The difference between a pipe, tube, and hollow bar

Many people ask us the difference between a pipe, tube, and hollow bar so we’ve made this video to explain the difference.

Overall, the difference is the application and the way they are measured.

Pipes are typically used to transfer liquid or gas, and are constructed to withstand high pressure. Pipes are always round.

Tubes are used for strength, mostly in structural applications, such as framing. Tubes can be round, square, or rectangle.

Pipes are measured by its nominal (or inner) diameter and its wall thickness. The wall thickness is called a schedule. We typically use schedule 40 or schedule 80. A schedule is a fixed number based on the nominal diameter. For example a 0.75 inch nominal pipe, schedule 40, will always have a thickness of 0.113 inches.

Tubes are measured by their outer diameter and will have a wall thickness, typically measured in inches or fractions.

A hollow bar is always round and can look like a pipe or a tube, however, typically the walls are much thicker.

A hollow bar has the strength of a solid round bar, but since there is no center, there is less weight per foot which can sometimes save money, without compromising strength.

A hollow bar, depending on the application, can be machined both on the inside and the outside.

Hollow bars are measured by giving an inner diameter (ID) and outer diameter (OD).

Copper and Brass Sales offers pipe, tube and hollow bar in aluminum, stainless steel, copper, brass, and bronze.

Please contact us for more information or to get a quote on your pipe, tube and hollow bar needs!

You can also get an instant quote or even place an order on our PLUS eCommerce website.