If you’re searching for metal pipe materials to use in your construction project, you’ve probably come across two types of hollow sections – round and square. Which one should you choose? Understanding the major differences between these hollow sections can be the key to selecting the right material to meet your needs and give you a strong structure for years. In this blog post, we will thoroughly examine the advantages and disadvantages of both piping styles, providing you with the information needed to determine which one is most suitable for your project!
What is Hollow Square Pipe?
The hollow square pipe is a metal tube with four sides and usually an open top. It can be made from various materials, such as aluminium, steel, and stainless steel. The hollow square pipe typically has inner walls with uniform thickness and diameter on all four sides for strength and durability. This type of pipe is used in many industrial applications, such as water lines, oil pipelines, plumbing fixtures, air compressor systems, automotive exhaust systems, and construction projects.
What are Round Hollow Sections?
Round Hollow Sections (RHS) are steel pipes used in various industrial applications. They have a circular cross-section and can be either welded or seamless. RHS offers many advantages such as high strength, corrosion resistance, lightweight, and cost-efficiency, making it an ideal choice for various construction projects. Moreover, they provide excellent structural support in areas with limited space due to their hollow section design. Additionally, their inner surface is smooth, which reduces friction losses while allowing the transport of fluids at higher pressures than solid sections. Therefore, RHS is an increasingly popular solution for many application needs of today’s industry.
Strength and Durability
When choosing a steel pipe for your project, you need to consider the strength and durability of the pipe. While both round hollow sections and hollow square pipe is durable and strong, the latter ones are more robust and sturdy. The square shape of hollow square pipes provides more resistance to torsion and bending, which gives them an edge over the round hollow sections. Hence, if you need a pipe that requires high weight-bearing capacity and resistance to bending, hollow square pipes can be a better option.
Aesthetics
Another important factor to consider while choosing the right steel pipe for your project is aesthetics—the appearance of the structure you are building matters a lot. Hollow square pipes are more visually attractive than round hollow sections. The square cross-section’s sharp edges and straight lines provide a modern and sleek appearance to the structure. On the other hand, round hollow sections can look more traditional and conventional. Therefore, if you want to give your project a contemporary or modern feel, you may prefer hollow square pipes.
Availability and Cost
The availability and cost of steel pipes are also crucial when choosing one for your project. In general, hollow square pipes are less readily available than round hollow sections, making them more expensive. On the other hand, contractors and builders frequently favor round hollow sections due to their low cost and easy availability, making them widely accessible. Therefore, if you want to save money on construction costs and select a readily available option, round hollow sections may be prudent.
Ease of Fabrication
The ease of fabrication is also a crucial factor to consider when selecting a steel pipe for your project. In general, one can easily fashion both hollow square pipe and round hollow sections into various shapes and sizes. However, the angular sides of hollow square pipes can sometimes make them more challenging to handle and weld than round hollow sections. Additionally, the square shape makes hollow square pipes more difficult to manufacture and can make them more expensive. Conversely, round hollow sections can be easier to cut and weld and are often more cost-effective in fabrication.
Weight
Finally, weight is an important consideration for projects with limited load-bearing capacity. While both hollow square pipes and round hollow sections are relatively lightweight, the former are generally heavier than the latter ones. The added weight of hollow square pipes makes them more robust and strengthens them. However, if you need to keep the weight of your project to a minimum, round hollow sections may be the better option.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, hollow square pipes and round hollow sections have advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the choice between them depends on the requirements of your project. You can select hollow square pipes for their higher strength and durability, attractive appearance, or to provide greater weight-bearing capacity. Alternatively, round hollow sections can be better if you prefer lower costs, ease of fabrication, or lower weight. Before choosing your steel pipe, evaluate all these factors to select the one that best fits your project’s needs.
