Oval Tubes Manufactured in the UK
Also referred to as elliptical tube or elliptical tubing, oval tube offers an elegant, ergonomic alternative to standard round tubing for architectural, marine, engineering and OEM applications.
As the original manufacturer of oval tubing, we now offer more sizes of stainless steel oval tube than any other tube suppliers, with multiple wall thicknesses available. We can also form selected oval profiles from aluminium, titanium, copper and its alloys.
Looking for oval tubes in the UK? Timeless Tube is an independent UK manufacturer of oval and flat-sided oval tube in stainless steel, aluminium and brass. Around 300 standard variations across materials, grades and wall thicknesses, with new sizes made to order and orders from one length.
- Elegant in design, offering a superior aesthetic to standard round tubing for handrails and balustrades
- An ergonomic, secure grip for handrails and handles when compared with circular tubes
- From tiny precision tube to large format decorative tube
- Commonly used in architectural, marine and OEM applications
- Sweeping arcs and tight fixed radius bends available
- Connects with bespoke joiners for easier fabrication and a high-end finish
Over 45 different sizes of stainless steel oval tube and multiple wall thicknesses
From 23.5×13.3×1.5mm to 200×130×3mm.
Most popular sizes
- 23.5 × 13.3 × 1.5mm
- 39.5 × 20.5 × 1.5mm
- 47 × 25 × 1.5mm
- 61 × 37 × 3mm
Simple yet sophisticated metal tube design
Founded by Timeless Tube in 1987, the iconic oval tube is simplistic in design and yet it offers so much more than standard round tubing.
Carefully developed over the years, the elliptical oval tube profile combines a gentle aesthetic together with an ergonomic shape, making it inviting to the touch as well as appealing to the eye. When used as a handrail or balustrade, it can be joined by welding our specially designed connectors into the tube without any visual defects, creating an uncompromising, seamless form (oval tubing can even be dry joined with our connectors if welding is not an option).
Stainless steel (INOX) and other metals
Oval tube is most commonly formed from stainless steel 304L and 316L, thanks to the extreme durability of these metal grades. When we form this tube from ‘marine grade’ stainless steel 316L it can be used externally, due to its high resistance to corrosion. For decorative or restorative applications, we can also create oval tube from copper, brass, bronze and aluminium.
Elbow connectors for oval tubing
We currently offer a system of joiners for oval and twisted oval tubing, which enable you to produce handrail and balustrades with uncompromising, seamless joins. If you have a large project that requires joiners for other tube profiles then speak to us to find out more.
Fabrication services for oval tube
As the originator of oval tubing, we have 30 years’ expertise in shaping, bending and fabricating this tube profile. Ask any professional tube bender and they will tell you that bending an oval tube is more complex than bending a round tube because it has two axis. We have the tooling and the expertise to create bends in oval tubing – from tight bends to sweeping curves. We offer this profile in smaller sections of rolled or fixed radius bends.
If you need your oval tubes polished, we have specialised machines for oval tube polishing (or we can polish by hand, depending on the finish and quantity of tubing required).
If you choose to use our joiners to connect your stainless steel oval tubes, we can weld them together then polish out the weld seam for a seamless, high-quality finish.
Using Timeless Tube for your bending, welding and polishing can save you time and money, plus you have the added assurance that expert tube manipulators who understand shaped tubing will be working on your application.
Sizes
Stainless steel and aluminium 5083 Oval tube profiles are sold in lengths of 5.8m (the manufacturing process reduces the standard 6m length by 0.2 metres).
Can’t see the tube sizes you need in the table? Contact us about custom-sized tubing; we may able to fabricate a new size to meet your project requirements. Or download our brochure, which contains sizing information for existing aluminium and brass tubing too, as well as all stainless steel sizes.
Oval tube tolerances
Timeless Tube does not work to a published dimensional standard for formed profiles. Our typical tolerances follow those of the round tube we start from, normally supplied to EN ISO 1127 (usually D3/T3) for stainless steel and the relevant parts of BS EN 755 for aluminium. Because each oval tube is cold-formed to order, the tolerance we can hold depends on the profile, size and wall thickness.
If tolerances are critical to you, please get in touch. We keep a large database of measured dimensions from past production runs, so we can give realistic, evidence-based guidance on what is typically achievable for many oval profiles and sizes.
As a general guide, the table below gives standard tolerances by major axis (the longest dimension of the oval).
If your oval tube must fit inside another component or tube, house an internal part, or meet a close-fit dimension, tell us when you first enquire. In these assemblies, any variation in wall thickness can be critical.
Where needed, we can request wall thickness tolerances from our metal suppliers. These are normally small and do not affect fabrication or end use in most standard applications.
Need a size that is not in our list? See our guide to new sizes and custom-made tooling. For flat-sided oval, see our flat-sided oval tube page.
The image above shows how dimensions are detailed (for example, 23.5mm x 13.3mm x 1.5mm)
Sizes given are for stainless steel.
Popular Sizes
Searching for Oval Tubes UK?
Timeless Tube is an independent UK manufacturer of oval, flat-sided oval and other shaped metal tubing, based in Poole, Dorset. Engineer Malcolm Cole founded the business in 1987 and formed the world’s first stainless steel oval tubing using a unique cold-forming process we still use today. Engineer Tom McMillan has led the business since 2016, building on Cole’s pioneering work in shaped tubing.
We list around 300 standard oval variations across materials, grades and wall thicknesses, and can make new sizes to order. These form a significant part of the Timeless Tube range of profiles. We also welcome enquiries for legacy parts and replacement tubing previously sourced from other suppliers.
Can we reproduce your existing oval tubes?
Our flexible forming process lets us develop new sizes and specifications to suit your application. Send us your drawing, sample or required dimensions, and our engineers will assess whether we can make a suitable replacement.
An exact match needs technical review of wall thickness, profile geometry, material and tolerances. Please flag any critical fit with inserts, connectors or adjoining components.
Can I buy oval tubing directly from a UK manufacturer?
Yes. We make oval and flat-sided oval tubing at our Poole facility and supply customers across the UK and internationally. Tell our engineering team your profile, dimensions, material and quantity to discuss manufacturing options.
Oval tubes for heat exchangers
Our high-quality oval tubes are ideal for high-efficiency or space-constrained thermal systems.
- Streamlined shape reduces flow separation and aerodynamic drag, resulting in higher convective heat transfer coefficients and lower air-side pressure drops. This makes them ideal for the cross-flow heat exchangers found in HVAC systems, condensers, and radiators
- Oval tubes can be packed more densely than circular tubes within a given space, offering increased surface area for heat transfer
- Their shape promotes better mechanical contact with fins, reducing thermal resistance and improving overall heat exchanger performance
- Available in small quantities and at short lead times for both heat exchanger refurbishment and new unit markets
- Heat exchanger alloys include stainless steel 304 and 316, aluminium, copper and brass; we can also form tubes from standard heat exchanger grades upon request
Applications for oval tube
- Handrails
- Balustrades
- Street signs
- Door handles
- Decorative shrouds
- Luggage racks
- Queue management systems
- Generator cooling coils
- Metal stair nosing
- Cable housing
- Medical equipment
- Laboratory equipment
- Lighting
- Kick rails
- Radiators
- Boarding ladders
- Assisted living equipment
- Hoists and cranes
- Furniture
- Telescopic tubing
- Heat exchangers
Looking for oval tubing outside the UK? We ship oval tube overseas
Our clients come to us from across the globe for our unique shaped tubing and specialist tube fabrication. We can ship our oval tube to North America and Europe in as little as 48 hours. Our freight team will work to meet your transit times and budget; get in touch to discuss shipping options.
Our tubing is used in buildings, products and engineering projects worldwide. We work closely with international customers on technical enquiries, quotations, packaging and shipping, making ordering from the UK straightforward.
Need help finding the right size and tube shape?
Speak with one of our tube specialists to find out how best to integrate shaped tubing into your project. We can give you information on the best profile, metal, finish and dimensions for your application.
Contact us for expert advice, quotes and free samples.
Our tubing is custom-manufactured, which means we cannot give you a quotation until we know some specific requirements.
Help us to quote more efficiently by providing us with as many details as you can in the enquiry form below. If you need guidance about the options available, please let us know in the additional notes section.
Thank you for your enquiry!
We will get back to you as soon as possible.
If you haven’t already provided this information, we are likely to ask you for these details when we contact you:
- Tube profile and size
- Material and grade
- Wall thickness, if known
- Quantity required, and if this is a prototype or production requirement
- Required cut lengths
- Fabrication requirements (e.g. bending, laser cutting, polishing, machining, connecting)
- Application / end use
- Critical dimensions and tolerances
- Delivery location (shipping costs are often quoted separately following the initial manufacturing quotation)
- Required timescale
- Drawings or CAD files (especially useful for new sizes, new profiles and fabrication enquiries)
Understanding more about your project helps us to quote the most appropriate tubing solution.
If you would prefer to talk to us or ask any technical questions, phone us on +44 (0)1202 666560 or email us with your phone number and we will call you. Please include your international dialling code if you are not based in the UK.
Please share drawings or CAD files by email, quoting your name and company.
Need help finding the right tube?
Talk to a specialist and find the right tube for your project.
Discover our product range
View our unique shaped metal tube profiles and joining systems.
Need help finding the right tube?
Talk to a specialist and find the right tube for your project.
Discover our product range
View our unique shaped metal tube profiles and joining systems.