Tubing or Piping: What’s Your Pick?

Looking at a piece of tube fitting, anyone would be confused with its thin and delicate construction. Don’t let it fool you! While small, light and delicate, tube fittings provide fewer opportunities for leakage and are much simpler to install.

You Are More Inclined To Use Piping – It’s The Same, After All

Yes, in theory, both tubing and piping will get the job done. Which one will conduct a better job,

however, is the question. 

Let’s consider the usage of tubing and piping in everyday applications where transferring fluid from one point to another is a major concern. 

Since fluid systems (piping, tubing, etc) help move fluid from Point A to Point B and other points, does the choice of system depends on the application? Not really. As effectiveness of fluid systems go, both will get the job done.

How to Choose The Best One

This being said, the efficiency of piping and tubing is quite different.

Selecting the best fluid system for your application requires some consideration.

The following is a standard procedure of dismantling and installing a fluid system. 

Ø  Cut the pipe

Ø  Deburr it

Ø  Cut threads (into the end)

Ø  Install fittings anytime the pipe has to change direction

Ø  Cover all male threads with a sealant

Ø  Tighten the fittings (wrench-tight)

You’ll immediately run into some difficulties when trying to follow the above steps. The term ‘wrench-tight’ is subjective. This means over-tightening of the elbow can lead to thread damage and leakage. Under-tightening can also lead to leakage.

Tubing Fluid Systems Is Simplicity

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Installing the same fluid system, but this time, with tubing is considerably easier. While you may still have to cut and deburr tubing, the similarity ends here. 

Offering simple installation and convenience, tubing systems eliminates installation of extra fittings; it creates less turbulence and pressure drops.

Weight Does Matter

A misconception about pipe fluid systems is that, being much thicker in diameter will allow the system to contain pressure well. 

Both systems are capable of holding the highest or lowest pressure equally well. The thickness of piping isn’t an advantage, but a sore disadvantage as it means a lot of extra weight which, in turn, increases handling and transportation costs. 

The heavier fluid system means you’ll have to store, lift, and install more weight.

If you’re dealing with piping but see tubing as the obvious solution for an efficient fluid solution, contact one of the leading tube fitting manufacturers in India, SEALEXCEL. They have the technical knowhow, skills and competency to deal with international clients.