When you purchase steel tubing, quality is very important, especially if you want to avoid the cost, delays and stress of having to make any changes to products when they arrive. There are several factors to look for if you want to ensure you are dealing with a reliable manufacturer with your best interests in mind. If you want the best ERW tubes for your money here are the things you should consider.
1) Quality controls
Tubes should be manufactured with care and precision to ensure they are accurate to measurements and dimensions. The best providers will have quality control measures in place throughout manufacturing, ranging from inspecting the raw materials to checking the finished products to ensure the right standards are met at all times.
2) How good is the surface finish?
ERW tubes can come with a wide range of different finishes so they can be tailored to suit the application. The best provider will be able to advise you on which is best for your needs, whether you need something decorative, corrosion or chemical protection, heat treating or a texture.
3) Dimensional accuracy
Accuracy is important in every engineering project because even a tiny inaccuracy can cause a big problem. Dimensions need to be accurate to within a fraction of a millimetre, including the length, diameter, wall thickness and the angle of the cut. The tolerances of the tube also need to be correct to ensure you get the right rigidity and strength.
4) Stable mechanical properties
Tubes are most commonly used to create a framework or system, whether it is in a vehicle or a heating system. As a result each piece of tubing needs to be uniform in terms of strength, durability and workability. Whether you need a single piece of tubing or hundreds of lengths they should all be stable and exact.
5) Product range
ERW tubes can be made in several different shapes, diameters and thicknesses. The best providers will be able to make products to match your needs in each regard, delivering exactly what you need. It is always a good idea to have a look at what they offer to get a gauge of their skills; it takes a different skill set to make round and angular tubing. Additional experience is required when working with larger thicknesses.
If you’re looking for reliable suppliers based in the UK, we are here to help. As professional and experienced ERW steel tube supplier in the West Midlands, we can offer all the products you need, and we pride ourselves on offering fantastic quality and value for money.
