Aluminum pipes and tubes are defined by their Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) and a non-dimensional number indicating wall thickness, called the Schedule (SCH). The most common schedules for aluminum pipes are SCH40 and SCH80, representing standard and heavy wall thicknesses, respectively.
These pipes are widely used across industries for structural frames, machinery components, bus pipes, marine piping, railings, cylinders, and conductive tubes. This page provides a complete reference for aluminum pipe sizes, schedule dimensions, and wall thickness to help engineers and designers select the correct pipe for their projects.
Aluminum Pipe Standard Sizes (NPS Pipe Size System)
Aluminum pipes are defined by their Nominal Pipe Size (NPS), which is a standard system indicating the pipe's approximate diameter. The NPS determines the pipe's outer diameter (OD), while the wall thickness is determined separately by the schedule number (SCH).
The table below provides a reference for the most common NPS sizes and their corresponding outer diameters in both millimeters and inches.
| NPS | OD (mm) | OD (inch) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8" | 10.3 | 0.406" |
| 1/4" | 13.7 | 0.540" |
| 3/8" | 17.1 | 0.675" |
| 1/2" | 21.3 | 0.840" |
| 3/4" | 26.7 | 1.050" |
| 1" | 33.4 | 1.315" |
| 1 1/4" | 42.2 | 1.660" |
| 1 1/2" | 48.3 | 1.900" |
| 2" | 60.3 | 2.375" |
| 2 1/2" | 73.0 | 2.875" |
| 3" | 88.9 | 3.500" |
| 4" | 114.3 | 4.500" |
| 6" | 168.3 | 6.625" |
| 8" | 219.1 | 8.625" |
| 10" | 273.0 | 10.750" |
| 12" | 323.9 | 12.750" |
Aluminum Pipe Schedule Chart (SCH10 / SCH40 / SCH80)
The schedule number (SCH) defines the wall thickness of a pipe while the outer diameter is determined by the NPS. Common schedules for aluminum pipes include:
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SCH10
thin wall for low-pressure applications, suitable for lightweight piping and general construction uses.
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SCH40
standard wall thickness, widely used in industrial piping, structural frames, and medium-pressure systems.
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SCH80
thick wall for higher-pressure or load-bearing applications, suitable for pipelines in high-pressure environments and specialized industrial equipment.
| NPS | SCH10 (mm) | SCH40 (mm) | SCH80 (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8" | 1.6 | 2.3 | 3.2 |
| 1/4" | 1.6 | 2.8 | 3.6 |
| 3/8" | 1.6 | 2.8 | 3.6 |
| 1/2" | 1.6 | 2.8 | 3.6 |
| 3/4" | 1.6 | 3.2 | 4.0 |
| 1" | 1.6 | 3.4 | 4.5 |
| 1 1/4" | 1.6 | 3.6 | 4.8 |
| 1 1/2" | 1.6 | 3.8 | 5.0 |
| 2" | 1.6 | 3.9 | 5.5 |
| 2 1/2" | 1.6 | 4.0 | 6.0 |
| 3" | 1.6 | 4.8 | 6.4 |
| 4" | 2.0 | 5.5 | 7.6 |
| 6" | 2.8 | 7.1 | 9.3 |
| 8" | 3.6 | 9.3 | 11.9 |
| 10" | 4.5 | 11.9 | 15.1 |
| 12" | 5.0 | 12.7 | 16.7 |
SCH40 Aluminum Pipe Dimensions
SCH40 is the most commonly used pipe schedule for aluminum tubes, representing a moderate wall thickness suitable for general industrial applications and medium-pressure piping systems.
| NPS | OD (inch) | Wall Thickness (inch) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8" | 0.405 | 0.068 |
| 1/4" | 0.540 | 0.088 |
| 3/8" | 0.675 | 0.091 |
| 1/2" | 0.840 | 0.109 |
| 3/4" | 1.050 | 0.113 |
| 1" | 1.315 | 0.133 |
| 1 1/4" | 1.660 | 0.140 |
| 1 1/2" | 1.900 | 0.145 |
| 2" | 2.375 | 0.154 |
| 2 1/2" | 2.875 | 0.203 |
| 3" | 3.500 | 0.216 |
| 4" | 4.500 | 0.237 |
| 5" | 5.563 | 0.258 |
| 6" | 6.625 | 0.280 |
| 8" | 8.625 | 0.322 |
| 10" | 10.75 | 0.365 |
| 12" | 12.75 | 0.375 |
SCH80 Aluminum Pipe Dimensions
SCH80 represents a thicker wall for aluminum pipes, suitable for high-pressure or load-bearing applications, including pipelines and specialized industrial equipment piping systems.
| NPS | OD (inch) | Wall Thickness (inch) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8" | 0.405 | 0.095 |
| 1/4" | 0.540 | 0.119 |
| 3/8" | 0.675 | 0.126 |
| 1/2" | 0.840 | 0.147 |
| 3/4" | 1.050 | 0.154 |
| 1" | 1.315 | 0.179 |
| 1 1/4" | 1.660 | 0.191 |
| 1 1/2" | 1.900 | 0.200 |
| 2" | 2.375 | 0.218 |
| 2 1/2" | 2.875 | 0.276 |
| 3" | 3.500 | 0.300 |
| 4" | 4.500 | 0.337 |
| 5" | 5.563 | 0.375 |
| 6" | 6.625 | 0.432 |
| 8" | 8.625 | 0.500 |
| 10" | 10.75 | 0.594 |
| 12" | 12.75 | 0.688 |
Aluminum Pipe Weight Chart
The following table provides approximate weight per foot for aluminum pipes in SCH40 and SCH80 schedules. Engineers can reference this for design calculations and material selection.
| NPS | SCH40 Weight (lb/ft) | SCH80 Weight (lb/ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8" | 0.085 | 0.109 |
| 1/4" | 0.147 | 0.185 |
| 3/8" | 0.196 | 0.256 |
| 1/2" | 0.294 | 0.376 |
| 3/4" | 0.391 | 0.510 |
| 1" | 0.581 | 0.751 |
| 1 1/4" | 0.786 | 1.037 |
| 1 1/2" | 0.940 | 1.256 |
| 2" | 1.260 | 1.737 |
| 2 1/2" | 2.004 | 2.650 |
| 3" | 2.620 | 3.574 |
| 4" | 3.733 | 5.183 |
| 5" | 5.060 | 7.188 |
| 6" | 6.564 | 9.884 |
| 8" | 9.880 | 15.010 |
| 10" | 14.000 | 22.290 |
| 12" | 18.520 | 30.660 |
Chalco Hot-Selling Aluminum Tube & Pipe Products
- Alloy: 6061, 6063, 5083, 5086, 3003, 7075 etc.
- Temper: O, T6, T4, T6511
- Outer diameter: 1/8"–16" (3mm – 2500mm)
- Wall thickness: 0.020" – 2" (0.2mm – 150mm)
- Length: 1m–12m, customizable
- Tolerance: ID ±0.02mm; OD ±0.02mm; Weight ±0.5%; Straighten 0.12mm
- Surface treatment: anodizing, electrophoretic painting, fluorocarbon spraying, powder coating, wood grain transfer, mechanical polishing, sandblasting, hairline, wire drawing, etc.
- Standard: ASTM B221, ASTM B241, ASTM B429, AMS-QQ-A-200/8, MIL-DTL-25995
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SCH40 / SCH80 aluminum tubes in large diameters, ideal for structural frames, pipelines, offshore installations, and heavy machinery.
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Aluminum Round Tube
SCH40 / SCH80 round aluminum tubes widely used in structural and mechanical systems. Multiple diameters and wall thickness options available.
-
SCH40 / SCH80 square aluminum tubes for frames, structural supports, and machinery applications. Available in multiple standard sizes.
-
Aluminum Rectangular Tube
SCH40 / SCH80 rectangular aluminum tubes for machinery, construction, and equipment support. Multiple standard sizes and wall thickness options.
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Seamless Aluminum Tube Pipe
SCH40 / SCH80 seamless aluminum tubes with no seams or joints, providing excellent pressure resistance and corrosion protection.
-
SCH40 / SCH80 aluminum tubing for electrical power distribution, designed for high current and minimal energy loss.
-
SCH40 / SCH80 extruded aluminum tubes created by pushing heated aluminum through a die. High strength-to-weight ratio, ideal for structural applications.
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Cold Drawn Aluminum Tube Pipe
SCH40 / SCH80 cold drawn aluminum tubes refined through dies to precise dimensions with smooth finish. Perfect for precision applications.
Common Aluminum Alloys for Pipes and Tubes
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6061 Aluminum Tube Pipe
Common SCH: SCH40 / SCH80
OD Range: 1/8" – 16"
Applications: Structural frames, hydraulic cylinders, aerospace components
High strength-to-weight ratio, excellent corrosion resistance
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6063 Aluminum Tube Pipe
Common SCH: SCH40 / SCH80
OD Range: 1/8" – 12"
Applications: Architectural, frames, piping
Excellent surface finish, good corrosion resistance, easy fabrication
-
2024 Aluminum Tube Pipe
Common SCH: SCH40 / SCH80
OD Range: 1/8" – 10"
Applications: Aerospace, transportation components
High strength, good fatigue resistance, used in structural applications
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7075 Aluminum Tube Pipe
Common SCH: SCH40 / SCH80
OD Range: 1/8" – 8"
Applications: Aerospace, defense, high-strength structural components
Ultra-high strength, excellent stress resistance
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3003 Aluminum Tube Pipe
Common SCH: SCH40 / SCH80
OD Range: 1/8" – 12"
Applications: General industrial, roofing, chemical equipment
Good corrosion resistance, high workability
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5083 Aluminum Tube Pipe
Common SCH: SCH40 / SCH80
OD Range: 1/8" – 12"
Applications: Marine, pressure vessels, chemical tanks
Excellent corrosion resistance, high strength, weldable
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6060 Aluminum Tube Pipe
Common SCH: SCH40 / SCH80
OD Range: 1/8" – 12"
Applications: Architectural profiles, lightweight structures, window/door frames
Good corrosion resistance, excellent surface finish, easy fabrication
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7005 Aluminum Tube Pipe
Common SCH: SCH40 / SCH80
OD Range: 1/8" – 10"
Applications: Bicycle frames, structural supports, load-bearing lightweight components
High strength, good fatigue resistance, suitable for transportation and structural use
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2219 Aluminum Tube Pipe
Common SCH: SCH40 / SCH80
OD Range: 1/8" – 10"
Applications: Aerospace, defense, high-temperature components
High strength, good thermal stability, ideal for aerospace use
Cooperative fields of Chalco SCH40/SCH80 aluminum tube pipe
Chalco always maintains a large stock of high-quality 6061 6063 5083 5086 aluminum pipe tubes, ready to quickly deliver to our customers.
Chalco SCH40/SCH80 aluminum pipes have a wide range of applications, with partnerships in HVAC and piping systems, aerospace, automotive, chemical processing, food and beverage, manufacturing industries and medical industries.
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