Square Tube Weight Calculator – MS/SS/Aluminum Tube Weight Online

🔧 Square Tube Weight Calculator

Calculate the weight of square hollow tubes for MS Steel, Stainless Steel, Aluminum, and Brass materials with precision and ease.

mm
mm
meters

⚖️ Calculation Result

0.00
kg

📐 Formula Breakdown:

🧾 What is a Square Tube?

A square tube, also known as a square hollow section (SHS), is a structural steel product with a square cross-section and hollow interior. These tubes are widely used in construction, manufacturing, and engineering applications due to their excellent strength-to-weight ratio and uniform load distribution properties.

Square tubes are manufactured through various processes including cold forming, hot forming, and welding. The hollow design provides structural efficiency while reducing material usage and overall weight compared to solid square bars.

📐 Common Sizes and Applications

Square tubes are available in a wide range of sizes, typically ranging from 10mm x 10mm to 500mm x 500mm, with wall thicknesses varying from 1mm to 25mm or more. Common applications include:

  • Construction: Building frames, support structures, and architectural elements
  • Manufacturing: Machine frames, conveyor systems, and industrial equipment
  • Furniture: Table legs, chair frames, and decorative elements
  • Automotive: Chassis components and roll cages
  • Agriculture: Equipment frames and structural supports

⚙️ Weight Calculation Formula Explained

The weight calculation for square tubes involves several steps and unit conversions:

Step 1: Inner Width = Outer Width – (2 × Wall Thickness)
Step 2: Cross-sectional Area = Outer Width² – Inner Width² (in mm²)
Step 3: Volume = Area × Length × 0.001 (converts mm² to cm³)
Step 4: Weight = Volume × Material Density ÷ 1000 (converts to kg)

The factor 0.001 converts from mm³ to cm³, while dividing by 1000 converts from grams to kilograms.

📊 Material Comparison Chart

Material Density (g/cm³) Relative Weight Key Properties
MS Steel 7.85 100% Cost-effective, good strength, requires coating
Stainless Steel 8.0 102% Corrosion resistant, hygienic, premium cost
Aluminum 2.7 34% Lightweight, corrosion resistant, good conductivity
Brass 8.5 108% Decorative, antimicrobial, good machinability

🔁 Choosing the Right Material

MS Steel (Mild Steel)

Most economical option for general construction and manufacturing. Requires protective coating in corrosive environments. Excellent weldability and machinability make it ideal for structural applications.

Stainless Steel

Premium choice for food processing, medical equipment, and marine applications. Higher initial cost but lower maintenance requirements. Available in various grades (304, 316, 321) for different applications.

Aluminum

Ideal when weight reduction is critical, such as aerospace, automotive, and portable structures. Natural corrosion resistance and excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Higher cost per kg but lower total weight.

Brass

Primarily used for decorative applications, plumbing fittings, and electrical components. Natural antimicrobial properties make it suitable for high-touch surfaces.

💡 Wall Thickness Selection Guide

Wall thickness selection depends on several factors:

  • Structural Load: Higher loads require thicker walls
  • Span Length: Longer spans need increased thickness to prevent deflection
  • Cost Optimization: Balance between material cost and structural requirements
  • Manufacturing Constraints: Some processes have minimum thickness requirements

Common thickness ranges:

  • Light duty (1-2mm): Furniture, decorative applications
  • Medium duty (2-5mm): General construction, equipment frames
  • Heavy duty (5-15mm): Structural supports, heavy machinery
  • Extra heavy (15mm+): Critical structural elements, high-load applications

✅ Sample Calculations

Example 1: MS Steel Square Tube

Specifications: 50mm x 50mm, 3mm wall thickness, 6 meters length

Inner Width = 50 – (2 × 3) = 44mm
Area = 50² – 44² = 2500 – 1936 = 564 mm²
Volume = 564 × 6000 × 0.001 = 3384 cm³
Weight = 3384 × 7.85 ÷ 1000 = 26.56 kg

Example 2: Aluminum Square Tube

Specifications: 40mm x 40mm, 2mm wall thickness, 3 meters length

Inner Width = 40 – (2 × 2) = 36mm
Area = 40² – 36² = 1600 – 1296 = 304 mm²
Volume = 304 × 3000 × 0.001 = 912 cm³
Weight = 912 × 2.7 ÷ 1000 = 2.46 kg

🧠 Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between square pipe and square tube?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but technically, “pipe” refers to products used for fluid transport (with nominal dimensions), while “tube” refers to structural products with exact outside dimensions. Square tubes are primarily structural.
Is coating thickness included in the weight calculation?
No, this calculator provides the base metal weight only. Coatings like galvanizing, powder coating, or paint add minimal weight (typically 1-3% for galvanizing) and are usually considered separately in engineering calculations.
How accurate is this calculator for transportation planning?
The calculator provides theoretical weight with ±2% accuracy for standard materials. For transportation, add 5-10% safety margin to account for manufacturing tolerances, end caps, packaging, and handling equipment.
Can I use this calculator for rectangular tubes?
This calculator is specifically designed for square tubes. For rectangular tubes, you’ll need a rectangular tube weight calculator that accounts for different width and height dimensions.
What about hollow sections with different wall thicknesses on each side?
This calculator assumes uniform wall thickness. Non-uniform wall thickness tubes require specialized calculations and are typically custom-manufactured products with specific engineering drawings.

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📚 Additional Resources

For more detailed information about material properties and engineering standards: