Rubber Tubing

The basic purpose of rubber tubing is to contain as well to transport various fluids and gases. This tubing is used in flow lines for gases and fluids in a variety of hydraulic, pneumatic, medical, and other specialty applications. It is generally supplied in the form of rolls and measured by its outside diameter. Rubber tubing is available as flexible or rigid and clear or multi-color tubings. General-purpose tubing is used in a variety of applications. Specialized products are also available.

Types of Rubber Used in Rubber Tubing

Various types of rubber are used for making these tubings. This include natural rubber such as latex and gum as well as a variety of synthetic rubber.

Natural Rubber Tubing

The natural rubber tubing is classified into two categories:

• Gum Tubing: This is abrasion resistant and cost-effective type of rubber tubing. It acts as an excellent vacuum tubing since it has tear resistance and memory. This type of rubber tubing is temperature resistant and maintains a high coefficient of friction in various applications.
• Latex Tubing: Latex is transformed into sheet stock or dry stock. It is vulcanized and the compound is extruded or molded in order to get a finished product or the rubber tube. This type of tubing has excellent flexible characteristics at low temperatures.

Synthetic Rubber Tubing

Many types of synthetic rubber are used for making this type of rubber tubes. Synthetic rubber tubing is classified into further categories:

• Silicone Tubing: This is suitable for high temperature processes. Silicone rubber has the the property of heat ozone, chemicals and ageing. Silicone rubber tubes are widely used in industries like pharmaceuticals and health care.
• Nylon Tubing: It has a high elastic memory and can withstand long periods of time without fracture. Nylon rubber tubes also have high-impact resistance.

Features of Rubber Tubing

The rubber tubes or tubing that can also be called rubber pipes have many such features that make them perfect to be used in various industries. Some of such characteristic features of rubber tubing can be listed as below.

Buying Tips for Rubber Tubing

Rubber tubing has several performance specifications and important dimensions.
Performance specifications include

• Rated pressure: The short-term burst pressure at 75° F.
• Maximum vacuum: It is referenced below one standard atmosphere.
• Minimum bend radius: It is based on an acceptable cross-section deformation.
• Temperature range: The full-required range of ambient operating temperature.

Dimensions

• Outside diameter (OD)
• Inside diameter (ID), and
• Wall thickness

• Hardness: This is the characteristic of the rubber to resist against permanent deformation.
• Specific Gravity: This is the ratio of the density of rubber to the density of water at a given temperature.
• Tensile Strength: This the maximum stress that the rubber can withstand without breaking.
• Elongation: It is the increase in the length of the rubber which is caused by longitudinal tension and this is expressed in terms of percentage.
• Brittle Temperature: This is the lowest temperature at which the rubber becomes brittle.
• Operating Temperature: It is the range of temperature in which the rubber tubing can be used safely and effectively.
• Diameter: This is the measured distance between the two ends through the center and expressed in inches or centimeters.

Types of Rubber Tubing

Following are the major types of rubber tubes made by the rubber tubing manufacturers.

• Conductive or Semi-Conductive Tubing: This prevents the buildup of static electricity.
• Spark Resistant Tubing: This tubing bears electrical discharge.
• Explosion Proof Tubing: This type of rubber tubing can prevent explosions caused by gas, vapor, or dust.
• Sterilized Tubing: This is treated with dry heat, gamma irradiation, or chemical disinfectants.
• Reinforced Tubing: This tubing includes fibers or banding, multi-layered tubes containing concentric layers, and multi-element tubes built in a flat or ribbon configuration.
• Coiled or Spiraled Tubing: This type of tubing is also available.
• Corrugated Rubber Tubes: These rubber tubings provide increased flexibility and capacity for compression and elongation.

Advantages of Rubber Tubing

Most of the industries prefer to use rubber tubes due to its many advantages.

• Rubber tube is explosion proof.
• It can withstand electrical discharge.
• It is flexible.
• It is available in multi-color.
• Rubber tubing has high tensile strength too.

Applications of Rubber Tubing

• Drain tubing
• Rubber surgical tubing used in medical and pharmaceutical industry
• Laboratories for handling gas or fluids at low pressure
• Full vacuum service on air pumps, machinery, and aspirators
• Various temperature ranges as well as resistance applications
• Aerospace industry
• Chemical industry
• Cryogenic
• Food processing etc.

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