Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing Manufacturer & Supplier – USA Piping Solution

When your project demands precision and reliability, look no further than USA Piping Solution for top-tier Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing (CDS Tubing). As a dedicated domestic manufacturer and supplier, we understand the critical role seamless tubing plays in demanding applications. We specialize in providing meticulously engineered solutions known for their exceptional dimensional accuracy, enhanced strength, and superior surface finish. Our extensive inventory, primarily featuring common grades like 1018 and 1026 steel compliant with ASTM A519, ensures you get the right Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing exactly when you need it. Partner with us and experience the confidence that comes from using premium CDS tubing backed by expert support and reliable delivery.

What is Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing?

Think of Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing (often called CDS Tubing) as a significant step up in precision from standard hot-finished tubes. The journey begins with a hot-finished seamless tube, which is then transformed through a process called cold drawing. At room temperature, this tube is carefully pulled through a specialized die and over a mandrel plug. This action precisely reduces its outside diameter (OD), inside diameter (ID), and wall thickness.

Why go through this extra step? This "cold working" fundamentally refines the steel. It results in remarkably tight dimensional tolerances, a noticeably smoother finish inside and out, increased strength and hardness (thanks to work hardening), and often, better machinability. Since it starts seamless, there's no weld line – just uniform strength all around, essential for handling pressure and stress effectively.

These enhanced characteristics make Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing the go-to choice for applications where accuracy is paramount. Think hydraulic cylinders, shock absorbers, axles, bearings, and countless other precision-machined components vital to industries like automotive, industrial machinery, construction, and energy. USA Piping Solution delivers the quality CDS tubing these critical applications depend on.

CDS Tubing Specifications

Getting the details right is crucial when selecting Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing. Ensuring the specifications match your design guarantees performance and reliability. At USA Piping Solution, our CDS tubing is primarily manufactured according to the industry benchmark, ASTM A519, which covers Seamless Carbon and Alloy Steel Mechanical Tubing.

Technical Specifications

Category	Details
Governing Standard	ASTM A519 sets the requirements for chemistry, mechanical properties, tolerances, and testing.
Common Grades	We stock substantial quantities of AISI 1018 and 1026. These low-carbon steels provide a great starting point, offering good strength, ductility, and weldability – all further improved by the cold drawing process. Need another grade? Just ask.
Size Capabilities	Outside Diameter (OD): Our inventory spans from small fractional sizes (like 0.250") up to large diameters (12" and beyond). Wall Thickness: We cover everything from light gauge walls (around 0.035") to very heavy walls (1.500" or more).
Lengths	Tubes are typically stocked in 17 ft to 24 ft random lengths. Need specific lengths? Our precision cutting services minimize waste and prep time at your facility.
Shapes	While round is standard, we can also explore options for square, rectangular, or custom-profiled CDS tubing. Let's discuss your unique needs.
Tolerances – The CDS Advantage	This is where CDS truly shines. Compared to hot-finished tubes, cold drawing achieves much tighter control: OD/ID Tolerances: Can be held remarkably close (e.g., +/- 0.005" on smaller sizes), varying per ASTM A519 tables. Wall Thickness Tolerance: Generally held to +/- 10%, though tighter control is sometimes possible. (Always consult the specific ASTM A519 tables for detailed tolerance information relevant to your size.)
Finishing Touches (Thermal Treatments)	Depending on your needs for hardness or ductility, CDS tubing can be supplied with various thermal treatments, like stress-relief annealing (SRA) or normalizing.

Chemical Composition and Mechanical Properties

The real-world performance of Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing hinges on two key factors: the underlying steel chemistry and the enhanced mechanical properties gained through cold working. USA Piping Solution ensures every tube meets the stringent requirements of ASTM A519.

Chemical Composition

The controlled recipe of the steel defines its baseline characteristics. Here are typical ranges for the popular 1018 and 1026 grades used in CDS, per ASTM A519:

Element	Grade 1018 (%)	Grade 1026 (%)
Carbon (C)	0.15 - 0.20	0.22 - 0.28
Manganese (Mn)	0.60 - 0.90	0.60 - 0.90
Phosphorus (P)	0.040 max	0.040 max
Sulfur (S)	0.050 max	0.050 max

(Note: These are guidelines. Your Mill Test Report (MTR) provides the exact chemistry for your specific order.)

Mechanical Properties

Cold drawing acts like a workout for the steel, significantly boosting its strength and hardness compared to the original hot-finished state. The final properties depend on how much it was "worked" and any follow-up heat treatments. Here's what you might typically expect for CDS tubing in the "as-drawn" or commonly supplied stress-relieved annealed (SRA) condition:

Property	Typical Value (Grade 1018/1026 - CDS / SRA)	What it Means for Performance
Tensile Strength	75,000 - 100,000 psi (515 - 690 MPa)	Resistance to being pulled apart.
Yield Strength	60,000 - 90,000 psi (415 - 620 MPa)	Point at which permanent deformation begins.
Elongation (in 2")	10% - 25%	How much it can stretch before breaking (ductility).
Hardness (Rockwell B)	80 - 95 HRB	Resistance to indentation; relates to wear.

(Important: These are typical ranges. Annealing will lower strength/hardness but increase ductility. Always rely on the MTR for guaranteed properties specific to your batch.)

Manufacturing Process: Cold Drawing Explained

Creating high-quality Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing is a carefully orchestrated process designed to achieve results hot finishing simply can't match. Here’s a look at the journey from a basic hollow to a precision tube:

1. The Starting Point: It all begins with a quality Hot Finished Seamless (HFS) tube – essentially a rough, hollow shape without welds.
2. Cleaning Up: Before drawing, the surface needs preparation. Scale from hot rolling is removed, typically using an acid bath (pickling). Then, a crucial layer of lubricant (like phosphate and specialized soap) is applied. This ensures the tube glides smoothly through the tooling under immense pressure.
3. Getting a Grip: One end of the tube is mechanically squeezed or "pointed," creating a smaller section that the drawing machine can grab onto.
4. The Main Event – Cold Drawing: This is where the magic happens. The lubricated, pointed tube is pulled forcefully through a hardened die, which precisely sizes the outside diameter. At the same time, a hardened mandrel plug sits inside, controlling the internal diameter and wall thickness. This intense pulling and sizing, done at room temperature, reshapes the steel. To reach the final dimensions, this might involve several passes, sometimes needing annealing steps in between.
5. Relaxing the Steel (Annealing): Cold working makes steel harder and stronger but less ductile. To restore some flexibility for further processing or final use, the tube might be heat-treated. Common options include:
• Process Annealing: Softens the tube between drawing steps.
• Stress Relief Annealing (SRA): A popular final step, relieving internal stresses without drastically reducing hardness.
• Full Annealing: For maximum softness when lots of bending or forming is needed.
• Normalizing: Creates a uniform, refined grain structure.
6. Making it Straight: Precision multi-roll straighteners ensure the tubes meet strict straightness standards.
7. Final Cuts & Touches: Tubes are cut accurately to length. Ends can be deburred or given specific finishes like chamfers.
8. Quality Checks: Throughout the process, rigorous checks ensure quality. Dimensions (OD, ID, wall, length, straightness) are verified, surfaces inspected, and non-destructive tests (like eddy current or ultrasonic) confirm integrity. Mechanical tests validate strength and hardness, all documented on the official Mill Test Report (MTR).

This meticulous attention to detail results in the superior Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing you get from USA Piping Solution.

Benefits of Cold Drawn Seamless Tubing

Why choose Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing for your demanding applications? The advantages provided by USA Piping Solution's CDS products are clear:

• Precision Where It Counts (Tolerances): Achieve significantly tighter control over OD, ID, and wall thickness compared to hot-finished tubes. This precision often reduces or even eliminates the need for costly secondary machining on your end.
• A Superior Finish: Enjoy smooth, clean surfaces both inside and out. This is critical for applications involving seals (like hydraulics), requiring smooth fluid flow, or where appearance matters.
• Built-in Strength: The cold working process naturally increases the steel's tensile strength, yield strength, and overall hardness, allowing for more robust designs, sometimes even with lighter components.
• Machines Beautifully: The combination of increased hardness and a uniform structure often translates to cleaner cuts, better chip control, and a finer finish when machining compared to softer materials.
• Consistency You Can Rely On: Expect excellent uniformity in dimensions, wall thickness, and material structure along the entire length and circumference of the tube.
• Seamless Means Soundness: With no weld seam, CDS tubing offers inherent structural integrity and uniform strength, vital for high-pressure or high-stress environments.
• Less Machining, Less Waste: Starting with dimensions closer to your final needs means less material removal, saving valuable time, tooling costs, and reducing scrap.
• Ready for Further Enhancement: The uniform grain structure makes CDS tubing respond predictably to subsequent heat treatments like case hardening or through hardening.

These benefits make Cold Drawn Seamless Tubing a smart investment for mechanical and structural applications where performance and precision are key.

Applications and Industries Served

The unique blend of tight tolerances, smooth finish, enhanced strength, and seamless integrity makes Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing indispensable across a wide landscape of industries and critical uses:

• Hydraulic Systems: A core market, utilizing CDS for:
• High-performance Cylinder Barrels (often needing ID honing)
• Durable Cylinder Rods (frequently chrome-plated)
• Precision Plungers, Pistons, and Glands
• Reliable High-Pressure Fluid Lines
• Automotive & Transportation: Found in:
• Robust Axles and Housings
• Strong Drive Shafts
• Precise Steering Components
• Durable Shock Absorbers and Struts
• Key Engine Components
• Safe Roll Cages and Chassis elements
• Industrial Machinery & Equipment: Essential for:
• Smooth-running Rollers (printing, textiles, paper)
• Accurate Shafting and Spindles
• Long-lasting Bearings and Bushings
• Specialized Tool Extensions
• Sturdy Pump and Motor Housings
• Construction & Heavy Equipment: Relying on CDS for:
• Powerful Hydraulic Cylinders
• Wear-resistant Pivot Pins and Bushings
• Structural Components in Booms and Frames
• Tough Augers and Shafts
• Agriculture: Used in:
• Reliable Hydraulic Cylinders on equipment
• Various Shafts, Spacers, and Bushings
• Strong Machinery Frames
• Energy Sector: Components for:
• Demanding Drilling Equipment
• Critical Bearing Races
• Wind Turbines and other Power Generation systems
• General Engineering & Fabrication: Ideal for:
• Applications needing telescoping parts
• Precision structural supports
• Any machined part where starting with an accurate, strong, seamless tube saves production steps.

USA Piping Solution is a proud supplier of the quality Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing that keeps these critical applications running smoothly and reliably.

CDS Tubing Size Chart and Weight Chart

Planning your project requires accurate size and weight information for Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing. USA Piping Solution maintains a broad inventory meeting ASTM A519 specs. The table below shows an example format. For specific availability, please check our full stock list or contact our team. Weights are estimated based on nominal dimensions and steel's density (approx. 0.283 lbs/cubic inch).

OD (in)	WT (in)	ID (in) (Nom.)	Weight (lbs/ft) (Approx.)
1.000	0.120	0.760	1.12
2.000	0.250	1.500	4.55
3.000	0.375	2.250	10.01
4.000	0.500	3.000	17.66
...	...	...	...

(Disclaimer: Example only. Actual weights vary due to manufacturing tolerances. Always confirm with USA Piping Solution for precise data.)

Access our complete, up-to-date size and weight information online or by speaking with our sales experts.

Certifications and Compliance

Peace of mind comes standard when you source Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing from USA Piping Solution. We ensure every tube adheres to rigorous standards for quality and traceability.

• Meeting the Standard (ASTM A519): Our CDS tubing is primarily manufactured and certified to meet or exceed the requirements of ASTM A519, the definitive specification for this product type.
• Full Traceability (Mill Test Reports - MTRs): You receive complete documentation. Each order comes with MTRs detailing the specific heat number, chemical analysis, mechanical test results (strength, hardness, etc.), and confirmation of ASTM A519 compliance.
• Quality Management (ISO 9001): We prioritize partnerships with mills operating under robust Quality Management Systems, often ISO 9001 certified, demonstrating a commitment to process control and consistent quality.
• Our Own Checks: USA Piping Solution performs thorough receiving inspections to double-check dimensions, surface quality, and documentation accuracy before the material ships to you.
• Meeting Your Specs: We work diligently to meet all applicable industry regulations and specific customer requirements. If you have unique compliance needs, please discuss them with us early in the process.

Our dedication to these protocols ensures the Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing you receive is dependable, fully documented, and ready for your application.

Why Choose USA Piping Solution for Cold Drawn Seamless Tubing?

Your choice of supplier for Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing directly impacts your project's success. Here’s why partnering with USA Piping Solution makes sense:

• Inventory Depth for Faster Access: We maintain a huge stock of CDS tubing across a wide range of sizes and common grades (1018/1026), meaning the tubes you need are often ready for immediate shipment.
• Quality You Can Trust: We don't compromise. Sourcing only from reputable, certified mills and providing full MTR traceability means you get reliable tubing that meets ASTM A519 standards, every time.
• Expertise to Guide You: Our sales and technical teams know CDS tubing inside and out. We can help you navigate specifications to find the best balance of performance and cost for your application.
• Services That Save You Steps: Streamline your workflow with our value-added processing. We offer precision cutting, deburring, chamfering, and more, delivering material closer to your final requirements.
• Logistics That Deliver: Our nationwide network of distribution centers ensures efficient and reliable delivery across the U.S. Need it fast? Ask about expedited options.
• Value-Driven Pricing: Through smart sourcing and efficient operations, we offer competitive pricing on premium CDS tubing, ensuring you get great value.
• A Focus on Partnership: We aim to build long-term relationships by providing outstanding service, clear communication, and solutions designed around your needs.

Choose USA Piping Solution for your Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing and gain a partner dedicated to quality, reliability, and your success.

Related Products

Beyond Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing, USA Piping Solution is your source for a broad range of tubular and pipe products. Consider these related options:

Final Call to Action

Ready to secure the premium Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing your project demands? USA Piping Solution offers the inventory, certified quality, expert support, and reliable delivery you need. Let our team help you confirm specifications and provide a competitive quote tailored to your exact requirements.

Experience the confidence that comes from using superior materials. Contact USA Piping Solution today to discuss your Cold Drawn Seamless Mechanical Tubing needs or to request your personalized quote.

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