At first glance, pipes and tubes may appear so similar as to be virtually the same thing. Particularly when talking about round tubes (vs. square metal tubes or other common shapes), distinguishing between a pipe vs. a tube may seem difficult or even unnecessary.
However, the differences between pipes and tubes do exist, and in industries where these metal products are used, it’s crucial to draw a distinction between them. As global leaders in metal polishing, our team at Polished Metals produces high-quality finished pipe and tubing products for use across many industries. To help others who may be exploring metal products for various projects, we’re outlining the differences between pipes and tubes in today’s blog post.
What Is the Difference Between a Pipe vs. a Tube?
While similar, pipes and tubes have several key differences, chiefly in what shapes they can take, how they’re measured, and how they’re used. Pipes tend to be round, are measured in terms of their volume, and are used to transport materials; meanwhile, tubes may be multiple different shapes, are measured in terms of their diameter and thickness, and are more often used for structural purposes.
Let’s take a closer look at the characteristics of each.
Characteristics of Pipes
A pipe is, first and foremost, a vessel. Used across many industries, pipes may be used to transport either liquids or gases, and they are ubiquitous in plumbing as well as several other industries such as:
- Oil and gas
- Agriculture
- Chemicals
- Automotive
- Food and beverage
- Pharmaceuticals
Pipes are generally selected for their volume, among other reasons; accordingly, their inside diameter (ID) is a key measurement. Pipes are also sized by their thickness, which is given as a “schedule,” a standardized measurement used within the industry.
Lastly, pipes are nearly always round. This is because round shapes are easy to manufacture, distribute pressure evenly, and transport volumes of material efficiently.
Characteristics of Tubes
While metal tubing can also be used to transport materials, tubes will more often be used for structural purposes. Metal tubes of varying shapes and sizes make excellent supports and are used across many industries. For example, metal tubes are frequently seen in industries like:
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Automotive
- Architecture and design
- Aerospace
- Oil and gas
- Miscellaneous parts of the industrial sector
Because of the structural uses, tubing is often manufactured to have much more tensile strength compared to pipes. Similarly, a tube will typically be measured differently vs. a pipe—the key dimensions for tubes are the outside diameter (OD) along with the thickness of the walls, which may use units such as millimeters or a numerical “gauge” measurement (GA).
Finally, unlike pipes, tubes are manufactured in multiple different shapes. This includes round tubes, but square and rectangular tubing is also very common.
Reach Out to Polished Metals for Your Metal Finishing Needs
Understanding the difference between a pipe and a tube is crucial for anyone planning a project involving finished metal products. With different use cases, shapes, sizes, and measurements, pipes and tubes occupy generally distinct roles across numerous industries worldwide.
At Polished Metals, our team is here to be your expert in all things metal finishing. We’re known throughout the world for the quality of our metal polishing, and our team can also work with you to determine the products most suitable for your needs.
With a broad selection of both metal tubing and metal pipes, as well as custom finishing options, Polished Metals is your one-stop shop for all your metal needs. Reach out today for a quote!