Aluminum is a versatile and widely used metal due to its unique properties. Its lightweight nature, resistance to corrosion, high electrical conductivity, and ease of machining make it a preferred choice for different applications. This metal’s ductility and malleability allow it to be extruded, rolled, and forged into various forms, including pipes and tubes.
You may have heard that the terms Aluminum tube and pipe are used interchangeably, but you are probably not sure of the difference between them. Mostly, even the experts in related industries, don’t know it exactly. We will help you to understand the differences between pipe and tube in detail from shape, size, application and other aspects. If you still have some questions, you can consult us. With our rich production and sales experience and complete product inventory, we can solve all problems related to pipe and tube for you.
The following is the specific distinction:
Shape: Round vs. Square/Rectangular
While “pipe” and “tube” are often used interchangeably, their shapes typically differ. Aluminum pipes are usually round and are designed to carry fluids or gases. In contrast, aluminum tubes can be round, square, or rectangular and are often used in structural applications. Think of pipes as analogous to veins in the human body, designed for flow, while tubes are more like the bones, providing structural support.
Wall Thickness
Another difference lies in the wall thickness. Pipes generally have a standardized wall thickness to ensure unobstructed flow and are measured by their internal diameter. Tubes, on the other hand, are usually available in a variety of wall thicknesses and are often measured by their external diameter. The variations in wall thickness in tubes make them suitable for applications requiring different levels of strength and rigidity. It’s akin to choosing different types of rope for different tasks; a thicker rope might be used for heavy lifting, while a thinner one may be used for tying knots.
Dimensional Tolerances
Pipes usually have more stringent dimensional tolerances than tubes. This is because even a small variation in the diameter of a pipe could significantly affect the flow rate of the fluid or gas it’s carrying. Tubes are generally more forgiving in their dimensional tolerances, as they are often used in applications where such stringent controls are not as necessary. These parameters are expressed in units like inches or millimeters and express the true dimensional value of the hollow section.
Manufacturing
Most smaller bore metal pipe and tube is extruded. That’s the process where a billet of material is squeezed through a die to produce a long length with uniform cross-section. It works best with ductile materials, which is why so much aluminum is extruded.
Extruding pipe or tube entails forcing the metal around a mandrel that creates the internal passageway. In practice it’s difficult to keep this internal bore concentric with the OD, so what happens is that the wall thickness varies. The manufacturer controls either bore or OD, but not both.
Some tube will be drawn after extrusion, (or in some cases, instead of,) both to thin it down and to improve dimensional consistency.
Most aluminum tubes are extruded from 6061 or 6063 grades. This is because they tend not to be work-hardened, so the extrusion equipment can run faster. 6061 is more durable, but 6063 generally looks better, thanks to a finer grain structure and can it be anodized well when colored finishes are required.
Cost and surface treatment
The manufacturing of tubing takes much more labor, energy, and material. In the case of the same material, the production cost of tubes is usually higher than pipes.he manufacturing process of pipes is easier and they are manufactured in large lots. This is why pipes can be less than tubes.
Pipes need to be painted or coated to anti-corrosion or oxidation for outdoor field transporting or underground transporting.Tube often goes through sour cleaning or special polish treatment for their particular field uses.
Applications
Pipes are primarily designed to transport liquids or gases and are thus common in plumbing, HVAC systems, and chemical processing plants. Tubes are useful in broader applications, from bicycle frames and furniture to aerospace components. Essentially, pipes are like the arteries and veins in a city’s infrastructure, conducting water or gas from one point to another. At the same time, tubes serve multiple purposes and can be found in various aspects of construction, machinery, and more.
Post time: May-23-2024