Square Steel Tube (SHS)

Overview of Square Steel Tube (SHS)

Square Steel Tube, commonly designated as SHS (Square Hollow Section), is a hot-rolled or cold-formed structural steel hollow section with a square cross-section where all four sides are of equal width. SHS sections are produced according to EN 10210-1 (hot-finished), EN 10219-1 (cold-formed), ASTM A500, ASTM A501, JIS G3466, and GB/T 6728 standards, and are designated by outer dimension and wall thickness, such as 50×50×4, 100×100×6, 150×150×8, and 200×200×10.

Square Steel Tube is one of the most widely used structural hollow sections in modern construction, industrial fabrication, furniture manufacturing, machinery, and architectural applications. Its symmetric square geometry provides equal structural resistance in both principal axes, making it particularly efficient for column members, post sections, and compression elements where loading can occur in multiple directions. SHS sections are commonly supplied in S235JR, S275JR, S355JR, and S355J2H steel grades per EN 10210-1 and EN 10219-1, as well as ASTM A500 Grade B and Grade C, JIS G3466 STKR400 and STKR490, and GB/T 6728 Q235B and Q355B for different international market requirements. Their clean geometric form, closed hollow section, and good strength-to-weight ratio make SHS tubes a preferred structural and architectural profile across building construction, infrastructure, equipment manufacturing, and a broad range of industrial applications.

Key Features and Manufacturing Process

Square Steel Tube SHS is produced through two main manufacturing routes. Hot-finished SHS (EN 10210) is made by hot rolling steel into a circular hollow section and then reforming it into a square profile at elevated temperature, producing sections with improved mechanical properties, better corner geometry, and more uniform residual stress distribution compared to cold-formed sections. Cold-formed SHS (EN 10219) is manufactured by cold-forming welded or seamless steel strip into a square tube at room temperature, providing economical production and a wider range of available dimensions.

Hot-finished SHS offers higher yield strength with better ductility, making it preferred for structural engineering applications specified to EN 1993 Eurocode 3 and BS 5950. Cold-formed SHS is more economical and widely available for general construction, furniture, and fabrication applications. SHS sections provide uniform wall thickness on all four sides, sharp corners with controlled external radii, and a closed cross-section that provides superior torsional stiffness compared to open sections. Available outer dimensions typically range from 20×20mm to 400×400mm with wall thicknesses from 1.5mm to 20mm, covering light architectural and furniture applications through to heavy structural columns. Standard steel grades include S235JR, S275JR, S355JR, S355J2H, Q235B, Q355B, ASTM A500 Grade B, and Grade C.

Main Applications of Square Steel Tube SHS

Square Steel Tube SHS is used across a broad range of structural, architectural, industrial, and commercial applications where its symmetric square geometry, closed hollow cross-section, and clean appearance provide functional and aesthetic advantages. In building and civil construction, SHS sections are used for structural columns, column sections in steel frame buildings, post-and-beam connections, architectural feature columns, staircase posts, balcony uprights, glass curtain wall support mullions, canopy support posts, and general structural framing.

In industrial and infrastructure applications, SHS tubes are used for equipment support frames, machine bases, conveyor structural members, racking and shelving systems, crane support columns, storage systems, agricultural equipment frames, greenhouse structures, fence posts, gate frames, bicycle and handrail support posts, trailer structural frames, automotive body structural reinforcements, and street furniture frames. In architectural and decorative applications, SHS sections are popular for exposed structural frames, feature columns, gallery and display systems, interior design structural elements, and commercial furniture frames where the clean square profile provides an attractive geometric appearance.

Why Choose Us for Square Steel Tube SHS

Shandong Tanglu Metal Material Co., Ltd. supplies high-quality Square Steel Tube SHS in both hot-finished and cold-formed specifications across a comprehensive range of outer dimensions and wall thicknesses. We provide SHS sections in S235JR, S275JR, S355JR, S355J2H, Q235B, Q355B, ASTM A500 Grade B, and Grade C steel grades, sourced from certified mills with stable chemical composition, verified mechanical properties, and consistent dimensional accuracy.

Every shipment can be supplied with EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 mill test certificate, certificate of origin, and third-party inspection documentation when required. We support standard lengths, custom cut-to-length service, and surface treatment options including shot blasting to Sa2.5, red primer painting, hot-dip galvanizing, and anti-rust oil coating. With stable stock of common SHS sizes, competitive pricing, professional export packaging, and flexible loading from major Chinese ports, we are a dependable Square Steel Tube SHS supplier for structural fabricators, construction contractors, distributors, and manufacturers worldwide.