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In some instances the terms may be used interchangeably, however, there is one key difference between tube and pipe, particularly in how the material is ordered and toleranced. Tubing is used in structural applications so the outside diameter becomes the important dimension. Tubes are often put into applications such as medical devices that require precise outside diameters. The outside diameter is important since it will indicate how much it can hold as a stability factor. Whereas pipes are normally used to transport gasses or liquids making it important to know the capacity. Knowing how much can flow through the pipe is key. The circular shape of the pipe makes it efficient when handling pressure from the liquid flowing through.
The classification of pipes are schedule and nominal diameter. Pipe is typically ordered using the Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) standard and by specifying a nominal diameter (pipe size) and schedule number (wall thickness). The schedule number can be the same on different size pipe but the actual wall thickness will be different.
Tubes are typically ordered to outside diameter and wall thickness; however, it may also be ordered as OD & ID or ID and Wall Thickness. The strength of a tube depends on the wall thickness. The thickness of a tube is defined by a gauge number. Smaller gauge numbers indicate larger outside diameters. The inside diameter (ID) is theoretical. Tubes can come in different shapes such as square, rectangular and cylindrical, whereas piping is always round. The circular shape of the pipe makes the pressure force evenly distributed. Pipes accommodate larger applications with sizes that range from a ½ inch to several feet. Tubing is generally used in applications where smaller diameters are required.
Tubing is typically ordered to outside diameter and wall thickness; however, it may also be ordered as OD & ID or ID and Wall Thickness. Although tubing has three dimensions (O.D., I.D. and wall thickness) only two may be specified with tolerances and the third is theoretical. Tubing is usually ordered and held to tighter and more stringent tolerances and specifications than pipe. Pipe is typically ordered using the Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) standard and by specifying a nominal diameter (pipe size) and schedule number (wall thickness). Both tubes and pipes can be cut, bent, flared and fabricated – check out our top 10 tips for ordering tubing and piping.
There are a few key characteristics that separate tube from pipe:
Pipe is always round. Tubes can be square, rectangular, and round.
Tube is typically ordered outside diameter and wall thickness. Tubing is usually held to tighter and more stringent tolerances and specifications than pipe. Pipe is typically ordered using nominal pipe size (NPS) standard and by specifying the nominal diameter (pipe size) and schedule number (wall thickness)
Tubes can be telescoped. Telescoping tubes are perfect for applications different pieces of material to sleeve or expand inside one another.
Pipe is rigid and cannot be shaped without special equipment. With the exception of copper and brass, tubes can be shaped with some effort. Bending and coiling tubing can be done without excessive distortion, wrinkling or fracturing.
Tubes are used in applications such as medical devices that require a precise outside diameter. The outside diameter is important since it will indicate how much it can hold as a stability factor. Pipes are used for transporting gasses or liquids making it important to know the capacity. The circular shape of the pipe makes it efficient when handling pressure from the liquid flowing through.
Tubes are cold rolled and hot rolled. Pipe is only hot rolled. Both can be galvanized.
Pipes accommodate larger applications. Tubing is generally used where small diameters are required.
Tubes are stronger than pipe. Tubes perform better in applications that require durability and strength.
For over 35 years, Eagle Stainless has earned a reputation as a world-class tubing components and parts supplier, proudly serving industrial, energy, medical, and aerospace industries across the globe. If you’re interested in requesting a product quote, please click below to get started!
In the construction industry, contractors, builders, fabricators, welders, sign manufacturers, and machinists use pipe and tube every day. Even the general public or homeowner from time to time has to use these two products. Here is a list of the differences between pipe and tube:
A hollow, usually cylindrical body of steel, stainless steel, or aluminum, used especially for conveying or containing liquids or gases.
A hollow cylinder of metal, or other material, used for the conveyance of water, gas, steam, petroleum, etc.
The main use for tubing is for structural purposes. They are used in applications that call for precise outside diameters. They are defined by the outside diameter and wall thickness for construction stability. Tubes are always one whole piece from end to end. They can be flexible or orthogonal but continues in any case.
Tubes are used:
Pipes are used mainly for the transportation of fluids and gases like water, oil, gas, propane, etc. The inside key measurement is the inside and outside diameter and pressure rating is important. Pipe Bollards use pipes because they require rigidity, resistance, and strength to cope with impact pressure. Pipes are the item that you lay in your house. In order to connect them, you weld (or screw) a flange to the end. They always go in straight lines. Pipes are used for:
Tubing can be rectangular, square, or round. They are usually seam welded. Tubes are generally used in applications that require smaller diameters.
Pipes are always round in shape. It cannot be shaped easily without the use of special equipment. Pipes are usually seamless and pressure rated to avoid leakages as they usually carry liquids or gases. Pipes are typically available in larger sizes than tubes. Pipes accommodate larger applications with sizes that range from a half-inch to several feet.
Tubing is usually measured by the outside diameter dimension – or OD with a set range of wall thickness. The wall thickness is vital as the tube’s strength is dependent on it. One might think that a 3.0 inch OD tube would measure 3.0 inches and a 7.5 inch OD tube would measure 7.5 inches. However, machines today cannot hold dimensions precisely to the nominal value, and because of that, there must be acceptable degrees of variations. In other words, every dimension on a blueprint is subject to variations from the nominal value.
Pipes are only provided with an inside diameter and a “schedule” which means wall thickness. There’s an easy way to remember this – since pipe is used to transfer fluids or gas, the size of the opening through which the fluids or gas can pass through is probably more important to you than the outer dimensions of the pipe. The tolerance for pipes is looser than tubes. Pipes are usually used for transporting or distributing, therefore the properties of pressure, straightness, or roundness are strictly specified.
The thickness of tubing is often specified by a gauge for thinner thickness and for thicker tubing. It is indicated by fractions of an inch or millimeter. The normal range of tubing is 20 gauge, which is 0.035 inches up to a thickness of 2 inches.
Wall thickness (mm, inch, or gauges). Gauge measures (BWG or SWG) are used for thinner wall thicknesses, whereas larger measures are expressed with fractional or inch indexes. The wall thickness of a pipe is referred to as a pipe schedule thickness. The most common pipe schedules are SCH20, SCH40, and SCH80.
Tubing requires a higher level of processes, tests, and inspections. As a result, the delivery period is longer too. The yield of tubes is comparatively much lower than the pipes.
The manufacturing process of a pipe is easier in comparison to tubes and more often undergoes mass production.
Tubing is made of mild steel, aluminum, brass, copper, chrome, stainless steel, etc. Tube is available in hot rolled steel and cold rolled steel. The difference in materials is also a reason for the difference in the cost and applications.
Pipes are usually made of carbon steel or low alloy steel. Pipe is typically black steel (hot rolled). Both pipe and tube can be galvanized.
Some widely used steel pipe standards or piping classes are:
The manufacturing of tubing takes much more labor, energy, and material. In the case of the same material, the production cost of tubes is usually higher than pipes.
The manufacturing process of pipes is easier and they are manufactured in large lots. This is why pipes can be less than tubes.
The key to high quality tubing is the hardness, tensile strength, and high precision.
The yield strength, pressure rating, and ductility properties are more important for pipes. Carbon, Sulphur, Phosphorus, Manganese, and Silicon are the main chemical elements for pipes.
Although brass and copper tubing can be shaped relatively easily, tubing is typically rigid.
Pipes are invariably rigid and cannot be shaped without special equipment.
Tubing often goes through sour cleaning or special polish treatment for their particular field uses.
Pipes need to be painted or coated to anti-corrosion or oxidation for outdoor field transporting or underground transporting.
Tubing can be joined quickly and effortlessly with flaring, coupling, or brazing. Tubing assemblies can also take place through tube fittings where high standards of construction are needed.
Connecting one pipe to another is much more of a labor intensive process as it requires welding, flanges, or threading. Pipe welding is safer than tube joining.
Tubing generally comes with coupling ends or special end finishes like irregular ends, special screw threads, etc.
Pipe ends are usually in a plain, beveled, or threaded and coupling form.
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