Without pipes and tubes, many plumbing projects wouldn&#;t be made possible. So, what is the importance of knowing the different types of pipe and tube products? Well, very. The material, the type and the quality are just some of the things you need to consider when buying pipes and tubes. So, read this guide to discover more about the differences and learn what you need for your latest plumbing project as soon as possible.
For more information, please visit Water Well UPVC Filter Pipe.
Table of contents
What is the difference between pipes and tubes?
Although the words &#;pipe&#; and &#;tube&#; may be used synonymously, they are unique products. Particularly when referring to measurements and shape(s). To identify the differences, you need to understand the qualities each has.
The short answer to this is as follows:
Pipes are always round, &#;tube-shaped&#;, and designed to distribute fluids and gases. They typically have measurements using the inside diameter and have a nominal pipe size (NPS or DN). This is a rough representation of the pipe&#;s conveyance capacity. It&#;s also worth noting the outside of a pipe is typically larger than the inside.
Tubes, on the other hand, can be round, rectangular, squared or even oval. Their hollow sections are measured using outside diameter (OD) and wall thickness (WT). These measurements are commonly conveyed in inches or millimetres. Their manufacturing methods are also stricter because of their varying range.
For the long answer, read on to find out more about how pipes and tubes vary.
What are pipes?
Starting with pipes, these usually carry certain fluids across a system. There is more than one type of pipe. Each pipe has different qualities to suit project requirements.
Years ago, (cast) iron and lead pipes were the go-tos for domestic plumbing systems. Cast iron was especially popular as a long-lasting, strong material &#; an unchanged feature to this day. That&#;s why it was a commonly used solution where pipework on the outside of buildings, such as soil pipe systems or guttering was required. So, if your house was built early on (even beyond the Second World War), your property may have cast iron somewhere on the property.
Nowadays, water is carried around homes through copper pipes, while plastic pipes are used for waste management.
Types of plumbing pipe
There are many different types of plumbing pipe materials to choose. Whichever you choose depends on what you will be using it for, as well as other typical factors that are personal to your project. This includes:
- Cost
- Longevity requirements
- Repairment considerations
Here&#;s a breakdown of the different types of pipe materials.
Types of pipe materialSuitable forProsCons
Cast iron&#;Water management systems.
&#;Drain lines.
&#;Vent lines. &#;Durable.
&#;Long-lasting.
&#;Quiet performance (minimises sound of moving water).
&#;Heat resistant.
&#;Can be used in new or old homes. &#;Less cost-effective.
&#;Prone to rusting.
&#;At risk of corrosion.
&#;Heavy.
&#;Difficult to cut.
Copper &#;Water management systems in the home (sinks, showers, bathtubs etc). &#;Not a health risk like other pipe materials.
&#;Durable.
&#;Corrosion resistant.
&#;Can be used for hot and cold water temperatures.
&#;Easy to cut using a tubing cutter or hacksaw.
&#;Can be recycled.
&#;Suitable for solder-type connection. &#;Less cost-effective.
&#;Not suitable for tight spaces due to rigid structure.
&#;Soldering connection requires experience and safety protocols.
uPVC (polyvinyl chloride) (plastic)&#;Waste management systems (sink, toilet or shower drain). &#;Lightweight.
&#;Easy to handle.
&#;Cost-effective.
&#;Durable.
&#;Can handle high water pressures.
&#;Easy to install.
&#;Easy to cut using a hacksaw and mitre box.
&#;Connected via gluing with solvents.
&#;Smooth inner lining prevents sediment build-up and is blockage resistant. &#;Limited sizes available.
&#;Struggles to withstand hot water.
&#;Toxicity is still a concern amongst usage for main water supply lines even if possible.
&#;Requires confirmation with local regulations to check the code is suitable.
Galvanised steel&#;Drainage.
&#;Water supply (not used in new construction or remodel projects).
&#;Gas supply. &#;Durable.
&#;Corrosion-resistant.
&#;Both ends of the pipe are threaded.
&#;Individual pipes are screwed into each other using connecting fittings. &#;Not as common.
&#;Less cost-effective.
ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) &#;Vent lines.
&#;Drain lines. &#;Similar looking to PVC pipe.
&#;Cost-effective.
&#;Easy to install.
&#;Sleek black colour for a smart, familiar pipe appearance. &#;Less durable
&#;Can warp and degrade due to sun exposure.
&#;Limited colour options (black common).
&#;Soft structure.
&#;Noisy performance.
&#;Requires confirmation with local regulations to check the code is suitable.
Flexi &#;Final piping connections to appliances (Water heaters, toilets, sinks). &#;Variety of lengths and sizes to available.
&#;Not a lot of pipe is typically needed. &#;Not suitable for use inside walls or floors.
&#;Less durable.
&#;Can fail after years of use due to wear and tear.
&#;Less cost-effective.
PEX (cross-linked polyethene) (plastic) &#;Water management systems. &#;Durable.
&#;Can withstand pressures of the water supply.
&#;Can prevent rust or corrosion from leaking into water supply.
&#;Flexibility allows fitting through walls, ceilings, basements and crawlspaces.
&#;Cost-effective.
&#;Common sizes include ½ inch and ¾ inch diameters.
&#;Easy to cut.
&#;Easy to join.
&#;Colour coding of red and blue to indicate hot and cold water (red for hot; blue for cold). &#;Requires confirmation with local code requirements before installation.
&#;Must be efficiently supported.
&#;Fittings must be tested and properly installed, especially when fitting behind walls.
What are drainage tubes?
Now, when it comes to tubes, these can be more complicated. As mentioned in the short answer, a tube refers to the shape of the hollow sections. These shapes are:
- Round
- Square
- Rectangular
- Oval
They&#;re commonly used for pressure equipment, mechanical applications and instrumentation systems. Quite demanding applications. As such, strict standards are put in place to prevent issues from occurring.
Types of plumbing tube
Tube materials are limited, unlike pipes. The main reasons are that their uses are widely different. It&#;s also worth noting that tubes can be cold and hot-rolled. So, the requirements for each will differ. However, when choosing a material, you will still have to consider the following:
- Cost
- Longevity requirements
- Repairment considerations
Here&#;s a breakdown of the different types of tube materials.
Types of tube materialSuitable for ProsCons
Stainless steel &#;Water management systems.
&#;High-pressure applications (e.g. transporting gas). &#;Resistant to stains.
&#;Resistant to corrosion.
&#;Durable.
&#;Long-lasting.
&#;Easy to maintain.
&#;Easy to install.
&#;Aesthetically pleasing in commercial applications.
&#;Recyclable.
&#;Does not need to be coated or lined with other materials. &#;Less cost-effective.
&#;Can fail after years of wear and tear.
&#;Easily dirtied with smudges or fingerprints which end up visible (not ideal where appearance matters such as in a kitchen).
Carbon steel &#;Water management systems.
&#;Heating systems.
&#;Transporting oil.
&#;Transporting natural gas. &#;Strong structure.
&#;Can be bent and stretched in various positions without losing shape.
&#;Can be manufactured thin.
&#;Can withstand high-pressure flows.
&#;Shock resistant.
&#;Fire resistant.
&#;Great for industrial applications.
&#;Cost-effective.
&#;Resistant to pest infestations.
&#;Rot-resistant.
&#;Recyclable. &#;At risk of rusting over time.
&#;Can corrode over time.
Low alloy steel &#;Cross-country pipelines. &#;Lightweight options available.
&#;Tougher structure compared to carbon steels.
&#;Corrosion resistant.
&#;Bare or galvanised options.
&#;Can withstand high temperatures.
&#;High stress resistance. &#;More less cost-effective than some other materials.
&#;Can chip or break when used with machinery.
&#;Low melting point making it difficult to weld or heat treat.
Nickel alloy &#;Heat exchanger systems.
&#;Process vessel systems.
&#;High temperature applications. &#;Long-lasting.
&#;Corrosion resistant.
&#;Chemical resistant.
&#;Seawater resistant.
&#;Heat resistant.
&#;Ideal for industrial applications.
&#;Low-rate thermal expansion.
&#;Warp resistant. &#;Corrosion resistance depends on the grade of the tubing.
Pipe vs tube &#; which is better?
To summarise, there isn&#;t really a &#;better&#;. However, whichever you choose does depend on the type of project you use the pipes or tubes for. To highlight these key differences, we&#;ve provided a table for you to identify the key differences so you can make an informed decision.
PipeTube
Shapes&#;Round &#;Round
&#;Rectangular
&#;Square
&#;Oval
Materials&#;Plastics
&#;Metals &#;Steels (carbon steel, low alloy, stainless steel and nickel alloys).
&#;Steel tubes mostly manufactured with carbon steel used in mechanical applications.
Average cost&#;Can be lower in some cases (I.e. steel pipes lower per ton than tubes). &#;Lower mills productivity per hour and strict requirements contributes to higher costs (requirements referring to the tolerance and inspection process).
Strengths&#;Not a primary concern. &#;Mechanical strength is a primary concern.
Tolerance (straightness, dimensions, roundness etc)&#;Tolerances are set but loose. &#;Produced to strict tolerances, undergoing various quality checks for varying dimensions during the manufacturing process (straightness, roundness, wall thickness and surface).
End connections (most common)&#;Bevelled
&#;Plain
&#;Screwed &#;Threaded
&#;Grooved (Enables quicker connections on site).
Important dimensions&#;Outside diameter (OD) and wall thickness .
&#;OD minus 2 times wall thickness (schedule) determines inside pipe diameter (ID), determining the liquid capacity of the pipe.
&#;Nominal pipe size (NPS) is a rough indication and does not match the true diameter. &#;Outside diameter (OD) and wall thickness.
&#;Measurements expressed in inches or millimetres (mm).
&#;Sizes are a true dimensional value of the hollow section.
Wall thickness&#;Pipe thickness is assigned a &#;schedule&#; value.
&#;Common schedule values include Sch 40, Sch. STD, Sch XD, SCH XXS.
&#;If two pipes have different nominal pipe sizes (NPS) and the same schedule, both will have different wall thicknesses (identified in inches or millimetres (mm). &#;Expressed in inches or millimetres (mm).
&#;Wall thickness is also measured using a gauge nomenclature.
Size range&#;Vast, reaching up to 80 inches and beyond. &#;Minimal, reaching up to 5 inches.
&#;Larger tube sizes are available for mechanical applications.
Process of production&#;Typically made to stock.
&#;Manufactured using automated and efficient processes (e.g. pipe mills producing pipes on a continuous scale, supplying products around the globe). &#;Long and difficult manufacturing processes.
Are you still not sure what size pipes you need? Explore our pipe and tube sizes guide for more information about the varying measurements for piping and tubing. We also have a variety of other plumbing guides to ensure you have the best advice to make an informed decision.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of HDPE Dredging Pipes for Philippines. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
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Most of us just drink RO Water without even knowing what we are drinking. In Most cases.. The RO Water we drink is just a tasteless liquid which has no health benefits at all but just a medium to quench our thirst.
This is a comprehensive Guide covering most of the aspects one should look at before Buying a Water Purifier.
I Focused upon HEALTH instead of fancy Features.
First Confusion is always about.. What to Choose...eh..? I mean.. there are SEVERAL VARIANTS..! RO.. UV... UF... NF... Alkaline... Copper... and even their SEVERAL Combinations..!!!! .
FIRST AND MOST IMPROTANT STEP :
If your TAP Water TDS is Below or around 200 mg/l --> UV + UF Combination.
If your TAP Water TDS is above 300 mg/l --> RO+UV+UF+ TDS Controller Combination. ( Set Water Output TDS above 150mg/l ).
If your TAP Water TDS is above 800 mg/l --> RO+UV+UF Combination.
Explanation.
1. Before Buying.. Always.. and I mean
Always Check the TDS of you Tap Water. You can use any TDS metre available on Amazon ( around INR 250 ).
Now.. If your TDS is around or below 200 mg/l... YOU DO NOT NEED RO.. I REPEAT.. YOU DO NOT RO. Why.. ?? .... cause RO is a process that removes most of the ( Around 90% ) TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS / SALTS ( TDS ) from your water and makes it slightly ACIDIC in nature. And as you know.. Human Blood is slightly Basic in nature and thus drinking acidic water on a regular basis increases acidic content in your body.. making your immunity slightly weaker. If you use RO in this case. Your Output Water will have a TDS around 20 to 50 AND PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY... PLEASE DO NOT DRINK ANY WATER WITH TDS BELOW 150 mg/l on a regular basis ( EXCEPT COCONUT WATER which has a surprisingly high TDS OF MORE THAN mg/l ) If you really care about your health. . You can see this article. Also. do note that TDS around 300 mg/l is excellent for you health ( WHO Report ).
The top court was hearing an appeal filed by the Water Quality India Association challenging the December 1, order of the NGT
Now.. it's clear You DO NOT need RO if your water TDS is around 200 mg/l. Still.. It may contain some impurities as well as harmful bacteria. So.. You will need a UV ( for organic impurities ) + UF ( For inorganic impurities ) Combination in this case.
2. If your TDS is above 300 mg/l --> Go for a RO+ UV +UF + TDS Control Combination. Because.. even in this case.. RO will decrease your TDS to around 50 to 70 mg/l... BUT here.. You also HAVE A
TDS CONTROLLER.
Now remember... A Water Purifier works on several steps. First Water passes through Several Filters.. then through RO Membrane.. Then through UF Membrane.. then UV.. and other membranes if any and finally in the Storage tank.
Here.. the TDS Controller bypass some of the water directly to UF Membrane instead of passing it through RO and then add that water into the output of RO Membrane... thus increasing TDS by adding original Salts present in the Tap Water. So.. your Output TDS will be whatever you desire below your Tap Water TDS.
I recommend above 150 mg/l.
3. If your TDS is Way above 300 mg/l.. I mean like 800mg/l or above.. you DO NOT NEED TDS Controller... as After RO Process.. your Output will be around 150 mg/l or above. So.. Go for a RO+UV+UF Combination.
NEXT STEP :
Electrical Type.. / Mechanical Type / Or a Combination of Both.
Answer is simple.. A combination of both BUT Please do note that some Electrical Water Purifier DO NOT allow Water Output when there is a power cut even if Water is present in the storage tank. So.. check before buying.
NEXT STEP :
Mounting Type... / Table Type / Undersink Type.
It really depends on your preference. Mounting Types are Wall Mounted.. Table Types are put on the table... and Undersink types are used in households having smaller kitchen or no space for wall mounting and table.
NEXT STEP :
Storage Tank Material:
More than 95% of the Water Purifiers use FOOD GRADE PLASTIC as a Water Storage Tank.
But a few also use Stainless Steel. Some Water Purifiers that offer Hot Water Output have a combination of both Food Grade Plastic ( For Normal Water Tank ) and Stainless Steel ( For Hot Water tank )....
I would suggest to go for Stainless Steel. Still.. it's my personal opinion.. rest is your choice.
NEXT STEP :
Alkaline Membrane or Copper Membrane or Both.
This is also the most confusing part. Alkaline Membrane can be used if you are using RO... as it adds some basic salts in your RO Output Water increasing it's basicity as RO Water is slightly acidic in nature.
The Problem is there is no hard evidence that such water is really good for health. Some studies have shown that such water really helped many people to gain better health.. even removing joint pain... while other studies have shown no conclusive results. So.. it's your preference.
What's alkaline water, and why is it raved about in the health industry? We explain if it&#;s safe to drink, what the research says about alleged benefits and more.
Now Copper Membrane is just a marketing gimmick. Don't go for it. Rest is your choice.
CRUCIAL STEP:
Sales After Service and Yearly Charge.
Many Companies like Kent or Pureit.. provide better service in some areas only. IN MY AREA.. KENT SERVICE is ABSOLUTLY pathetic. So.. please consult your neighbours or even online about the service of the company.
Also.. some Water Purifiers have an annual charge as high as 5K ( For Filters and Membranes ) while some has around ( 2K .. The minimum I Saw ). So.. check this beforehand.
That's it... follow these steps and gift yourself and your family a healthy Water Purifier. Again.. it's not a comprehensive guide.. as there are several features.. like Hot Water or Cold Water Output or fruit washer or Digital Display...and many more ... that today's Water Purifiers offer. And it's very important not to favour such fancy features over health. Please Prioritize You health.. and then your environment.
Finally.. Keeping all of the above in consideration.. I have decided to Go with
BePure.
Now.. you must be thinking.. what's BePure..? Never heard of it...!???
Bepure is actually an Indian Startup providing Water Solutions. It has even won Silicon India Award and has many favourable reviews online.
So.. I am buying it's Bepure Alken Stainless Steel 12L ( RO + UV +UF + TDS + Alkaline ( Let's try it ) ) Model with an annual charge of around 2K. If anyone has used it.. Please write your experience. Thanks.
I will edit the Guide with Pictures later as I have been writing for over an hour now..
Hey guys...! I wanted to buy a Water Purifier recently... and call it a habit.. But I NEED to EXTENSIVLY research something before Buying. So.. I thought Let's share my research.Most of us just drink RO Water without even knowing what we are drinking. In Most cases.. The RO Water we drink is just a tasteless liquid which has no health benefits at all but just a medium to quench our thirst.This is a comprehensive Guide covering most of the aspects one should look at before Buying a Water Purifier.First Confusion is always about.. What to Choose...eh..? I mean.. there are SEVERAL VARIANTS..! RO.. UV... UF... NF... Alkaline... Copper... and even their SEVERAL Combinations..!!!!1. Before Buying.. Always.. and I mean. You can use any TDS metre available on Amazon ( around INR 250 ).Now.. it's clear You DO NOT need RO if your water TDS is around 200 mg/l. Still.. It may contain some impurities as well as harmful bacteria. So.. You will need a UV ( for organic impurities ) + UF ( For inorganic impurities ) Combination in this case.Because.. even in this case.. RO will decrease your TDS to around 50 to 70 mg/l... BUT here.. You also HAVE ANow remember... A Water Purifier works on several steps. First Water passes through Several Filters.. then through RO Membrane.. Then through UF Membrane.. then UV.. and other membranes if any and finally in the Storage tank.Here.. the TDS Controller bypass some of the water directly to UF Membrane instead of passing it through RO and then add that water into the output of RO Membrane... thus increasing TDS by adding original Salts present in the Tap Water. So.. your Output TDS will be whatever you desire below your Tap Water TDS... you DO NOT NEED TDS Controller... as After RO Process.. your Output will be around 150 mg/l or above. So.. Go for a RO+UV+UF Combination.Electrical Type.. / Mechanical Type / Or a Combination of Both.Answer is simple.. A combination of both BUT Please do note that some Electrical Water Purifier DO NOT allow Water Output when there is a power cut even if Water is present in the storage tank. So.. check before buying.Mounting Type... / Table Type / Undersink Type. Undersink Type.It really depends on your preference. Mounting Types are Wall Mounted.. Table Types are put on the table... and Undersink types are used in households having smaller kitchen or no space for wall mounting and table.Storage Tank Material:More than 95% of the Water Purifiers use FOOD GRADE PLASTIC as a Water Storage Tank.. Some Water Purifiers that offer Hot Water Output have a combination of both Food Grade Plastic ( For Normal Water Tank ) and Stainless Steel ( For Hot Water tank )..... Still.. it's my personal opinion.. rest is your choice.Stainless Steel Storage Tank Water Purifier.or Copper Membrane or Both.This is also the most confusing part. Alkaline Membrane can be used if you are using RO... as it adds some basic salts in your RO Output Water increasing it's basicity as RO Water is slightly acidic in nature.The Problem is there is no hard evidence that such water is really good for health. Some studies have shown that such water really helped many people to gain better health.. even removing joint pain... while other studies have shown no conclusive results. So.. it's your preference.Now Copper Membrane is just a marketing gimmick. Don't go for it. Rest is your choice.Sales After Service and Yearly Charge.Many Companies like Kent or Pureit.. provide better service in some areas only. IN MY AREA.. KENT SERVICE is ABSOLUTLY pathetic. So.. please consult your neighbours or even online about the service of the company.Also.. some Water Purifiers have an annual charge as high as 5K ( For Filters and Membranes ) while some has around ( 2K .. The minimum I Saw ). So.. check this beforehand.Finally.. Keeping all of the above in consideration.. I have decided to Go withNow.. you must be thinking.. what's BePure..? Never heard of it...!???Bepure is actually an Indian Startup providing Water Solutions. It has even won Silicon India Award and has many favourable reviews online.So.. I am buying it's Bepure Alken Stainless Steel 12L ( RO + UV +UF + TDS + Alkaline ( Let's try it ) ) Model with an annual charge of around 2K. If anyone has used it.. Please write your experience. Thanks.I will edit the Guide with Pictures later as I have been writing for over an hour now.
For more What is the difference between single wall and double wall corrugated pipe?information, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.