Comparison hub
Tubing comparisons, in one place
Every tubing comparison on this site, organized by the decision you are actually making: which specification governs, which manufacturing route fits, and what the shop nicknames really mean.
On this page
The short answer
Tubing comparisons go wrong when they mix categories. “A513 vs A500” is a specification-intent question (mechanical component versus structural member). “DOM vs ERW” is a processing question inside one specification (drawn versus as-welded). “HREW vs CREW” is a starting-material question expressed in trade slang. Decide which kind of question you are asking first, then use the matching comparison page.
If you are unsure where to start: parts that carry structural loads under a design code point to the A513-vs-A500 page; parts that are machined, sealed, or slid over other parts point to the DOM-vs-ERW page; and legacy drawings written in nicknames point to the HREW-vs-CREW page.
Which comparison answers which question
The table below positions the three most-confused products by design intent rather than by nominal size. It is qualitative orientation, not a substitute for the governing standard or engineering review.
| Product / spec | Category of question | Typical governing concern | Start here |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM A513 (Types 1–2) | Specification + route | Fabrication, fit, cost | DOM vs ERW |
| ASTM A513 Type 5 (DOM) | Route inside A513 | Machining stock, OD/ID relationship | Type 5 DOM guide |
| ASTM A500 | Specification intent | Structural minimums, code reference | A513 vs A500 |
| ASTM A519 (seamless) | Specification + route | No weld zone, alloy range | A513 vs A519 |
| HREW / CREW (slang) | Starting material | Surface, strip control, PO language | HREW vs CREW |
How these comparisons are written
Each comparison page opens with a direct answer, then explains the process reasoning behind it, then lists the specification mistakes we actually see on drawings and purchase orders. None of them reproduce normative ASTM values; all of them assume the purchased standard and the supplier agreement govern acceptance.
A two-minute triage
Ask three questions about the part. Does a design code or structural calculation reference it? If yes, resolve the A500 question before anything else. Will the tube be machined, sealed, or fitted to another component? If yes, weigh the drawn routes. Is the requirement written in a nickname? If yes, translate it to a type designation before requesting quotes.
Sources and limitations
- ASTM A513/A513M — Standard Specification for Electric-Resistance-Welded Carbon and Alloy Steel Mechanical Tubing — ASTM International. Controlling specification for types, tolerances, and ordering requirements. Purchase the current edition for all normative values.
These sources inform the qualitative guidance on this page. This publication does not reproduce their text, tables, numerical settings, or acceptance criteria. Normative requirements come only from the purchased current edition of the governing standard and your supplier agreement.