Metal tubes are among the most widely used yet least regarded objects on
the planet. You can find them in your home, at the workplace, in the subway, or
even in your car. They convey hot water from your heater and cool air from your
air conditioner into your home. When you are going up or down the stairs, they
keep you from falling off the side. They have a plethora of uses and yet you
probably know very little about them, particularly how they are manufactured.
What Metal
Tubes Are Usually Made Of
There are many metals that can be used to produce tubes, each of which
is chosen for specific industrial applications. The most common of them are the
stainless and non-ferrous metals, such as copper, brass, bronze, and aluminum.
These metals not only exhibit properties common to non-ferrous metals, such as
corrosion resistance and toughness, but they have other highly beneficial
characteristics, including superior strength and high thermal and electrical
conductivity, which makes them a perfect round or square metal tubing material.
How Their
Dimensions Are Decided
Metal tubes come is a range of sizes to suit different applications.
Their dimensions include inside diameter, outside diameter, and wall thickness.
Manufacturers base their choice of material, design, and production technique
on the tube’s purpose and the kinds of fluid that it will be used to transport.
Tubes that are meant to convey corrosive fluids are usually made of
corrosion-resistant metal and with a thick wall.
Methods of
Construction
There are three ways metal tubes are constructed—extrusion, welding, and
welding and drawing (W&D). Metal tubes constructed via extrusion often
exhibit seamless features, while welded ones have a visible patch on one side
as they were originally sheets rolled to form conduits. W&D, on the other
hand, are welded and precisely sized by drawing through a die.
Commercially
Available Shapes
Most tubes that are made for conveying fluids have circular diameter.
This is because such purpose requires even strength distribution in all
directions. As the demand for tubing in other industries grew, manufacturers
began introducing tubes of other shapes into the market. You can now find oval,
rectangular, and square tubing offered by top suppliers like Rotax Metals.
Testing
Their Performance
Of course, it is crucial to ensure that metal tubes meet the demands of
the industries they will be used for. As such, different tests are conducted to
measure each product’s quality and performance. When offered to buyers,
commercial metal tubes usually come with certain performance specifications,
including pressure rating, maximum vacuum, minimum bend radius, and temperature
range so that buyers can find the most suitable tubes for their projects.
Choosing
the Best Finish
To improve the durability and corrosion resistance of a metal tube, it
is normally polished or covered with a finishing layer. Depending on the tube’s
purpose, the manufacturer can galvanize, paint, or plate it either inside or
outside. Meanwhile, if the buyer wants a bright finish, the manufacturer can
simply polish or pickle the tube’s surface.
With these considerations, it is easier to choose
the best metal tubing for your projects. All you have to worry about is the
likelihood of choosing poor-quality products. This is where reputable companies
like Rotax Metals come in. Having been in the business for over seven decades,
they can surely measure up to your expectations.
About
Rotax Metals
Rotax Metals is your one-stop shop for high-quality metals. Whether you
need copper, brass, or bronze fittings and pipes for your plumbing or
customized tubing for your interior design, we’ve got you covered. We serve
countless professionals and material suppliers across North America, and for
over seven decades we’ve never failed them.
Sources:
4 Types of
Copper Piping, TheBalance.com
Metal
Tubes Information, GlobalSpec.com
Why
Your Builder Chose Solid Brass Plumbing Fixtures, Copper.org
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