded Tubes are low carbon steel tubes produced by electric resistance welding process and then cold finished to achieve dimensional accuracy, surface finish and mechanical uniformity. The tubes are used in automotive parts, furniture frames, structural fabrication, machinery parts and various engineering assemblies where the repeatability of wall thickness, weldability and clean finish are required. Low-carbon BS 6323 ERW tubes are easier to be formed, molded and welded as compared to high-carbon grades. Carburizing or surface-treatment processes (such as other types of heat treatment) can be ordered depending on the end-use requirements for applications that require more surface hardness. USA Piping Solutions provides cold finished ERW welded tubes in custom OD, wall thickness, length and finish, along with Mill Test Certificates, and packing ready for export.
Specification of BS 6323 Part 1 – Cold Finished ERW (Welded) Tubes
| Category | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Product Description | Cold Finished ERW (Electric Resistance Welded) Tubes |
| Standard | BS 6323 Part 1 |
| Manufacturing Process | ERW followed by Cold Finishing (Drawing/Sizing) |
| Material Type | Low Carbon Steel / Mild Steel |
| Available Grades | CFS 3, CFS 4, CFS 5 |
| Outside Diameter (OD) | 6 mm to 168 mm |
| Wall Thickness (WT) | 0.7 mm to 8 mm |
| Length Options | Random, Fixed, or Precise Cut Lengths |
| Available Forms | Round, Square, and Rectangular |
| End Finish | Plain End or Bevel End |
| Surface Finish | Smooth Cold Finished (Bright/Oiled) |
| Primary Applications | Automotive parts, Structural frames, Mechanical engineering |
| Quality Testing | Hydrostatic Test, Flattening Test, Dimensional Inspection |
| Certification | MTC (Mill Test Certificate), EN 10204 3.1 |
Grade-wise Chemical Composition of BS 6323 Part 1 Cold Finished ERW Welded Tubes
| Designation | Carbon (C) | Silicon (Si) | Manganese (Mn) | Phosphorus (P) | Sulphur (S) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HFS 3 | max 0.20% | max 0.35% | max 0.90% | max 0.050% | max 0.050% |
| HFS 4 | max 0.25% | max 0.35% | max 1.20% | max 0.050% | max 0.050% |
| HFS 5 | max 0.23% | max 0.50% | max 1.50% | max 0.050% | max 0.050% |
| HFS 8 | 0.40 - 0.55% | max 0.35% | 0.50 - 0.90% | max 0.050% | max 0.050% |
Grade-wise BS 6323 Part 1 – Cold Finished ERW (Welded) Tubes Mechanical Properties
| Designation | Re min. (N/mm²) | Rm min. (N/mm²) | A min. (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HFS 3 | 215 | 360 | 24 |
| HFS 4 | 235 | 410 | 22 |
| HFS 5 | 340 | 490 | 20 |
| HFS 8 | 340 | 540 | 18 |
Equivalent Grades of BS 6323 Part 1 – Cold Finished ERW (Welded) Tubes
| Standard Body | German (DIN) | European (EN) | British (BS) | French (NFA) | American (ASTM) | American (ASME) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade / Number | DIN 2391(2) St 45 | EN 1.0408 S255GT | — | — | — | — |
Comparison between BS 6323 Part 1 ERW Tubes vs Seamless Tubes
| Parameter | BS 6323 Part 1 ERW Tubes | Seamless Tubes |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Process | Electric Resistance Welded (ERW) | Produced without welding joints |
| Tube Structure | Welded seam present | Seamless construction |
| Standard | BS 6323 Part 1 | ASTM / EN / ASME Standards |
| Surface Finish | Smooth cold finished surface | Smooth but may require additional finishing |
| Dimensional Accuracy | High precision and uniform thickness | Good dimensional accuracy |
| Strength | Good for medium-pressure applications | Better for high-pressure applications |
| Pressure Handling | Moderate pressure service | High-pressure service |
| Heat Resistance | Suitable for general industrial use | Better for high-temperature service |
| Weldability | Excellent | Good |
| Formability | Excellent | Moderate |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good | Good |
| Cost | More economical | Higher cost |
| Production Speed | Faster manufacturing | Slower manufacturing |
| Availability | Easily available in multiple sizes | Limited compared to ERW |
| Common Applications | Automotive, structural, furniture, engineering | Boilers, pressure vessels, oil & gas |
| Preferred Industries | Mechanical and fabrication industries | Petrochemical, refinery, power plants |
| Weight Consistency | Uniform | Uniform |
| Maintenance | Easy | Moderate |
| Selection Preference | Preferred for cost-effective engineering use | Preferred for critical pressure applications |
Application Usage of BS 6323 Part 1 – Cold Finished ERW (Welded) Tubes
- Chemical Processing
- Heat Exchangers
- Power Generation
- Petrochemical Industry
- Automotive Industry
- Manufacturing and Fabrication
- Oil and Gas Industry
- Industrial Equipment
Related Carbon Steel Tube Grades
- BS 6323 Seamless Tubes
- BS 6323 Welded Tubes
- BS 3059 Part 1 Tubes
- BS 3059 Seamless Tubes
- BS 3059 Welded Tubes
- Boiler Heat Exchanger Tubes
- Carbon Steel Pipes & Tubes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BS 6323 Part 1 ERW Tube?
It is a cold finished welded steel tube manufactured according to the BS 6323 Part 1 standard for mechanical and structural applications.
What is the difference between ERW and seamless tubes?
ERW tubes are made by welding steel strips, while seamless tubes are manufactured without any welded joint.
What are Cold Finished ERW Tubes?
These are ERW steel tubes processed through cold finishing for better surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and strength.
What is CFS 4 material grade?
CFS 4 is a low carbon steel grade used in BS 6323 tubes for good weldability and formability.
Are BS 6323 Part 1 Tubes welded or seamless?
BS 6323 Part 1 Tubes are welded tubes manufactured using the ERW process.