What is PE Tubing?: Exploring Processes, Applications, and Benefits
Polyethylene, or PE, is one of the most commonly produced plastics and used in a wide range of industries. One of the common applications of PE is to create tubing for medical applications, pipes for construction, tubing and piping for appliances and refrigerators, and more.
So, what is PE tubing and what is it used for? Let’s take a closer look.
How PE Tubing is Produced
In order to create PE tubing, extrusion is needed. This process starts by melting down polyethylene. Within the tubing extruder, screws and heaters in the barrel of the extruder heat the PE and melt it. Once the polymer is melted, it is then forced into a tubing die that shapes the polyethylene into a continuous shape that hardens during cooling. This forms the tubing or piping that is required by the customer.
Benefits of PE Tubing
PE tubing has various benefits that make it an ideal choice for many industries. Some of these benefits include:
- Good impact strength to withstand stress and tough environments
- Water resistance, giving it the ability to be used in applications that may be exposed to water
- Durability, making it long-lasting
- Electric insulation for use in wires and cables
- Good heat resistance, allowing it to be used in high and low temperatures
- Recyclable, reducing the footprint of your products
- Biocompatible for use in medical applications
Applications of PE Tubing
Construction
Within the construction industry, pipes for waste, gas, and water must be as durable as possible. These pipes and tubes need to have good impact strength, be water resistant, and be able to withstand fluctuations in temperature and weather while lasting for decades. PE is a great material that meets all of these needs.
Medical
Since polyethylene is biocompatible, durable, and water-resistant, it can easily and safely be used in various medical applications. Polyethylene tubing is commonly used to create syringes, catheters, and tubing for the medical industry.
Lighting
Since PE is an electric insulator and has the properties of water resistance, durability, and heat resistance, it is ideal for applications in lighting. PE tubing is particularly beneficial for creating wiring for various lighting applications.
Renewable Energy
Wire and cable insulation solutions require durability, heat resistance, water resistance, and electrical insulation. Polyethylene is commonly used for wire and cable insulation in the renewable energy industry because it exhibits all of the necessary properties.
Appliances
The pipes and tubing that are used to carry water to and from appliances as well as wire insulation need to be heat and water-resistant while also being durable. Luckily, with polyethylene tubing, it is easy to meet all of these needs.
When You Need Quality PE Tubing, Turn to Custom Profile
Since 1992, Custom Profile has been providing high-quality, durable custom extruded plastic products for a wide range of industries. Whether you need tubing extrusion, co-extrusion, dual durometer co-extrusion, tri-extrusion, or crosshead extrusion, our team has what it takes to create the exact product you need.
Additionally, our team can manufacture all of the tooling needed to complete your projects, saving you time and money on your production. We also offer in-line operations, assembly, and finishing services to further add value to your products.
Contact our team today to learn more about our services or to get started.