What Steel are Scaffold Poles Made From?

[awemawson]

For a bit of devilment I subjected a short  (5") length of standard UK galvanised steel scaffold pole to the tender caresses of my newly completed hydraulic press.

No real surprise that it only took about 5 tons to effectively squash it flat, but there were still a few ripples, so I carried on to the full 60 ton to make an extremely flat tube 

BUT: as the initial (5 Ton) squash was happening I was surprised to see that the tube fractured where the bend radius was smallest - obviously not a malleable steel.

Now I'd always assumed that they were made from mild steel, but this little experiment-ette would seem to give the lie to that. All google will tell me is that they must conform to EN39 specification - but that's not the steel, it's an overall size type spec as far as I can tell.

.... so what's the steel 

[geoff_s]

Here's a list of the international standards for scaffolding, a couple of these deal with the steel used.
http://www.reliancescaffolding.com/scaffolding-standards.asp

[wgw]

I always assumed it was mild steel, it is quite easy to saw and turns well. Expect it will be a grade with alloys for cold strength. Will be interested to find out.

[David Jupp]

EN39 ->  S235GT - max 0.2% carbon, max 1.4% Manganese.

Earlier specs, give max 0.2% carbon, max 0.3% Silicon  (same mechanical properties as in EN39).

So a lowish Carbon, killed steel, perhaps with some Manganese.

[awemawson]

Thanks David 

[angus]

i was always led to believe they are the same as a gas main ??