All pipes mentioned in this article are sold by our company.
What Is Structural Steel？
Structural Steel is steel used to manufacture engineering structural parts. These structural steels are connected to each other through welding and other methods to form a metal structural skeleton, which is high in strength and very reliable.
Structural Steel Shape
PANDAPIPE primarily supplies structural steel pipe and hollow sections, including circular, square and rectangular sections. I-beams, channels and plates are included here for comparison but may not be part of our regular supply range.
The main processing methods of Structural Steel are hot rolling and cold rolling, and there are many shapes according to different uses.
I-beam
This is the most common hot-rolled structural steel shape, typically used for beam members. The two parallel members of the cross section are called flanges, and the connecting steel plates are the web.
Structural channel
Structural channel is also known as C-channel or parallel flange channel (PFC). Its main structure is a wide web with two flanges on top. It is often used for supporting or frame structures.
Steel plate
Steel plate is a flat structural steel. It can be divided into thin steel plate (0.35~4mm), thick steel plate (4.5~60mm), and extra thick plate (>60mm) according to thickness. Its width range can be customized. Steel plate has high load-bearing capacity and high pressure-bearing capacity. Due to its special shape, it can support large masks and is an ideal choice for ocean-going ships.
Rods
Bars are long, solid bars of steel with varying cross sections, usually used as reinforcement, and as secondary weight and support components.
Hollow structural section
Hollow structural section, abbreviated as HSS, is a common hollow structural pipe in the pipeline industry. It uses the least amount of material to achieve the highest strength, and has excellent torsional resistance and aesthetics. If you want to learn more about HSS pipes, click here
Structural Steel Characteristics
Structural Steel Advantages
Low price and long service life
Structural steel has a longer service life than other building materials and is also cheaper than other materials. It is easy to mass produce.
High Strength
The high strength-to-weight ratio is an overwhelming advantage of structural steel, as other traditional structural materials
Wide Range of Applications
Structural steel is used not only in the construction industry but also in mining, transportation, and marine operations.
Price per Ton Does Not Show the Full Purchase Cost
Two structural steel quotations can show a similar price per ton but produce different final costs. One detail we check first is whether the quotation is based on theoretical weight or actual scale weight. If suppliers use different settlement methods, comparing only the unit price can be misleading.
Dimensional tolerances also matter. A section supplied near the upper tolerance limit may weigh more, while one near the lower limit may reduce weight but must still meet the specified standard and project requirements. Buyers should therefore compare the quoted dimensions, permitted tolerances and settlement basis together.
Packaging and transport should be reviewed separately. Lightweight packaging may lower the initial quotation but increase the risk of bent ends, scratched coatings or loose bundles during handling. For export orders, request the following details before comparing offers:
- Theoretical or actual-weight settlement
- Applicable dimensional and weight tolerances
- Packaging type and bundle weight
- Freight terms and loading quantity
Ask suppliers to quote on the same basis. This gives procurement teams a more accurate landed-cost comparison and reduces unexpected charges after production.
Pay Attention
Susceptibility to corrosion
This is the biggest drawback of structural steel. Steel structures are not corrosion-resistant, but this problem can now be completely overcome by applying anti-corrosion coatings.
Fatigue
This is a common problem with all metals. If you need the structural pipe to be twisted or deformed, choose carefully.
Structural Steel Fabricators
Information Needed for an Accurate Structural Steel Quote
When we receive a structural steel enquiry, we first check whether the specification can be matched to the correct material and production route. A workable RFQ normally includes six details:
- Product specification: Section shape, outside dimensions, wall thickness and length.
- Standard: Such as ASTM A500, EN 10210, EN 10219 or AS/NZS 1163.
- Steel grade: Include the complete grade rather than writing only “carbon steel.”
- Quantity: State the required tonnage or number of pieces for each size.
- Application: For example, building frames, equipment supports, columns or general fabrication.
- Surface finish: Black, galvanized, painted or another project-specified coating.
These details affect material selection, production availability, testing, packaging and freight. A common delay occurs when an enquiry lists only the section size and quantity but leaves out the standard or grade. The supplier may then quote a commercially available material that does not meet the project documents.
For a faster quotation, send the size list or bill of quantities together with the required standard, grade, destination port and delivery schedule. PANDAPIPE can then check specification availability and identify missing information before pricing.
Do you want to buy structural steel pipes? But don’t know how to choose? Then you can click the button below to contact PANDAPIPE! PANDAPIPE is a pipe manufacturer with 28 years of experience, with super high quality and professional pre-sales and after-sales service. Choosing PADNAPIPE is choosing peace of mind.
What Types Of Structural Steel Are There?
Carbon steel
Carbon steel contains no more than 0.4% to 0.6% copper, no more than 1.6% manganese, and no more than 0.6% silicon, with no other alloying elements added. Carbon steel is categorized as low carbon steel, medium carbon steel, and high carbon steel.
For more information about carbon steel, click here.
Common grades: GB/T 700, ASTM A36, ASTM A572
Forged steel
Forging steel is the process of making it plastic while it is in the solid state. The forging process can make the crystal structure uniform, eliminate pores and bubbles, and improve the overall strength.
Common grades: ASTM A182 F316、ASTM 4140
High-strength low-alloy steel
High Strength Low Alloy Steel (HSLA) has good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, making it more popular than carbon steel. It contains up to 2.0% manganese, as well as small amounts of chromium, nickel, molybdenum, nitrogen, vanadium, niobium and titanium, which form a protective film on the surface and are very corrosion-resistant.
Common grades: ASTM A606，ASTM A715
Need structural steel pipe or hollow sections for a fabrication project? Send PANDAPIPE your size list, required standard, steel grade, quantity, surface finish and destination port. Our team will review specification availability before preparing the quotation.
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