ASTM A1103/A1103M-16(2022)

Standard Specification for Seamless Cold-Finished Carbon Steel Structural Frame Tubing for Automotive Racing Applications

ABSTRACT
This specification covers seamless cold-finished carbon steel round structural frame tubing for automotive racing applications. Tubing may be used for other applications requiring similar tolerances and properties. The tubing is intended to be bent and joined by welding. The welding procedure shall be suitable for the grade, the condition of the components, and the intended service.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification is for seamless cold-finished carbon steel round structural frame tubing for automotive racing applications. The chemical requirements are listed in Table 1. Tubing may be used for other applications requiring similar tolerances and properties. The specification includes requirements for heat treatment and mechanical properties to meet the needs for the application. The tubing is intended to be bent and joined by welding. The welding procedure shall be suitable for the grade, the condition of the components, and the intended service.    
1.2 The tubing outside diameter size range is from 0.625 to 2.0 in. [16 to 50 mm]. The wall thickness shall be specified as a minimum wall.  
1.3 Optional supplementary requirements may be provided and, when one or more of these are desired, each shall be so stated in the order.  
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. The inch-pound units shall apply unless the “M” designation of this specification is specified in the order.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2022
• ICS: 23.040.10 - Iron and steel pipes
• ICS: 43.040.60 - Bodies and body components
• Technical Committee: A01 - Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys
• Drafting Committee: A01.09 - Carbon Steel Tubular Products

Relations

• Refers: ASTM A450/A450M-23 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM A450/A450M-18 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2018
• Refers: ASTM A450/A450M-15 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-May-2015
• Refers: ASTM A751-14 - Standard Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014
• Refers: ASTM A450/A450M-10 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010
• Refers: ASTM A450/A450M-09 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2009
• Refers: ASTM A751-08 - Standard Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Refers: ASTM A450/A450M-07 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2007
• Refers: ASTM A751-07a - Standard Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2007
• Refers: ASTM A751-07 - Standard Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Refers: ASTM A751-01(2006) - Standard Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 01-May-2006
• Refers: ASTM A450/A450M-04a - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Carbon, Ferritic Alloy, and Austenitic Alloy Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2004
• Refers: ASTM A450/A450M-04 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Carbon, Ferritic Alloy, and Austenitic Alloy Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2004
• Refers: ASTM A450/A450M-03 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Carbon, Ferritic Alloy, and Austenitic Alloy Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2003
• Refers: ASTM A751-01 - Standard Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2001

Overview

ASTM A1103/A1103M-16(2022) is the internationally recognized standard specification developed by ASTM International for seamless cold-finished carbon steel round structural frame tubing, specifically designed for automotive racing applications. This specification ensures that tubing meets stringent requirements for dimensional tolerances, mechanical properties, and weldability - all crucial characteristics for high-performance automotive frame construction. In addition to racing, the tubing may be used in applications with similar strength, tolerance, and fabrication demands.

Key Topics

• Seamless Cold-Finished Construction: The standard covers round tubing produced using a seamless process, reducing the risk of weld seam failure and ensuring consistent strength throughout the tube’s length.
• Material and Manufacturing: The tubes are made from carbon steel, manufactured through hot working followed by cold finishing, and subjected to a stress relief anneal to maintain mechanical properties ideal for frame fabrication.
• Dimensional Requirements: Tubing is specified with outside diameters ranging from 0.625 to 2.0 inches (16 to 50 mm), with wall thickness indicated as a minimum value ensuring structural reliability.
• Mechanical and Chemical Properties: This standard specifies mechanical properties such as tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and hardness, along with tight chemical composition limits to guarantee quality and performance. Heat analysis and product analysis requirements ensure conformity.
• Testing and Quality Assurance: Tubing must pass nondestructive eddy current tests for internal and external defects, as well as tension, hardness, and optional flare/flatten mechanical tests upon request.
• Weldability: Designed for bends and welded joints, the standard mandates that welding procedures be suitable for the grade and end-use service conditions.
• Marking and Packaging: Specific requirements for marking, packaging, and traceability are included, facilitating quality control in supply chains and assembly processes.

Applications

While automotive racing applications are the primary focus, the properties of ASTM A1103/A1103M-16(2022) tubing make it a strong candidate for other demanding uses, such as:

• High-Performance Vehicle Frames: Ensuring lightweight yet robust structures for racing, off-road, or performance vehicles.
• Custom Motorsports Fabrication: Suitable for roll cages, chassis components, safety structures, and other critical assemblies.
• Industrial and Aerospace Prototyping: In environments where high strength-to-weight ratios and tight dimensional control are required.
• Other Structural Uses: When minimum wall, smooth contours, and weld integrity are essential, such as sports equipment or specialty machinery frames.

Related Standards

ASTM A1103/A1103M-16(2022) references and is aligned with several other notable ASTM standards, including:

• ASTM A450/A450M - General Requirements for Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Tubes
  Provides baseline manufacturing, testing, and inspection criteria for steel tubes referenced by specific tube standards.
• ASTM A751 - Test Methods and Practices for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
  Details methods for confirming compliance with specified chemical compositions.

When specifying seamless cold-finished carbon steel structural frame tubing, it is important to confirm compatibility with these and other project-specific standards to ensure product performance and regulatory compliance.

Keywords: seamless carbon steel tubing, structural frame tubing, automotive racing tubing, ASTM A1103, cold-finished steel tube, steel tube for racing, weldable frame tubing, high-strength automotive tubing, mechanical property steel tubes

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:A1103/A1103M −16 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Specification for
Seamless Cold-Finished Carbon Steel Structural Frame
Tubing for Automotive Racing Applications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A1103/A1103M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 This specification is for seamless cold-finished carbon
steel round structural frame tubing for automotive racing
2. Referenced Documents
applications. The chemical requirements are listed in Table 1.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Tubing may be used for other applications requiring similar
A450/A450M Specification for General Requirements for
tolerances and properties. The specification includes require-
Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Tubes
ments for heat treatment and mechanical properties to meet the
A751 Test Methods and Practices for Chemical Analysis of
needs for the application.The tubing is intended to be bent and
Steel Products
joined by welding. The welding procedure shall be suitable for
the grade, the condition of the components, and the intended
3. Ordering Information
service.
3.1 Orders for material under this specification should
1.2 The tubing outside diameter size range is from 0.625 to
include the following, as required, to describe the desired
2.0 in. [16 to 50 mm]. The wall thickness shall be specified as
material adequately:
a minimum wall.
3.1.1 Specification designation,
1.3 Optional supplementary requirements may be provided 3.1.2 Name of material (seamless structural frame tubing),
and, when one or more of these are desired, each shall be so
3.1.3 Quantity (feet, weight, or number of pieces),
stated in the order. 3.1.4 Dimensions (outside diameters and wall thickness,
(Section 11),
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units
3.1.5 Length (specific or random, mill lengths, (Section
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the
11)),
SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each
3.1.6 Product analysis (Section 8, if required),
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system
3.1.7 Special mechanical tests (flare or flatten, Section 10,if
shall be used independently of the other. Combining values
required),
from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the
3.1.8 Surface finish (as-cold finished stress relieved, or
standard. The inch-pound units shall apply unless the “M”
ground outside surface, if required),
designation of this specification is specified in the order.
3.1.9 Individual supplementary requirements, if required,
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.10 Packaging,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.11 Special marking (Section 16), and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.12 Special packing (Section 17).
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. General Requirements
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.1 Material furnished under this specification shall con-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
form to the applicable requirements of the current edition of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Specification A450/A450M, unless otherwise provided herein.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5. Materials and Manufacture
5.1 The steel may be made by any process.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.09 on Carbon Steel Tubular Products. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved March 1, 2022. Published April 2022. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2016. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as A1103/A1103M – 16. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/A1103_A1103M-16R22. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
A1103/A1103M−16 (2022)
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements of Carbon Steel
A
Grade Chemical Composition Limits, %
Designation
B
Carbon Manganese Phosphorous, Sulfur, max Nickel, max Chromium, Niobium, Vanadium, Titanium,
max
max max max max
1018 0.15–0.20 0.60–0.90 0.020 0.015 0.20 0.15 0.008 0.008 0.025
A
The ranges and limits given in this table apply to heat analysis; except as required by 6.1, product analyses are subject to the applicable additional tolerances given in
Table 2.
B
Columbium (Cb) and Niobium (Nb) are alternate names for element 41 in the Periodic Table of the Elements.
5.2 If a specific type of melting is required by the purchaser, product of one remelted ingot of each primary melt. The heat
it shall be as stated on the purchase order. analysis shall conform to the requirements specified, except
that where the heat identity has not been maintained or where
5.3 The primary melting may incorporate separate degas-
the analysis is not sufficiently complete to permit conformance
sing or refining, and may be followed by secondary melting,
to be determined, the chemical composition determined from a
such as electroslag or vacuum-arc remelting. If secondary
product analysis made by the tubular manufacturer shall
melting is employed, the heat shall be defined as all of the
conform to the requirements specified for heat analysis. When
ingots remelted from a single primary heat.
requested in the order or contract, a report of such analyses
5.4 Steel may be cast in ingots or may be strand cast. When
shall be furnished to the purchaser.
steel of different grades is sequentially strand cast, identifica-
tion of the resultant transition material is required. The
8. Product Analysis
producer shall remove the transition material by an established
procedure that positively separates the grades. 8.1 Except as required by 7.1, a product analysis by the
manufacturer shall be required when specified on the purchase
5.5 Tubes shall be made by a seamless process and shall be
order.
cold finished.
8.1.1 One product analysis per heat on either billet or tube
5.5.1 Seamless tubing is a tubular product made without a
is required.
welded seam. It is manufactured usually by hot working steel
and, if necessary, by subsequently cold finishing the hot-
8.2 Samples for chemical analysis shall be taken in accor-
worked tubular product to produce the desired shape,
dance with Practice A751. The composition thus determined
dimensions, and properties.
shall correspond to the requirements in the applicable section
5.6 The tubing shall be supplied in the cold finished of Tables 1 and 2 of this specification and shall be reported to
condition followed by a stress relief anneal (SRA).
the purchaser or the purchaser’s representative.
5.6.1 A light scale after the anneal is accep
...