Automotive Steel Tubing

Automotive Steel Tubing

Automotive Steel Tubing
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  • Automotive Steel Tubing

Automotive Steel Tubing

1) Overview

Automotive tubes are high-performance pipes developed for the automotive industry, covering precision seamless tubes, welded tubes, stainless steel tubes, and HSLA tubes.
They feature high strength, tight dimensional accuracy, excellent fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance, formability, and weldability, making them essential for brake systems, fuel systems, engine cooling, transmission, exhaust, and new energy vehicle thermal management.


2) Manufacturing Process
    •    Raw Materials: Carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, HSLA
    •    Forming: Cold drawing, cold rolling, hot rolling, welding (ERW, laser)
    •    Heat Treatment: Bright annealing (BA), normalizing, quenching & tempering
    •    Machining: Cutting, bending, flaring, reducing, end finishing, assembly
    •    Surface Treatment: Degreasing, oil-free, galvanizing, Zn-Ni coating, E-coating, polishing
    •    Testing: Dimensional accuracy, mechanical tests, NDT, hydro/pneumatic, corrosion tests


3) Grades & Standards

Standards
    •    EN 10305 (Precision steel tubes)
    •    ASTM A513, SAE J524, SAE J525, SAE J356
    •    GB/T 3639

Typical Grades
    •    Carbon Steel: 20#, ST37.4, SAE1010, SAE1020
    •    Alloy Steel: 16Mn, 20MnV6, SAE4130
    •    Stainless Steel: 304, 316L
    •    HSLA: High-strength low-alloy steels
    •    Copper-nickel alloys: CuNi10Fe1Mn (brake lines)


4) Applications
    •    Brake System: Hydraulic brake lines, ABS pipes (stainless/CuNi alloys)
    •    Fuel System: Fuel injection tubes, fuel feed/return pipes
    •    Engine & Cooling: Lubrication lines, coolant tubes, EGR pipes
    •    Transmission & Chassis: Drive shaft tubes, shock absorber tubes, stabilizer bars
    •    Exhaust System: Stainless exhaust pipes, emission control tubes
    •    New Energy Vehicles: Battery cooling lines, thermal management tubes, hydrogen fuel lines


5) Key Features
    •    High strength & fatigue resistance for long-term safety
    •    Excellent dimensional accuracy (OD tolerance ±0.05 mm) for precise assembly
    •    High cleanliness: degreased, oil-free, ISO 16232 compliant
    •    Outstanding formability & weldability, suitable for bending, flaring, welding
    •    Superior corrosion resistance with stainless/CuNi/coated carbon steel options
    •    Customizable: size, length, end finishing, surface treatment


6) Quality & Testing
    •    Chemical Analysis: Spectrometry, low S/P control
    •    Mechanical Tests: Tensile, impact, hardness, fatigue
    •    NDT: Ultrasonic, Eddy Current, X-ray
    •    Hydro/Pneumatic: 100% tubes tested
    •    Surface Tests: Coating thickness, adhesion, salt spray
    •    Cleanliness Tests: Particle & residue per ISO 16232
    •    Certifications: SGS, BV, TÜV, IATF 16949


7) Supply & Packaging
    •    Size Range: OD 4–120 mm, WT 0.5–12 mm
    •    Length: 6–12 m fixed or custom cut; coils up to tens of meters
    •    Ends: Plain, beveled, flared, threaded, flanged, pre-assembled fittings
    •    Surface: Oiled, painted, galvanized, chrome-plated, Zn-Ni coated
    •    Packaging: Bundles, wooden cases, protective films, plastic caps
    •    Documents: MTC (EN 10204 3.1/3.2), OEM docs (PPAP, IMDS)


8) Our Advantages
    •    Complete range: seamless, welded, stainless, alloy, HSLA
    •    Compliant with EN, ASTM, SAE, GB standards
    •    Multi-material solutions: carbon steel + coating, stainless, CuNi alloys
    •    Strong customization: OEM drawings, bending, welding, assembly services
    •    Quality assurance: strict QC, third-party certification, IATF 16949
    •    Global supply experience: OEMs, Tier1 suppliers, aftermarket

 

 


Materials & Dimensions of Pipes for Automotive Industry

 


1. Carbon Steel Tubes
    •    Standards: ASTM A179, A513, EN 10305-1/2 (precision cold-drawn seamless tubes), GB/T 3639
    •    Dimensions:
    •    OD: 6 – 120 mm
    •    WT: 0.8 – 8 mm
    •    Length: 3 – 12 m fixed length or customized cut-to-size
    •    Applications:
    •    Chassis tubes, drive shaft tubes, transmission shaft sleeves, steering system components


2. Alloy Steel Tubes
    •    Standards: ASTM A519 (4130, 4140), EN 10297, GB/T 3077
    •    Dimensions:
    •    OD: 10 – 150 mm
    •    WT: 1 – 12 mm
    •    Applications:
    •    High-strength drive shafts, shock absorber cylinders, engine components, high-pressure fuel lines


3. Stainless Steel Tubes
    •    Standards: ASTM A269, A213, EN 10216-5 (304/304L, 316/316L, 409, 439, 444)
    •    Dimensions:
    •    OD: 6 – 127 mm
    •    WT: 0.5 – 6 mm
    •    Applications:
    •    Automotive exhaust systems, EGR tubes, fuel lines, brake fluid lines, body decorative tubes


4. Precision Steel Tubes
    •    Standards: EN 10305-1/2/3, DIN 2391 (St52, E235, E355)
    •    Dimensions:
    •    OD: 4 – 120 mm
    •    WT: 0.5 – 6 mm
    •    Applications:
    •    Hydraulic systems, steering columns, brake systems, high-pressure oil lines


5. Special Alloys & Lightweight Materials
    •    Aluminum Tubes: ASTM B241 6061/6063 → cooling water pipes, automotive A/C systems
    •    Copper/Copper Alloy Tubes: ASTM B75/B280 → refrigerant lines, A/C tubes
    •    HSLA Steel Tubes (High Strength Low Alloy): API X42–X70 small diameter → automotive safety frames


6. Typical Applications
    •    Engine & Fuel Systems: Stainless precision tubes (304, 316L)
    •    Chassis & Drive: Carbon steel / alloy steel tubes (A519, EN 10305)
    •    Brake & Steering Systems: Precision cold-drawn tubes (DIN 2391)
    •    Exhaust Systems: Heat-resistant stainless steels (409, 439, 444)
    •    Cooling & A/C Systems: Aluminum tubes, copper tubes

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Tsisco Industrial Ltd.
Tsisco Industrial Ltd.