At ProFormance Metals, we often get asked “which type of tube is best for my roll cage?”  In short, there are many variables that can determine what will be most suitable. We have to determine what regulations your vehicle will be competing in as each governing body specify different material grades, sizes and thicknesses.

We, therefore, have to keep numerous tube sizes in different metal grades to accommodate the world motorsport market. Each grade that we stock carries its own unique chemical and mechanical properties that all have their advantages in rollover protection.

ROPT510

ROPT510  (Roll Over Protection Tube 510)

This is a grade designed by ProFormance Metals for use in Roll Cages, Chassis, Suspension components and general engineering where MSA regulations need to be met.

It offers

• Tensile Strength : 510 N/mm2 minimum
• 0.2% Yield Strength : 370 N/mm2 minimum
• Elongation : 25% minimum.

These figures exceed the minimum regulations set by the MSA and the tube has been approved by the FIA and is used in their crash tests. This carbon-based tube eliminates the use of multiple Cold Drawn Seamless (CDS) tubes being used within a cage where the options available from a generic steel stockholder will supply tubes designed to bend but not have the required strength set by the MSA or other grades meeting the minimum strength but may cause problems when bending due to low elongation figures.

The ROPT510 carries both strength and formability. Not only does this allow for ease of manufacture into a custom roll cage, but also helps absorb impact forces when involved in a rollover or contact.

The tube does not need any pre or post welding treatment and will weld perfectly to other mild steel materials.

BS4 T45

BS4 T45 to BS5T100 / BS6S100  ( T45 Tube) 

T45 Steel Tube or to give it the correct name BS4 T45 to BS5 T100 is a very unique seamless Carbon-based steel tube that has been used in many applications throughout the industry. T45 Steel Tube possesses high tensile and yield properties.

• Tensile: 700 – 900 MPa,
• 0.2% Yield 620MPa minimum
• Hardness Test: 201min – 262 max HB or 210min – 275max HV.

Our manufacturing facilities ensure that the material is produced to the full aerospace standard at all times.

The material needs no pre/post welding treatment and can be MIG, TIG or even brazed.

Its excellent strength to weight ratio enables it to have many industrial uses from Roll Cages in Motorsport to Defence and even Aerospace applications. The advantage of such strong material means you can use a smaller thinner tube against conventional steel products but get the same or increased strength. This grade is often found in custom-designed cages in the top end of motorsport where an FIA / MSA homologated design has to be approved before manufacture where cost is overruled by weight-saving capabilities.

15CDV6 (1.7734)

15CDV6  1.7734

1.7734 is chromium-molybdenum-vanadium structural steel. Supplied in Bar, sheet and tube the material has excellent weldability, toughness and good bending capabilities.

1.7734 / 15cdv6 can be welded with no risk of cracking or weak welds and doesn’t require any pre or post-weld heat treatment when fabricated in the fully heat-treated condition. This makes complicated engineering and manufacture of the material easier to work with.

Due to its excellent mechanical properties, the material 1.7734 / 15CDV6 has found its way to the top end of motorsport, aerospace and defence sectors. Used in all forms for the highest of demands.

.5 condition

• Tensile: 980-1180 MPa,
• 0.2% Yield 790 MPa minimum

4130

4130

4130 is a high tensile grade of steel that contains chromium and molybdenum, and as a result, this grade is often referred to as Chromoly steel, chrome-moly, CrMo, CRMO, CR-MOLY.

4130 contains an excellent strength to weight ratio and is considerably stronger and harder than standard carbon steel.

The material is not as easily weldable compared to other materials such as BS4 T45 to BS5 T100 or 15CDV6 (1.7734) as it requires pre and post-weld heat treatment to avoid cold cracking. It is also inadvisable to weld Chromoly to other carbon steel grades due to the differences in chemical construction. It can be achieved but particular attention to vital stress areas and heat-affected zones must be made.

Examples of applications for 4130 include aerospace and defence structures, bicycle frames, tubes for transportation of pressurised gases, clutch and flywheel components, and roll cage and chassis construction in particular drag racing and other American regulated classifications.

• Tensile: 670 MPa,
• 0.2% Yield 435 MPa minimum