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This paper conducts a comparative study of the tensile performance of plug-pin scaffold joints under different temperatures. The current research objects are mostly for the traditional low carbon steel scaffolding, and lack of research on the tensile performance of scaffolding joints in low temperature conditions. In this paper, based on the temporary seating facilities of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games complex, a new type of sorbite stainless steel was used. The tensile bearing capacity, damage mode and strain distribution patterns of the sorbite stainless steel joints and traditional Q355 joints under different temperature conditions were studied with finite element model and parametric analysis. The results indicated that for traditional Q355 joints, damage primarily occurs in the form of wedge bending deformation, and that decreasing temperature leads to increased tensile bearing and yield capacity. In contrast, for sorbite stainless steel joints, higher tensile bearing capacity was observed at +20 °C, but at −20 °C and − 40 °C conditions, the bend of the C-type card becomes more prone to crack. The accuracy of the ABAQUS finite element model is verified by comparing it with test results. Increasing the thickness of the U-type and C-type cards can slightly increase the tensile bearing capacity of the joint and a minimum wall thickness of 2.7 mm is recommended. Two suggestions are proposed for improving the joint design using sorbite stainless steel. The research provides a premise for further studies on the tensile performance of plug-pin scaffold joints. • A low-temperature loading test device and method for joints are proposed. It offers a test environment of −70 °C ∼ 150 °C. • The material properties of sorbite stainless steel and Q355 at −40 °C, −20 °C and room temperature are studied. • The mechanical properties of plug-pin scaffold joints using sorbite stainless steel and Q355 at low temperatures are studied. • The tensile properties of plug-pin scaffold joints at different low temperatures are investigated. • Theoretical load-displacement modeling of plug-pin scaffold joints is developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]