This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: A618/A618M − 21

Standard Specification for

Hot-Formed Welded and Seamless High-Strength Low-Alloy
Structural Tubing1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A618/A618M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope* Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-

1.1 This specification covers grades of hot-formed welded mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
and seamless high-strength low-alloy square, rectangular, Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
round, or special shape structural tubing for welded, riveted, or 2. Referenced Documents
bolted construction of bridges and buildings and for general
structural purposes. When the steel is used in welded 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
construction, the welding procedure shall be suitable for the A370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
steel and the intended service. of Steel Products
A700 Guide for Packaging, Marking, and Loading Methods
1.2 Square and rectangular tubing is produced with flats of for Steel Products for Shipment
1 in. to 16 in. [25 mm to 405 mm] and a specified wall A751 Test Methods and Practices for Chemical Analysis of
iTeh Standards
thickness of 0.095 in. to 1.0 in. [2.5 mm to 25 mm]. Round
tubing is produced with diameters of 1 in. to 48 in. [25 mm to
Steel Products
A941 Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Related
1220 mm] and a specified wall thickness of 0.095 in. to 2.50 in.
[2.5 mm to 65 mm]. (https://standards.iteh.ai) Alloys, and Ferroalloys
G101 Guide for Estimating the Atmospheric Corrosion Re-
1.3 This specification covers the following grades: Ia, Ib, II, sistance of Low-Alloy Steels
III, IV, V, VI and VII. Document Preview
1.4 The text of this specification contains notes and foot-
2.2 Federal Standard:3
Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipments (Civil Agencies)
notes that provide explanatory material. Such notes and 2.3 Military Standard:3
footnotes, excluding those in tables and figures,ASTM A618/A618M-21
do not contain MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage
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any mandatory requirements.
3. Terminology
1.5 This specification is expressed in both inch-pound units
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
and in SI units; however, unless the purchase order specifies
specification, refer to Terminology A941.
the applicable M specification designation (SI units), the
inch-pound units shall apply. The values stated in either SI 4. Ordering Information
units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as
standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. 4.1 Orders for material under this specification should
The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; include the following as required to describe the material
therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. adequately:
Combining values from the two systems may result in noncon- 4.1.1 Quantity (weight in metric tons, feet [meters], or
formance with the standard. number of lengths),
4.1.2 Name of the material (hot-formed tubing),
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor- 4.1.3 Method of manufacture (seamless or welded),
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 4.1.4 Grade (Ia, Ib, II, III, IV, V, VI or VII),
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
A01.09 on Carbon Steel Tubular Products. the ASTM website.
3
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2021. Published September 2021. Originally Available from U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of
approved in 1968. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as A618/A618M – 04 Documents, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Washington, DC 20401-0001, http://
(2015). DOI: 10.1520/A0618_A0618M-21. www.access.gpo.gov.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

1
 A618/A618M − 21
4.1.5 Size (outside diameter and nominal wall thickness for 6.3 The weld shall not be located within the radius of the
round tubing and the outside dimensions and nominal wall corners of any tube having one or more flat sides.
thickness for square and rectangular tubing),
4.1.6 Length (random, multiple, or specific; see 12.4), 6.4 It shall be permissible for tubing with a wall thickness
4.1.7 End condition (see 16.5), greater than 1⁄2 in. [13 mm] to add a normalizing heat
4.1.8 Burr removal (see 16.5), treatment.
4.1.9 Certification (see Section 18), 6.5 A quenching and tempering process shall be used for
4.1.10 Packaging, package marking, and loading for ship- Grade V, Grade VI and Grade VII and may be used for Grade
ment (see Section 20), IV.
4.1.11 Product analysis (see Supplementary Requirements
S1), 7. Heat Analysis
4.1.12 Specification designation (A618 or A618M, includ-
ing year date), 7.1 When subjected to heat analysis the steel shall conform
4.1.13 End use, and to the requirements prescribed in Table 1.
4.1.14 Special requirements. 7.1.1 For Grades Ia and Ib, the choice and use of alloying
elements, combined with carbon, manganese, and sulfur within
5. Process the limits prescribed in Table 1 to give the mechanical
5.1 The steel shall be made by basic-oxygen, or electric- properties prescribed in Table 2 and to provide atmospheric
arc-furnace steelmaking process. corrosion resistance, should be made by the manufacturer and
5.2 Steel may be cast in ingots or may be strand cast. included and reported in the heat analysis for information
purposes only to identify the type of steel applied. For Grades
5.3 When steels of different grades are sequentially strand
cast, identification of the resultant transition material is re- Ia and Ib material, the atmospheric corrosion-resistance index,
quired. The producer shall remove the transition material by calculated on the basis of the chemical composition of the steel
any established procedure that positively separates the grades. as described in Guide G101, shall be 6.0 or higher.

6. Manufacture iTeh Standards NOTE 1—The user is cautioned that the Guide G101 predictive equation
for calculation of an atmospheric corrosion–resistance index has been

welded (continuous-welded),(https://standards.iteh.ai)
6.1 The tubing shall be made by the seamless, furnace-butt- verified only for the composition limits stated in that guide.
or hot-stretch-reduced electric- 7.1.2 When Grade III is required for enhanced corrosion

Document
shall be made by a hot Preview
resistance-welded process. resistance, copper limits may be specified and the minimum
6.2 The final cross section formation content shall be 0.20 % by heat analysis and 0.18 % by product
forming process. analysis.

ASTM A618/A618M-21
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TABLE 1 Chemical RequirementsA
Composition, %
Grade Ia Grade Ib Grade II Grade III Grade IV Grade VE Grade VIF Grade VIIF
Element
Heat Product Heat Product Heat Product Heat Product Heat Product Heat Product Heat Product Heat Product

Carbon, max 0.15 0.18 0.20 ... 0.22 0.26 0.23B 0.27B 0.22 0.25 0.25 0.27 0.20 0.22 0.20 0.22
Manganese, 1.00 1.04 1.35 1.40 1.25 1.30 1.35B 1.40B 1.6 1.65 1.6 1.65 1.7 1.7 1.75 1.75
max
Phosphorus, 0.15 0.16 0.025 0.035 0.025 0.035 0.025 0.035 0.025 0.030 0.025 0.030 0.025 0.030 0.025 0.030
max
Sulfur, max 0.025 0.045 0.025 0.035 0.025 0.035 0.025 0.035 0.020 0.025 0.020 0.025 0.020 0.025 0.020 0.025

Silicon, max ... ... ... ... 0.30 0.33 0.30 0.35 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50
Copper, min 0.20 0.18 0.20C 0.18C 0.20 0.18 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Vanadium, min ... ... ... ... 0.02 0.01 0.02D 0.01D 0.05 0.04 0.05 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05
Chromium, min ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0.10 0.10 0.20 0.20
Molybdenum, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0.10 0.10 0.20 0.20
min
A
Where an ellipsis (...) appears in this table, there is no requirement.
B
For each reduction of 0.01 % C below the specified carbon maximum, an increase of 0.05 % manganese above the specified maximum will be permitted up to 1.45 %
for the heat analysis and up to 1.50 % for the product analysis.
C
If chromium and silicon contents are each 0.50 % min, then the copper minimums do not apply.
D
Columbium may be used in conformance with the following limits: 0.005 %, min (heat) and 0.004 %, min (product).
E
Boron may be used up to a max. 0.0040 %.
F
Other alloying elements, like tungsten, columbium or nickel, may also be used.

2
 A618/A618M − 21
TABLE 2 Tensile and Impact Requirements
Thickness in. Grades Ia, Grade
Grade III Grade V Grade VI Grade VII
[mm] Ib, and IIA IV
65 000 80 000 100 000 112 000 139 000
# 3⁄4 [19] 70 000 [485]
[450] [550] [690] [770] [960]
> ⁄ [19] and
34 65 000 78 000 100 000 104 000 133 000
Tensile strength, min, psi [MPa] 67 000 [460]
# 1 1⁄2 [38] [450] [540] [690] [720] [920]
> 1 1⁄2 [38] and 78 000 90 000 99 000 125 000
– –
# 2 1⁄2 [65] [540] [620] [680] [860]
50 000 67 000 90 000 100 000 129 000
# 3⁄4 [19] 50 000 [345]
[345] [460] [620] [690] [890]
> ⁄ [19] and
34 64 000 84 000 94 000 123 000
Yield strength, min, psi [MPa] 46 000 [315] –
# 1 1⁄2 [38] [440] [580] [650] [850]
> 1 1⁄2 [38] and 62 000 73 000 84 000 116 000
– –
# 2 1⁄2 [65] [430] [500] [580] [800]
Elongation in 2 in. or 50 mm, min, % All 22 20 19 18 17 16
Elongation in 8 in. or 200 mm, min, % All 19 18 17 16 15 14
Impact Energy, min. average ft/lbf [J] (see 10.4) 20 [27] 20 [27] 20 [27] 20 [27] 20 [27]
–
min. single ft/lbf [J] (see 10.4) 14 [19] 14 [19] 14 [19] 14 [19] 14 [19]
A
For Grade II, when the material is normalized, the minimum yield strength and minimum tensile strength required shall be reduced by 5 ksi [35 MPa].

8. Product Analysis 11. Dimensions

8.1 When product analysis is ordered (see 4.1.11 and S1) the 11.1 Round Structural Tubing—The dimensions are defined
tubing shall conform to the requirements specified in Table 1. by outside diameter (OD) and the wall thickness (t).
11.2 Square and Rectangular Structural Tubing—The out-
9. Tensile Requirements
side dimensions are defined by length of 1st side (H), length of
9.1 The material, as represented by the test specimen, shall 2nd side (B) and the wall thickness (t). The nominal weight

Table 2. iTeh Standards ~ ~

conform to the tensile property requirements prescribed in (W) shall be calculated by the following equation:
490 2 t B 1 H ! 2 ~ 5.07 t 2 !!

(https://standards.iteh.ai)
9.2 Elongation may be determined on a gage length of either
2 in. [50 mm] or 8 in. [200 mm] at the manufacturer’s choice.
W5
144
lb⁄ft (1)

10. Impact Requirements Document F

Preview
~ ~
W 5
0.785 2 t B 1 H ! 2 ~ 5.07 t 2 !!
100
k g ⁄ m G
10.1 For Grades III, IV, V, VI, VII the Charpy V-notch where:
impact test specimens shall conform to the requirements
W = weight, lb/ft [kg/m],
prescribed in Table 2. Impact tests are not ASTM A618/A618M-21
required for H = length of 1st side, or longer side at rectangular
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thicknesses smaller than or equal to 0.250 in. [6.3 mm], unless dimensions, inch [mm],
specified. B = length of 2nd side, or shorter side at rectangular
10.2 Charpy V-notch tests shall be made in accordance with dimensions, inch [mm],
Test Methods and Definitions A370. One test shall consist of a t = wall thickness, inch [mm].
set of three specimens. Standard specimens 10 mm by 10 mm NOTE 2—The resulting corresponding sectional properties should be
[0.394 in. by 0.394 in.] in cross section shall be used unless the calculated separately, for example, per ISO 12633-2.
material to be tested is of insufficient thickness, in which case 11.3 Special Shape Structural Tubing—The dimensions and
the largest obtainable subsize specimens shall be used. Accep- tolerances of special shape structural tubing are available by
tance criteria for subsize specimens shall be in accordance with inquiry and negotiation with the manufacturer.
Test Methods and Definitions A370.
12. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
10.3 One Charpy V-notch impact test shall be made from a
length of tubing representing each lot. 12.1 Outside Dimensions:
12.1.1 Round Structural Tubing—For outside diameter
10.4 The test results of standard full-size longitudinal speci- greater than 2.0 in [50 mm], the outside diameter shall not vary
mens shall meet a minimum average per set of three specimens more than 61 % from the specified outside diameter. For
and minimum single value as specified in Table 2. The outside diameter 2.0 in. [50 mm] and under, the outside
specimen axis shall be parallel to the tubing axis and the notch diameter shall not vary more than 61⁄48 in. [0.50 mm] from the
shall be normal to the surface of the material. For wall specified outside diameter.
thicknesses 1.5 in. [38 mm] and less, the specimens shall be 12.1.2 Square, Rectangular, and Special Shape Structural
located with their surface at least 0.08 in. [2 mm] from the Tubing—The outside dimensions are measured across the flats
material surface; for wall thicknesses greater than 1.5 in. [38 at positions 2.0 in. [50 mm] from the ends of the tubing. For
mm], the specimens shall be located with their axial plane at outside dimensions greater than 2.0 in. [50 mm], the outside
least 1⁄4 times the wall thickness from the material surface. dimensions shall not vary more than 61 % from the specified
10.5 The maximum test temperature shall be 0°F [–18°C]. outside dimension. For outside dimensions 2.0 in. [50 mm] and

3
 A618/A618M − 21
under, the outside dimension shall not vary more than 61⁄48 in. 13.2 The term “lot” shall apply to all tubes of the same
[0.50 mm] from the specified outside dimension. specified size that are produced from the same heat of steel.
12.2 Wall Thickness—The wall thickness at any point of 14. Retests
measurement of the structural tubing shall vary by no more
14.1 If the results of the mechanical tests representing any
than –10 % from the specified wall thickness. For square,
lot fail to conform to the applicable requirements specified in
rectangular, and special shaped structural tubing, the wall
Sections 9 and 10, the lot shall be rejected or retested using
thickness requirements shall only apply to the centers of the
additional tubing of double the original number from the lot.
flats.
The lot shall be acceptable if the results of all such retests
12.3 Weight—The weight of the structural tubing shall vary representing the lot conform to the specified requirements.
by no more than 3.5 % under or 10 % above its nominal
14.2 If one or both of the retests specified in 14.1 fail to
weight. For square and rectangular structural tubing the nomi-
conform to the applicable requirements specified in Sections 9
nal weight shall be calculated per 11.2.
and 10, the lot shall be rejected or, subsequent to the manu-
12.4 Length—Structural tubing is commonly produced in facturer heat treating, reworking, or otherwise eliminating the
random lengths of 16 ft to 22 ft [5 m to 7 m] or 32 ft to 44 ft condition responsible for the failure, the lot shall be treated as
[10 to 14 m], in multiple lengths, and in specific lengths. When a new lot and tested accordingly.
specific lengths are ordered, the permissible variations in
length shall be as given in Table 3. 15. Test Method
12.5 Straightness—The permissible variation for straight- 15.1 Tension test specimens shall conform to the applicable
ness of structural tubing shall be 1⁄8 in. times the number of feet requirements of Test Methods and Definitions A370, Annex
[10 mm times the number of meters] of total length divided by A2.
5. 15.2 Tension test specimens shall be full-size longitudinal
NOTE 3—It is recommended that for compression members and other test specimens or longitudinal strip test specimens. For welded
applications for which straightness is of particular concern more stringent tubing, any longitudinal strip test specimens shall be taken
requirements shall be specified.

iTeh Standards
from a location at least 90° from the weld and shall be prepared
12.6 Squareness of Sides—For square and rectangular struc- without flattening in the gauge length. Longitudinal strip test
tural tubing, adjacent sides shall be square (90°), with a specimens shall have all burrs removed. Tension test specimens
permissible variation of 61°.
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12.7 Radius of Corners—For square, rectangular, and spe-
shall not contain surface imperfections that would interfere
with proper determination of the tensile properties.

the section shall not exceed two times Document

the specified wall Preview
cial shape structural tubing, the radius of any outside corner of 15.3 The yield strength corresponding to an offset of 0.2 %
of the gauge length or to a total extension under load of 0.5 %
thickness. of the gage length shall be determined.
12.8 Twist—For square, rectangular, and ASTM special A618/A618M-21
shape 16. Inspection
structural tubing, the permissible variations in twist shall not
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vary more than 1⁄12 in. + 1⁄144 in./ft [2.1 mm + 0.5 mm/m]. Twist 16.1 All tubing shall be subject to an inspection at the place
measurements shall not be taken within 2 in. [50 mm] of the of manufacture to assure conformance with the requirements of
ends of the tubing. this specification.
NOTE 4—A recommended method for determining twist is to hold one 16.2 The structural tubing shall be free of defects and shall
end of the tubing down on a flat surface plate, measure the height that each have a smooth finish resulting from the hot rolling manufac-
corner on the bottom side of the tubing extends above the surface plate
near the opposite end of the tubing, and calculate the twist (the difference turing process.
in the measured heights of such corners). 16.3 Surface imperfections shall be classed as defects when
12.9 Concavity and Convexity—For square, rectangular, and the depth of the imperfections exceeds 10 % of the nominal
special shape structural tubing, the tolerance for concavity and wall thickness.
convexity is 1 % from the specified outside dimension. 16.4 Repair by welding shall only be permitted when the
depth of the imperfection does not exceed 10 % of the nominal
13. Number of Tests wall thickness and is agreed to between the purchaser and the
13.1 One tension test as specified in 15.2 shall be made from producer. Imperfections to be repaired shall be completely
a length of tubing representing each lot. removed by chipping or grinding prior to welding.
16.5 Unless otherwise specified in the purchase order,
TABLE 3 Permissible Variations in Length for Specific Lengths of
structural tubing shall be furnished with square cut ends. The
Structural Tubing burr shall be held to a minimum. When so specified in the
Specific Length
purchase order, the burr shall be removed on the outside
22 ft [7 m] Over 22 to 44 ft diameter, inside diameter, or both.
and Under [7 m to 14 m], incl
Over Under Over Under 17. Rejection
Permissible variations in
length, in. [mm]
⁄ [13]
12 ⁄ [6]
14 ⁄ [19]
34 ⁄ [6]
14
17.1 Each length of tubing received from the manufacturer
may be inspected by the purchaser and, if it does not meet the