Aluminium Pipe 28 mm OD Round Tube Profile for Lean Pipe Systems

OEM / ODM Available Free Sample Available Mill certificate to EN 10204 3.1 on request, RoHS and REACH declarations

28 mm OD round aluminium tube for lean pipe systems, conveyor rollers and rotating shafts. Isotropic bending stiffness, external clamp connections. Standard lean pipe diameter.

Wholesale Price Quoted per metre against OD, wall, finish and quantity per per metre

Material	Aluminium
Alloy Grade	6063-T5
Temper	T5
Section Size	28 mm OD round tube, 1.0 mm wall
Slot	No T-slots; connections via external clamps
Length	4 m stock, cut to +/-0.5 mm
Tolerance	EN 755-9, OD +/-0.10 mm
Surface	Mill finish / clear anodised / black anodised / hard anodised
MOQ	Made to order; small trial lengths available from stock
Lead Time	Typically 2 to 3 weeks for mill finish, about a week longer for anodising
Loading Port	Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao
Supply Ability	Extrusion capacity for standard and custom ODs, with in-house cutting and anodising
Payment Terms	T/T 30 per cent deposit, balance against copy of bill of lading; L/C at sight for larger orders
Trade Terms	FOB, CIF, CFR, EXW
Certifications	Mill certificate to EN 10204 3.1 on request, RoHS and REACH declarations

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Round aluminium tube used in lean pipe systems. The OD is sized for standard snap-fit joints, and the isotropic cross-section means bending stiffness is the same in every direction.

01What is an aluminium pipe in a lean pipe system?

What makes a round tube different from a T-slot profile?

A T-slot profile has a square or rectangular cross-section with grooves that take slot nuts. A round tube has no grooves and no slots — connections are made with external clamps that grip the tube surface. The cross-section is isotropic: the bending stiffness is the same in every direction, so there is no strong axis or weak axis to worry about.

Why use a pipe instead of a profile?

Three reasons. First, rotating applications: a round tube can be used as a conveyor roller, a shaft or a guide rail without needing a separate bearing surface. Second, lean manufacturing systems: the 28 mm OD tube is the standard diameter for lean pipe joints, used to build carts, racks, flow racks and workstations that can be reconfigured in minutes. Third, aesthetics: round tubes look cleaner than slotted profiles in customer-facing applications.

What is the lean pipe system?

A modular framing system built around 28 mm OD metal tubes and snap-fit joints. The joints come in dozens of configurations — 90 degree elbows, T-junctions, crosses, hinges, castors — and they grip the tube by tightening a screw or by snapping on. No cutting, tapping or machining is needed to build a structure: cut the tube to length and snap the joints on.

Aluminium pipe round tube for lean pipe systems — The 28 mm OD round tube is the standard member of the lean pipe system. Joints grip the outside of the tube, so the surface must be clean and round.

02Section data

Item	Value	Note
Outer diameter	28 mm	standard for lean pipe joints
Wall	1.0 mm	standard; 0.8 mm light and 1.2 mm heavy available
Inner diameter	26 mm	28 – 2 x 1.0
I (cm4)	approx. 0.66	isotropic, same in all directions
Weight	approx. 0.23 kg/m	lighter than a 28 x 28 profile at 0.56 kg/m
Alloy	6063-T5	EN AW-6063
Surface	mill or anodised	anodised improves clamp grip
Standard	EN 755-9 / GB/T 6892	OD tolerance +/-0.10 mm
Length	4 m stock	cut to +/-0.5 mm

The 28 mm OD is the global standard for lean pipe joints (also called creform, pipe-and-joint, or flexible tube systems). Other diameters (25 mm, 32 mm) exist but have a smaller joint range. The 1.0 mm wall is the most common; heavier walls (1.2 mm, 1.5 mm) are used for structural applications.

03Isotropic stiffness: the round advantage

The second moment of area of a round tube is the same about every axis through the centre: I = pi/64 x (OD4 – ID4). For the 28 mm OD x 1.0 mm wall tube, that is about 0.66 cm4. There is no strong axis or weak axis, no orientation to get wrong, and no direction in which the tube is weaker than another.

Compare that to a 28 x 28 mm square profile with the same wall: the I about each axis is about 0.89 cm4, which is higher — but only about the two principal axes. About a 45-degree axis, the square profile has a different value (the product of inertia is non-zero), so the stiffness varies with direction. The round tube does not have this problem.

For a rotating shaft or conveyor roller, this is essential: the tube deflects the same amount regardless of which direction the load comes from, so the roller runs true without a preferred bending plane.

04Connections: clamps, not slot nuts

The round tube has no slots, so connections are made with external clamps that grip the tube surface. The lean pipe system uses two types:

Joint type	How it works	Typical use
Snap-fit plastic joint	two halves hinge around the tube and latch	light loads, quick reconfiguration, carts and racks
Metal clamp joint	two halves bolt around the tube	heavier loads, structural, permanent or semi-permanent
Set-screw joint	a grub screw bears on the tube surface	prototype and low-cost, not for vibration
Welded joint	the tube is TIG or MIG welded	permanent structures, highest strength, no reconfiguration

The clamp grip depends on the surface condition of the tube. Mill finish aluminium has a friction coefficient of about 0.3 against a steel clamp; anodised aluminium has about 0.15 (slipperier) but better corrosion resistance. For vibration or high load, use a metal clamp with a knurled bore, or specify a mill finish tube.

05Lean pipe system: what you can build

The lean pipe system is the main application for this tube. It is a modular framing system designed for lean manufacturing environments, where structures are built and rebuilt frequently as the production line changes. Common structures include:

Flow racks and FIFO lanes: gravity-fed roller conveyors for parts presentation, rebuilt as the line layout changes.
Workstation frames: height-adjustable tables, tool boards and parts bins that can be reconfigured in minutes.
Material handling carts: wheeled carts for moving parts between stations, with shelves and handles that snap on.
Temporary fixtures: assembly jigs and check fixtures that are built, used and dismantled within a production cycle.
Lean 5S boards: shadow boards for tools and gauges, mounted on a pipe frame that can be moved to the point of use.

06Round tube vs T-slot profile: choosing the right system

Choose the round tube / lean pipe system

The structure is temporary or frequently reconfigured
You need rotating members (rollers, shafts, guides)
Aesthetics matter: customer-facing or cleanroom environments
The load is light to medium (carts, racks, fixtures, not machine frames)
Speed of assembly is more important than maximum stiffness

Choose T-slot profiles

The structure is a machine frame carrying precision loads
You need slot nuts and sliding fittings along the member
High stiffness per metre is required (T-slot has higher I)
The frame carries vibration or dynamic loads
You need a wider accessory range (hinges, sensors, panels)

07Failure modes to design out

What goes wrong	Why it happens	Design it out by
Joint slips under load	the clamp grip is insufficient for the applied force	use metal clamps with knurled bores; add a second clamp for safety
Tube bends under load	the 0.66 cm4 I is low compared to T-slot profiles	reduce the span or add intermediate supports; use 1.2 mm wall for stiffness
Tube corrodes at the joint	aluminium and steel clamp form a galvanic couple	use anodised tube with plastic-lined clamps, or stainless clamps
Roller wobbles on the tube	the tube OD is out of round or the bearing bore is oversize	specify OD tolerance +/-0.10 mm; use precision bearings for rollers
Plastic joint cracks in cold	snap-fit joints become brittle below -10 degrees C	use metal clamp joints for cold environments or outdoor use

08What to check before you order

Procurement checklist for the aluminium pipe

Confirm the OD: 28 mm is standard for lean pipe. Other diameters have a smaller joint range.
Confirm the wall: 1.0 mm is standard; 0.8 mm is lighter, 1.2 mm is stiffer.
Confirm the finish: mill finish for best clamp grip, anodised for corrosion and aesthetics.
Confirm the joint type: snap-fit plastic, metal clamp, or welded. The tube surface must match the joint requirement.
Confirm the cut length and tolerance: standard +/-0.5 mm. For conveyor rollers, tighter tolerance on the OD may be needed.
If the tube is a roller or shaft, confirm the bearing fit and the surface hardness. 6063-T5 is soft; hard anodise or 6061-T6 may be needed.

09Terms used on this page

Lean pipe: A modular framing system using round metal tubes and snap-fit joints. Also called creform, pipe-and-joint, or flexible tube.
Isotropic: Having the same stiffness in all directions. A round tube is isotropic in bending; a square profile is not.
OD: Outer diameter, in mm. The standard lean pipe OD is 28 mm.
Snap-fit joint: A plastic or metal joint that grips the tube by latching two halves around it, without tools.
Clamp: A two-piece fitting that bolts around the tube, providing higher grip force than a snap-fit.
Roller: A rotating tube used as a conveyor surface. The round tube serves as both the structure and the bearing surface.

10Questions buyers ask

What is the standard diameter for lean pipe systems?

28 mm OD is the global standard. The full range of snap-fit joints, clamps, castors and accessories is made for this diameter. 25 mm and 32 mm exist but with a much smaller joint range.

Can I use T-slot accessories on a round tube?

No. T-slot accessories fit into a 10.2 mm groove. A round tube has no groove. Connections are made with external clamps that grip the tube surface.

What wall thickness do I need?

1.0 mm is the standard for lean pipe. For structural applications or longer spans, 1.2 mm or 1.5 mm gives more stiffness. For lightweight carts, 0.8 mm saves weight.

Can it be used as a conveyor roller?

Yes. The tube is cut to the roller width and fitted with end bearings. Specify a tighter OD tolerance (+/-0.10 mm) and a hard anodised surface for wear resistance.

What is the minimum order quantity?

Extrusion is made to order. Small trial lengths are available from stock. Production runs are quoted by the metre or by the tonne.

Can it be supplied in 6061?

Yes. 6063-T5 is standard for its extrudability and surface finish. 6061-T6 is available for rotating shafts or structural applications that need higher strength.

What we need to quote this tube

The OD and wall thickness, or the lean pipe system reference.
The cut length for each member and the number of members.
The finish: mill finish, clear anodised, black anodised, or hard anodised for rollers.
The joint type if joints are needed: snap-fit plastic or metal clamp.
The annual or per-order quantity, in metres or in pieces.
Any certification: mill certificate to EN 10204 3.1, dimensional report.

Send those six items and the quotation comes back with the extrusion price, the cutting charge, the finish surcharge and the lead time broken out separately. Browse the full aluminium profile catalogue and the pipe and joint systems range for related products.

Need this tube quoted for your lean pipe system?

Send the OD, wall, cut list and finish. We quote extrusion, cutting and anodising as separate lines.

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