More about Plastic Tubing

Click here to find Plastic Tubing Manufacturers | Discuss Plastic Tubing & Other Topics

Plastic tubing has infiltrated every known industry. If plastic seems like something that can only be used in industries which do not require massive amounts of heat and pressure, then one has been misguided about the abilities of this material. Plastic tubing made from stronger resins, like polysulfone, are able to withstand extremely cold and hot environments. Polystyrene is made to resist chemical and other corrosive actions. If fire and flame resistance are primary concerns, then polycarbonates are useful. Pressure capacity also plays a factor in choosing which type of plastic is best suited for a particular product. Plastics are not all made with one simple process. Sometimes a number of treatments will be required to produce a single type of plastic tubing. A mixture of chemicals and elements are used to make durable plastics and are often industry specific. Tuffcast, polyurethane, nylon, acrylic and polycarbonate are just a few of the contents which can be used.



Similar to its steel counterpart, plastic tubing can be made into many non-circular shapes, like flat or rectangular, depending on what it is being used for. A variety of industries, like the medical or aerospace industries, require that high-quality, industry-standard-approved guidelines are followed in the production of the plastic tubing they purchase. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) also requires that beverage tubing meets their standards. The NSA (National Sanitation Foundation) and USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) set what standards companies in their categories are able to use. Plastic tubing is also used heavily and regulated by companies in irrigation, highway and drainage ditch industries.



To place plastics into specific industries is difficult. Because the manufacturing of plastic tubing benefits and excels from its use with CAD/CAM and CNC (computer numerically controlled) computer programs, stronger plastic combinations are being used to withstand similar pressures and temperatures that metal is able or unable to withstand. Original Equipment Manufacturers (or OEM) are big buyers in the plastic tubing industry.