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📐 Structural Tube vs. Pipe: What's the Difference? Can You Use Pipe for Structural Support? 2025/01/03

The Complete Steel Pipe Selection Guide | Which to Choose for Structural Support? Tube vs. Pipe!
When purchasing steel, "Pipe" and "Structural Tube" are often confused. Although they may look similar, they are completely different in their manufacturing purpose, standards, strength, and application scenarios. Choosing the wrong material can not only cause construction difficulties but may also compromise structural safety or transport efficiency!
This article will sort out the differences in their uses and provide selection advice to ensure you never get them mixed up again!
 1. What is a Structural Tube? And What is a Pipe?
 ● Structural Tube: A steel tube designed specifically for structural support, emphasizing strength and weldability.
 ● Pipe: A tube designed to transport liquids or gases, focusing on sealing properties and corrosion resistance.
 ● They may look alike, but their intended uses are different, and their standards and testing requirements are completely different.
 2. Structural Tube vs. Pipe: Five Key Practical Differences
 
Item Structural Tube (For Structure) Pipe (For Transport)
Use Building frames, mechanism support, steel structures Transporting fluids like water, gas, oil
Standards CNS 12296, JIS G3444, ASTM A500 ASTM A53, JIS G3452, etc.
Manufacturing Focus Focus on bending strength and weldability Focus on airtightness, internal cleanliness, and corrosion resistance
Testing Focus Tensile, compressive, dimensional, and bending tests Hydrostatic pressure, airtightness, internal cleanliness, and corrosion tests
Interchangeable? Cannot be used for fluid transport Cannot be used for structural support
 3. Why Can't They Be Mixed? The High Risk of Wrong Material Selection
 ● Using Pipe for structural support → Insufficient structural load capacity, may bend or even break.
 ● Using Structural Tube to transport fluid → Welded seams are not designed for sealing, leading to easy leaks or corrosion.
✔ Project safety and efficiency rely on correct material selection. The wrong choice can lead to rework, losses, and even safety hazards.
 4. Common Application Examples
 ● Common uses for Structural Tube: Solar racking, shed frames, machine bases, steel platforms, shelving, elevator structural parts.
 ● Common uses for Pipe: Hot/cold water pipes, compressed air lines, fire sprinkler pipelines, gas and fluid pipelines.
 5. Steel Pipe Selection Advice
 ● Inform us of the required outer diameter based on your needs, and we can provide the corresponding structural tube or pipe.
 ● Guokai Steel will help match the material according to your size requirements, ensuring the correct material selection and convenient subsequent construction.

✔ First clarify the use, then confirm the size—you'll find the right steel pipe quickly.
📞 Contact Us
If you need Structural Tube or Pipe, welcome to contact Guokai Steel!
📧 Email: sales@guokaisteel.com.tw
📩 Official Line Account: @guokai
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