Pipe, Tubing, Hose and Accessories

Pipes are usually cylindrical conduits used to transfer a fluid material like gas or liquid. Most applications have a particular type of pipe designed for them, and the array of piping that can be provided is vast. Size, form, material, and strength all vary quite largely. The materials piping is made from include plastics, metals, glass, and concrete. They are normally quite solid and are designed to be hardy against environmental effects. Industrial piping can be many feet in diameter and have walls many inches thick. In most cases, they are formed in the factory, and that shape cannot be modified afterward like a flexible hose.
The main differentiation between a hose and pipe is that flexibility. Hoses are designed to give that same functionality as a pipe, in that they transfer fluids and gases from A to B, but they provide a more efficient means of changing the form to suit their installation environment. This, of course, has a downside in that it cannot be constructed of stronger, more rigid materials, but when that is not required it is a distinct advantage. Hoses are usually constructed of some flexible rubber or plastic. They can be made very strong if the situation calls for it and carry many corrosive materials without being affected.