Tubes and Pipes
Frequently asked questions are listed questions and answers.
Tubes and Pipes
Difference between Tubes and Pipes
The best way to ask for a solution to your problem is to first be informed. But the best way to be informed is to ask. This cycle is too big of a conundrum, so this will be a quick guide to help you get started.
When installing tubes or pipes, you first need to understand the purpose of the install. Is the set up structural or not? Does the job require a transfer of fluids either gases or liquid? These questions are important because tubes are designed for structural loads, while pipes are meant to only carry flowing matter from one destination to another.
If you're after PIPES, then the next questions you need to ask yourself, in order of importance, is:

• How big should the inner diameter be of your pipe? The bigger the diameter, the more fluid you can transport.
• How thick should the pipe be? The thicker the pipe the more pressure the pipe can withstand per meter.
• How big should the outer diameter be of your pipe? The bigger the diameter, the more room the installation will take up.
• What material you want to use. Metal pipes such as copper pipes may provide better properties than stainless steel because of temperature issues. Pipes using plastics might be better suited for many situations.
• The piping you have selected usually controls the type of pipe fitting you require.
• Finally the cost.
There are also other properties to consider when selecting pipes, but these are the main topics of discussion when you go to your local pipe supplier looking for pipes or pipe fittings.
If you're after TUBES, the next questions you need to ask, in order of importance, is:
• How big should the outer diameter be of your tube? The bigger the diameter, the more load a structure can endure.
• How thick should the tube be? The thicker the tube, the more load a structure can endure.
• What material can you use to suit the function of the job. Whether you want the tubes to be near water, you go for fibre glass, or highly rust resistance tubing. Whether you want it to be in steel or aluminium. If you have to pay attention to the total weight.
• Finally the cost.
First of all, notice that both the outer diameter and the thickness is an issue for strength. This means that you can play around with these two properties of a tube to give you the best outcome. But because of cost concerns, you're better off with using tubes from your local tube supplier.
This is just a basic and quick guide to tubes and pipes. All information stated previously needs to be checked against other sources, like all good resources, however, this should be a good start for your queries. Everything past this point will be about tubes as Solid Dynamics supply products for structural roles.
Dimensions
Dimensions based on structural conditions
There are three measurements you need to control when using tubes for structural conditions.​
Outer Diameter
The outer diameter should usually be considered before all other properties, because, perhaps existing tubes are of only one size and it will be easier to install using the same size. Other reasons might be hand grips when used as gym equipment, or many other motives which rely on the size of the outer diameter.
There are two different units of measurements used when choosing outer diameters nominal bore (NB) or millimetres (mm). They both do serve the same purpose like Celsius and Fahrenheit. There are tables for all of this stuff on the internet so this will only cover the sizes which Solid Dynamics offer.
• 20NB = 26.9mm = Size A (only at Solid Dynamics)
• 25NB = 33.7mm = Size B (only at Solid Dynamics)
• 32NB = 42.4mm = Size C (only at Solid Dynamics)
• 40NB = 48.3mm = Size D (only at Solid Dynamics)
• 50NB = 60.3mm = Size E (only at Solid Dynamics)
Other sizes will need to be specially ordered.
Tube Thickness​
Standard tube thickness come in grades.
• Green = Extra Light = 2.3mm
• Yellow = Light = 2.9mm
• Blue = Medium = 3.2mm
• Red - Heavy = 4.5mm
• White = Extra Heavy = 5.0mm
All outer diameter tubes come in several grades of thicknesses. Solid Dynamics only stock the more commonly used grades of Light and Medium. Using grade Medium for structural purposes is preferred however Light can be used depending on the circumstances. Also, please note using colours to identify different thicknesses isn't a recommended practice as colours are not standardised. Solid Dynamics determine tube thicknesses using colours because all tubes are from the same supplier.
Length of tube
​Solid Dynamics usually supply tubes cut to length depending on customers specifications. The maximum length of any tube a customer may request is 6.5 metres because that is the standard length for steel tubes. The minimum length of tube a customer may ask for is whatever they desire.
Tube Fittings and Pipe Fittings
Using Tube Fittings and Pipe Fittings
These two products, similar to their cylindrical counter parts i.e. tubes and pipes, provide comparable roles. They both join cylinders together, and they both offer some level of structural support. However like tubes and pipes, one is mainly structural and the other transport.
Solid Dynamics do not specialise in pipe fittings or pipe clamps, but we do know a lot about tube fittings and tube clamps. Tube fittings and tube clamps can be used interchangeably, so if either are used it means the same thing.
When selecting which tube clamps to use for tubing, select the same size. If the tubes are 20NB/26.9mm/Size A then choose 20NB/26.9mm/Size A tube fittings. This is consistent throughout the tube sizes.
