Cold Rolled Hollow Sections

What Is a Cold Rolled Hollow Section?

A cold rolled hollow section is a welded steel tube manufactured from cold rolled steel strip. The strip is formed into a closed profile (square or rectangular) and longitudinally welded, creating a structural hollow section cold rolled with excellent dimensional control.

In contrast to hot rolled hollow sections, cold rolled / cold formed tubes are produced from thin wall cold rolled steel with a smooth, bright surface. This makes them ideal when both appearance and accuracy matter: furniture frames, shelving systems, modular constructions and architectural steelwork.

HL Metal supplies:

• Cold rolled square hollow sections (cold rolled SHS) from small decorative sizes up to structural dimensions
• Cold rolled rectangular hollow sections (cold rolled RHS) for frames, trailers and racking
• Thin wall cold rolled hollow sections and light gauge steel hollow sections for lightweight applications
• Customized cold rolled hollow steel tubing in special thicknesses and lengths

Because of their fine grain structure and low thickness variation, cold rolled tubes are also suitable for downstream processes such as robotic welding, CNC machining and laser cut cold rolled hollow sections.

Cold Rolled Hollow Section Dimensions & Weight Chart

The table below shows selected cold rolled hollow section sizes with thickness and theoretical weight per meter. Values are approximate and intended as a design reference for engineers, buyers and fabricators planning projects with cold rolled hollow section profiles.

Note: Weights are theoretical and calculated for mild steel density ~7.85 kg/dm³. Actual bundle weights may vary due to manufacturing tolerances. For precise project calculations and additional sizes, please contact HL Metal or use our weight calculator module .

For projects with non-standard sizes, HL Metal can also supply custom size cold rolled hollow sections and provide a tailored cold rolled hollow section weight chart for your specific cutting list.

Cold Rolled Hollow Section Production Process

The production of cold rolled steel hollow sections involves several precisely controlled stages. The starting material is low-carbon cold rolled steel strip produced in coils with tight thickness tolerance.

The main steps can be summarized as follows:

• Slitting & preparation: Coils are slit into narrow strips according to the required perimeter of the cold rolled hollow section.
• Forming: On a continuous forming line, the strip is gradually shaped into a round, then into the final square or rectangular shape (cold rolled SHS or cold rolled RHS).
• Welding: A longitudinal weld closes the tube. The weld bead is trimmed and controlled so that the inside and outside surfaces remain smooth.
• Sizing & straightening: The tube passes through sizing stands to achieve the final dimensions, cold rolled hollow section thickness and corner radius.
• Cutting to length: Standard hollow section length 6 m is most common, while 12 m or custom lengths can also be produced upon request.
• Finishing & surface options: Products can be delivered as black cold rolled hollow sections, oiled cold rolled hollow sections to prevent rust, or further processed as painted cold rolled hollow sections or galvanized cold rolled hollow sections.

Throughout the line, dimensional control is performed to ensure compliance with EN 10219 cold rolled hollow sections or ASTM A500 cold rolled hollow section requirements. This guarantees repeatability for series production and robotic welding.

Key Properties of Cold Rolled Hollow Sections

Cold rolled hollow sections offer a combination of mechanical strength, dimensional accuracy and aesthetic surface finish that makes them superior to many alternative tube types for architectural and light structural applications.

• Smooth surface: The cold rolling process gives a uniform, fine surface ideal for powder coating, painting or direct visible use in furniture and interior design.
• High dimensional accuracy: Low variation in wall thickness and width/height provides precision cold rolled hollow sections with reliable cold rolled hollow section tolerance values.
• Thin wall capability: Thin wall hollow sections and light gauge steel hollow sections allow lightweight structures without sacrificing stiffness.
• Good weldability: Low carbon contents and controlled chemistry facilitate MIG/MAG, TIG and resistance welding in automated production.
• Consistent mechanical properties: Suitable grades such as S235JR cold rolled hollow sections, S275JR cold rolled RHS or S355J2H cold rolled hollow sections combine formability and structural strength.
• Easy integration into CNC processes: Straightness and accuracy make these tubes perfect for laser cut cold rolled hollow sections and CNC drilling / milling.

For designers working with modular systems, the repeatability of precision steel hollow sections reduces assembly problems and improves productivity in serial production.

Cold Rolled SHS & RHS Types

HL Metal supplies a broad range of cold rolled hollow section types to cover most design and fabrication needs. The main families are cold rolled SHS (square hollow sections) and cold rolled RHS (rectangular hollow sections).

Cold Rolled Square Hollow Sections (SHS)

Cold rolled square hollow sections are used where symmetric stiffness and clean visual appearance are required. Typical examples:

• Furniture legs and frames
• Balustrades and handrails
• Light structural members in steel frameworks
• Architectural details and design elements

Small dimensions are often produced as thin wall cold rolled hollow sections, while larger SHS sizes can be used as primary members in light steel structures.

Cold Rolled Rectangular Hollow Sections (RHS)

Cold rolled rectangular hollow sections provide different stiffness in the two directions, which is beneficial for beams, frames and vehicle chassis. Typical uses include:

• Trailer and body frames – cold rolled steel tubing for trailers
• Racking beams and uprights – hollow section for racking systems
• Shelving and warehouse systems – cold rolled hollow sections for shelving systems
• Modular buildings and container frames – cold rolled hollow sections for modular buildings

Special Surface Conditions

Depending on the project, HL Metal can offer:

• Black cold rolled hollow section – mill finish, dry
• Oiled cold rolled hollow section – corrosion protection during transport
• Pickled cold rolled steel tubes – clean surface before painting
• Painted cold rolled hollow section – primer or finish coat applied in-house or via partner shops
• Galvanized cold rolled hollow section – hot-dip or electro galvanizing for outdoor use and fencing

On request, we can combine tube supply with laser cut cold rolled hollow sections, drilling and simple fabrication to deliver ready-to-install kits.

Steel Grades, Standards & Tolerances

HL Metal works with internationally recognized standards such as EN 10219 cold rolled steel tubes and ASTM A500 cold rolled hollow sections. This ensures full traceability and reliable performance in structural and non-structural applications.

Typical Steel Grades

• S235JR cold rolled hollow section – balanced solution for general structural use and furniture
• S275JR cold rolled RHS – higher yield strength for frames, trailers and light construction
• S355J2H cold rolled hollow section – high strength for demanding structural applications
• Mild steel and commercial quality grades for non-structural use

Standards & Dimensional Tolerances

Dimensional tolerances for width, height, wall thickness and corner radii are specified by the relevant standards. For customers, this is important when designing precision cold rolled tubing dimensions to fit into assemblies or when using automated fixturing systems.

As a guideline, typical tolerances for cold rolled hollow section tolerance may include:

• ±0.5–1.0 mm on width and height, depending on size
• ±0.10–0.15 mm on wall thickness in thin gauges
• Limited bow and twist to ensure straightness for long lengths

For critical projects, HL Metal can support you with project-specific precision cold rolled hollow sections and additional inspection reports.

Applications of Cold Rolled Hollow Sections

Because of their combination of light weight, strength and aesthetics, cold rolled hollow sections are widely used in both industrial and architectural projects.

Furniture & Interior Systems

Cold rolled hollow sections for furniture are popular due to their thin wall capability and high-quality surface. They are used in:

• Office and home furniture frames
• Table and chair structures
• Display systems and shopfitting
• Storage and shelving systems

Racking, Storage & Logistics

For warehouses and logistic centers, hollow sections for racking systems provide an efficient solution. Cold rolled RHS beams and uprights combine strength and low weight, while their accuracy supports automated assembly.

Construction & Modular Buildings

In light steel construction, cold rolled hollow sections for construction projects are used for:

• Secondary structural members
• Framing of façade elements
• Cold rolled hollow sections for modular buildings and container frames
• Canopies, roofs, pergolas and architectural steelwork

Trailers, Fences & Outdoor Structures

Cold rolled steel tubing for trailers offers the right combination of stiffness and weight. When galvanized, cold rolled hollow profiles for fences are used in garden, industrial and security fencing systems.

From small decorative units to industrial assemblies, HL Metal supports OEMs, fabricators and contractors with consistent quality and flexible cutting services – including cnc cold rolled hollow section processing and kit supply.

Logistics, Packaging & Export from Turkey

HL Metal is a Turkey-based cold rolled hollow section supplier serving both domestic and international customers. We act as a cold rolled hollow section exporter to Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and other regions.

Export Capabilities

We regularly ship full truck loads and container loads of cold rolled hollow sections wholesale, often combined with other steel products. Depending on your location, we can offer various Incoterms:

• EXW and FCA – ex-works and free carrier from our warehouse
• FOB – Free on Board from Turkish ports
• CFR / CIF – sea freight including freight and, if required, insurance
• DAP / DDP – delivered to your door, where legally and commercially feasible

Packaging & Handling

Bundles of cold rolled hollow steel tubing are strapped with steel bands and labelled with size, grade, heat number and bundle weight. Upon request, we can provide:

• Corner protectors and wooden spacers
• PE wrapping or VCI corrosion-protective film
• Special marking for project or OEM deliveries

As an export-oriented cold rolled hollow section supplier Turkey, HL Metal focuses on long-term cooperation. We support customers with mixed-size loads and project-based stock planning.

Commercial & Price Information

This page intentionally focuses on technical data only: dimensions, thickness and theoretical weights. For up-to-date commercial information such as cold rolled hollow section price per ton, cold rolled SHS RHS price list, steel hollow section export price or volume-based discounts, please send us your enquiry so that we can prepare a project-specific offer.

Request a Quote for Cold Rolled Hollow Sections

HL Metal supplies cold rolled hollow sections from stock and production – tailored to the needs of distributors, fabricators and OEMs. To receive a detailed cold rolled hollow section quotation, please share the following information: