The difference between tubes and pipes is an issue of sizing. For example, the PVC pipe for galvanized steel pipe and plumbing applications are being measured in the IPS or iron pipe size.
TUBES
Copper tube, PeX, CPVC and some other tubing are being measured nominally, mainly in an average diameter. The sizing schemes permits for universal adaptations of the transitional fittings. When tubing is being used in the agricultural irrigation, the particular form "pipe" is usually used as a plural.
Tubing in the particular copper, usually comes in soft tempered (annealed) roll or rigid stiff tempered joints. CPVC and PeX tubing also come in flexible rolls or rigid joints. The temper of a copper, whether it’s a flexible roll or a rigid joint, does not affect its sizing.
The copper tubing is accessible in the four wall thicknesses
1. Type DWV – the thinnest wall and only allowed as the drain pipe in every UPC.
2. Type 'M' – thin and typically allowed as the drain pipe by the IPC code.
3. Type 'L' – thicker, the standard duty for the water service and water lines.
4. Type 'K' – thickest and normally used underground in between the meter and the main.
PIPES
Pipes are available in durable joints, which arrive in different lengths relying on the materials. The width of the water pipes and tube walls may vary. Since piping and tubing has been the commodities, having the greater wall thickness will imply higher initial costs. Thicker walled pipes usually implied higher pressure tolerances and greater durability. The pipe wall thickness has been denoted by different schedules or for the big bore polyethylene pipes, and has been defined as the percentage of a pipe diameter to the wall thickness. The pipe wall thickness multiplies with schedule, and has been available in schedules for 20, 40, and 80, and higher in exceptional cases. The schedules are largely verified by the working pressure of the systems, with the higher pressures commanding the greater thickness.
The wall thickness is not affecting the pipe or the tubing size. The 1/2" L copper had the similar outer diameter as the 1/2" M or K copper. Very similar is applied to the pipe schedules. As an outcome, the slight increase in the pressure losses has been realized because of the decrease in the flowpath as the wall thickness has been increased. And so, a 1 foot of the 1/2" L of copper had slightly less volume when compared to 1 foot of the 1/2 M copper.
MATERIALS
The water systems of the prehistoric times depend on the gravity for the water supply, using channels or pipes normally made of lead, bamboo, wood, stone or clay. The hollowed wooden logs being wrapped in the steel banding were applied for plumbing pipes, mainly for the water mains and the logs were applied to the water distribution.
Now, most of the plumbing supply pipes are made out of copper, plastics and steel. Most waste also known as the "soil" out of copper, plastic, cast iron and steel. The direct sections of the plumbing systems are named as tubes or pipes. The pipe is typically created through welding or casting, whereas the tube is made by extrusion. The pipes normally have thicker walls and can be welded or threaded, while tubing is a thin-walled and required exclusive joining technique like the brazing, crimping, compression fitting, or for solvent, plastics welding.
