Steel Tubing Glossary of Terms
Totten Tubes is America's most diverse and specialized steel tube supplier. From our multiple locations across the North American West Coast, we deliver true one-stop-shop experiences for orders of rectangular, square, or round steel tube, including specialty steel tubing sizes such as jumbo HSS. In addition to our vast range and inventory of steel tube products, we are your top source for steel tubing knowledge and resources.
This glossary explains frequently used steel abbreviations and definitions related to steel tubing grades, standards, and measurements. These steel industry terms appear on material certifications, stock lists, and engineering documents, making them essential knowledge for buyers, engineers, and fabricators alike.
To use the glossary, simply find the steel products you are looking for in the chart below. Questions? Contact us online or call 800-882-3748 to speak with a representative directly, and we'll be happy to assist you.
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Contact us or request a quote today. Our friendly experts will help you navigate unfamiliar terminology to find the best steel tubing for your planned use. Get started today!
Understanding Steel Abbreviations and Pipe Terminology
When selecting the right steel tubing for a project, it is common to encounter unfamiliar abbreviations and technical steel industry terms. Understanding steel tube sizes, wall thickness, outside diameter (OD), inside diameter (ID), DOM tubing, ASTM specifications, and other steel pipe terminology is key to choosing material that meets performance and code requirements.This glossary explains frequently used steel abbreviations and definitions related to steel tubing grades, standards, and measurements. These steel industry terms appear on material certifications, stock lists, and engineering documents, making them essential knowledge for buyers, engineers, and fabricators alike.
To use the glossary, simply find the steel products you are looking for in the chart below. Questions? Contact us online or call 800-882-3748 to speak with a representative directly, and we'll be happy to assist you.
Steel Terms and Pipe Terminology Used in the Steel Industry
| AISI | American Iron & Steel Institute |
| ANSI | American National Standards Institute—formerly ASA |
| API | American Petroleum Institute |
| ASTM | American Society for Testing Materials |
| Bevel | The angle formed between the prepared edge of the steel pipe and a plane perpendicular to the surface. Standard line pipe bevel is 30 degrees |
| BDLS | Bundles…practice of packaging pipe. Pieces per bundle vary with size. |
| BW Pipe | Butt weld pipe |
| CFT | Per hundred feet |
| CREW | Cold rolled electric welded |
| CRAK | Cold rolled aluminum killed |
| CWT | Per hundred weight |
| Die stamping | Permanent marking placed on pipe as required in some specifications. |
| DOM | Drawn over mandrel |
| DRL | Double random length (35’ minimum average) |
| ERW | Electric resistance weld—method of producing pipe and tube |
| FOB | Free on board |
| FR | Flash removed |
| FR TEL | Flash removed—telescoping |
| FRT | Freight |
| Galv | Galvanizing—coating pipe with a protective coating of zinc |
| Grade A or Grade B | Designations used to indicate minimum yield and tensile strengths of steel in seamless and welded pipe. |
| HREW | Hot rolled electric welded |
| ID | Inside diameter—the OD measurement less double the wall thickness is the 1.0 measurement of a steel tube or pipe. |
| MTCR | Molded tubular cap rail |
| OD | Outside diameter |
| PE | Plain ends |
| R/L | Random length. Varying lengths of steel tube or pipe. |
| R Pipe | Railing pipe |
| RK | RedKote™ |
| SAW | Submerged arc weld—a method of producing very large OD steel tube or pipe |
| DSAW | Double submerged arc weld—DSAW pipe is available in API 5L grade A and B and API 5LX |
| SMLS | Seamless—a pipe without a seam or weld in the circumference |
| STRUC | Hot rolled structural steel tubing |
| SRL | Single random lengths—usually 16’ to 22’. Minimum average of 17’6”. |
| Stencil | Identification painted on pipe. Specification, size, wall, grade, test pressure, method of manufacture, and mill identification are usually indicated. |
| STD | Standard—same as schedule 40 (1/8” to 10” pipe) |
| TBE | Thread both ends |
| TOE | Thread one end |
| Yield Strength | The tensile stress required to produce a total elongation of 0.5% of the gauge length as determined by an extensometer. Expressed in PSI. |
| XHY | Extra heavy, also known as extra strong—pipe with walls heavier than standard weight. Same as schedule 80 in sizes 1/8” to 8” diameter. |
| XXHY | Double extra heavy (double extra strong) |
| A847 | Weathering steel |
Why Totten Tubes Is a Trusted Source for Steel Tubing Information
A Leading Steel Tube Distributor Since 1955
For decades, Totten Tubes has served as a premium domestic distributor of structural steel tube and steel pipe for a wide range of industrial applications. We work with customers across the most demanding industries, including manufacturing, steel fabrication, construction, infrastructure, and transportation sectors that rely on accurate specifications and tight tolerances.Extensive Inventory of Steel Tube and Pipe that Meet ASTM Standards
Our stock includes steel pipe and tube that meet major ASTM standards, including ASTM A500, A513, A519, A53, A106B, and A1085. We supply a wide range of tube shapes and material options, including:- Rectangular Tubing
- Square Tubing
- Round Tubing
- Jumbo HSS Tubing
- Carbon Steel Pipe
- Galvanized Pipe
- Stainless Steel Pipe
- Seamless Steel Pipe
Technical Resources for Steel Tube and Pipe
We support our customers with technical resources drawn directly from our active inventory. These include ASTM specification references, engineering data, and available stock list information:- ANSI Pipe Schedule Chart: Provides standard wall thicknesses and pressure ratings for steel pipe sizes
- ASTM Specification Sheets: Specs for mechanical and chemical requirements for steel tubing and pipe
- Steel Tube Stock List: Inventory guide for available shapes, sizes, and grades
Full Range of Steel Tube Fabrication Services
We also offer fabrication and processing services to help customers prepare materials for immediate use. These services apply to round, square, rectangular, and HSS products and help reduce shop work. Our fabrication services include:Learn How Totten Tubes Can Be Your Complete Steel Tube Supplier
Contact us or request a quote today. Our friendly experts will help you navigate unfamiliar terminology to find the best steel tubing for your planned use. Get started today!