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Difference Between Pipe and Tube
Difference Between Pipe and Tube
Difference Between Pipe and Tube
The wall thickness of pipes and tubes is an important factor to tell difference. The thickness of tubing is
often specified by a gauge for thinner thicknesses and for thicker tubing it is indicated by fractions of an
inch or millimeters. The normal range for tubing is 20 gauge, which measures .035 inch, up to a thickness
of 2 inches. The wall thickness of a pipe is referred to as a pipe schedule, which you can find the relevant
between pipe schedule and thickness in millimeter or inch in specification ASME B36.10. The most
common schedules are SCH 20,SCH 40 and SCH 80. Schedule 40 is the most common and 80 is extra
heavy. Which is needed to be noted, the pipe schedule is not set for all diameters; it varies.
For example:
There is no formula between the pipe schedule and wall thickness, the only is to refer to the ASME
B36.10 or relevant standards.
7. Material
Piping is usually made of carbon steel or low alloy steel. while tubing is often made of mild steel,
aluminum, brass, copper, chrome or stainless steel etc. Different material also lead to different cost and
price.
10. Ductibility
Pipe is available in rigid joints, which come in various lengths depending on the material. Tubing, in
particular copper, comes in rigid hard tempered joints or soft tempered (annealed) rolls. Some tubing
also comes in rigid joints or flexible rolls. The temper of the copper, that is whether it is a rigid joint
or flexible roll, does not affect the sizing.
11. Packing
Pipes to delivered are in bundle or just bulk delivery. Because we just need to protect the pipes surface
from serious damage and no need to protect from any light chafing. While tubes are usually wrapped with
wooden box or thin film for each tube, especially for medical area tube.
For outdoor field transporting or underground transporting, pipes need to be painted or coating to
anti corrosion or oxidation. Tubes are sour cleaning or special polish treatment for particular
field use.
13. Quantity
For long transport or distributing, piping is often used in mass quantity and for long distance application.
So, the order of pipes are usually large. While tubes may be used in small quantity.
Pipe Vs Tube
There is often confusion as to which size die the customer actually needs - Pipe Size or Tubing Size.
Keep in mind that pipe size refers to a nominal - not actual - inside pipe diameter. Schedule refers to the
pipe's wall thickness. The actual physical OD is larger than it's nominal OD.
The dimensions provided for tubing on the other hand refer to the actual outside diameter. In other words,
the actual physical OD of a tube is just the same as it's nominal OD. The size of a tube will keep the same
OD no mater what the wall thickness is.
For example: The actual outside diameter of 1 pipe is 1.625 - while 1 tube has a true 1.25 outside
diameter.
Consequently, both the size of tube and pipe is measured by it's OD and the thickness.
Pipes are used to transport something, and tubes to construct something; hence, tubes are defined by the
outside diameter and wall thickness (for construction stability), and pipes are measured by inside diameter
to allow a calculation for transportation viz., speed, volumes etc. (OD = ID + 2 WT)
Key
ID Inside Diameter
OD Outside Diameter
WT Wall Thinkness