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There are many steel pipe sizes available, with different sizes of steel pipe being commonplace across a broad range of industries. It’s important to understand what the different sizes of steel piping is so that you know which situations call for a particular size. This means that you don’t waste resources or damage piping unnecessarily. To find out more about standard steel pipes sizes in Australia, carry on reading.
Below is a useful table of the standard sizes, plus the nominal bore, outside diameter and wall thickness. You can also find out more about what each of these terms means if you’re unfamiliar with them. For instance, if you’re about to undertake a DIY project at your home.
The nominal bore of a pipe refers to the hollow section on the inside. The word “nominal” refers to the sizing being approximate as opposed to a precise measurement. The nominal bore doesn’t include the pipe itself.
The outside diameter of a pipe refers to the distance between one edge of the pipe to the one opposite. It’s determined by measuring right across the outer surface of the pipe. You can also get the outside diameter by measuring perpendicular to the long axis of the pipe.
The wall thickness of a pipe refers to the actual thickness of the pipe itself. Similar to the nominal bore, the wall thickness is only nominal, so it’s an approximate measurement as opposed to actual.
| Nominal Bore (NB) | Outside Diameter (O.D) | Wall Thickness (mm) | Section |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20NB | 27mm | 2.0, 2.3, 2.6, 3.2 | Extra Light, Light, Medium, Heavy |
| 25NB | 34mm | 2.0, 2.6, 3.2, 4.0 | Extra Light, Light, Medium, Heavy |
| 32NB | 42mm | 2.0, 2.6, 3.2, 4.0 | Extra Light, Light, Medium, Heavy |
| 40NB | 48mm | 2.3, 2.9, 3.2, 4.0 | Extra Light, Light, Medium, Heavy |
| 50NB | 60mm | 2.3, 2.9, 3.6, 4.5 | Extra Light, Light, Medium, Heavy |
| 65NB | 76mm | 2.3, 3.2, 3.6, 4.5 | Extra Light, Light, Medium, Heavy |
| 80NB | 89mm | 2.6, 3.2, 4.0, 5.0 | Extra Light, Light, Medium, Heavy |
| 90NB | 102mm | 2.6, 3.2, 4.0, 5.0 | Extra Light, Light, Medium, Heavy |
| 100NB | 114mm | 3.2, 3.6, 4.5, 5.4 | Extra Light, Light, Medium, Heavy |
| 125NB | 140mm | 3.0, 3.5, 5.0, 5.4 | Extra Light, Light, Medium, Heavy |
| 150NB | 165mm | 3.0, 3.5, 5.0, 5.4 | Extra Light, Light, Medium, Heavy |
Steel offers many benefits if you opt to use it for your piping. For one, steel is a versatile material that can easily be bent into shape. This means that if your piping needs adjusting, it’s easy to do so. From domestic piping repairs to much larger commercial projects, steel piping is also durable enough to withstand high amounts of pressure. It also has great levels of resistance to torsion and manipulation.
Steel piping is also ideal to use around the home, including for DIY projects. This is because steel is a comparatively lightweight material against alternatives, meaning you can transport it in and around the home with ease. Similarly, it means large amounts of steel piping can be transported to construction sites easily, improving efficiency and overall productivity.