What is Q195 Steel Pipe?
Q195 is a Chinese national structural steel grade defined under GB/T 700. The “195” in its designation denotes the material’s minimum guaranteed yield strength of 195 MPa. This nomenclature is consistent across the entire Q-series of Chinese structural steels (Q195, Q215, Q235, Q255, Q275).
Chemically, Q195 is defined by a low carbon content of 0.06%–0.12% and a lean manganese range of 0.25%–0.50%. The low carbon ceiling restricts carbide formation, yielding a microstructure with predominantly ferritic and pearlitic phases. This results in high ductility, excellent cold-forming performance, and consistent weldability without requiring preheat in most standard shop environments.
Unlike higher-strength structural grades such as Q235 or ASTM A36, Q195 Steel Pipe is not intended for primary load-bearing members in critical structures. Its design space lies in light structural hollow sections, scaffolding, furniture tubing, irrigation pipelines, and mechanical fabrications where ductility and processability outweigh raw strength requirements.
Microstructure
Ferritic-pearlitic matrix resulting from low carbon (0.06–0.12%) and limited alloying. Enables superior cold-forming and stamping without intermediate annealing.
Weldability
Carbon Equivalent (CE) typically ≤ 0.27, placing Q195 in the “readily weldable” category. Compatible with SMAW, MIG, TIG, and resistance welding without preheat under normal ambient conditions.
Elongation
Minimum elongation of 33% (longitudinal) for thicknesses ≤16mm, enabling significant plastic deformation before fracture — critical for scaffolding and formed sections.
Surface Finish
Hot-rolled, cold-drawn, galvanized, or painted. ERW seam undergoes normalizing heat treatment in standard production to homogenize the weld zone microstructure.
Manufacturing Route
Q195 pipe is produced via multiple forming routes depending on the required OD, wall thickness, and mechanical uniformity. The choice of route directly affects seam integrity, dimensional tolerance, and cost.
Q195 Steel Pipe Specifications
The following table covers the full production envelope for Q195 Steel Pipe & Tube across all manufacturing methods. Selection of the appropriate process depends on OD range, pressure requirement, and seam integrity criteria.
| SSAW Range | OD 219mm – 3120mm, WT 3mm – 25mm |
| LSAW Range | OD 16” – 64”, WT up to 50mm |
| ERW Range | OD 1/8” – 24”, WT up to 26.5mm |
| Seamless Range | OD 1/8” – 36”, WT 1.25mm – 50mm |
| Standards & Codes | GB/T 700, ASME/ANSI B36.10, ASME/ANSI B36.19, ISO, DIN |
| Pipe Schedules | SCH 5, 10, 40, 80, 80S, 160, XS, XXS |
| Manufacturing Types | Seamless, ERW, Welded, LSAW, SSAW, Fabricated |
| Available Shapes | Round, Square, Rectangular, Custom Profiles |
| Length | Single Random (SRL), Double Random (DRL), Fixed up to 18m |
| End Finishes | Plain End (PE), Beveled End (BE), Threaded End (TE) |
| Testing & Inspection | Chemical Analysis, Mechanical Testing (Yield/Tensile/Elongation), Flattening, Flaring, Bending, Hardness, Hydrostatic, UT, Eddy Current (ET), Visual/Dimensional |
| Certification | Mill Test Certificate (MTC) to EN 10204 3.1 |
⚠ Wall thickness tolerance per GB/T 17395. Ovality and straightness per applicable forming standard.
Q195 Carbon Steel Pipe Chemical Composition
Q195’s mechanical performance is directly governed by its low-carbon, low-alloy chemistry. The restricted carbon and manganese ranges produce a microstructure optimized for ductility and weldability rather than tensile strength. Values below are per GB/T 700.
| Grade | C (%) | Mn (%) | Si (%) | S (max %) | P (max %) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q195 | 0.06–0.12 | 0.25–0.50 | ≤0.30 | ≤0.045 | ≤0.050 |
ℹ S and P are controlled as tramp elements; lower levels improve weldability and toughness. Consult mill certification for heat-specific values.
Q195 Equivalent ASTM, DIN, JIS, BS & ISO Standards
Many international projects require cross-referencing Q195 against recognized global grades. The table below identifies the closest equivalents by country. Note that equivalence is approximate and should be confirmed against project-specific chemical and mechanical requirements.
| Country | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| China | Q195 |
| USA | ASTM A36 (Comparable structural properties) |
| Germany | DIN St33 |
| Japan | JIS SS330 / SPHC |
| UK | 040A10 |
| ISO | S185 |
Note: Exact equivalence depends on mechanical and chemical requirements of the project.
Q195 Steel Pipe Mechanical Properties
Mechanical properties are measured at ambient temperature (~20°C) on longitudinal test specimens per GB/T 228. Yield and tensile values confirm the pipe’s structural suitability for light to moderate loading conditions.
| Grade | Yield Strength (MPa) | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Elongation A (%) | Hardness (HRB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q195 | ≥195 | 315–430 | ≥33 | ≤80 |
ℹ Elongation applies to gauge length L₀ = 5.65√S₀ for thicknesses ≤16mm. Higher thickness specimens may show reduced elongation per standard allowance.
Q195 vs Q235 vs A36 vs DIN St33 – Grade Comparison
Q195 occupies the lowest-strength tier in the Chinese Q-series. Understanding how it compares against both domestic siblings and international equivalents is essential for material substitution or multi-standard projects.
The table below compares Q195 against Q235 (its most frequently substituted Chinese sibling), ASTM A36 (USA structural steel), and DIN St33 (German equivalent). Key differentiators are highlighted.
| Property | Q195 | Q235 | ASTM A36 | DIN St33 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | GB/T 700 | GB/T 700 | ASTM A36 | DIN 17100 |
| Min. Yield (MPa) | 195 | 235 | 250 | 185 |
| Tensile (MPa) | 315–430 | 370–500 | 400–550 | 310–380 |
| C Content (%) | 0.06–0.12 | 0.12–0.22 | ≤0.26 | ≤0.17 |
| Min. Elongation (%) | 33 | 26 | 20 | 28 |
| Weldability | Excellent (CE ≤0.27) | Good (CE ≤0.38) | Good | Excellent |
| Typical Use | Light structures, furniture, scaffolding | General structures, bridges | Structural beams, columns | Light structural, tubes |
| Cost Index | Lowest | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
Q195 should not substitute Q235 in certified structural applications without engineering review. The 40 MPa yield difference is significant under combined loading.
Uses & Applications of Q195 Steel Pipe & Tube
Q195 Steel Pipe’s combination of low yield strength, high elongation, and cost efficiency makes it well-suited for non-critical structural and mechanical applications where formability and weldability are prioritized over load capacity.
Construction & Scaffolding
Building frameworks, scaffolding systems, railings, and structural supports where light-duty ductile sections are required.
Mechanical Fabrication
Machinery parts, equipment frames, jigs, and general engineering components requiring good formability.
Water & Utility Lines
Low-pressure water transportation, irrigation pipelines, and potable water distribution with appropriate coating.
Furniture & Light Structures
Metal furniture frames, storage racks, display fixtures, and fabricated consumer assemblies.
Automotive Components
Non-critical structural sub-assemblies in vehicle bodies and frames requiring good cold-forming characteristics.
General Industry
Material handling equipment, conveyor supports, HVAC structures, and industrial racking systems.
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Contact Us TodayRelated Carbon Steel Pipe Standards
Depending on pressure class, temperature service, and regulatory requirements, the following grades are frequently specified alongside or as alternatives to 0195 Steel Pipe.
Service – preferred for steam and high-pressure applications above 400°C.
Applications – covers both seamless and welded pipe for moderate service.
– specifies PSL1 and PSL2 grades for hydrocarbon transport pipelines.
– the next grade up from 0195 for moderate structural requirements.
– European equivalent for structural tubing applications.
– used in foundation and marine pile applications requiring impact toughness.
For authoritative information on GB/T 700 standard requirements, refer to the Standardization Administration of China (SAC) – the issuing body for all GB national standards.