1. Pipe indicates larger outside diameter than tube. Pipes accomodate large applications with sizes that range from a half-inch to several feet. Tubes are generally used in applications that rquire smaller diamters.
2. The wall thickness of pipe is reffered as pipe schedule, while the wall thickness of tube is specified by a guage for thinner thickness and by fractions of an inch or millimeters for thicker thickness.
3. The tolerance for pipes is looser than tubes comparatively. Therefore, manufacturing tubes requires more process, tests, inspections than pipes which lead to a longer delivery time, higher cost, and also higher market price.
4. The pressure rating is significant for pipes because pipes are generally used for fluids, gases, and water. However, for tubes, the outside diamters is important for tubes because tubes are mainly used for weapon part, industrial parts, cooler tubes, medical tubes.
5. The raw material for pipe is carbon steel or low alloy steel, while for tubes, the raw material is mild steel, aluminum, brass, copper, chrome, stainless steel ect.
6. Pipes is allowed to delivered in bundle or bulk, while for tubes, it usually wrapped with wooden box or thin film for each tubes.
7. About surface finish, pipes need to be painted or coated with anti-corrosion. However, tubes might need sour cleaning or special polish treatment for particular field use.
8. The order quantity for pipes is larger than tubes. Because pipes is used for long transporting and used in mass quantity.
9. Pipe ends are usually in plain or beveled, while for tubes are with coupling ends or specially end finish.
