Starting-material comparison
HREW vs CREW tubing
Trade terms describe broad process families. ASTM type, condition, and explicit requirements are safer purchasing language.
On this page
The short answer
HREW (hot-rolled electric welded) and CREW (cold-rolled electric welded) are trade nicknames for as-welded ERW tube made from hot-rolled and cold-rolled strip. In A513 language they correspond most closely to Type 1 and Type 2 respectively. The cold-rolled route typically brings cleaner surfaces and tighter strip-thickness control; the hot-rolled route is typically more economical.
Neither nickname is a specification. Two suppliers can ship legitimately different products against the same nickname, which is exactly why the ASTM type designation exists.
Practical distinction
Cold-rolled starting material may support different surface and dimensional outcomes than hot-rolled material. Neither nickname alone communicates weld treatment, condition, tolerances, testing, or certification.
| Aspect | HREW (≈ Type 1) | CREW (≈ Type 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Starting strip | Hot-rolled | Cold-rolled |
| Typical surface | Mill scale possible | Cleaner, brighter |
| Strip thickness control | Hot-mill limits | Cold-mill limits (tighter) |
| Typical relative cost | Lower | Modestly higher |
| Safer PO language | ASTM A513 Type 1 | ASTM A513 Type 2 |
Translate nicknames into orders
When a legacy drawing says HREW or CREW, translate it: identify the A513 type, add the condition, dimensions, tolerances, weld-bead requirement, testing, and certification the part actually needs. The nickname can stay in the title block as a courtesy; the specification block should speak ASTM.
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.