Tube or pipe, how can you tell the difference? While similar in shape and form for round pipe and tube, there is one surefire way to tell tube and pipe apart—from the inside. The key difference comes down to their applications: pipe was initially designed to transport liquids, gases, and solids but has found its way into many load-bearing and structural applications, while tube can be used for a variety of structural applications, among others. Most tube is rolled and welded and comes in round, rectangular, and square shapes. It is measured based on the outside diameter (OD) and the inside diameter (ID) or the wall. Pipe is made slightly different and can be welded or seamless. It is tested for the amount of pressure it can withstand before bursting. This is where the term ‘schedule’ comes into play, which relates to the thickness of the wall on the pipe. Pipe is usually ordered in nominal size (OD) and to “schedule” (wall thickness). A higher schedule number indicates a thicker wall. There are some instances, however, in which different sized pipes have the same schedule number but the actual wall thicknesses differ. Talk with your rep to learn more about the differences.
Shape
Grade
Type
Size
6063, 6061
Extruded Seamless, Seamless Drawn, Welded
OD: 0.75" thru 8.5"
Wall Thickness: 0.035" thru 1"
Aluminum tube and pipe is corrosion resistant, heat treatable, and weldable.
The reduced weight of aluminum is very beneficial in transportation equipment where it improves fuel economy and increases payload.
When exposed to atmospheric conditions, aluminum forms a thin layer of aluminum oxide. This protects the material from corrosion caused by oxygen, moisture, and various chemicals.
Aluminum can be easily formed. For example, grade 3003 aluminum has excellent formability. Other grades such as 5052, 6061, 6063 have good formability.
Heat moves quickly through aluminum, which is ideal for exchangers, heat sinks, cooling vanes, plastic injection molds, and process vessels.
Commercially pure aluminum has a tensile strength of 13 KSI. Through cold working methods and/or the addition of alloying elements, the strength of aluminum can read 100 KSI for use in structural applications.
recycled content in Aluminum
abundant metal in Earth's crust
of aluminum produced still in use