Electric Resistance Welded Tube Manufacturer
Why Choose Top Tubes?
Top Tubes is your go-to partner for all things ERW. We combine the reliability of a distributor with the reliability and flexibility that only a manufacturer can provide. Our holistic approach means you get everything you need under one roof, ensuring consistency, quality, and value.
Our ERW Tube Dimensions
| Round | 19mm OD up to 76.20mm OD |
| Square | 20mm x 20mm up to 60mm x 60mm |
| Rectangle | 25mm x 15mm up to 80mm x 40mm |
| Flat Sided Oval | 30mm x 15mm up to 80mm x 40mm |
| Special Section | As required |
Why Top Tubes Should Handle Your Tube Processes In-House?
Did you know that managing all your tube processes in-house can improve the efficeiency and reliability of your supply chain? With Top Tubes, you benefit from having everything done under one roof—coil slitting, tube manufacturing, laser cutting, and more—ensuring efficiency, tracability and reliability at every stage. Curious how our in-house services can improve your business? Contact us today to find out more.
Get in touch
Our expert team is ready and willing to assist you with all your manufacturing needs, simply click the link.
Unmatched Service and Flexibility
Whether you require full packs of ERW mill lengths or exact, cut-to-length tubes, we make it easy to do business with us. Our motto is simple: to be “easy to buy off.” With our in-house production capabilities, we offer market-leading supply flexibility that is second to none.
Precision and Strength
Our length capability, directly off the ERW tube mill, ranges from 2000mm to 13500mm, all with clean-cut sheared ends. What sets us apart is our unique slit coil edge preparation technology. This advanced process involves precise edge profiling and surface treatment, resulting in a finished tube with superior weld strength and integrity—stronger, in fact, than the steel itself.
Advanced Manufacturing Capacity
We operate two modern ERW tube mills with a combined capacity to produce 50,000 tonnes of high-quality steel tubes per annum. We cater to a wide range of specifications in terms of mechanical and chemical properties, allowing us to meet the bespoke needs of our customers.
What is ERW Steel Tube?
Electric Resistance Welded (ERW) steel tubes are a versatile and durable product used across various industries. ERW tubes are made by cold forming steel coil into a cylindrical shape, followed by welding the seam longitudinally. The result is a product that is strong, smooth, and ideal for applications that require precision and reliability. Read our detailed article on what ERW tubes are, the different forms they can take, and their industrial applications.
Quality Control of Our ERW Tube
At Top Tubes, quality control is at the core of our ERW Tube manufacturing process.
We employ a range of rigorous tests to ensure that every tube we produce meets the highest standards of strength, durability, and reliability.
Below is an overview of the key tests we conduct:
Tensile Test
What is a Tensile Test?
A tensile test measures the strength of the tube by applying tension until it breaks. This test determines the material's tensile strength, elongation, and yield strength, ensuring the tube can withstand the stresses it may encounter in its intended application.
Flattening Test
What is a Flattening Test?
A flattening test assesses the ductility and weld integrity of the ERW tube. In this test, a section of the tube is compressed until it flattens. This process reveals any potential defects in the weld seam and ensures that the tube will perform reliably under pressure.
Impact Test
What is an Impact Test?
An impact test evaluates the toughness of the tube by subjecting it to a sudden force or shock. This test measures the material's ability to absorb energy and resist fracturing, ensuring that the tube can endure impacts without failing.
Expansion Test
What is an Expansion Test?
The expansion test involves forcing a plug into the end of the tube to widen it, assessing the material's ability to deform without cracking. This test is crucial for applications where the tube may need to be expanded or fitted with other components, ensuring that the tube maintains its integrity even when deformed.
Non-Destructive Weld Test
What is a Non-Destructive Weld Test?
Unlike destructive tests, non-destructive testing (NDT) examines the weld's quality without damaging the tube. Techniques such as ultrasonic testing or X-ray inspection are used to detect any internal flaws or inconsistencies in the weld, ensuring the tube's structural integrity without compromising its usability.
Visual Test
What is a Visual Test?
A visual test involves a detailed inspection of the tube's surface and welds to identify any visible defects, such as cracks, porosity, or surface irregularities. This test is an essential part of the quality control process, ensuring that the tubes not only meet the required specifications but also have a flawless appearance.
Did You Know?
At Top Tubes, our commitment to quality is so stringent that if a single seam cracks during a tube test, we discard and restart the entire batch.
We then reset and review our tolerances.
We believe in delivering only the best, without compromise.
This ensures that you never receive anything less than a Top Tube!
Types of ERW Tubes We Manufacture
At Top Tubes, we offer a variety of Electric Resistance Welded (ERW) tubes, each crafted to meet specific industry needs. Below is a brief definition of each tube type, followed by an explanation of our manufacturing process.
INTRODUCTING
MAGNAtube BY TOP TUBES
MAGNAtube - By Top Tubes
Tube manufactured from double-sided premium zinc/aluminium/magnesium coated coil. MAGNAfusion weld repair then offers unmatched corrosion protection.
What is MAGNAfusion? How can it help your business? Click the link below to find out more!
Self-Colour/Black
What is a Self-Colour/Black Tube?
A Self-Colour or Black Tube is an uncoated steel tube, typically used for structural applications and as a base for hot dip galvanising.
Top Tubes Manufacturing Process
These tubes are perfect for hot dip galvanising, which boosts their durability and corrosion resistance. They are widely used in water infrastructure and architectural designs. However, due to their tendency to rust when exposed to moisture, they are less suitable for water lines but excel in gas line applications. Need help choosing? Our experts are ready to assist. Contact us!
Semi-Bright
What is a Semi-Bright Tube?
A Semi-Bright Tube is an uncoated steel tube with a smooth surface, ideal as a base for various finishing processes.
Top Tubes Manufacturing Process
This makes them ideal for painting, powder coating, zinc plating, or chrome plating. They are widely used in industries requiring a high-quality finish, such as furniture making and automotive manufacturing, where both appearance and durability are key.
Pre-Galvanised
What is a Pre-Galvanised Tube?
A Pre-Galvanised Tube is a steel tube that has been coated with zinc before forming, offering enhanced corrosion resistance.
Top Tubes Manufacturing Process
Available in various coating thicknesses to meet diverse needs. With additional zinc weld seam repair ensuring full protection. These tubes are ideal for plumbing and heating systems where long-term corrosion resistance is crucial.
Aluminised
What is an Aluminised Tube?
Manufactured from double-sided aluminium-coated coils, aluminised Tube is a steel tube coated with aluminium for high corrosion resistance and thermal durability.
Top Tubes Manufacturing Process
Our Aluminised Tubes are built to withstand high temperatures and resist corrosion. This makes them perfect for automotive parts like mufflers and exhaust pipes, as well as for use in furnaces and water heaters. Their combination of lightweight properties and durability makes them indispensable in many industrial applications.
Beyond transportation, these aluminium-coated tubes are crucial in building furnaces, water heaters, and burners, serving as essential structural components. Their lightweight nature, thermal resistance, and corrosion protection make them a versatile and valuable material for various high-demand applications.
Perforated
What is a Perforated Tube?
A Perforated Tube is a steel tube with holes punched through it, typically used for filtration and noise reduction.
Top Tubes Manufacturing Process
Our Perforated Tubes are meticulously crafted with precision-engineered hole patterns. They are essential in automotive exhaust systems for filtering air and liquids, and are also used in food processing, pharmaceuticals, and chemical industries for sieving and purifying processes.
Their use extends to the chemical industry, where they help sieve and purify chemical compounds, ensuring the integrity and quality of products. In environmental protection, these tubes are vital in filtration systems, purifying air and water to support conservation efforts.
The precision and versatility of these tubes make them essential across many industries, from industrial processes to environmental applications.
Industrial Applications
| Self-Colour/Black | Semi-Bright | Pre-Galvanised | Aluminised | Perforated | MAGNAtube | |
| Agriculture | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
| Appliances | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||||
| Automotive | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
| Construction | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |||
| Energy | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |||
| Greenhouses | ✔️ | |||||
| Coastal & Marine | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |||
| Solar & Wind | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |||
| Transportation | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
| Furniture | ✔️ | ✔️ |