Pipe

 Nominal Pipe Size” (NPS) and Schedule (wall thickness)

 Measured by nominal OD
 Pressure
 Pipes are always round in shape
Pipe is measured by inside diameter
 Pipe are typically available in large sizes then tubes

Tube

 Tubing size is specified by OD and the wall thickness (WT)

 structural applications
 Measured by exact OD
 Tubes are more expensive than pipe due to tighter manufacturing tolerances.
Tubes can round, square and rectangular
 Tubes are stronger than pipes

Seamless steel pipe is extruded and drawn from a billet whereas a welded pipe is produced from a
strip that is roll formed and welded to produce a tube. Since a Seamless steel pipe offers a higher
range of safety measures it is more expensive than a welded tube.

Bloom: A semi-finished long product of greater than 150 mm square or rectangular cross-section.
Blooms can be produced by continuous casting or by rolling from ingot. Continuously cast rounds of
300mm diameter or greater are also referred to as blooms.

Billet: A semi-finished long product of up to 150 mm square cross-section with round corners. Billets
can be continuously cast or hot rolled from either ingots or larger concast billets and blooms. They are
re-rolled or forged into other forms

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