Q235 Steel Pipe & Tube Manufacturer & Supplier - USA Piping Solution

USA Piping Solution provides national access to Q235 Steel Pipe & Tube, materials produced according to the common Chinese standard GB/T 700. This grade specifies a plain carbon structural steel, frequently chosen for applications where high strength isn't the primary design driver. Recognizing that projects sometimes require materials specified to international standards like Q235, we offer reliable sourcing and distribution throughout the United States. For dependable access to Q235 Steel Pipe & Tube, supported by efficient logistics and quality verification, connect with USA Piping Solution.

What is Q235 Steel Pipe?

Essentially, Q235 Steel Pipe is tubing made from Q235 grade steel, a material defined under the Chinese GB/T 700 standard. It's categorized as a plain carbon structural steel. The name itself offers clues: "Q" relates to the Chinese term for yield point, and "235" signifies the nominal minimum yield strength in Megapascals (MPa), specifically 195 MPa, though this can decrease slightly in thicker sections.

Several characteristics define Q235 steel and the tubes made from it:

• Low Carbon Content: With carbon typically between 0.06% and 0.12%, Q235 steel is highly ductile and easy to form, making bending and shaping straightforward.
• Moderate Strength: Its yield strength around 195 MPa (~28 ksi) and tensile strength generally between 315-430 MPa (~46-62 ksi) place it at the lower end of structural steel strengths. Its utility is found in general construction or fabrication, not high-stress load-bearing structures.
• Excellent Weldability: Thanks to the low carbon content, Q235 welds readily using standard methods, usually without needing special pre- or post-heating procedures.
• Economic Production: Being a simple carbon steel with minimal added alloys, Q235 is typically an economical material option.
• Standard Context: It is important to remember Q235 originates from Chinese GB/T standards. While it performs similarly to certain grades from other regions (like S235JR in Europe or possibly A36 in the US), direct one-to-one equivalence requires a careful check of specific chemical and mechanical details in each standard.

As a result, Q235 Carbon Steel Pipe is often the material selected when ease of fabrication, good welding performance, and cost are major factors, and where the application involves only moderate stresses. Its common uses range from construction components to furniture and basic fluid transport.

Q235 Steel Pipe Specifications

While Q235 defines the steel grade itself (per GB/T 700), pipes and tubes made using this steel are produced under various manufacturing and dimensional standards, depending on how they're made and what they're used for. USA Piping Solution can help source materials meeting relevant production specifications.

Technical Profile

Property	Description
Base Material Grade	Q235 (commonly Q235B, from GB/T 700 or equivalent). Note that quality sub-grades A, B, C, D exist, differing mainly in impact requirements and purity.
Production Methods	Q235 tubing comes from several manufacturing routes: Electric Resistance Welded (ERW): A very common and cost-effective method for Q235, suitable for many sizes used in structures and low-pressure lines. Seamless (SMLS): Less frequently used for Q235 than for higher-strength grades, but seamless production is possible, offering uniform material structure. Longitudinal SAW (LSAW): Used to make larger diameter pipes from plate material. Spiral SAW (SSAW): Another method for large diameters, often for piling or low-pressure water lines, formed from steel coils.
Size Capabilities	Production method influences the size range: ERW typically covers ODs from about 1/8” up to 24”. Seamless can potentially cover 1/8” to 36” OD. LSAW/SSAW are generally for ODs starting around 16” and going much larger.
Wall Thickness Variety	A wide range is possible, from light gauge walls suitable for furniture (e.g., <2mm) to heavier walls for structural needs or large pipes (e.g., >25mm). Specification can be by schedule (Sch 10, 40, etc.) or direct measurement.
Common Shapes	Primarily Round. Square and Rectangular hollow sections (HSS) are also very common structural forms made from Q235.
Length	Supplied in standard random lengths (SRL/DRL), fixed lengths (like 6m or 12m), or cut to precise dimensions as required.
End Types	Usually Plain Ends (PE) or Beveled Ends (BE) for welding. Threaded Ends (TE) might also be available.
Finishes/Coatings	Available as standard black steel (mill finish with oil), Hot-Dip Galvanized (zinc coating), painted, or with other protective coatings (3LPE, FBE) if specified.

Chemical Composition and Mechanical Properties

The practical performance of Q235 Steel Pipe & Tube relies on the chemical limits and resulting mechanical characteristics defined for the Q235 grade.

Chemical Composition of Q235 Steel (% by Weight)

Q235 features low carbon levels for good ductility and weldability. Q235B is a commonly used sub-grade.

ElemeMechanical Properties of Q235 Steel Pipent	Q235B Limit (%)	Role in Steel Properties
Carbon (C)	≤ 0.20	Low content is key for ductility, ease of forming, and good weldability.
Silicon (Si)	≤ 0.35	Added during steelmaking to remove oxygen.
Manganese (Mn)	≤ 1.40	Main contributor to strength in plain carbon steels like this.
Phosphorus (P)	≤ 0.045	Impurity; level is restricted to help maintain toughness.
Sulfur (S)	≤ 0.045	Impurity; limited for better ductility and reduced risk during welding.

Note: These reflect Q235B. Other grades (A, C, D) have minor variations, often concerning impurity levels or specific impact test needs.

Mechanical Properties of Q235 Steel Pipe

These properties confirm Q235 as a mild structural steel suitable for general use.

Property	Minimum Value (Q235B, ≤16mm thickness)	Description of Material Behavior
Yield Strength	235 MPa (~34 ksi)	The stress needed to cause permanent deformation. Low value aids formability.
Tensile Strength	370 - 500 MPa (~54-72 ksi)	The maximum stress the steel can handle before breaking.
Elongation	≥ 26% (Typical for ≤40mm thickness)	High elongation indicates excellent ductility for bending and forming.

What These Properties Mean in Practice:

• Easy to Form: Low yield strength and high elongation allow Q235 to be easily bent, rolled, or pressed into shapes without cracking.
• Simple to Weld: The low carbon equivalent means standard welding methods work well, usually without special pre- or post-heating.
• Suitable for General Loads: While not high-strength, it's adequate for many common structural tasks like framing, supports, and panels where stresses aren't extreme.
• Standard Temperature Use: Designed for typical ambient conditions; it doesn't have guaranteed properties for low-temperature toughness unless specified as Grade C or D (which require impact tests).

This combination makes Q235 Tube materials a practical choice for many standard construction and manufacturing needs.

Common Types of Q235 Steel Pipe & Tube

Q235 steel serves as the base material for various tubular products, differing mainly by how they are made, their shape, and their final surface treatment.

Based on Production:

• Q235 ERW Pipe/Tube: Made using Electric Resistance Welding, this is the most common and economical type, widely available in many sizes for structures, furniture, conduit, and low-pressure use.
• Q235 Seamless Pipe/Tube: Produced without a weld seam. Less common for Q235 than ERW, as the extra cost isn't always justified by the material's strength level, but available for specific needs.
• Q235 LSAW/SSAW Pipe: These submerged arc welding methods create large diameter pipes, typically used for structural piling or conveying water at low pressures.

Based on Shape:

• Round: The standard tubular shape for moving fluids or for many mechanical/structural parts.
• Square Hollow Sections (SHS): Very popular in construction for framework, columns, railings due to ease of connection and good multi-axis strength.
• Rectangular Hollow Sections (RHS): Also widely used in construction and framing, offering different strength properties depending on orientation.

Based on Finish:

• Black Pipe: Mill finish, usually with a light protective oil. Needs painting or coating for corrosion protection if exposed.
• Galvanized Pipe (GI): Coated with zinc (usually hot-dip) for significantly improved corrosion resistance. Used outdoors for fencing, scaffolding, water lines, conduit.
• Coated/Painted: Can be supplied with various factory-applied finishes for appearance or added protection.

The best type of Q235 Welded Pipe or tube depends on whether it's needed for structural support, fluid handling, appearance, or environmental exposure.

Where Q235 Steel Pipe & Tube is Used

Thanks to its blend of low cost, ease of fabrication, and adequate strength for many everyday tasks, Q235 Steel Pipe & Tube is found in a huge number of applications:

• Construction: Used extensively for scaffolding, temporary supports, light structural framing, roof purlins, fencing posts, handrails, and various building components not subjected to major structural loads. Q235 square and rectangular tubes are staples in this area.
• Furniture: Forms the backbone of countless metal furniture items – chair and table frames, bed frames, shelving, display stands – where bending and welding are key fabrication steps.
• General Manufacturing: A common material in workshops for building support frames, jigs, machine guards, carts, simple rollers, and other miscellaneous fabricated items.
• Agriculture: Components for light-duty farm equipment, animal enclosures, gates, greenhouse structures, and parts of irrigation systems often utilize Q235 (frequently galvanized).
• Electrical Conduit: Galvanized Q235 round tubes are standard for protecting electrical wiring.
• Architectural & Decorative: Can be incorporated into building facades, signage, railings, and other areas where formability and finish (painted or galvanized) are factors.
• Low-Pressure Systems: Suitable for basic pipelines carrying water, air, or other non-corrosive fluids at low operating pressures.

Q235 Carbon Steel Pipe is a versatile, economical choice for applications where extreme strength, high pressure, or specific temperature resistance are not the primary design considerations.

Q235 Steel Pipe Size Chart

This chart shows representative dimensions and calculated weights for common Q235 Steel Pipe & Tube sizes, often made via ERW. Weights are approximate.

OD (inch)	OD (mm)	Wall (mm)	Wall (inch)	Wt ( kg/m )	Wt (lbs/ft)	Notes
0.840	21.3	2.0	0.079	0.95	0.64	~1/2" NPS Light Wall
1.050	26.9	2.3	0.091	1.41	0.95	~3/4" NPS STD Wall
1.315	33.7	2.5	0.098	1.90	1.28	~1" NPS
1.660	42.4	2.8	0.110	2.68	1.80	~1-1/4" NPS
1.900	48.3	2.8	0.110	3.08	2.07	~1-1/2" NPS
2.375	60.3	3.0	0.118	4.15	2.79	~2" NPS
2.875	73.0	3.2	0.126	5.40	3.63	~2-1/2" NPS
3.500	88.9	3.5	0.138	7.27	4.89	~3" NPS
4.000	101.6	3.5	0.138	8.34	5.61	~3-1/2" NPS
4.500	114.3	3.8	0.150	10.1	6.81	~4" NPS
6.625	168.3	4.5	0.177	17.9	12.0	~6" NPS
8.625	219.1	5.5	0.217	28.4	19.1	~8" NPS
12.750	323.9	6.5	0.256	49.6	33.4	~12" NPS

Disclaimer: Illustrative data. Specific dimensions and weights vary by the manufacturing standard applied (e.g., GB/T 3091, GB/T 13793) and tolerances. Weights are nominal.

Certifications and Compliance

Although Q235 Steel Pipe & Tube is based on Chinese GB/T standards, confirming material quality remains important. USA Piping Solution works with suppliers who provide necessary documentation.

• Standard Conformance: Materials are supplied with the understanding that they meet the chemical and mechanical guidelines for Q235 grade steel (typically per GB/T 700) and are produced according to relevant manufacturing standards (like GB/T 3091 for common welded pipe).
• Mill Documentation: Depending on the origin and order specifics, Mill Test Certificates (MTCs) or Certificates of Conformance (CoC) can usually be provided. These typically verify the chemical composition and may report basic mechanical test results (tensile, yield) from the manufacturer.
• Quality Management Framework: Our internal operations follow ISO 9001 principles, ensuring consistent practices for evaluating suppliers and verifying materials.
• Product Identification: Marking practices depend on the specific standard and product size. Generally, markings include the standard, grade (Q235), dimensions, and manufacturer's ID or heat/lot code for traceability.

We work to ensure clear documentation accompanies Q235 products. Clients needing specific certifications beyond standard mill reports should clarify these needs during the inquiry process.

Why USA Piping Solution for Q235 Steel Pipes?

Sourcing materials specified to international standards like Q235 often benefits from a supplier with global reach and local support. USA Piping Solution offers practical advantages:

• Global Sourcing Experience: We have the network to reliably source materials produced to various global standards, including Chinese GB/T specs for Q235, from qualified international manufacturers.
• Understanding Material Comparisons: While direct equivalents are nuanced, we can help compare Q235's properties to more familiar ASTM or EN grades to aid in assessing its suitability for your needs.
• Domestic Access: Leveraging our US inventory network potentially provides faster access to common Q235 sizes or functional alternatives compared to managing direct imports yourself.
• Reliable Logistics: Our established distribution system ensures dependable delivery of sourced materials to your location across the United States.
• Documentation Facilitation: We assist in obtaining appropriate mill documentation (MTCs or CoCs) to verify the grade and basic properties of the sourced materials.
• Processing Options: We offer value-added services, such as cutting pipe and tube to the specific lengths required for your project.
• Responsive Support: Our team provides prompt assistance with inquiries, quotations, and efficient order management.

Related Products

USA Piping Solution provides a full range of carbon steel pipes and tubes meeting standards common in the US market, serving various applications:

Matching the correct specification to your application's demands (structural vs. pressure, temperature, strength needs) is essential. Our team can help clarify these choices.

Final Call to Action

When your projects can benefit from the cost-effectiveness and excellent formability of Q235 Steel Pipe & Tube, USA Piping Solution offers dependable sourcing and supply. Whether you require Q235 Carbon Steel Pipe for construction, general fabrication, furniture, or low-pressure lines, we can help meet your needs. Utilize our network and logistical strengths to efficiently procure these versatile materials.

Contact USA Piping Solution today to discuss your Q235 Steel Pipe & Tube specifications and receive a detailed, competitive quote.

Request Your Q235 Pipe & Tube Quote Now!