EN 10210 S355 square and rectangular steel tubes are high-strength, hot-formed structural steel tubes that, due to their excellent mechanical properties and flexible range of applications, have become one of the commonly used materials in engineering projects
I. Product Overview
The EN 10210 standard, fully titled “Hot Finished Structural Hollow Sections of Non-Alloy and Fine Grain Steels,” applies to hot-formed circular, square, and rectangular steel tubes. S355 is a steel grade, belonging to high-strength non-alloy steel, possessing good yield strength and tensile strength.
Square and rectangular hollow sections are widely used in structural design, capable of withstanding large bending moments and pressures while ensuring lightweight construction.
II. Mechanical Properties of EN 10210 S355 Square and Rectangular Tubes
| Item | Parameter | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Steel Grade | S355 | High-strength non-alloy structural steel |
| Yield Strength ReH | ≥ 355 MPa | Load-bearing capacity of the pipe in the elastic deformation stage |
| Tensile Strength Rm | 470–630 MPa | Maximum stress at tensile fracture |
| Elongation A (%) | ≥ 20% | Post-fracture elongation, reflecting material ductility |
| Impact Toughness KV | ≥ 27 J (at room temperature) | Energy absorption capacity to ensure structural safety under impact |
| Bending Performance | Pipe can be smoothly cold-bent or hot-bent | Low internal stress in hot-formed pipes; bending is less prone to cracking |
| Hardness | HB 140–170 | Brinell hardness, reflecting steel strength and wear resistance |
III. Application Scenarios of EN 10210 S355 Square & Rectangular Hollow Sections
1. Building Structures
EN 10210 S355 Square & Rectangular Hollow Sections are widely used in the frame structures of high-rise buildings, commercial complexes, and industrial plants. They serve as supporting beams, columns, and trusses, efficiently bearing both vertical and horizontal loads. Compared with solid steel members, these hollow sections offer a lighter weight while maintaining excellent load-bearing capacity, making them ideal for modern lightweight steel structures.
2. Bridge Engineering
In bridge construction, EN 10210 S355 Square & Rectangular Hollow Sections are commonly applied in trusses, railings, guardrails, and column supports. As hot-formed structural tubes, they feature low residual stress and superior bending and shear resistance, ensuring structural stability under long-term loads. They are suitable for urban bridges, highway bridges, and pedestrian bridges where strength and durability are critical.
3. Industrial Plants and Machinery Support
Square and rectangular hollow sections are extensively used in factory building frames, equipment supports, and pipe rack systems. Heavy machinery frames and steel structural supports can be designed with different wall thicknesses and side dimensions to match specific equipment weights and load conditions, ensuring safety and cost efficiency.
4. High-Rise Steel Structure Engineering
For high-rise residential and office buildings, hot-formed hollow sections are often used in steel structure frameworks, including truss beams, connecting columns, and wall frames. Compared with EN 10219 Cold-Formed Welded Square Hollow Section, hot-formed EN 10210 products offer better overall mechanical performance and more uniform material properties, contributing to higher structural reliability. Their dimensional accuracy also allows for efficient fabrication and fast on-site welding.
5. Machinery and Transportation Equipment
Square and rectangular hollow sections are widely applied in vehicle chassis, transport frames, lifting machinery, and various equipment frames. Their excellent load-bearing capacity and impact resistance make them suitable for demanding operating conditions in transportation and heavy-duty machinery industries.
IV. EN 10210 S355 Square and Rectangular Tube Selection Recommendations
1. Selecting Dimensions Based on Structural Load
- The side length and wall thickness directly determine the load-bearing capacity of the tube.
- Light-load structures (e.g., small sheds, indoor supports): 30×30 mm ~ 60×60 mm, wall thickness 3–5 mm
- Medium loads (e.g., factory roof trusses, equipment supports): 80×80 mm ~ 150×150 mm, wall thickness 5–10 mm
- Heavy-load structures (bridges, heavy machinery, steel structure frameworks): 200×200 mm ~ 500×500 mm, wall thickness 10–16 mm or thicker. For such applications, EN 10210 S355 Square & Rectangular Hollow Sections are often recommended due to their high strength and durability.
2. Selecting Surface Treatment Based on Environmental Conditions
- Indoor dry environment: Bright hot-rolled tubes can be used directly, with only anti-rust oil applied.
- Outdoor or humid environment: Galvanizing or painting is recommended to improve corrosion resistance.
- Special corrosive environments (seaside, chemical plants): Hot-dip galvanizing + anti-corrosion coating can be considered to extend service life.
3. Selection based on construction and processing methods
- Welding structures: EN 10210 S355 square & rectangular hollow sections have good welding performance and are suitable for TIG, MIG, and manual welding.
- Bending processing: Hot-formed tubes have low internal stress, are less prone to cracking during bending, and are suitable for on-site construction or mechanical processing.
- Custom length processing: Lengths can be cut according to project requirements, reducing on-site splicing and saving working hours.
4. Selection of pipe type based on functional requirements
- Square tubes: Suitable for uniform loads, commonly used for columns, beams, and frames.
- Rectangular tubes: Suitable for bending loads, ideal for beams, trusses, and lateral supports.
- High-strength requirements: Thick-walled square and rectangular tubes can be selected to ensure structural safety.
5. Selection Based on Economic Considerations
- Reasonable Wall Thickness: Choose the minimum wall thickness that meets the load-bearing requirements to avoid waste.
- Bulk Purchasing: Standardize purchases based on commonly used specifications to reduce costs.
- Processing Efficiency: Hot-formed products such as EN 10210 S355 Square & Rectangular Hollow Sections offer high dimensional accuracy and low residual stress, reducing on-site adjustments and significantly improving construction efficiency.
6. Suggested Selection Process
- Determine the structural type and load-bearing requirements.
- Calculate the side length and wall thickness of the square/rectangular tube based on the load.
- Select the surface treatment method, considering environmental factors.
- Determine the length and required dimensions.
- Confirm feasibility based on construction and processing methods.
- Finally, verify the standard specifications and tolerances provided by the supplier.















