What’s the Difference Between DOM and Seamless Tubing?

Your team is deep into a major machining project. The specs are tight, the pressure is high, and failure is not an option. The last thing you need is a tube that can’t keep up. Whether you're building hydraulic cylinders or critical infrastructure in heavy-duty machinery, choosing the right tubing, DOM or seamless, can be the difference between nonstop performance and a costly breakdown.

So what's the real difference between Drawn Over Mandrel (DOM) and seamless steel honed tube? Let's break it down.

What is DOM Tubing?

DOM (Drawn Over Mandrel) tubing starts out as ERW (Electric Resistance Welded) tubing. But here’s where the game changes: after welding, the tube is cold drawn through a die and over a mandrel.

This process:

• Removes the internal weld flash
• Tightens dimensional tolerances
• Improves surface finish
• Maximizes weld strength

Despite being welded at one stage, DOM tubing is so refined that its seam is nearly invisible, making it a top-tier option for precision machining, hydraulic systems, and high-performance applications.

Tech spec: Typically made from SAE 1020 or 1026 steel, DOM tubing ranges in size from 0.188” OD to 12.000” OD, and wall thicknesses from 0.028” to 0.625”.

What is Seamless Tubing?

Seamless steel honed tube skips the welding process entirely. It’s made by:

• Piercing a solid billet to create a tube (called extrusion)
• Cold drawn seamless (CDS) for tighter tolerances, or
• Hot finishing (HFS) for cost-effective, larger-size options

Cold Drawn Seamless (CDS) tubing offers:

• Excellent surface finish
• Strong machinability
• Higher strength-to-weight ratio
• Superior structural integrity under extreme pressure

Seamless is the go-to for applications that demand absolute strength, corrosion resistance, and zero compromise in critical pressure systems.

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Benefits of DOM and Seamless Tubing

When performance is non-negotiable, both DOM and seamless steel honed tube come in strong, each with its own game-winning advantages. Here's what sets them apart and why CRC Distribution has both in its arsenal to help you dominate every build:

Benefits of DOM Tubing

Extreme Dimensional Accuracy

Cold drawing over a mandrel delivers ultra-tight tolerances, perfect for high-precision hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

Nearly Seamless Performance

Yes, DOM is technically welded, but you’d never know it. The internal seam is removed and cold worked until it’s practically invisible, resulting in smooth, strong, and clean inner surfaces.

Superior Surface Finish

The OD and ID surfaces are so refined that minimal downstream machining is required, saving you time and money.

High Weld Strength

Cold working and annealing give DOM the strongest possible weld strength, making it perfect for applications under repeated stress.

Cost-Effective & Readily Available

DOM offers high-performance specs at a more budget-friendly price point, especially in honed configurations stocked by CRC.

Benefits of Seamless Tubing

Zero Weld Zones = Maximum Integrity

Seamless tubing is born from a solid billet, no seams, no weak points, just strength from end to end.

Unmatched Strength-to-Weight Ratio

Especially in CDS (Cold Drawn Seamless), you get exceptional structural performance in demanding environments.

Superior Pressure Resistance

Seamless tubing handles extreme internal and external pressures with ease, ideal for high-risk, high-stress applications.

Thicker Walls, Broader Applications

CDS and HFS options allow for thicker walls and larger diameters where required.

Consistent Quality in Harsh Conditions

Whether you're working in corrosive, high-temperature, or pressure-intensive environments, seamless tubing delivers consistent, long-lasting results.

How to Choose the Right Steel Tube for Your Project

Not all steel tubing is created equal, and choosing wrong could cost you big. Follow this checklist to lock in the perfect fit for your next high-performance application:

1. Define the Application

Are you dealing with:

• Hydraulic systems?
• Pneumatic control?
• Structural support under extreme load?

Knowing your function and environment will steer everything, from material to wall thickness.

2. Match the Tolerance Requirements

Need ultra-tight tolerances and minimal finish work? Go DOM.

Want maximum pressure resistance with no seam at all? Go seamless, especially CDS.

DOM = tight tolerances

Seamless steel honed tube = strength under pressure

3. Choose the Right Steel Grade

• SAE 1020/1026: Common in DOM for strength + machinability
• SAE 1018: Typical in CDS for fine finishes and consistent formability
• ST52 or E355: Popular for seamless tubes in high-load or impact environments

4. Evaluate Strength, Fatigue & Pressure Needs

For systems under cyclic stress or pressure surges, seamless tubing can give you the extra peace of mind. But if you're in a controlled setup that demands precision and price balance? DOM is king.

5. Factor in Environmental Resistance

Will the tubing be exposed to:

• Moisture?
• Chemicals?
• Heat?

Choose tubing with corrosion protection or appropriate coatings based on your exposure risks.

Which One Should You Choose?

If you're building hydraulic or pneumatic systems, and you want tight tolerances with great performance at a better price, DOM tubing is your go-to. It delivers elite performance with minimal downstream processing, making it CRC’s top-stocked honed tubing solution.

But if your application demands the highest level of strength, no weld seams, and the ability to handle extreme pressures, seamless steel honed tube steps up.

CRC’s Take

We primarily stock DOM honed tubing because it:

• Delivers precision at scale
• Offers excellent consistency
• Reduces cost without compromising performance

But if your project calls for seamless? We’ve got options ready to spec, too.

Discover a comprehensive range of honed tubes tailored to your needs.

Applications That Count

Whether DOM or seamless steel honed tube, tubing must perform under pressure. Here’s where each shines:

DOM Tubing

• Hydraulic cylinder tubes
• Pneumatic control systems
• Automotive shock absorbers
• Agricultural equipment

Seamless Tubing

• High-pressure gas or fluid systems
• Aerospace components
• Oil & gas drilling equipment
• Construction and mining cylinders

The CRC Advantage: Tubing Without Compromise

CRC Distribution delivers cut-to-length, precision honed DOM tubing with the speed, reliability, and customization your operations demand.

• Multiple diameters in stock
• Fast turnaround on custom orders
• Precision finish honed in-house
• Expert support to match specs to needs

Ready to Spec the Right Tube?

Choosing between DOM and seamless is a strategic move. And CRC has your back as your honed tube suppliers with elite tubing options and the knowledge to help you dominate your next build.

Get started now and discover the difference CRC honed tubing makes.