What is the Difference Between Pipe and Tube? Pipe vs Tube Pipe: - The pipe is pressure tight circular hollow section that used in piping systems to transport gases or fluids. Tube: - Over the internet, you will find that tube is a circular structural member and the confusion start from here. In oil and gas industries, tubes are not just used as a structural part but also used in the heat exchanger and fired heater for a process application. Shape:The biggest difference between tube and pipe is their shape. Pipes are always round, whereas tubes can be square, rectangular or round. Size Dimensions:The other difference between pipe and tube is the critical dimension used to describe the pipe size or the tube size. Pipes are generally measured by the inside diameter (ID), often called the “nominal” diameter, and a “schedule”, which refers to the wall thickness whereas for tubes, the outer diameter (OD) and wall thickness, which are exact measures in inches or millimeters roughly corresponds to the tube size. For tubes, the difference between the outside diameter and the wall thickness, multiplied by two, defines the inside diameter of the tube. Market Price:Prices of pipes are relatively lower than steel tubes. Tubes have higher price due to productivity, strict tolerances and inspection requirements. Delivery Time:Delivery time for pipes can be short compared to tube which is generally longer. Wall Thickness:Pipe wall thickness is expressed in schedule number (most common are Sch 40, Sch STD., Sch. XS/XH, Sch. XXS - but other schedules are possible, such as 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, 100, 120, 140, 160). Tube wall thickness is expressed in millimeter, or inches, or BWG (Birmingham wire gauge.) for thinner wall thicknesses, whereas larger measures are expressed with fractional or inch indexes. Joint Connections:For pipe it is laborious to ensure duration. The most common are beveled and plain ends, however for tube it is a quick connection on the site (threaded and grooved ends, couplings, etc). Materials:-
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