Stainless Steel Tube vs Pipe - How To Choose The Right Option?

Stainless Steel Tube

Stainless steel is strong, durable, and corrosion-resistant, and is widely used in manufacturing, engineering, and fabrication. Stainless steel hollow products, such as tubes and pipes, should be selected based on the final application. Should you use a tube or a pipe for your application?

At first, both products appear identical, but the way they are used, measured and specified is different. Selecting an incorrect option can lead to problems with dimensions, compatibility, fabrication and overall performance. It is important to understand the difference between a stainless steel tube and stainless steel pipe.

• A tube is used in a broad range of mechanical and structural applications. It is preferred when the wall thickness, outside dimensions or fabrication characteristics are important. It is used in machinery, exhaust systems, architectural structures, marine equipment and handrails.
  
  
• A pipe is generally used for transporting liquids and gases. It is preferred where pressure rating, internal capacity and flow characteristics are important.

Steel tube vs pipe

• One of the most important distinctions between the two is how they are sized.
  
  
• A tube is sized based on its actual outside diameter and wall thickness. For example, an application may require a tube with a specific diameter and defined wall thickness because it needs to fit precisely. The dimensional accuracy is valuable for fabrication.
  
  
• A pipe is specified based on its size and schedule. The nominal measurements do not necessarily represent the outside or inside diameter of the product. The schedule is the wall thickness. Two pipes of the same size can have different wall thickness and internal diameter. The flow capacity and pressure requirements are more important than a particular dimension.
  
  
• A steel tube is versatile and is used in a variety of industries. A tube is used where corrosion resistance and reliable mechanical performance are required, such as machinery, engineering structures, frames and fabricated components.
  
  
• A steel pipe is mainly used to carry liquids, gases and other materials. Typical applications are water systems, industrial processing, chemical plants, energy infrastructure and fluid transfer systems.
  
  
• A steel tube is used in the automotive industry as an exhaust tube where the material needs to withstand moisture, heat, vibration and corrosive exhaust gases.
  
  
• A steel pipe is used in environments where flow rate, pressure capacity, temperature resistance and compatibility with other pipework components are a must.
  
  
• The important point is that there is not a single steel tube suitable for every application. The intended environment influences the tube specifications.
  
  
• The system's operating requirements determine the pipe specification. The dimensional accuracy, mechanical properties, fabrication requirements and appearance have a greater influence.

How to choose between a steel tube and a pipe?

Select an option based on the final application rather than on terminology. Consider the following:

What is the product transporting? Does the outside diameter need to be precise? Is pressure containment an important requirement? Will the product be a part of a mechanical or structural assembly? Does the product have to be bent, welded or cut? Does corrosion resistance matter? Is the surface finish important?