Properties and Uses of PTFE Tubes

For many years many industries like the steel and chemical processing industry have been consistently utilizing pipes made of fluoropolymers like PTFE for carrying highly reactive or corrosive chemicals. The popularity of these pipes is on the rise today because of their excellent chemical, thermal and electric properties, and they are fast replacing pipes made of carbon steel and other metals, commonly used in the past.

The Properties of PTFE Tubes

PTFE tube properties are significantly different from carbon and metal pipes, which in comparison have a lot more limitations. A few of the properties that make PTFE tubes a better choice over traditionally used tubes are:

·         Better thermal properties - PTFE tubes can withstand temperatures up to 260 °C and has a glass transition temperature of 120 °C. Plus, they can withstand cold temperatures down to -100 °C.

·         Better electrical properties-PTFE tubes exhibit excellent electrical properties as well, they are great insulators with excellent surface resistivity. PTFE tubes with 1 mm thickness have breakdown voltage of 22 KVA.

·         High UV resistance – PTFE  tubing has excellent UV resistance and wearability.

·         Excellent Wear and Frictional Qualities- PTFE tube has a relatively slippery and smooth surface, so it also has great wear and frictional qualities.

Usage of PTFE Tubes

The success of  PTFE tubing  is chiefly because of their unique properties, which allows them to be used in a wide range of industries. A few significant PTFE uses and Properties are as follows:

In automotive applications, the property of PTFE tubes to withstand temperatures in excess of 250^oC make them ideal for high-temperature fluid transfers, which is why they’re always in demand from PTFE tube suppliers.

• In medical applications, PTFE tubing is in demand due to its lubricity and chemical inertness. Catheters made of PTFE are used extensively because they can be inserted into the human body without fear of any adverse effects.
• In chemical applications, PTFE tubes can be used in laboratories to replace glass tubes mainly because they are inert and very durable, and hence a favorite from PTFE tube manufacturers.
• In electrical applications, the effective insulating and dielectric properties of PTFE tubes make them an ideal choice across industries.

The versatility of PTFE tubes has increased its popularity in recent years and there seems to be little chance of its popularity waning out anytime soon, since there are very few materials which offer such properties and are affordable.