Expert: Mark Janus - 3/17/2006

Question
Hi Mark,

What's the difference between a PIPE, a TUBE and a DUCT. I already have a leaning, but would like other opinions.

Thanks Ian


Answer
Fundamentally there is no difference (in my opinion)...  but

generally as I use them, a pipe is a rigid cylindrical vessel, a tube is a nonrigid cylindrical vessel, and a duct may be a noncylindrical vessel (such as infinite surfaces, i.e.2D) for conveying a fluid (whether it be a gas or a liquid)

Just my opinion though,
mj