Whether it’s a stock option or a fully fledged custom creation, different types of plastic tubing are prevalent in manufacturing. Plastic tubes can be made from several hundred types of materials, and their applications are truly limitless. Through extrusion manufacturing, plastic tubes are created efficiently and effectively, no matter the material used or the tube’s intended application.
Here, Custom Profile details the different types of plastic tubing, highlighted by material selection and where specific materials are best used in real-world applications.
Different Types of Plastic Tubing and Varied Material Selection
One of the largest differences when analyzing different types of plastic tubing is in the materials used in manufacturing. While nearly any available polymer can be used to create stock and custom tubes, these are some of the most common materials used.
Polyvinyl Chloride
- Can be flexible or rigid depending on tube application
- Strong abrasion and chemical resistance
Polyethylene
- Chemically inert
- Lightweight
- Corrosion resistant
Polyurethane
- Rubber feel, lending itself to flexible applications
- High abrasion resistance
- Resistance to oils and fuels
Polypropylene
- Extremely lightweight
- Chemical resistant
- Easily weldable
ABS
- More rigid than most materials
- High impact resistance
Common Tube Applications Based on Material Selection
Knowing the strengths and properties of different types of materials leads to a more thorough understanding of how material selection happens, as well as why certain tubes work best in specific applications.
Polyvinyl Chloride
- Known for industrial fluid transfer systems for chemicals, oil, and water, PVC tubes can also be used for air lines and in machinery.
- In food and beverage applications, PVC can be used for non-toxic applications, such as the transfer of liquids and other beverage applications.
- The agricultural industry is a big user of PVC tubes, as they are seen in hydroponic systems, and the transportation of fertilizers and pesticides.
- PVC can also be used as protective cases for numerous electrical, medical, and lighting applications.
Polyethylene
- Water and gas distribution companies will utilize PE tubing for potable water transfer found in city systems. Additionally, natural gas lines can be made out of polyethylene tubes.
- PE tubing can be used for industrial and chemical processing applications.
- Many irrigation systems in agricultural settings will use PE tubes as water lines, and also for fertilizer handling and drip irrigation.
- When PE tubes meet FDA regulations and standards, they can be found in soda machines.
Polyurethane
- One of the most common applications of polyurethane tubing is in pneumatic and automation systems. This type of tubing can be found in air tools, robotic control lines, and pneumatic logic circuits.
- Polyurethane tubes can also be found in automotive applications, with usages ranging from fuel lines and vacuum lines to robotics.
Polypropylene
- Polypropylene tubing applications are mainly seen in water systems such as water treatment facilities, wastewater facilities, and in some cases, reverse osmosis systems.
- Chemical processing facilities also use polypropylene tubes due to their chemical resistance.
ABS
ABS tubing applications can primarily be found in lighting and electrical environments. Common usages include: LED light tubes, housings, electrical sleeving, insulation, and high-voltage switches.
Contact Custom Profile for Complete Manufacturing of Different Types of Plastic Tubing
Custom Profile has created different types of plastic tubing since our doors opened in 1992. We are a full-service plastic extrusion manufacturing company creating the tubes you need with the materials necessary for maximum efficiency.
With over 400 different grades of polymers in stock at any of our three locations, our team of engineers works with you to select the material — or materials — necessary based upon the design and your tube’s intended application.
Contact Custom Profile today, and let’s get to work creating the tubes you need.