FAQ

RHS and SHS structural steel tubing distributed by Midalia Steel is used across a wide range of environments and sectors.

Environments and sectors include engineering construction, residential construction, commercial construction, mining, logistics, manufacturing and agriculture industries. Applications where SHS and RHS steel are commonly used include welded steel frames for furniture, automotive chassis, and machinery and construction projects. Rectangular and square hollow section steel is also often used for beams in architectural applications.

SHS stands for square hollow section. RHS stands for rectangular hollow section. These two specific types of steel hollow sections are designed to provide a combination of strength and functionality which makes them suitable for a wide variety of applications.

SHS is square in shape and can be welded or joined to flat surfaces as easily as RHS steel. SHS can be used in applications where strength, functionality and aesthetic appeal is required.

RHS is rectangular in shape and requires minimal preparation prior to joining or welding to flat surfaces. This feature, together with its structural strength, makes RHS steel an economical and practical choice for the construction industry and civil engineering projects in all areas.

Hot-dip galvanized steel will take a very long time to start corroding in most environments, but, as with almost all types of steel, it will eventually begin to corrode. The length of time that it takes for corrosion to affect the steel core will depend on various environmental factors and other conditions. In some cases, it may be 50 years or more before you have to worry about such corrosion taking place. Surface corrosion (corrosion that affects the zinc acting as a sacrificial anode) will begin much sooner, but this is by design. The corrosion of the zinc coating is what protects the steel core for many years or decades.

Hot-dip galvanised CHS steel can be welded with ease, using conventional electric arc welding equipment and methods. For a professional, experienced welder, there is relatively little difference between welding an uncoated steel section and one that has undergone the hot-dip galvanising process. However, it is essential to remove the zinc coating before welding, which can be quickly achieved by grinding it off.