Ultra-High-Strength Steel Tubing

ASTM International’s committee on steel, stainless steel, and related alloys (A01) is developing its first proposed standard on ultra-high-strength steel tubing, which is increasingly needed for innovation in the auto industry.

“There are no ASTM standards that currently address ultra-high-strength steel tubing,” says ASTM International member Dean Richardson. “The new standard will define the requirements for these new steels.”

According to Richardson, who directs the development of tubular products at L&W Group, the tubes covered in the proposed standard (WK62025) help reduce the amount of materials needed in production, lightening the weight of cars and reducing their energy consumption.

This effort directly relates to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #12, responsible production and consumption.

Richardson notes that the committee has worked with US Steel to acquire several varieties of new, high strength steel to fabricate tubes and trial-test the resulting examples.

“This material was crucial in getting the information used in creating the working outline of the proposed standard,” says Richardson. “Any input from other steel makers or fabricators would be welcome to develop a robust and useful specification.”   

ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member of ASTM. The next meeting of ASTM International committee on steel, stainless steel, and related alloys is November 4-7, 2019, in Houston, Texas, USA.