Steel Pipe and Tube – What’s the Difference?
Steel tubing can be made of either welded or seamless. Seamless pipes are made from a solid metal round billet that is pierced and rolled into its final length.
Tubing is primarily used to transport fluids and gases. They are also often used in structural and mechanical applications.
The material that pipe and tube are made from can greatly impact their strength. The manufacturing process also impacts their strength.
Origin
Despite their seemingly similar names, pipes and tubes have very different characteristics. Understanding these differences can help you determine when each is most appropriate for your needs.
Pipes are hollow structures designed to ferry across various media. They can be used in many industrial applications and can be made either seamless or welded.
The first pipe was fabricated by William Murdock in 1815 when he joined together the barrels of discarded muskets to create a system for transporting coal Steel Pipe/Tube gas. John Russel patented a method for making tubing out of iron strips in 1824 and Comenius Whitehouse developed a better method (butt-welding) in 1825 that is the foundation of current pipe manufacturing methods.
Tubes are solid, cylindrical sections of steel that can have a wide range of uses. They are manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes with wall thicknesses that can vary greatly depending on the application. Tubes can also be fabricated to be either seamless or welded.
Both seamless and welded pipes have their own advantages. For example, seamless pipes can be produced to be either round or square and have very little internal stresses, which makes them ideal for a wide range of uses. In contrast, welded pipes are often more economical and can be produced to a specific diameter. Moreover, they can withstand much greater external pressures than seamless pipes.
Properties
Steel tubing is used to transport gases, liquids and other materials. It is commonly used for industrial applications ranging from muffler components to chemical transportation and for structural supports. Strength is one of the most important properties for selecting the right type of pipe or tube for an application. Some factors that influence strength include the material, wall thickness and diameter.
The chemistry and manufacturing process of the steel can impact its strength, especially for tubes. For example, a high carbon content (more than 0.3 % C) can make the metal unweldable and weaker in general.
A tube’s thickness and diameter can also make it stronger or weaker. Thicker walls provide more structural support and are often stronger in torsion than thin walls, but can also add weight and cost. The size and application of the product can also affect its strength requirements. For example, products that are subject to pressure should be made of a stronger material with thicker walls than those for low-stress applications.
Besides the dimensions, other characteristics that can be controlled are the chemistry and several mechanical properties, including minimum yield strength and ultimate tensile strength. Elongation is another key property to consider because it indicates how well the material can resist stress and fatigue. If the MYS is high and the elongation is low, the galvanized steel supplier tube is brittle; if the MYS is low and the elongation is high, the tube is resilient and less likely to fail catastrophically.
Applications
Whether they’re transporting chemicals, bearing weight loads or providing structure to buildings, steel pipes and tubing are useful in numerous ways. These hollow cylindrical tubes are extremely strong and durable, making them an essential part of manufacturing and construction. They can withstand high heat, pressure and shock, and are also highly chemical-resistant. The strength of steel pipes and tubing depends on a variety of factors, including the material used and the thickness of the wall.
Pipes and tubing are generally larger than tubing because they need to be able to carry greater volumes of liquid or gas. These larger sizes are often used in engineering and industrial projects, such as water or gas distribution systems, or for structural purposes, such as scaffolding.
Tubing, on the other hand, is smaller and can be more easily customized for specific applications. It’s also a popular choice for use in vehicles, such as cars, trucks and planes. It’s used in everything from the engine and fuel lines to the exhaust system and muffler components.
Both pipes and tubing are usually made from carbon steel, which can be strengthened further by adding other elements. This can increase the strength of the product and improve its resistance to corrosion. Other important factors for determining the strength of steel pipes and tubing are their diameter, wall thickness and the way they’re manufactured.
Pricing
Pipes are usually made of carbon or low alloy steel. They are ordered by their outside diameter (OD) and inside diameter (ID), along with the wall thickness, known as a schedule. Schedules are designated using a non-dimensional measurement called a “Nominal Size” and are different from actual sizes, which are measured using a tool like a micrometer.
Tubes come in a variety of shapes, including circular, rectangular, and cylindrical. Some are also telescoping, which is useful for applications where you want the ability to adjust the length of the tube. Steel tubes are known for their strength, and they resist corrosion well. Many of these tubes are galvanized, which means they’re coated in a layer of zinc for added protection against corrosion.
When comparing pipes to tubes, it’s important to take into account the metric of maximum bend radius. This metric describes how much bending and deformation a tube can handle without bursting. It’s also essential to consider the pressure rating and yield strength of the tube. For example, if you’re transporting materials, you’ll need to know how much pressure it can handle to prevent leaks or spillage.
Pipes typically have higher yield and ductility properties than tubes, making them better suited for liquid or gas transportation. This is because they have a more uniform structure, which helps to evenly distribute the pressure force.
