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What is the difference between pipe and tubing?

Tubing and pipe are both used to transport fluids and gases, but they have some important differences:

  1. Shape: Pipe is typically cylindrical and has a uniform diameter along its entire length, while tubing can have a variety of shapes and sizes, including square, rectangular, and oval. Tubing also tends to have thinner walls than pipe.
  2. Manufacturing process: Pipe is generally produced using a continuous extrusion process, while tubing can be produced using a variety of methods, including extrusion, drawing, or rolling.
  3. Use: Pipe is typically used for conveying fluids or gases under high pressure or in large quantities, while tubing is often used for more specialized applications where precision and control are important, such as in the pharmaceutical, chemical, or semiconductor industries.
  4. Strength: Pipe is generally stronger than tubing due to its thicker walls and uniform diameter. This makes it better suited for applications that require high pressure or heavy loads.
  5. Availability: Pipe is generally more widely available in a range of materials, sizes, and wall thicknesses than tubing, which may be more limited in its availability.

In summary, while tubing and pipe are both used to transport fluids and gases, they have different shapes, manufacturing processes, uses, strengths, and availability. The choice between tubing and pipe will depend on the specific application and requirements of the project.

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Seamless and Welded Tubing

Seamless and welded instrumentation tubing are two common types of tubing used in industrial applications. Here are some comparisons and contrasts between the two:

  1. Manufacturing process: The main difference between seamless and welded tubing is the manufacturing process. Seamless tubing is produced by extruding a solid piece of material and then rolling it to the desired size and thickness, while welded tubing is made by rolling a flat strip of material into a tube shape and then welding the edges together.
  2. Strength: Seamless tubing is generally stronger than welded tubing because it has no seams or joints that can weaken the structure. This makes seamless tubing more suitable for high-pressure applications where strength and reliability are critical.
  3. Cost: Welded tubing is generally less expensive than seamless tubing because it can be produced in large quantities using automated processes. Seamless tubing requires more specialized equipment and processes, which can make it more expensive.
  4. Appearance: Welded tubing has visible welds and may have a slightly uneven surface due to the welding process, while seamless tubing has a smooth, uniform surface with no visible seams or joints.
  5. Availability: Welded tubing is more widely available in a range of sizes and materials than seamless tubing, which may be more limited in its availability.
  6. Corrosion resistance: Both seamless and welded tubing can be made from materials that are highly resistant to corrosion, but the welding process can potentially introduce areas of weakness in the material that could be more susceptible to corrosion over time.

In summary, while both seamless and welded instrumentation tubing have their advantages and disadvantages, the choice between them will depend on factors such as the specific application, required strength and reliability, and budget considerations.