Pneumatic Tubing: Technical DATA

1. Polyurethane (PU) Tubing

Description: The most versatile and commonly used pneumatic tubing. Offers an excellent balance of flexibility, kink resistance, abrasion resistance, and durability. Resistant to oils and chemicals.

Technical Specifications:

• Material: High-grade Polyester-based or Polyether-based Polyurethane.
• Standard Sizes (OD): Φ4, Φ6, Φ8, Φ10, Φ12 mm
• Wall Thickness: Standard (e.g., for Φ6mm: ~1mm wall)
• Temperature Range: -20°C to +60°C (Short-term up to 80°C)
• Pressure Rating: Excellent. High burst pressure.
• Features:
  
  • Very High Flexibility: Easy to route in tight spaces.
  • Excellent Abrasion Resistance: Superior to nylon and PVC; ideal for applications with moving parts or dragging.
  • Good Kink Resistance: Will recover its shape after being bent.
  • Transparency: Allows for visual flow inspection.
  • Moisture Resistance: Low water absorption, maintains performance in humid environments.

Common Applications:

• General factory automation.
• Robotics and moving machinery.
• Applications requiring frequent movement and high flex life.
• Environments with exposure to lubricating oils.

2. Nylon (PA) Tubing

Description: A rigid and strong tubing known for its high mechanical strength, heat resistance, and low gas permeability. Less flexible than PU but offers superior performance in high-temperature environments.

Technical Specifications:

• Material: Nylon 11 or Nylon 12.
• Standard Sizes (OD): Φ4, Φ6, Φ8, Φ10, Φ12 mm
• Wall Thickness: Standard and Heavy-duty versions available.
• Temperature Range: -30°C to +80°C (Short-term up to 100°C)
• Pressure Rating: Very High. Excellent burst pressure, especially the heavy-duty type.
• Features:
  
  • High Mechanical Strength: Resistant to crushing and impact.
  • High Heat Resistance: The best choice for elevated temperature applications.
  • Low Gas Permeability: Minimizes air loss over time.
  • Stiffness: More rigid than PU; better for maintaining fixed layouts.
  • Moisture Absorption: Will absorb moisture from the air, which can slightly reduce flexibility and dimensional stability over time (conditioning is recommended for precise applications).

Common Applications:

• Main air lines and fixed piping runs.
• High-temperature environments near machinery.
• Applications requiring maximum pressure resistance and rigidity.
• Jigs and fixtures.

3. Fluororesin (PFA) Tubing

Description: A premium, high-performance tubing used for demanding applications. Offers exceptional chemical resistance, very high and low temperature performance, and high purity. Non-flammable.

Technical Specifications:

• Material: Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) Alkane.
• Standard Sizes (OD): Φ4, Φ6, Φ8, Φ10 mm
• Wall Thickness: Standard.
• Temperature Range: -40°C to +150°C (Short-term up to 200°C)
• Pressure Rating: Good, maintains strength over a wide temperature range.
• Features:
  
  • Exceptional Chemical Resistance: Resistant to virtually all chemicals, strong acids, and solvents.
  • Extreme Temperature Range: Suitable for both cryogenic and high-heat applications.
  • High Purity & Non-Stick: Ideal for food, beverage, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical industries. Prevents contamination.
  • Weather & UV Resistance: Excellent for outdoor use.
  • Flexibility: Softer and more flexible than Nylon, but less kink-resistant than PU.
  • Non-Flammable: Meets UL94 V-0 standards.

Common Applications:

• Chemical plant instrumentation.
• Semiconductor manufacturing.
• Food and beverage processing (FDA compliant grades).
• High-purity analytical equipment.

4. Polyolefin (PE / PP) Tubing

Description: A cost-effective and highly flexible tubing. Offers good chemical resistance to aqueous solutions and excellent electrical insulation. Often used for low-pressure pneumatics, wiring protection, and fluid conveyance.

Technical Specifications:

• Material: Polyethylene (PE) or Polypropylene (PP).
• Standard Sizes (OD): Wide range, from small diameters (Φ3mm) to larger ones.
• Wall Thickness: Typically thin-walled.
• Temperature Range: ~0°C to +60°C (PE has a lower max temp than PP).
• Pressure Rating: Low to Moderate. Not typically recommended for high-pressure main lines.
• Features:
  
  • Very High Flexibility: Extremely easy to handle and route.
  • Excellent Chemical Resistance: Resistant to most acids, alkalis, and aqueous solutions.
  • Low Cost: The most economical option.
  • Low Friction Coefficient: Allows for easy pulling of wires.
  • Low Temperature Toughness: Remains flexible at low temperatures.

Common Applications:

• Low-pressure air lines (e.g., sensor air, logic circuits).
• Wiring looms and harness protection.
• Water and low-pressure fluid lines.
• Laboratory equipment.