The R Angle of Stainless Steel Square Tubes

The R angle of a square tube refers to the rounded corner at the intersection of two sides of the tube, measured by the radius of the arc. The size of the R angle varies based on the tube’s usage, connection, and contact area. In particular, the R angle in stainless steel decorative tubes significantly affects their aesthetic appeal. If the R angle is too large or too small, it can detract from the overall appearance.

So, what is the appropriate size for the R angle in stainless steel square tubes?

1. R Angle in Directly Formed Square Tubes

Directly formed tubes are produced by cold bending steel strips and welding them directly. This manufacturing process allows for precise control over the R angle, typically maintaining it within 1 to 2 times the wall thickness of the stainless steel square tube.

2. R Angle in Modified Drawing Square Tubes

The modified drawing process involves first forming and welding steel strips into round tubes, which are then stretched through special molds to achieve the desired shape and size. The accuracy of the R angle in tubes produced by cold drawing depends on the molds used. Different molds are required for producing tubes with varying diameters and R angles. It is crucial to frequently check the precision of the molds during the production of stainless steel square tubes. Any discrepancies can lead to issues such as the inability to connect tubes properly or noticeable deviations in appearance.

The R angle of square and rectangular tubes is commonly measured using an R gauge, a tool that utilizes the light gap method to measure the radius of an arc. During measurement, the R gauge’s measuring surface must be in complete and tight contact with the arc of the workpiece. When there is no gap between the measuring surface and the workpiece’s arc, the value indicated by the R gauge is the size of the R angle. For more precise measurements, such as those required for accurate production data, a precision projector or a coordinate measuring machine can be used.