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ASTM A500 Cold-Formed Steel Tube & Section Mechanical Testing

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ASTM A500 Standard Specification for Cold-Formed Welded and Seamless Carbon Steel Structural Tubing in Rounds and Shapes.

ASTM A500 covers carbon steel tubing in round, square, rectangular, or special shapes, primarily used for welded, riveted, or bolted construction in bridges, buildings, and general structural applications. It specifies four mandatory test categories, tension test, flattening test, Chemical Composition Analysis and Dimensional & Visual Inspection.  For us, will focus on the mechanical test. 


Main mechanical strength of ASTM A500 steel:

Tensile Strength: Depending on the grade, tensile strength is typically in the range of 45,000 psi to 70,000 psi (310 MPa to 485 MPa).  

Yield Strength: The minimum yield strength ranges from 33,000 psi (Grade A) to 50,000 psi (Grades C/D).  

Elongation: High elongation ensures good ductility and fatigue resistance.  

ASTM A500 Cold-Formed Steel Tube

ASTM A500 Cold-Formed Steel Tube

Round TubesSquare and Rectangular Tubes


Test stipulated in the ASTM A500 details introduction: 

1, Tension Test (Mechanical Strength)

The most fundamental mechanical test to verify the pipe's strength and ductility..

Test Methods

Performed in accordance with ASTM A370 ; Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products. 

Measure yield strength (0.2% offset or 0.5% extension under load), tensile strength, and elongation to validate structural load‑carrying capacity and ductility.

Test Stipulations

The material must meet the minimum Tensile Strength, Yield Strength, and Elongation requirements based on its grade (Grade A, B, C, or D). 

For example, Grade B requires a minimum Tensile Strength of 58,000 psi [400 MPa] and a minimum Yield Strength of 42,000 psi [290 MPa] for round tubing

Test Sample Information

Full-size longitudinal test specimens or longitudinal strip test specimens are required.

For welded tubing, strip specimens must be taken at least 90° away from the weld and prepared without flattening in the gauge length.

Test EquipmentUniversal testing machine (UTM)Electronic Universal Testing Machine

Extensometer (ASTM E83); 

Pipe tensile test fixtures (curve type or snug inserts) .

Test Procedure

Prepare specimens per ASTM A370, free of burrs and harmful imperfections.

Mount in UTM; apply load at a uniform rate.

Record yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation.

2. Flattening Test (Round Tubing Only)

Assesses the pipe's ability to deform without cracking and reveals internal laminations or poor welds. It is only required for round structural tubing.
Test MethodRoom‑temperature cold flattening between parallel platens.
Test Stipulations and procedure

1, For Welded Round Tubing: A specimen (at least 4 in. [100 mm] long) is flattened cold between parallel plates in three steps, with the weld positioned 90° from the direction of force.

Step 1 (Weld Ductility):No cracks until the distance between plates is less than 2/3 of the specified OD.

Step 2 (Parent Metal Ductility):No cracks until the distance is less than 1/2 of the specified OD.

Step 3 (Soundness):Flattened until break to reveal laminated or unsound material.


2, For Seamless Round Tubing (2.5 in. [60 mm] OD and larger): Flattened in two steps (Ductility and Soundness) using a calculated "H" value based on wall thickness and outside diameter.

Test Sample Information

Welded round tubing: Length ≥4 in. [100 mm], weld oriented 90° to the loading direction.

Seamless round tubing (≥2.5 in. [60 mm] OD): Length ≥2.5 in.

Test Equipment

Universal testing machine (UTM)Electronic Universal Testing Machine with compression test flaten; 

Other test: Chemical Composition Analysis and Dimensional & Visual Inspection.


ASTM A500 Main Application Fields: 

ASTM A500 is a structural steel pipe standard designed for building frameworks, mechanical supports, bridges, and other load-bearing structures. It focuses on high strength and structural stability, making it suitable for applications requiring precise dimensions and high load capacity. widely used in:

Building Construction: Columns, beams, bracing, frames for commercial, residential, and industrial buildings.

Bridge & Infrastructure: Structural supports, guardrails, sign poles, highway and railway structures.

General Structural: Welded/riveted/bolted assemblies, machinery frames, storage racks, and engineered structures. 

Manufacturing & Machinery: Serves as the base framework for heavy equipment, conveyor systems, and agricultural machinery.


Why ASTM A500 Tests Are Critical for the Steel tube

Structural Safety: Tension and flattening tests confirm the tubing can withstand design loads without brittle failure, preventing collapse in buildings and bridges.

Weld Integrity: The flattening test validates that ERW welds match base‑metal ductility, avoiding weld cracking during fabrication or service.

Material Consistency: Chemical analysis ensures uniform chemistry and predictable mechanical properties across heats and manufacturers.

Fabrication & Assembly Compatibility: Dimensional inspection guarantees tight tolerances for welding, bolting, and riveting; surface checks ensure workmanlike finish and fitness for use.

Quality Assurance: Test and retest rules prevent nonconforming material from entering structural projects, enforcing reliability and code compliance.

Related products and device

ASTM A500 Steel Pipe Tensile, Bending Universal Testing Machine

United Test make Universal Testing Machines are known for their long lasting trouble-free performance and highest quality material used in the manufacturing process. The Hydraulic universal testing machine can perform tension, compression, flexure/bending and shearing test for kinds of specimens. Suitable for metal and nonmetal material, such as iron, steel, steel bar, rebar, cement, concrete, rod and so on. Specially design for production, research, student training and industrial laboratory. Available in wide range of loadframe capacities (300kN to 2000kN)/(10Ton to 200Ton) and with combination of control panels (Digital, Computerized) makes United Test product range suitable for every customer requirement.

ASTM A500 Steel Pipe Tube tensile testing machine

WDW Series Computer Control Electronic Universal Testing Machine made by UNITEDTEST range from 100N to 600KN load capacity with various models like single columns, table type, door frame type etc., is used to perform tension, compression, flexure/bending, shearing, peeling etc., test for metal and nonmetal specimens.

ASTM A500 Steel Pipe Tube tensile testing grip

The tensile test of steel tubes has two kinds, Snug‑fitting internal metal plug for full‑section tensile testing, or Curved‑face jaw inserts matching pipe curvature for uniform load distribution.

ASTM A500 Steel tube Compression Flattening Test Fixture

Compression test fixture is used to investigate the compressive behaviour of the test specimens and for determining the compressive strength, compressive modulus and other aspects of the compressive stress/strain relationship under the conditions defined.

Related Standard

ASTM A370 Test method for mechanical testing of steel

ASTM A370 Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products


ASTM A370 test methods cover procedures and definitions for the mechanical testing of steels, stainless steels, and related alloys. The various mechanical tests herein described are used to determine properties required in the product specifications. Variations in testing methods are to be avoided, and standard methods of testing are to be followed to obtain reproducible and comparable results. In those cases in which the testing requirements for certain products are unique or at variance with these general procedures, the product specification testing requirements shall control.


Covering tests like Tension, Bend, Hardness, Brinell, Rockwell, Portable, and Impact, each catering to distinct aspects of mechanical property assessment. Moreover, it accommodates annexes for specific product types, including Bar Products, Tubular Products, Fasteners, Round Wire Products, and more, ensuring a holistic approach to testing.


ASTM E290 Metal Bend testing of materials ductility

ASTM E290 Standard Test Methods for Bend Testing of Material for Ductility


ASTM E290 is a destructive mechanical test standard that evaluates the ductility and structural soundness of metallic materials (and welds) by subjecting specimens to controlled bending deformationASTM International. It is a widely used quality control and qualification method for metals, alloys, and welded joints across industries.

ISO 7438 Metallic materials Bending test details

ISO 7438 is a standard that specifies a method for determining the ability of metallic materials to undergo plastic deformation in bending. It is used to evaluate the flexural strength and stiffness of a material , The bend test shall be carried out in testing machines equipped with a bending device with two supports and a former; bending device with a V-block and a former; bending device with a clamp. 

ISO 6892-1 Metallic materials - Tensile testing

ISO 6892 specifies the method for tensile testing of metallic materials and defines the mechanical properties which can be determined at room temperature.  Related standard ASTM E8 , JIS Z2241 Method of tensile test for metallic materials.

ASTM A53 Seamless Steel pipe tension, Bending, Flattening Hydrostatic Test

ASTM A53 specifies seven mandatory/optional tests to verify chemical, mechanical (tension test, bending test, flattening test, hydrostatic test), structural, tightness, and coating quality. It is a fundamental standard for carbon steel pipes, and its testing regimen is designed to verify the pipe's integrity, ductility, and pressure-handling capabilities.

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