Pipe and Tube

What’s the Difference?

pipes The words ‘pipe’ and ‘tube’ are often used interchangeably to mean a cylinder used to transport liquid or gas. This definition does not matter much unless you are referring to tube or pipe used in industry, especially engineering, in which case there are fundamental differences between the two. These differences are outlined below.

Uses

Tube is primarily used for structural purposes such as scaffolding.

Pipe is used to transport liquids or gases.

Sizing

Tube and pipe are measured differently when determining the required size.

One thing they do have in common is that for both pipe and tube there are three important dimensions:

Outside diameter (OD)
Inside diameter (ID)
Wall thickness (WT)

They are related by the following equation:

OD = ID + 2 * WT

Tube is measured by the exact outside diameter (OD) with a set range of wall thickness. The wall thickness is important as the strength of the tube depends on this.

Pipe is measured by a nominal OD. The most important property is the capacity or inside dimension (ID).

NPS (Nominal Pipe Size) is a US standard measured in inches used to designate pipe diameter and thickness. DN (diamètre nominal/nominal diameter/Durchmesser nach Norm), in which sizes are measured in millimetres, is the European and international equivalent.

Structure

Tube does not have to be round it can be square or rectangular. Tube is usually seam welded. Copper and brass tube can be shaped but other ranges of tube are typically rigid. Because tube has to carry weight, it is usually stronger than pipe.

Pipe, on the other hand, is always round and rigid as it cannot be shaped without special equipment. Pipe is usually seamless and pressure rated because it is used for transporting liquids or gases, so it is important that there is no leakage.

Cost

Because of its structural use, tube tends to be more expensive than pipe as it has higher tolerance levels.

Summary

Tube

Tube is used for structural purposes
Tube is measured by OD
Tube is sized in exact OD (exact outside diameter and set range of wall thickness of tubing) *
The most important property of tube is the wall thickness (WD)
Tube is usually more expensive as tolerances higher
Shape can be square or rectangular not just round
Tube is typically rigid, with the notable exception of Copper and brass tube which can be shaped
Tube is seam welded
Tube is stronger than pipe, as strength depends on wall thickness

*However, when using copper pipe the OD is 1/8^th larger than the stated OD. Stainless steel, aluminium, and steel tubing measurements are exact.

Pipe

The main purpose of pipe is to transport gases or fluids as a vessel, used in pipeline and piping systems
Pipe is measured by ID
Pipe is sized in Nominal Pipe Size—nominal outside diameter different from measured OD and schedule (wall thickness) of pipe
The most important property of pipe is the capacity or ID (inside diameter)
Pipe is always round in shape
Pipe is invariably rigid and cannot be shaped without special equipment
Pipe is usually seamless
Pipe is pressure rated, depending on what it is designed to carry

BFPA Training at the IA Academy

Industrial Ancillaries Training Academy runs a number of courses in partnership with the BFPA, designed for anyone who works with hydraulics.

Foundation Safety Course
Basic hydraulics health and safety course.

Hose Assembly Skills Course
2-day course on hose assembly procedure, including routing and installation.

Hose Integrity, Inspection and Management Course
Health and safety assessment training including risk analysis and competence.

Call us on 01246 242050 or get in touch through our Contacts page to find out more details about our courses and course dates.