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Ils ont acheté un tuyau de dix centimètres de diamètre.

Ils ont acheté un tuyau de dix centimètres de diamètre.
They bought a pipe ten centimeters in diameter.
From Lesson 437:Physical dimensions (de ... de long)·French

Questions & Answers about Ils ont acheté un tuyau de dix centimètres de diamètre.

Why do we need the first de in un tuyau de dix centimètres?
In English, you can put a measurement right next to a noun as an adjective, like "a ten-centimeter pipe." In French, you must link the object to its measurement using de. You can think of it translating literally as "a pipe of ten centimeters."
Why does it say de diamètre instead of en diamètre for "in diameter"?
To specify the dimension being measured, French uses de followed by the dimension word rather than en. The complete formula for attaching a size directly to a noun is: [Object] + de + [Measurement] + de + [Dimension].
If I wanted to talk about length or width, would I also use the noun like we do with diamètre?
You can, but you also have the option to use adjectives for length and width. For example, "ten centimeters long" can be dix centimètres de longueur (noun) or dix centimètres de long (adjective). However, diameter only uses the noun form, so it is always de diamètre.
Is the 'x' in dix pronounced in this sentence?
No, it is completely silent here. Because dix is followed directly by a consonant (the 'c' in centimètres), you pronounce it like "dee." The 'x' is only pronounced as an "s" sound when the number stands alone, or as a "z" sound when making a liaison before a vowel.

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