Which Box Section?

[Scamp]

Hi guys,

Now I know I should really already know this information, but it is amazing what the mind will forget over a number of years.

Can someone please explain the differences between Hot Rolled, Cold Rolled and ERW? It is mainly the price thing that I am more concerned about, but any advise is welcome. Mainly looking to be making gates and a small trailer.

I do remember that ERW is supplied with a very clean finish with quite sharp corners and that it is what we used to order when we wanted thin wall imperial size box and tube and as such is probably the most expensive. But for the life of me I cannot remember if we ordered hot or cold rolled for general fab work. I know I could ask the stockholder, but as the same guy is still on the sales team from when I was last in the trade (10+ years ago) I don't really want to come across as being that much of a numpty and have him decide not to sharpen his pencil as much as he used to.

In advance, thanks.

 

[pedrobedro]

Hot rolled usually has scale finish unless it's been pickled. ERW is just electric resistance welded and can apply to square, oblong or round tube. RHS is probably what you used before and it can come in metric or imperial and has rounded or sharp square edges depending where it is from. Most suppliers will discount for quantity if you plan ahead and buy enough for a few jobs.

 

[Scamp]

RHS is probably what you used before and it can come in metric or imperial and has rounded or sharp square edges depending where it is from.

That sounds familiar. RHS meanins Rolled Hollow Section, yes? Comes well oiled and has no mill scale but a black(ish) finish. Would RHS also be used to refer to rectangle section?

I got a little confussed as I went on the ASD website to look at the sizes and they have the 3 different options.

 

[Welderpaul]

RHS stands for rectangular hollow section.

Generally the thicker the wall of the section is, the larger the radius on the edges

 

[Drains]

I got a little confussed as I went on the ASD website to look at the sizes and they have the 3 different options.

Got to watch that website. They say they stock RSJ - but RSJ isn't made any more as far as I can tell as it's old British Standard. The nearest sizes, which can be pretty similar, are Universal Beam. No 76mm x 76mm then!

 

[Scamp]

Thanks guys. I'll give KASS a ring tomorrow and have a chat. I've got one gate job that needs 50 x 100 as each gate is just over 3m and possibly another smaller gate job for the manager at work using 40 x 40. And also want to strip an existing trailer and turn it into something a bit more useful and get some 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" 14 guage for repairs to my kit car chassis, so really want to order it all in one hit to try and reduce any carriage costs.