What are stainless steel pipes and tubes?
Stainless steel pipes are always round in cross-section with a hollow centre, steel tubes can be manufactured in various shapes, including round, rectangular, square, or oval. Both components are used in piping systems to distribute materials like pellets, dust, gases, fluids, and steam. These components are characterised by key dimensions: inside diameter (ID), outside diameter (OD), and wall thickness (WT)—with wall thickness also referred to as pipe schedule. The hollow section of both pipes and tubes can be determined by calculating the outside diameter minus twice the wall thickness. One notable distinction between stainless steel pipes and tubes lies in their measurement conventions, with pipe dimensions typically specified in inches or millimetres, and these dimensions directly indicate the size of their hollow sections and liquid capacity.
What is the difference b/w pipe and tube?
There are many types of stainless steel pipes and tubes:
The three main grades of stainless steel are 304, 316, and 317, each with its unique properties.
Seamless pipes
Stainless steel seamless pipes are well-judged in dimensions and can be used in precise applications.
Austenitic stainless steel
This is the most worldwide type of stainless steel for pipes and fittings. It’s known for its corrosion resistance, formability, weldability, and toughness.
Ferritic stainless steel
This type of stainless steel is cost-effective and highly resistant to corrosion cracking. It is similar to low-transfuse steels and contains little to no nickel.
Alloy steel
Alloy steels are made with specified alloying elements that make them stronger and increasingly resistant to stress or impact.
Difference between pipe and tube diameter.
The main difference between pipe and tube size is how they are measured and their shape:
- Shape: Stainless Steel Pipes are always round, but tubes can be round, square, or rectangular.
- Measurement: Pipes are measured by their nominal pipe diameter (NPS) and wall thickness, while tubes are measured by their exact outside diameter and wall thickness.
- Telescoping: Tubes can be telescoped, but pipes cannot.
Here are some other differences between pipes and tubes:
Strength
Tubes are generally stronger than pipes and are better for applications that require durability.
Cost
Tubes are usually more expensive than pipes because of the higher manufacturing requirements for a more precise outside diameter.
Uses
Copper pipes are often used for water supply and gas systems, while copper tubes are often used for indoor plumbing and HVAC systems.
Pipe and tube manufacturing process.
Pipes and tubes are produced using a variety of methods, including:
Seamless
A solid steel prefab is heated and pierced to form a hollow tube. This process is also known as extrusion, where the tube is drawn from a solid prefab and extruded into a hollow form. Seamless pipes are known for their ability to withstand pressure increasingly efficiently.
Welded
Two edges of steel plates or coils are joined using various welding techniques.
Electric Resistance Welded (ERW)
An unappetizing strip of steel is passed through a series of rollers to shape it into a cylindrical form.
Drawn over Mandrel (D.O.M.)
A method for producing tubing.
Piercing
A metal bar is pierced with holes, then heated and rolled into a tube form.
Application of pipe and tube & Uses
Pipes and tubes, which are frequently confused as interchangeable materials, are actually quite different. In fact, understanding their differences is critical when working with them. Ganpati Industries provided detailed information on both materials, including their properties, manufacturing methods, and common applications, to help you understand these critical differences.
The shape of pipes and tubes is one of the most noticeable distinctions. Pipes are round, whereas tubes come in various shapes, the most common of which are square or rectangular. Tubes are also typically cut flat on the ends, whereas pipes have a slight bevel on the ends to make mounting fittings easier.
Applications and uses of pipe & tubes
Specifications for Stainless Steel pipes and tubes are mentioned below. If any of the specifications are not mentioned here, please contact us.
- Specifications: ASTM, ASME, DIN, NFA, JIS
- Thickness : 4.0 mm–100 mm
- Pipes Sizes: 1/8” NB to 24” NB, 1/4” OD to 24” OD sizes
- Tubes Size: 1/2″ OD to 8″ OD
- Length: Cut length, Fix length, Single Random, Double Random, and Required Length
- Form: Round Pipes/Tubes, Square Pipes/Tubes, Rectangular Pipe/Tubes, Coiled Tubes, “U” Shape, Pan Cake Coils, Hydraulic Tubes
- End: Plain End, Beveled End, Treaded
- Type: Seamless
Conclusion
Pipes are primarily used to transport fluids and gases in industries such as oil and gas, plumbing, and construction.
Tubes find applications in various industries, including construction, infrastructure, automotive, and manufacturing, where they are used for structural support, as components in machinery, or for the passage of fluids and gases.