How To Store Square And Rectangular Tubes And What Are The Precautions

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Square and rectangular tubes are prone to rust and corrosion if they are not stored properly (for example, being exposed to rain or moisture), which can affect their performance and service life. Below is a table for a quick understanding of the core points to note, along with more detailed explanations of each point.

Choosing a suitable site is the first step and also the foundation for preventing square and rectangular tubes from being affected by the external environment.

• Site selection:

The storage site or warehouse should be located in a clean and well-drained area, and should be far away from factory or mine areas that may produce harmful gases or dust.

• Classified storage:

Different square and rectangular tubes should be stored separately according to their types and specifications.

1. Large square and rectangular tubes (such as large section steel and large-diameter tubes) can be stored outdoors.
2. Small and medium-sized square and rectangular tubes should be stored in well-ventilated material sheds and must be covered on top and padded at the bottom, that is, they should be covered on top and padded at the bottom.
3. Small-sized, thin-walled or high-priced, easily corroded square and rectangular tubes must be stored in the warehouse. The warehouse is preferably a closed one equipped with ventilation devices, and it should be well-ventilated on sunny days and moisture-proof on rainy days.

Moisture-proofing is of Paramount importance for the storage of square and rectangular tubes. The following details require special attention:

• Requirements for covering materials:

If square and rectangular tubes are stored outdoors or in material sheds, the covering materials used must be strong and durable to prevent rotting and leakage due to long-term exposure to sun and rain. At the same time, when covering, it is necessary to ensure that the surface of the steel pipe can be well-ventilated to prevent water vapor from not being able to evaporate and instead accumulating inside, which may cause rust.

• Support and elevation:

Square and rectangular tubes must never be placed directly on the ground under any circumstances. When storing, there must be a support (such as sleepers or brackets) to raise it up and keep it at a certain distance from the ground to ensure air circulation at the bottom.

• Handling of pipe end protectors:

A detail that is often overlooked is that after square and rectangular pipes are stacked and stored, the pipe end protectors should be considered for removal. This is to prevent moisture from accumulating in the narrow space where the protector contacts the steel pipe, making it difficult to evaporate and thus causing local corrosion.

Incorrect stacking methods can cause deformation or damage to square and rectangular tubes.

• Control the number of stacking layers:

When stacking, it is essential to avoid having too many layers to prevent the pipe ends at the bottom layer from bearing excessive local pressure, which may cause radial plastic deformation of the steel pipes or damage to the anti-corrosion coating. The specific number of stacking layers is recommended to refer to the relevant industry standards.

• Isolation of hazardous substances:

Square and rectangular tubes must not be stored together with corrosive materials such as acids, alkalis, salts, and cement in the warehouse. At the same time, it is also necessary to avoid contact with contaminants such as oil and copper.

For situations that require long-term storage, it is very important to establish a standardized management system.
• Establish system documents: Enterprises should formulate detailed long-term storage management systems for square and rectangular tubes and strictly enforce them. The content includes regular inspection plans, stacking standards, emergency response measures, etc.

Regular inspection and maintenance: It is necessary to regularly check whether the covering is intact, whether the support is stable, and whether there are any signs of rust on the surface of the steel pipe. Any problems found should be dealt with in a timely manner.

The key to properly storing square and rectangular tubes lies in doing the following:
• Environment is the foundation: Ensure that the site is dry, clean and well-ventilated.

Moisture-proofing is the core: effective covering, raising and supporting, and paying attention to the details at the pipe ends.

• Stack scientifically: Strictly control the layer height to prevent pressure damage and deformation.

• Management should be long-term: Establish systems, conduct regular inspections, and prevent problems before they occur.

It is hoped that this information can help you better store and manage square and rectangular tubes. If you have specific usage scenarios (such as long-term outdoor storage or frequent access), I can offer more targeted suggestions.

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