Metal Tubes

Metal tubes are essential across industrial fabrication, mechanical engineering and structural applications, formed as a length of material with a central void running along its axis. Available in round, square and rectangular profiles, industrial metal tubing can be manufactured from aluminium, mild steel, stainless steel, brass and phosphor bronze.

RS Australia offers tubular steel for structural framing, mechanical tubing for precision assemblies and metal pipes for fluid handling, in a breadth of wall thicknesses and grades to suit different applications. Every metal cylinder is supplied to consistent tolerances, ready for welding, machining, bending and fabrication.

Types of Metal Tubes

Metal tubes are classified by their cross-sectional profile, with three core forms covering the majority of industrial specifications.

• Round tubes: The most widely specified profile in mechanical and hydraulic systems, used for shafts, guides, fluid transfer lines and rotating assemblies where concentric loading is critical.
• Square tubes: Commonly known as SHS (Square Hollow Section), square tubes are a mainstay of structural framing and fabrication, offering balanced strength on all four faces for frames, supports and weldable assemblies.
• Rectangle tubes: RHS (Rectangular Hollow Section) suits load-bearing frames and industrial structures where greater span strength is required in one axis, such as chassis, gantries and support beams.

Tube form refers to the cross-sectional shape of a section. Square tubes feature 4 equal length sides where a rectangular tube has a differing width to its height, while round tubes are cylindrical across their full length.

Materials

Metal cylinders are available in a range of materials, each with distinct mechanical properties that suit specific industrial applications.

• Aluminium is lightweight, non-magnetic and naturally corrosion resistant, making it well suited to aerospace, marine and general fabrication work where weight savings matter. Grades such as 6060 are commonly specified for extruded tube and structural lengths.
• Mild Steel combines high tensile strength with excellent weldability and machinability and is widely used in structural fabrication, machinery frames and general engineering. Its ductility and cost efficiency make it a default choice for heavy industrial work.
• Stainless Steel resists corrosion, oxidation and elevated temperatures, with grades 304 and 316 standard across food processing, chemical handling, pharmaceutical and marine environments where hygiene and durability are critical.
• Brass offers good machinability and natural corrosion resistance, and is used in fluid handling, precision engineering and decorative industrial fittings.
• Phosphor Bronze delivers excellent wear and fatigue resistance with low friction, suiting bearings, bushings, sleeve guides and high-load mechanical applications.

Applications of Metal Tubes

Metal tubes are a backbone material across heavy industry and precision engineering, with profile and grade selection driven by load, environment and fabrication method.

• Structural fabrication and steel framing: SHS and RHS sections form the load-bearing skeleton of commercial buildings, civil engineering works and process plant structures.
• Mechanical engineering: These applications depend on round mechanical tubing for shafts, guides, rollers and precision systems where concentric tolerances are critical.
• Fluid and hydraulic systems: Seamless and welded metal pipes handle pressurised flow in industrial pipework, manifolds and power transmission lines.
• Industrial machinery fabrication: Tubular steel is used extensively for frames, enclosures, guards and structural components.
• Marine and offshore engineering: Specific corrosion-resistant grades such as 316 stainless steel and aluminium are used for splash zones, submerged and saline exposure assemblies.

Buy Metal Tubes Online from RS Australia

RS Australia is a trusted manufacturer, supplier, and distributor of metal tubes and industrial metal tubing, stocking products from brands that include Rose Krieger and our very own RS PRO. The range spans multiple body materials, wall thicknesses, sizes and pressure ratings to suit residential, commercial and industrial requirements. You can also find metal angles, metal channels and metal sheets in our online catalogue.

Orders placed online are processed for fast dispatch, with nationwide doorstep delivery across Australia typically within 2 to 4 business days depending on your location. Bulk orders and cut-to-length enquiries can be quoted on request. For more information on our shipping options and timelines, please visit our delivery page.