Application of rectangular tubes in automobile chassis

Date:2024-06-24Tags:Square tubes, rectangular tubes, tube

Rectangular tubes are a kind of hollow long steel strips, also known as flat tubes, flat square tubes or square flat tubes (as the name implies). Like square tubes, they are widely used as pipes for conveying fluids, such as oil, natural gas, water, gas, steam, etc. In addition, when the bending and torsional strengths are the same, the weight is lighter, so they are also widely used in the manufacture of mechanical parts and engineering structures. They are also commonly used in the production of various conventional weapons, gun barrels, shells, etc. The application of rectangular tubes in automobile chassis is also very common. The following will introduce the process of using rectangular tubes in automobile chassis.


What is a rectangular tube?

Rectangular tube is a hollow square cross-section light thin-walled steel tube, also known as steel cold-bent profile. It is a square cross-section steel made of Q235 hot-rolled or cold-rolled strip or coil as the base material, which is formed by cold bending and then high-frequency welding. In addition to the thickening of the wall thickness, the corner size and edge straightness of the hot-rolled extra-thick-walled square tube reach or even exceed the level of the resistance-welded cold-formed square tube.

rectangular tube

Application of rectangular tubes in automobile chassis

The automobile chassis is an important part of the automobile, and its main function is to support the body, bear weight, and absorb shock and vibration. Rectangular tubes are widely used in the manufacture of automobile chassis due to their good mechanical properties and easy processing. The following is the specific application and process flow of rectangular tubes in the production of automobile chassis:


Design and simulation analysis:

During the design process of the automobile chassis, engineers need to determine the overall structure and material selection of the chassis based on factors such as vehicle usage requirements, load requirements, and driving performance. Using computer-aided design (CAD) and finite element analysis (FEA) and other technologies, the layout, strength, stiffness, etc. of the rectangular tube are simulated and analyzed to optimize the chassis structure design.


Material selection:

Select the appropriate rectangular tube material according to the design requirements. Commonly used rectangular tube materials include high-strength steel, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, etc. High-strength steel has become one of the preferred materials for automobile chassis due to its excellent strength and fatigue resistance.


The processing flow of rectangular tubes includes: steel coil (or plate) shearing, forming, welding, flaw detection, straightening, cutting, packaging, etc. Different forming processes have different welding processes. High-frequency welding is suitable for straight seam welded pipes, with good dimensional accuracy, low price, high production efficiency, and excellent comprehensive mechanical properties; laser welding pipe equipment is expensive and is used for large-scale automated production with good joint performance. According to the design drawings, the rectangular tube is cut into the required length and shape. The cutting process includes laser cutting, plasma cutting, sawing, etc. The cut rectangular tube needs to be bent, punched, and other forming processes to be assembled with other components.


Welding and assembly:

The processed rectangular tubes are welded and assembled according to the design requirements. The welding processes include argon arc welding, laser welding, resistance welding, etc. During the welding process, the weld quality and welding strength need to be ensured to ensure the overall performance of the chassis. During the assembly process, fixtures and tooling are required to ensure the accurate positioning and close fit of each component.


Surface treatment: In order to enhance the corrosion resistance and aesthetics of the chassis, the rectangular tube needs to be surface treated. Common surface treatment methods include spraying anti-rust paint, electrophoretic coating, galvanizing, etc. Through these treatments, the service life of the chassis can be effectively extended.


Performance test: After the assembly of the automobile chassis, a series of performance tests are required, including strength test, stiffness test, fatigue test, corrosion resistance test, etc. Through these tests, the design and manufacturing quality of the chassis are verified to ensure that it meets the requirements of use.


Quality control and management: Strict quality control and management are required throughout the manufacturing process. Through the ISO9001 quality management system, each process is monitored and recorded to ensure the traceability and consistency of product quality. Problems found are corrected and improved in a timely manner to improve production efficiency and product quality.


Advantages of rectangular tube automobile chassis

The application of rectangular tubes in automobile chassis has many advantages:

High strength and light weight: rectangular tubes have high strength and rigidity, which can reduce wall thickness while ensuring strength, and realize lightweight design of automobile chassis. This is of great significance to improving vehicle fuel economy and reducing emissions.

Good processing performance: rectangular tubes are easy to cut, bend, weld and assemble, and have strong adaptability. Through reasonable processing technology, complex structures can be manufactured to meet the needs of different models.

Excellent corrosion resistance: rectangular tubes with surface treatment have good corrosion resistance and can be used for a long time in various harsh environments, extending the service life of the chassis.

High cost-effectiveness: The production cost of rectangular tubes is relatively low, and the material utilization rate is high, which reduces waste and production costs. Considering its performance and cost, rectangular tubes are one of the ideal materials for automobile chassis manufacturing.


In summary, rectangular tubes have become one of the important materials for automobile chassis manufacturing due to their excellent performance and wide applicability. Through continuous technological innovation and process improvement, the application prospects of rectangular tubes in the automotive industry will be broader.

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