Tubings

Tubings refer to flexible hollow cylinders used to convey liquids or gases in medical, industrial, and consumer applications. Tubing is typically manufactured in continuous lengths and sized by inner diameter (ID) and outer diameter (OD). The wall thickness and material determine flexibility, pressure rating, and chemical compatibility. While the term tubing is often used interchangeably with hose, tubing generally denotes smaller diameters and smoother bore suitable for controlled flow.

Materials vary widely: silicone, PVC, polyurethane, FEP/PTFE, and latex are common. Medical and food-grade tubing must meet biocompatibility and safety standards, while reinforced varieties incorporate braided or spiral layers for higher pressure or kink resistance. Many tubing types are rated for sterilization and high/low temperatures, and some are designed to be transparent for visual monitoring.

Applications span medicine (intravenous lines, catheters), laboratories (reaction or chromatography tubing), automotive and HVAC (coolant and fuel lines), aquaria, and food and beverage processing. Design choices consider chemical compatibility, permeability, temperature range, pressure, and the intended connectors (barbed fittings, clamps, quick-connects). Proper selection reduces leakage, contamination, or tubing failure. Standards and approvals govern medical and food-contact tubing, with manufacturers providing compatible coding and labeling.

Manufacture is primarily extrusion, with some molded forms for complex profiles. Maintenance includes regular inspection for cracks or kinks, and appropriate cleaning or sterilization per material guidance. Environmental considerations focus on recycling options and disposal according to resin type.