2006-10-09 23:43:00 · 11 answers · asked by ashish b 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
A tube is formed continuously (such as an extrusion), whereas a pipe is rolled from sheet material and seamed along its length.
Tubes can have an end on them (test tubes) rounded at one end. Pipes are always open on both ends.
Pipes :
The nominal dimension of pipe is inside diameter - ID. A 2'' pipe has approximately a 2 inches inside diameter.
Outside diameter depends on the "schedule", the thickness, of the pipe. The schedule and actual thickness vary with the size of the pipe.
Pipe can be defined by Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) under American standards classifications.
Nominal Bore (NB) may be specified under British standards classifications along with a schedule (wall thickness).
Looser tolerances compared with tubes.
Less expensive to produce than tubes.
Tubes:
The nominal dimension of pipe is outside diameter - OD. A 2'' pipe has approximately a 2 inches outside diameter.
Inside diameter depends on the thickness of the tube. The thickness is common described as gauge.
Higher tolerances compared with pipes.
More expensive to produce than pipes.
2006-10-10 02:54:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The technical difference is the specification to which the two are manufactured. There are ASTM or ANSI standards for both dimensions and materials.
Size is not the defining characteristic nor is the material.
Both pipe and tubing can be seamless or welded.
The nominal diameter of pipe is usually close to the internal diameter of the pipe. Most tubing diameter matches the outside diameter. In both pipe and tubing you must specify the wall thickness you wish.
Some structural tubing can have a square cross section.
2006-10-10 08:52:00 · answer #2 · answered by oil field trash 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can buy plastic pipe or tubing and steel or copper pipe or tubing so it is not the material. Sometime the manufacturing method is different. Usually there is a difference in the inside and/or outside diameters of a given size (1/4", 1/2", 1", etc.) and available wall thicknesses (schedule) and the plumber or steam fitter must know this in order to select proper sized valve ends and fittings for a system. Laymen often use the terms interchangeably.
2006-10-10 07:02:04 · answer #3 · answered by Kes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pipe is a hollow cylinder of material (ceramic, metal or plastic). It differs from tubing in the way it is dimensioned. Pipe is specified by standard pipe size designations, such as Nominal Pipe Size, whereas tubing is specified by outside diameter (OD) and wall thickness. Pipe usually has thicker walls than tubing and cannot be bent without damage, but this depends on the application. Many industrial and government standards exist for the production of pipe.
2006-10-10 07:02:32 · answer #4 · answered by hpandya316 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For a pipe, mentioning of only inner diameter is required and for a tube u have to mention both inner as well as outer diameter.
this is the only basic difference in between them.
2006-10-10 15:09:45 · answer #5 · answered by sk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the real difference lies in the diameter of the two
less than 2 inches(its a rough estimate) is known as a tube and more than that as a pipe.
2006-10-10 06:57:28 · answer #6 · answered by nishu 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tube is measured by the outside dimension.
Pipe is measured by the inside dimension.
This is the dimension which will be controlled most closely and how it will be found in a catalog.
No other definition holds much water.
2006-10-10 10:47:02 · answer #7 · answered by Roy C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, you can smoke a pipe. Little troublesome if you try it in a pipe.
2006-10-10 06:53:44 · answer #8 · answered by 3810trebor@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could get more information from the 2 links below...
2006-10-10 07:30:35 · answer #9 · answered by catzpaw 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the difference is in the fabrication,
pipe is molded and welded,
tube is extruded and welded in the process
2006-10-10 06:51:23 · answer #10 · answered by gussie r 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋