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Plastic tubing is flexible and durable, making it a great choice for industrial and commercial applications that require endurance and flexibility. Its consistent strength and low cost make it a better choice than other materials in many industries and applications. Flexible plastic tubing is commonly used in the following:

Pneumatic Systems

Because of its flexible capabilities, plastic tubing is capable of handling the compression of pneumatic systems. It is ideal for outdoor applications since it can endure a wide range of temperatures. In general, plastic pneumatic tubing withstands 115 PSI.

Farming

In farming, plastic tubing is used for water systems because it is easy to work with and simple to install. It is also durable and does not corrode quickly. This tubing can be used in long distances without the need for connectors.

Liquid

Plastic tubing is often used for fluid transfer to transport liquids and solvents. To transfer beverages, plastic tubing needs to be Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grade and meet the standards for temperature, and sterilization. Plastic tubing used for liquids is commonly made from polyurethane, polyethylene, or nylon.

Automotive

The construction of automotive parts depends a lot on flexible tubing. It is used for automotive parts such as fuel lines and fuel filters because it is flexible and has a high endurance and heat tolerance.

Medicine

Plastic tubing is often used in the medical industry to deliver fluids to and from the body. It is made from small custom plastic extrusions. It is produced in an isolated environment away from any contaminations.

Marine

Many of the parts on marine equipment use plastic tubing. An example of a boat using plastic tubing is its bilge pump tubing. This is typically made of PVC because of its abrasion resistance and flexibility. PVC tubing is durable, heavy-duty, and chemical and oil resistant.

Examples of Plastic Tubing

Plastic Extrusion Technologies has produced plastic tubing products for clients nationwide:

Plastic Tubing Materials

  • Flexible Tubing: Polyurethane, Santoprene, FPVC, LDPE, LLDPE, Nylon 6
  • Semi-Rigid Tubing: PP and HDPE
  • Rigid Tubing: Polycarbonate, RPVC, ABS, high impact polystyrene HIPSand Acrylic

How Flexible Plastic Tubing is Made

There are two methods for manufacturing plastic tubing, extrusion and pultrusion. The main difference is how the molten plastic moves through the die. During extrusion, the molten plastic is pushed through the die. With pultrusion, molten plastic is pulled through. The main ingredient in these processes is a polymer resin that is fed into a hopper mounted on the extruder‘s barrel. Extrusion uses technical equipment and instrumentation to control the temperature, speed, and time of the process.

During coextrusion, two or more materials are combined to form tubing with a rigid core and flexible exterior. Modern extrusion is monitored by computerized equipment to make sure it matches the engineered profile. Pultrusion is a continuous feed process used to produce a tubing profile. This process uses reinforced fibers that have gone through a thermoplastic resin through a die. Pultrusion is a low maintenance method for producing plastic tubing that is corrosion resistant.

Plastic Tubing Materials

Plastic tubing can be produced using a large variety of materials, including:

  • Acrylic – Clear, impact and UV resistant. This lightweight material is used in a wide variety of applications from plastic tubes to industrial products.
  • PVC (poly vinyl chloride) – Flexible PVC tubing is corrosion and wear resistant. It has excellent flexibility and is typically used in industrial applications.
  • CPVC Tubing (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) – CPVC has a higher corrosion resistance at higher temperatures than PVC, making it more durable and longer lasting.
  • Fiberglass Tubing – This type of material is pultruded and is a combination of fiberglass and thermoset polyester. It is typically used as an electrical insulator.
  • Polycarbonate Tubing – This tubing is lightweight, flame and impact resistant, and strong. Polycarbonate tubing has the ability to be drilled without cracking.
  • Polyethylene Tubing – This tubing has a tough texture and is used for its high resistance to erosion. It has a high resistance to cracking under stressful environments.
  • PTFE Tubing (Polytetrafluoroethylene) – This material is flexible and it can withstand temperatures that between -390°F to 500°F. It will not crack when in high temperatures and it is chemical resistant.
  • Polyurethane Tubing (PU) – This tubing has a high abrasion resistance and is kink resistant. PU tubing is often used in high pressure and medical applications. Since it is resistant to most oils and other chemicals, it has become a great choice for fuel lines and other similar applications.

For more information on each individual profile, feel free to visit our Plastic Extrusions Profile Gallery.

Plastic Extrusion Technologies has supplied plastic extrusion profile products to high profile clients all over the United States, from Massachusetts to Miami, Alaska to Texas. If you have questions about production, or need a quote, give us a call at 877-439-4896.

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