Steel Pipe & Steel Tube

ANSWER:

Shape, application, and size are three of the main differences between these two steel products.

• Shape – Both pipes and tubes can be round. However, tubes can be rectangular and square shaped as well, whereas pipes are only ever round.
• Application – Pipes are almost exclusively used to carry liquids and gases. Tubes, on the other hand, can carry liquids, gasses, and are designed for many additional mechanical and structural applications across industries.
• Size – Pipes and tubes come in different sizes and are measured differently.

There a few other differences between these two steel products. Click the link to see a more in depth take on the differences between steel pipe & steel tube.

ANSWER:

These two steel products have many similarities, and overlap in application to a degree. For example, both steel pipe and steel tube can be used to carry liquids and gasses. For pipes, transportation of oil, gas, and water are primary uses, but they can also be used in bikes and to cover electrical wiring. Tube is more often also used for structural and mechanical support.

ANSWER:

Since steel pipes are more commonly associated with holding liquids and gasses, they are sized according to their inside diameter (ID). This measurement indicates the liquid capacity and is calculated by subtracting two times the wall thickness (WT)—also known as “schedule”—from the outside diameter (OD).

Pipes can be sized with schedules at 40″, 80″, or standard (STD), as well as extra small (XS), extra-extra-small (XXS) and extra heavy (XH). They are most typically formed at 21′ or 42′ lengths.

Tubes are referenced in size by their outer diameter (OD) and wall thickness (WT), in inches or in millimeters. They are routinely supplied with wall thicknesses of 11 gauge, 1/4”, 3/8” and 5/8” and, while tubes can be easily cut to any custom length, they are often stocked in 20′, 24′, 40′ and 48′ lengths.

ANSWER:

Steel pipes and steel tubes are not available in the exact same grades. Part of the reason for this is that they often serve different applications and require different materials to meet those requirements.

For example, since tubes are more likely to be used in mechanical and structural applications where strength is a critical factor. For piping that is used to carry liquids and gases, corrosion resistance might be a higher concern, leading to different metal compositions.