In daily life, people always mix “tube” and “pipe” generally and naturally. And let’s take a brief skim in the explanation of these two words in Oxford Dictionary:
Tube: A long, hollow pipe made of metal, plastic, rubber, etc., through which liquids or gases move from one place to another.
Pipe: A tube through which liquids and gases can flow.
It seems there are no differences between TUBE and PIPE. But actually tube differs from pipe in many aspects. Please spend a little time reading this article and I’ll inform in which aspects can we distinguish stainless steel tube from stainless steel pipe.
①Shape
Tube: Tube can be round, square, rectangular, or other shapes.
Pipe: Pipe is usually in round shape.
②Measuring Method
Tube: Tube is specified by outside diameter (OD) and wall thickness (WT).
Pipe: Pipe is specified by nominal diameter (inside diameter/ID) and schedule (wall thickness/WT).
③Primary Usage
Tube: Tube is widely used in every aspects of life, such as structural applications, instrument, heat-exchanger and etc.
Pipe: Pipe is normally used in transporting fluids and gases (liquids or gases) under pressure.
④Mechanical Characteristic:
Tube: Tube can be more flexible than pipe, allowing for bending and shaping.
Pipe: Pipe is generally rigid and not easily bent or shaped.
⑤Metal Types
Tube: Tube can be formed from cold-rolled or hot-rolled metal materials.
Pipe: Pipe is generally made from hot rolled metal materials.
⑥Size Difference
Pipe is typically available in larger sizes than tube.
⑦Manufacturing Requirements
Tube has stricter requirements that manufacturers need to account for, including thickness, straightness, and roundness of the cylinder. These requirements lead to a higher degree of testing and inspection on tube compared to pipe.
|
TUBE |
PIPE |
| SHAPE |
ROUND, SQUARE,
RECTANGULAR AND ECT. |
ROUND |
| MEASURING METHOD |
OD AND WT |
ID AND WT |
| PRIMARY USAGE |
WIDELY USED IN EVERY ASPECTS OF LIFE |
GENERALLY USED IN
TRANSPORTING FLUIDS
AND GASES |
| MECHANICAL
CHARACTERISTIC |
MORE FLEXIBLE |
MORE RIGID |
| METAL TYPES |
HOT-ROLLED AND
COLD-ROLLED METAL |
COLD-ROLLED METAL |
| SIZE DIFFERENCES |
SMALLER |
BIGGER |
| MANUFACTURING
REQUIREMENTS |
STRICTER |
LOOSER |
MW Metal can provide all kinds of high-quality stainless steel tube and stainless steel pipe to meet all your customized requirements. If you’re interested in high quality stainless steel tubes or pipes with competitive prices, please don’t hesitate to contact with us. We’re always available to offer a quotation as your demand.
