0.500" 4130 Chromoly Tubing
Half-inch OD is the smallest size most fabricators keep on the rack. In 4130 it is used for diagonal bracing, control linkages, seat and pedal mounts and light secondary members, where a small tube has to stay stiff without adding weight.
Where 0.500" OD 4130 Tube Is Used
At this diameter the tube is rarely a primary load path. It earns its place as a brace, a gusset tube or a push-pull rod, and in bicycle building as a chain stay or seat stay blank. Because the diameter is small, wall thickness has a large effect on stiffness: moving from 0.035" to 0.065" adds about 75 percent more metal to the section.
Small tube also bends easily, so check the centreline radius against your tooling before you settle on a thin wall. A wall that is too light for the radius will flatten or wrinkle on the inside of the bend.
Ordering 0.500" OD Tubing
State the OD, the wall, the condition (normalized is the usual choice for welded structures) and the standard, normally ASTM A519 Grade 4130. Add the total length and whether you want random mill lengths or pieces cut to size. For the full range of diameters see the 4130 tubing size chart, and for help choosing a wall see the wall thickness guide.
0.500" OD 4130 Tubing: Wall, Bore and Weight Table
The table lists the bore, metal cross-section and theoretical weight for 0.500" (12.70 mm) outside diameter across the walls normally requested in cold drawn seamless 4130.
| Wall (in) | Wall (mm) | ID (in) | ID (mm) | Section area (in²) | Weight (lb/ft) | Weight (kg/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.035" | 0.89 | 0.430" | 10.92 | 0.051 | 0.17 | 0.26 |
| 0.049" | 1.24 | 0.402" | 10.21 | 0.069 | 0.24 | 0.35 |
| 0.058" | 1.47 | 0.384" | 9.75 | 0.081 | 0.27 | 0.41 |
| 0.065" | 1.65 | 0.370" | 9.40 | 0.089 | 0.30 | 0.45 |
| 0.083" | 2.11 | 0.334" | 8.48 | 0.109 | 0.37 | 0.55 |
| 0.095" | 2.41 | 0.310" | 7.87 | 0.121 | 0.41 | 0.61 |
| 0.120" | 3.05 | 0.260" | 6.60 | 0.143 | 0.49 | 0.73 |
Values are calculated from nominal dimensions (weight = (OD − wall) × wall × 10.69). A row in this table is a dimensional reference, not a statement that the size is held in stock; confirm availability when you enquire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the inside diameter of 0.500" OD 4130 tubing?
It depends on the wall. With a 0.035" wall the bore is 0.430"; with 0.049" it is 0.402"; with 0.065" it is 0.370". The table above lists the bore for each common wall.
How much does 0.500" OD 4130 tubing weigh?
Between roughly 0.17 lb/ft at 0.035" wall and 0.49 lb/ft at 0.120" wall. Weight is calculated as (OD − wall) × wall × 10.69.
Can 0.500" OD 4130 tube be supplied cut to length?
Yes. Short, repeated lengths for brackets and linkages can be cut before dispatch. Send a cut list with the length and quantity of each piece.
Enquire for 0.500" OD 4130 Tubing
Provide your required wall thickness, condition, standard, and footage for a 0.500" OD 4130 quotation.
- OD: 0.500"
- Wall Thickness
- Standard (ASTM A519)
- Condition
- Footage / Quantity
- MTC 3.1 required
- Delivery