Videos on TIG Welding Carbon Steel tubing

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Before TIG welding steel tubing, it is helpful to know a little bit about the most common grades of carbon steel tubing and where they are typically used.

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Here’s a clear breakdown of the most commonly welded carbon steel tubing grades used in general fabrication and motorsports:

🔹 General Fabrication (structural, machinery, furniture, etc.)

1️⃣ A500 (ASTM A500 Grade B or C)

• Usage: Structural tubing, machine frames, supports, railings.
• Properties: Mild carbon steel; available in square, rectangular, and round sections; good weldability.
• Notes: Often used for its availability and price point.
• filler metal: ER70S2 or ER70S6

2️⃣ 1018

• Usage: Applications needing tighter dimensional tolerance, moderate strength, easy machining after welding.
• Properties: Low carbon steel, smooth finish, good weldability.
• filler metal: ER70S2 or ER70S6

3️⃣ 1020 / 1026 DOM (Drawn Over Mandrel)

Usage: Where better surface finish, concentricity, and mechanical properties are required.

• Properties: Seamless-like quality; stronger and cleaner than A500.
• Notes: Often chosen when precision matters, though more expensive than A500.
• filler metal: ER70S2 or ER70S6

🔹 Motorsports and General Aviation (chassis, roll cages, suspension components)

1️⃣ 4130 Chromoly (Chromium-Molybdenum Alloy Steel)

• Usage: Roll cages, Fuselages, chassis, suspension links, control arms.
• Properties: Stronger and lighter than mild steel, weldable with proper technique (typically TIG or MIG with preheat for thicker sections).
• Notes: Preferred in high-performance motorsports and general aviation due to strength-to-weight ratio.
• filler metal: ER70S2 or ER70S6 OR ER80SD2

2️⃣ 1020 / 1026 DOM Tubing

• Usage: Alternative to 4130 in hobbyist or budget builds; used for cages, frames.
• Properties: More forgiving to weld than 4130; can be MIG or TIG welded with less concern for cracking.
• filler metal: ER70S2 or ER70S6

3️⃣ Mild Steel ERW (Electric Resistance Welded) Tubing (e.g., A513 Type 1)

• Usage: Lower-cost builds, off-road fabrication where rules allow. ( certain motorsports bodies do not permit ERW tubing for use on roll cages)
• Properties: Easy to weld, but not as strong as DOM or 4130.
• filler metal: ER70S2 or ER70S6

💡 Quick Notes

✅ 4130 Chromoly is the dominant choice for certain motorsports applications where weight and strength are critical.
✅ DOM 1020/1026 is often used in grassroots racing, off-road, and hot rods due to good strength, affordability, and weldability.
✅ A500 / mild steel is most common in general fabrication due to cost and ease of use.

All the grades described above can be TIG welded using  ER70S2 or ER70S6

NASCAR requires DOM (Drawn Over Mandrel) tubing for chassis construction because it offers a reliable balance of strength, consistency, and weldability, which are critical for safety and performance in stock car racing. Let’s break down the reasons: