Your First Choice in Steel Tubular Products

Structural steel tubing has gained much popularity in recent years and the reasons are many. When you begin with a product that has structural integrity, is pleasing to the eye and its uses are virtually endless no wonder. This brochure is an invitation for designers, technical and procurement professionals, to take a look at Independence Tubes wide variety of products, sizes, shapes, services and the ability to work with you to design the product that best ts your application. After you have had a chance to review all the benets, Independence Tube believes we can help you with the most challenging applications. Please come and experience a world of possibilities.

Three Divisions, One Mission, Many Possibilities

Marseilles, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Decatur, Alabama

Chicago, Illinois
Since Independence Tube was founded in 1972, it has been in the forefront of tube technology, manufacturing square and rectangular tubing. Independence Tubes philosophy has been simple: to supply the nest tubing product while helping customers nd solutions for their sophisticated applications.

Marseilles, Illinois
Because of our reputation, Independence Tube serves some of the most sophisticated, demanding, and notable manufacturing sectors including Agricultural, Transportation, Lighting, and Material Handling Equipment.

Decatur, Alabama
From 53,000 square feet in 1972 to over 1.7 million square feet today, Independence Tube has 3 locations to serve you. The Independence Tube name is synonymous with quality, service, and delivery.
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Customer Benets
When Independence Tube says its applications are as endless as the designers imagination, thats no exaggeration. In fact, Independence Tube makes the entire process, from inquiry to delivery, customer friendly. And the reasons are many.

Industrys Most Popular Sizes

Now, Independence Tube can produce 2" square to 12" square tubing (plus corresponding rectangles) with walls from .125" to .625". Independence Tube also offers rounds from 1.660" OD to 16" OD with walls from .109" to .625". All Independence Tubes structural tubing is produced in accordance with the mechanical and chemical property requirements of ASTM A500 (Grades B & C) and ASTM A513 and ASTM A252.

Unsurpassed Rolling Schedule

Since Independence Tube was founded in 1972, we have been offering our customers a yearly published, on-time rolling schedule that is second to none in the industry. You can manage your inventory more closely, knowing that your products will be ready when promised. Add to that Vender Managed Inventory, Electronic Data Interchange, Bar Coding and Customer Secure Portal, you have one efcient way of doing business. Please refer to the inside back pocket for our rolling schedule.

On-line Customer Shopping Network

With Independence Tubes continued efforts to help simplify the customers job, we have implemented a 24/7 customer portal. The next time you are on-line, please take a moment and visit IndependenceTube.com. Youll be surprised how easy we make it to link you to a complete menu of products and services, bundle charts, our rolling schedule, and much more.

Value Added Products and Services

I.D. Flash Removal High Strength Low Alloy ITC 100 Structural Steel Tubing Flash Controlling Bandsaw Cutting Weld on the Short Side Special Tolerances

Engineered Structural Steel Tubing: The Product of Choice

Cost effective and versatile, Engineers and Designers specify welded steel tubing for a progressively widening variety of applications. It may be used straight, where the strength-to-weight advantage is the prime requirement, or in other designs requiring curved members or parts. Savings result from its use because the workability of welded steel tubing means less scrap loss and better adaptability to applications where more expensive and less reliable materials and forms have been used.

The Fabrication Process

Flat Rolled Steel
Welded steel tubing is fabricated from at rolled steel received in coils from the steel manufacturers. Independence Tube species thickness, width, chemical analysis and mechanical properties to insure the production of tubing, which meets our quality standards. All coils are identied and tagged by Independence Tube for identication. Wide coils are slit to width, which is determined by the as-welded tube size. Structural steel tubing is made from hot band coil which has a surface nish ideally suited for painting, and often possess higher tensile strength properties, particularly yield strength.

Forming and Sizing

Welded steel tubing is formed, welded and cut to length on one machine. The at steel is passed through consecutive paired rolls with contoured grooves, which gradually form the cold steel into a tubular shape. It enters the welding unit where the butted edges are joined by the electric resistance welding method. Accurate and proper contact of the steel edges is very important.

The tubing after welding enters the sizing section, a set of rolls in pairs with accurate semi-circular grooves. Tubing is generally welded slightly oversize and this section gives it the correct outside diameter. Finish on both the forming and sizing rolls is very important. They are made from high-grade tool steel or carbide and are highly polished. They maintain the surface of the at steel form which tubing is produced and actually improve it. Tubing is next propelled to the cut-off mechanism, the forward speed of which is synchronized with the tube so that the cut-off operation is performed on the y. It may be a revolving head containing discs or a high-speed rotary saw.

Welding Strength
Electric resistance welding (ERW) is the normal procedure for carbon steels. As the name implies, the heat for welding the butted edges together is generated by the resistance of the steel to the ow of an electrical current. The heat is conned to a narrow band along the edges with the highest temperature at the extreme edges. The balance of the tube remains cold. A low frequency alternating current of low voltage and high amperage is conducted to the strip edges by a pair of copper alloy discs, which are insulated from each other. These are electrodes which contact the tubing surface immediately adjacent to the butted edge and rotate as the tube is propelled under them. Frequencies generally range from 30 to 360 cycles per second. A set of rolls directly under the electrodes squeezes the butted edges together while they are at welding heat to complete the weld. No extraneous metal is added in the welding operation. Direct current is also used.

ASTM A500
Cold-Formed ERW Round, Square and Rectangular Structural Steel Tubing in Grades B And C.
Outside Dimension Tolerances for Square and Rectangle Structural Tubing
Chemical Composition
Carbon, max % Manganese, max % Phosphorus, max % Sulphur, max % Copper, when copper steel is specied, min %

Grade B
0.26 ---0.04 0.05 0.20

Grade C
0.23 1.35 0.04 0.05 0.20

Largest Outside Dimension (in)

2-1/2" and under 2-1/2" to 3-1/2" 3-1/2" to 5-1/2" 5-1/2" and over

Plus/minus*
0.020 0.025 0.030 1%

Mechanical Properties Shapes

Tensile Strength, min psi Yield Strength, min psi Elongation in 2" min *.180" wall and over **.120" wall and over

Grade B
58,000 46,000 23%*

Grade C
62,000 50,000 21%**

Mechanical Properties Rounds

Tensile Strength, min psi Yield Strength, min psi Elongation in 2" min *.180" wall and over **.120" wall and over

Grade B
58,000 42,000 23%*

Grade C
62,000 46,000 21%**

* Tolerance includes allowance for convexity or concavity. For rectangular tubing having a ratio of outside large to small at dimension less than 1.5, and for square tubing, the tolerance on small at dimension shall be identical to the large at dimension tolerance. For rectangular tubing having a ratio of outside large to small at dimension in the range of 1.5 to 3.9 inclusive, the tolerance on small at dimension shall be 1.5 times the large at dimension tolerance. For rectangular tubing having a ratio of outside large to small at dimension greater than 3.0, the tolerance on small at dimension shall be 2.0 times the permissible variations in large at dimension.

Permissible Variations in Twist for Square and Rectangular Structural Tubing

Specied Outside Large Flat Dimension
Over 1-1/2" to 2-1/2" Over 2-1/2" to 4" Over 4" to 6" Over 6" to 8" Over 8"

NOTES:
Straightness: .025" times the number of ft of total length Squareness of sides: Deviation from 90 by 2% max Radius of Corners: The radius of any outside corner shall not exceed 3.0 times the specied wall thickness. Wall Thickness: 10% of nominal wall thickness, as measured at the center of the at.

Maximum twist in 3 feet

0.062" 0.075" 0.087" 0.100" 0.112"

SPECIFICATIONS
All Independence Tube structural tubing is produced in accordance with the mechanical and chemical property requirements of ASTM A500, Grades A, B, and C.

Mechanical Properties
Grade A Tensile Strength, min. psi Yield Strength, min. psi Elongation in 2" min. 3/16" wall & heavier 1.8" wall 45,000 39,000 25% 25% Grade B 58,000 46,000 23% 19.5% Grade C 62,000 50,000 21% 21%

Chemical Properties
Grade A & B Carbon, max % Manganese, max % Phosphorous, max % Sulphur, max % Copper, when copper steel is specified, min % 0.04 0.05 0.20 0.26 Grade C 0.23 1.35 0.04 0.05 0.20

Outside Dimensions
Largest Outside Dimension (in) 2.5 and under Over 2.5 to 3.5 inclusive Over 3.5 to 5.5 inclusive Over 5.5 Tolerance * +/- 0.020 +/- 0.025 +/- 0.030 +/- 1%

*Tolerance includes allowance for convexity or concavity. For rectangular tubing having a ratio of outside large to small at dimension less than 1.5, and for square tubing, the tolerance on small at dimension shall be identical to the large at dimension tolerance. For rectangular tubing having a ratio of outside large to

small at dimension in the range of 1.5 to 3.9 inclusive, the tolerance on small at dimension shall be 1.5 times the large at dimension tolerance. For rectangular tubing having a ratio of outside large to small at dimension greater than 3.0, the tolerance on small at dimension shall be 2.0 times the large at dimension tolerance.

Twist
Longest Side (in) Over 1.5 to 2.5 inclusive Over 2.5 to 4 inclusive Over 4 to 6 inclusive Over 6 to 8 inclusive Over 8 Maximum Twist in 3 Feet (in) 0.062 0.075 0.087 0.100 0.112

Flash Remove
The electric resistance welding process extrudes a small amount of metal (weld ash) on both the inside (I.D) and outside (O.D) of the tube during the manufacturing process. The outside ash is always removed from the O.D of the tube with a cutting tool keeping the outside surface smooth and uniform. Independence Tube also has the ability to remove the inside ash when needed for telescoping applications, or when a mandrel is inserted in the I.D. for punching, drilling or bending. Independence Tube can ash remove the sizes below:

Flash Removal by Division

Chicago Squares Rectangles Rounds 2" SQ through 6" SQ 2" x 1" through 8" x 4" 4.000", 5.000", 5.500", 5.563", 6.000", 6.625" OD Marseilles 5" SQ through 10" SQ 6" x 4" through 12" x 8" 8.625" OD 12.750" OD Decatur 6" SQ through 12" SQ 7" x 5" through 16" x 8" 8.625" OD 14" OD

Tube Band Saw Cutting

Independence Tube can band saw cut in-house rounds, squares and rectangles at all 3 of our Divisions; Chicago and Marseilles, Illinois and Decatur, Alabama. If you are looking to reduce your scrap, reduce handling or eliminate in-house bottlenecks, let Independence Tube provide your parts cut to length. The shortest mill length we can produce is 20 foot. If you need lengths shorter than 20 foot, Independence Tube has in-house band saw cutting capabilities and can hold tolerances of:

Band Saw Length Tolerances

Length Tolerance Band Saw Length Band Saw Length Squareness of Cut 3 ft to <12 ft 12 ft> to <20 ft 20 ft + MAXIMUM MINIMUM +/-1 +/- 1/16" +/- 1/8" +/- " 48'0" 3'0"

In addition, Independence Tube Marseilles can now band saw cut small diameter ITC50 Pipe Size tubing or A500 rounds. Cut lengths MUST be full bundle quantities and product of the bundle. Whether cutting from stock bundles on our oor or off of a rolling, Independence Tube Marseilles can supply your parts to the length you need. Independence Tube can also mitre cut your parts up to a 45% angle at any of our 3 Divisions. A drawing of the nished part will be required.

Quality
Independence Tube is dedicated to delivering steel tubing of the highest value to our Customers through continual improvement of our products, services, processes and quality system.

Processes
Independence Tube processes are rmly executed based on Industry specications such as ASTM and our customer-specic requirements to provide products that meet the needs and applications of our customers and the end-user.

Quality System
The purpose of our quality system is to provide assurance to our customers that Independence Tube products are manufactured using internationallyaccepted standards of performance. To accomplish this, we use a Quality Management System based on the principles and elements of ISO 9001:2008 and the best practices from TS 16949 (automotive standard). Through a spirit of continuous improvement, Independence Tube Quality Management System (QMS) strives to ensure our operations run efciently and effectively to provide the best customer service and product quality possible at the best price.

Products
Our inspection, measurement and testing capabilities complement our manufacturing systems and processes, ensuring consistency in quality, shorter delivery lead times and containment of costs.

Service
Independence Tube employs state of the art customer relationship management strategies and technologies such as multi-modal logistical capabilities (truck, rail and barge); Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) and a Customer Secure Portal to provide a 24 hour, 365 day customer service excellence.

Mill Production Standards

Independence Tube takes great pride in the quality of the structural tubing produced in our Chicago, Marseilles and Decatur facilities. The following are a list of product standards adopted by Independence Tube for manufacturing purposes. Should you require better than listed below, please contact your Independence Tube Representative. All hollow structural steel tubing (HSS) at Independence Tube is produced to ASTM A500 01 Standard Specications for Cold Formed Welded and Seamless Carbon Steel Structural Tubing in Rounds and Shapes. For a complete guide to this specication, please visit www.astm.org.

Wall Thickness
The minimum wall thickness at any point of measurement on the tubing shall be not more than 10% less than the nominal wall thickness specied. The maximum wall thickness, excluding the weld seam of welded tubing, shall not be more than 10% greater than the nominal wall thickness specied. The wall thickness is to be measured at the center of the at.

Outside Dimensions
The specied dimensions, measured across the ats at positions at least 2 inches from either end of the tubing and including an allowance for convexity or concavity, shall not exceed the plus and minus tolerances shown.

Outside Large Flat Dimension, inches

2-1/2" and under Over 2-1/2" to 3-1/2", incl. Over 3-1/2" to 5-1/2". incl. Over 5-1/2"

Large Flat Dimension Tolerance, plus and minus, inches

0.020 0.025 0.030 0.01 times large at dimension

Tolerances include allowance for convexity or concavity. For rectangular tubing having a ratio of outside large to small at dimension less than 1.5, and for square tubing, the tolerance on small at dimension shall be identical to the large at dimension tolerance. For rectangular tubing having a ratio of outside large to small at dimension in the range of 1.5 to 3.0 inclusive, the tolerance on small at dimension shall be 1.5 times the large at dimension tolerance. For rectangular tubing having a ratio of outside large to small at dimension greater than 3.0, the tolerance on small at dimension shall be 2.0 times the large at dimension tolerance.

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Squareness of Sides
For square or rectangular structural tubing, adjacent sides may deviate from 90 by a tolerance of +/-2 maximum.

Straightness
The permissible variation for straightness of structural tubing shall be 1/8 inch times the number of feet of total length divided by 5.

Twist
The tolerance for twist or variation with respect to axial alignment of the section, for square and rectangular structural tubing:

Specied Dimension of Longest Side, in

Over 1-1/2" to 2-1/2", incl. Over 2-1/2" to 4", incl. Over 4" to 6", incl. Over 6" to 8", incl. Over 8"

Maximum twist in the rst 3 feet and in each additional 3 feet

0.062 0.075 0.087 0.100 0.112

Twist is measured by either holding down one end of a square or rectangular tube on a at surface plate with the bottom side of the tube parallel to the surface plate of the two corners at the opposite end of the bottom side of the tube or by measuring this difference on the heavier sections by a suitable measuring device. The difference in the height of the corners shall not exceed the values in the above table. Twist measurements are not taken within 2 inches of either end of the product.

Weld Seam Location

The weld seam will be within +/-" of the centerline of the tube at.

Standard Mill Length Tolerances

Unless otherwise specied, the standard length tolerance of tubing off the mill will be plus 1 inch, minus 0 inch.

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Grades Manufactured
In addition to the Standard A500 Grades B and C, Independence Tube also has the ability to produce certain sizes in the following grades:
ITC 50 Pipe Size Tubing Guard Rail Axle Tubing High StrengthLow Alloy ITC 100 (100,000 min. yield) A252 Pipe Piling

Along with the above grades, Independence Tube also offers the following services:
Flash Removal Weld on the Short Side In-house Band Saw Cutting Better than A500 Tolerances Flux Leakage Testing Please consult with your Independence Tube Representative for details.

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Associations
Independence Tube is Proud to Support the Following Organizations:
American Institute of Steel Construction Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports Deep Foundations Institute Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association Manufacturers Agents National Association Metals Service Center Institute National Association of Steel Pipe Distributors North American Steel Alliance Pile Driving Contractors Association Steel Tube Institute Tube & Pipe Association

FEMA
FARM EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS A S S O C I AT I O N

Tube & Pipe Association, International

Your First Choice in Steel Tubular Products

started in 1972 with 3 employees in a 53,000 square foot facility. Today, Independence Tube has grown to 270 employees in 3 locations encompassing 1.7 million square feet of manufacturing, warehouse and shipping under roof. We proudly supply over 650 different outer dimension and wall combinations to the agricultural, light pole, axle, construction and automotive markets to name a few. Our products can also be found at steel service centers throughout North America. We want to thank all our customers, employees, and suppliers for making Independence Tube a success for forty years. We are poised for the future and look forward to working with our customers for many, many more years to come.

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6226 West 74th Street Chicago, IL 60638 1-800-376-6000 1-708-563-1950 (FAX) www.independencetube.com Independence Tube Corporation 2011