There are several key differences between pipes and tubes, however the most well known is the way in which the size measurements are designated: tube is designated based on outside diameter (OD) and pipe is based on inner diameter (ID). In addition, pipes are typically used as vessels, meaning for the transfer of fluids or gases, while tubes are generally structural or used as support. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Sharpe Products
New Berlin, WI | 800-879-4418Founded in 1990, Sharpe Products is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company specializing in industrial and commercial pipe and tube bending, laser cutting, end-forming or other custom fabrication services. In addition, we offer a robust line of architectural handrail fittings and accessories such as brackets, connectors, disks, end-caps, flanges, newel caps and spheres.
McHone Industries
Salamanca, NY | 716-945-3380McHone Industries is a leading manufacturer in tube fabrication. We pride ourselves in being 100% American-made metal manufacturers. With a team of talented in-house engineers, who have years of expertise in the tube fabricating industry, McHone Industries pushes the boundaries of design. Whether their clients' project is straightforward or complex, we are willing to take on any task. We offer services, including inventory management programs and extended terms, along with our manufacturing.
Diversico Industries, Inc.
Brooklyn Center, MN | 763-537-5919Diversico Industries provides tube bending, tube assemblies, stainless steel tubing and flared tubing. Since 1960, we have been serving consumer, medical and aerospace industries with our quality tube designing and fabricating services. We are ISO 9001:2000 certified. For additional information on what we can do for you, contact Diversico today!
Curtis Products, Inc.
South Bend, IN | 574-289-4891Curtis Products provides tube fabrication services for aluminum, copper, steel and stainless steel tubes, with OD sizes ranging from 1/8" to 3". We set the standard for high quality tube fabrication. Whether you need tube bending, end forming, threading, welding, brazing or a particular finish, we can do it.
Alert Tubing Fabricators, Inc.
Loves Park, IL | 815-633-5065Alert Tubing Fabricators has been in business since 1965. We have always enjoyed a solid reputation in the tube fabrication and tube bending business. We offer Precision tube and Pipe Bending services to Aerospace, Defense, and Commercial customers. We also offer End Forming, and Aerospace Welding Services. We also offer Aerospace quality Bellows for many industries.
Coiled Tubing Products - Tube Bending IncorporatedFabricated for a number of purposes, pipes are capable of fulfilling needs in many industries including: wastewater, for water treatment facilities and water pump stations; industrial manufacturing, for heat exchanger shells, waste treatment and cooling towers; petrochemical, for chemical processing and oil pipelines; and mining, for mine dewatering, depressurization and dust suppression.
Additionally, pipes are also used in power plants, architectural, food processing and pharmaceutical applications. Some of the broad spectrum of materials that are used to fabricate pipe include carbon steel, stainless steel, ductile iron, titanium, brass, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), ceramics and concrete; however, steel and iron are the most common metals and PVC is the most common plastic material.
Pipe fabrication processes include many diverse processes that take place after or during pipe formation in order to customize the pipe for its intended application. As a result, many pipe fabricators are not involved in the actual formation of raw metal materials into pipes; however, it is still highly important. Most commonly, pipes are created through a fairly simple process referred to as plate rolling, in which flat metal plate is rolled and then welded at the seam through either electric resistance welding (ERW) or electric fusion welding (EFW).
After formation, pipes can undergo fabrication processes such as bending, spooling, flanging and cutting. Pipe bending can refer to both cold and hot working processes that bend pipes using computer-controlled machines to ensure the quality and efficiency of a product. Pipe spooling is the process of enhancing the pipe's ability to connect to other pipes or components through winding a long, continuous section of pipe onto a cylinder from which it can easily be dispensed.
Another customizing process, pipe flanging is done to create a projection around the end of the pipe either for increased strength or in order to attach to another component. Pipe cutting is the process in which pipes are cut through the use of cut-off saws, horizontal band saws, lathes or lasers so that they will better fit within the required dimensions.
