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Introduction
This article will take an in-depth look at nylon tubing.
The article will bring more detail on topics such as:
Principle of Nylon Tubing
Types of Nylon Tubing
Applications and Benefits of Nylon Tubing
And Much More…
Chapter 1: Principle of Nylon Tubing
This chapter will discuss nylon tubing, its manufacturing
process, and how it functions.
What is Nylon Tubing?
Nylon tubing, also known as polyamide tubing, is a type of
tubing made from polyamide resin, which has a strong resistance
to abrasion. It is used in high-pressure and high-temperature
applications. This type of tubing is also very versatile, and
some of its varieties will not degrade when used in chemical
solutions.
Nylon tubing contains UV stabilization, which can be handy when
it is being used in warmer areas or where there is direct
exposure to sunlight. Nylon tubing is also very flexible, and it
can be used to fit into many different complex designs. Its
contained elastic memory makes it capable of being flexed many
times over a long period without showing any signs of fatigue or
fracturing.
Even at temperatures below freezing, nylon tubing is resistant
to impact and contains very low moisture absorption. These low
temperatures have a common effect of diminishing size or
dimensional stability. Nylon tubing is well-suited for resisting
substances including solvents, alkalis, grease, oils, petroleum,
and many varieties of fungus and mold.
Nylon tubing has become very useful in industries. Some of its
areas of application include robotics, hydraulic hoses, fuel
lines, vacuum lines, vapor lines, brake lines, air lines, oil
processing lines, chemical processing lines, and tool
lubricating systems. Nylon is also used in food processing, and
this nylon tubing can be included in pneumatic systems that make
use of compressed air so as to supply power to machinery
automatically.
When compared to other nylon resins, the nylon plastic tubing
has a smaller bend radius and allows for a lighter weight wall.
Some of the properties obtained by the nylon tubing are because
of the molecular structure of the nylon compared to other types
of plastics such as polycarbonate. Some properties of this nylon
include it having a melting point of about 374 °F (190 °C); this
is even higher than the same contained properties for other
resins.
To add on, the crystalline structure of the nylon gives it high
resistance to wear and chemicals. Nylon tubing products are
hollow channels that are made up of solid nylon. In most cases,
this nylon is found for use in textile fibers rather than as a
material for tubing in industries. However, if this nylon is
contained in its solid form, it can be an excellent material for
use in the fabrication of plastic tubes and other useful plastic
products.
Manufacturing Nylon Tubing
The processes required for the manufacture of nylon tubing
include plastic extrusion or plastic co-extrusion, processes
that are noted in detail below.
Plastic Extrusion Process
The first process employed in the production of nylon tubing is
called the plastic extrusion process. In this process, the raw
compound material usually first takes the form of nurdles, which
are small beads also often called resin. They are gravity fed
from a top-mounted hopper and then into the barrel of the
extruder. Colorants and UV inhibitors in the form of pellets or
liquid are placed in as additives. They can also be mixed
together with the resin prior to arriving at the hopper.
The plastic extrusion process has much in common with the
plastic injection molding process from the point of the extruder
technology. However, it differs in the sense that extrusion is
usually a continuous process. The process of pultrusion can
offer many similar profiles in continuous lengths that are
usually with reinforcement. This is achieved by pulling the
finished product out of a die instead of extruding the polymer
melts through a die.
The material then enters through the feed throat, which is an
opening near the rear of the barrel, before it comes into
contact with the screw. This rotating screw commonly rotates at
120rpm; its job is to force the plastic beads forward into the
heated barrel. The temperature required for extrusion is rarely
equal to the set temperature of the barrel due to effects such
as viscous heating.
In most contained processes, a heating profile is set for the
barrel. In this barrel, three or more independent PID-controlled
heater zones do the job of gradually increasing the temperature
of the barrel from the rear. This rear is where the plastic
enters towards the front. This allows the plastic beads to melt
gradually as they are pushed through the barrel, and it also
helps in lowering the risk of overheating, which may result in
the degradation of polymers.
More heat contained in the process is contributed by the intense
pressure and friction that takes place inside the barrel.
Generally, if an extrusion line is working on certain materials
fast enough, the contained heaters can be shut off, and the
temperature of the melt can be maintained by the pressure and
friction inside the barrel. In a large number of extruders,
cooling fans are present to keep the temperature below a set
value if too much heat is generated. Cast-in cooling jackets are
put into use if the process of forced air cooling is
insufficient.
The molten plastic leaves the screw at the front of the barrel
and travels through a screen pack headed to remove any
containment in the melt. The screens are made stronger by
reinforcing them with a breaker plate, which is a thick metal
puck drilled through with many holes. The reinforcement is
performed since the pressure at this point can exceed 5000 psi
or 34MPa. The breaker plate assembly or the screen pack also
does the work of creating back pressure in the barrel. This back
pressure is needed for the uniform melting and proper mixing of
the polymer. The amount of pressure generated can be tweaked by
varying the composition of the screen packs, which involves the
number of screens contained, their wire weave size, and other
parameters.
The rotational memory of the molten plastic is also eliminated
by the combination of the screen pack and the breaker plate.
This combination also further creates longitudinal memory.
Molten plastic enters the die after it passes the breaker plate.
This die then gives the final product its profile. It must be
designed so that the molten plastic will evenly flow from a
cylindrical profile to the profile shape of the product. The act
of an uneven flow can result in the production of a product that
has unwanted residual stresses at certain points in the profile,
which can cause warping upon cooling. A high number of shapes
can be created but with the restriction of the continuous
profiles.
The end product is then cooled, usually by pulling the extrudate
through a water bath. Because plastic is a very good thermal
insulator, it is difficult to cool down quickly. Plastic
conducts its heat away 200 times more slowly than steel. A
sealed water bath contained in a tube or extrusion line is acted
upon by a carefully controlled vacuum so as to keep the newly
formed, molten tube or pipe from collapsing.
In some products, such as plastic sheeting, the process of
cooling is achieved by pulling the product through a set of
cooling rolls. For very thin sheeting and films, air cooling can
be made very effective as an initial cooling stage, as in blown
film extrusion. The plastic extruders are also used to reprocess
recycled plastic waste and other raw materials after sorting,
blending, and cleaning.
Plastic Co-Extrusion Process
Nylon rods are not actually always made completely from nylon.
In some situations, they can be co-extruded with other
non-plastic materials like metals. Co-extrusion is thus an
altered process of extrusion in which a single product is made
from two or more different materials mixed together. For one to
be able to achieve this, multiple extruders pointed at a single
die do the work of melting the polymers that are intended to
make the product.
After the materials become molten, they are forced into the die
at an even volume and pace. When the materials enter the die at
the same time, they fill it out in layers. The goal of
co-extrusion is to produce a product that contains properties
and qualities that it cannot get from just the use of one
polymer.
In order to lower material costs or to strengthen the core of
the rod, manufacturers often choose to co-extrude a plastic rod
with a different type of plastic or other material. In
applications that require little structural strength, the issue
of low-cost co-extrusion materials is usually considered.
In areas where better structural support is needed, the
component metal is usually used as the material that fills the
rod. Aside from the noted qualities, the plastic co-extrusion
process also aims to increase resistance in wear and the
permeability of oxygen.
Plastic Pultrusion Process
As with extrusion, pultrusion is a continuous feed process used
to produce a tubing profile. The pultrusion process differs from
extrusion in that it pulls reinforced fibers that have been
wetted in a thermoplastic resin through a die. The process of
polymerization happens as the fibers go through the die. The
process of pultrusion is low-maintenance and is an efficient
method for the production of plastic tubing that resists
corrosion and has low thermal conductivity.
A modified pultrusion process called radius pultrusion has also
been put into use. This process allows for the manufacture of
two- or three-dimensional curved profiles. This process is
beneficial in the linear process for a number of tasks; that is,
if complex textile reinforcements are needed with a low rate of
distortion.
Secondary Processes for Nylon Tubing
Although this is not needed in most cases, some manufacturers
choose to further fashion their plastic rods through secondary
ways such as drilling, painting, deburring, coating with powder,
labeling, industrial finishing, and notching. These plastic rods
can be clear or can come in different colors, which also include
custom-matched colors.
Many manufacturers love the idea of working with extruded nylon
tubing due to the versatility of the material and the plastic
extrusion process’s wealth of material choices. Nylon rods are
an ideal choice for one looking for inexpensive, quick, and
durable products.
Nylon Tubing Vs Polyurethane Tubing
Nylon and polyurethane are two common materials that are used in
plastic tubing, and both of these materials feature their own
set of unique characteristics. Polyurethane is naturally
flexible and works well for tight bending. This is experienced
through equipment such as robots, and it is used more often in
applications of medium pressure. Nylon functions at increased
pressures and is able to resist stress cracking while also
having a higher resistance to chemicals and heat as compared to
polyurethane. In addition to this, nylon and polyurethane are
both great at resisting abrasion.
Chapter 2: Types of Nylon Tubing
Nylon tubing is found in many varieties, including high-pressure
nylon tubing, flexible or super soft nylon tubing, coiled nylon
tubing, DOT nylon tubing, standard nylon tubing, nylon mini
coils, nylon 6 tubing, and nylon 66 tubing.
Standard Nylon Tubing
The most common type is called nylon 6. This nylon 6 is
resistant to moisture, and because of this, it is also more
resistant to corrosion than other types of nylon tubing. Nylon 6
is made from a single monomer which is by definition a simple
molecule that contains two or more sites onto which other
monomers can bind. Standard nylon is made up of 6 carbon atoms,
which is why it is named nylon 6.
DOT Nylon Tubing
DOT nylon tubing is a type of nylon tubing that requires
compliance with the Department of Transportation, and this is
why it is given such a name. It is an engineered polyester
blend, and the DOT nylon tubing remains more flexible for longer
periods as compared to standard nylon tubing. Due to this
factor, DOT nylon tubing is then found for use in brake lines
for vehicles.
DOT nylon tubing can withstand hot, oily, and cold conditions,
having a temperature range that caters from -85 °F (-65 °C) to
more than 200 °F (93 °C). This type of nylon tubing is flexible,
lightweight, and resistant to fatigue. DOT nylon tubing is also
dimensionally stable. In addition to this, it offers resistance
to abrasion and vibration.
High Pressure Nylon Tubing
High pressure nylon tubing is designed for a wide range of uses,
and in all these, it can withstand natural solvents, hydraulic
fluids, alkali solutions, diluted acids, and even oils. High
pressure nylon tubing is strong and stiff, and it is resistant
to abrasion, especially in areas that contain high heat, high
pressure, and high vibration. High pressure nylon tubing
displays a higher tensile strength, and it is put to use in the
chemical and transportation industries and automobiles.
Some of the areas of application for high pressure nylon tubing
include brake lines, hydraulic hoses, robotics, vacuums, air,
high pressure gas lines, and grease. This type of nylon tubing
is also used for working pressure up to 800 psi. The high
pressure nylon tubing also contains a high-temperature tubing
made for temperatures that rise up to 200 °F (93 °C).
Flexible (Super Soft) Nylon Tubing
Flexible nylon tubing is made from nylon 11 resin, which
includes a profound compound that significantly increases
flexibility. Flexible nylon tubing is also called super soft
nylon tubing. Super soft nylon tubing contains numerous
properties that help in keeping it dimensionally stable and
allow it to resist chemicals, abrasions, impact, heat, and
moisture.
Nylon 11 is produced using castor beans, so this type of nylon
tubing is fit for environments where polyurethane is
impractical. These environments include fuel lines, gas
detection, lubrication lines, coolant and refrigeration lines,
pneumatic equipment, robotics, and suspension lines.
Nylon Coils
Nylon coils are spirals of nylon tubing. They are coiled in
lengths that can be expanded, thus making them more flexible.
Nylon coils are usually used to move air that is compressed or
even compressed liquid over a range of shorter distances. These
spirals of nylon tubing retract and extend on their own so as to
be able to provide an economical and lightweight solution for
supplying air to pneumatic tools.
The nylon tubing of nylon coils does not easily scratch paint,
so because of this, it is fit to be used with articulated brake
coils in semi-trucks. This type of nylon tubing has also found
use in the feeding and watering of livestock.
Nylon Mini Coils
Nylon mini coils are much like larger nylon tubing coils in that
these nylon mini coils provide greater flexibility. Nylon mini
coils have pigtails at each end, and this factor makes it easy
for them to connect with other mechanisms.
Nylon mini coils can withstand high pressure well, and this
property makes them uniquely useful in areas where space is
limited. Nylon tubing mini coils can resist any abrasion faced
and work in environments that are pressurized to as much as 298
pounds per square inch (PSI).
Nylon tubing mini coils generally benefit from having coil
memory. These nylon mini coils are put to use in control
circuits, robotics, smaller pneumatic tools, and other functions
that involve motion.
Nylon 6 and Nylon 66 Tubing
Together with nylon 6, the most common type of nylon tubing used
is nylon 66. Both of these are similar, but due to variances in
their chemical structures, they each contain distinctive
qualities. For example, nylon 6 is made up of one monomer with 6
carbon atoms, whereas nylon 66 is made up of 2 monomers. Other
differences seen between the nylon 66 tubing and nylon 6 tubing
include nylon 6 tubing being able to withstand stress and impact
better than nylon 66 tubing.
Nylon 6 tubing also shrinks less in the mold, allowing for
easier coloration. Having a more crystalline structure enables
the nylon 66 tubing to be able to resist acids and chemicals and
absorb water better. In addition, nylon 66 tubing is also more
heat resistant.
Some of the qualities shared by the nylon 6 tubing and the nylon
66 tubing include the ability to be easily machined, the ability
to be easy to slide, electrical insulation, high mechanical
strength, resistance to fatigue, resistance to vibrations,
resistance to x-rays and gamma rays, and resistance to wear from
corrosion and heat. The nylon 6 tubing is used in the military,
and for industrial uses, it can be found in gears, firearm
components, and automotive engine compartments.
Customized Nylon Tubing
Customized nylon tubing refers to the type of nylon tubing that
is made for a specific application and carries specific
properties for that use. Some of the various options that may be
obtained in custom nylon tubing include the ones stated below.
Plastic Tube Color Customization
Nylon tubing can be made and designed in a color that is
required or has been specified for a specific need. Colors can
come in a wide range, which may include neon, red, blue, or
orange, just to mention a few.
Custom Nylon Tubing Cutting
Nylon tubing can be cut into different precise lengths depending
on the project on which it ought to be used. This process can be
done in ways that reduce waste, save money, and produce
accurately measured cuts.
Coiled Nylon Tubing
Coiling is a prominent and effective method that is used to keep
flexible plastic tubing organized while still getting the most
out of the tube’s working length. When one customizes the nylon
tubing diameter, they will also be customizing the retract
ability of the coil as well as the length to which the nylon
tubing can be stretched and still be used comfortably.
Coextruded Plastic Tubing
Using certain co-extrusion capabilities, one no longer has to be
limited to using the properties of a single tube. Multiple
materials can be combined together by pressing them through the
same die. This enables the creation of a single nylon plastic
tubing that contains all the properties required for a specific
project.
Formed Nylon Plastic Tubing
This process is used as an alternative to the high cost of
injection molded parts. The formed shapes are able to eliminate
problems such as space constraints and kinking. These formed
shapes also make installation much easier.
Bonded Nylon Plastic Tubing
Two or more tubes of any color or size can be bonded together so
as to simplify any future troubleshooting, replacement, or line
tracing. In addition to this, the tubes can be separated and
will leave behind no residue.
Nylon Plastic Tubing Material Customization
In this process, a specific material can be used to make the
nylon tubing for a certain use. Some examples of these materials
include nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 11, and nylon 12. Each of these
materials offers some distinctive properties as compared to the
others. To give an example, nylon 6 is made up of one monomer
with 6 carbon atoms whereas nylon 66 is made up of 2 monomers.
Further differences between the nylon 66 tubing and nylon 6
tubing include nylon 6 tubing being able to withstand stress and
impact better than nylon 66 tubing. Nylon 6 tubing also shrinks
less in the mold, which allows for easier coloration. However,
having a more crystalline structure enables the nylon 66 tubing
to be able to better resist acids and chemicals, along with
having better water absorption. In addition, nylon 66 tubing is
more heat resistant.
Chapter 3: Applications and Benefits of Nylon Tubing
This chapter will discuss the applications and benefits of nylon
tubing.
Applications of Nylon Tubing
Nylon tubing can be assembled to be lightweight and flexible.
Nylon tubing is put to use in pneumatic tool applications, which
include aircraft control mechanisms and others. Nylon tubing can
be used for automotive fuel lines, refrigerator water lines, and
other uses that require crack-resistant tubing and
heat-resistant tubing. In some circumstances, nylon tubing can
be used in place of metal tubing because of its contained
beneficial properties. The FDA approved some types of nylon
tubing, thus making them also ideal for use in the food and
beverage industry.
Nylon tubing is also used in medical technology, aerospace,
filtration, irrigation, refrigerants, and laboratories. Nylon
tubing has become very useful in industries and some of its
application areas include robotics, hydraulic hoses, and fuel
lines, in different varieties of vacuum lines, vapor lines,
brake lines, air lines, oil processing lines, chemical
processing lines, and tool lubricating systems. Nylon tubing can
be included in pneumatic systems which make use of compressed
air so as to supply power to machinery automatically. Nylon
tubing can also be used in printers and agricultural equipment.
Benefits of Nylon Tubing
Nylon tubing can be made up of nylon 12 polymers which offer
great characteristics, including good resistance to abrasion,
cold, and heat. In the pneumatic industry, the nylon tubing has
a close tolerance, and this makes it easy to use with push-in
type and compression type fittings.
Nylon tubing can be used in the brewery and beverage industry
for carbon dioxide gas lines. They are also resistant to high
temperatures. Nylon tubing is light and heat-stabilized to be
resistant to stress cracking. Some of the benefits include nylon
tubing being strong, highly flexible, lightweight,
corrosion-resistant, chemical-resistant, and dimensionally
stable, and also having a small bend radius.
Conclusion
Nylon tubing, also known as polyamide tubing, is a type of
tubing made from polyamide resin that has a strong resistance to
abrasion and is used in high-pressure and high-temperature
applications. The processes of plastic extrusion and plastic
co-extrusion are used in the production of nylon tubing. Nylon
tubing products are hollow channels made up of solid nylon. This
type of tubing is also very versatile, and some of its varieties
will not even degrade when used in chemical solutions. Nylon
tubing contains UV stabilization, which be handy when they are
being used in warmer areas and where there is a direct exposure
to sunlight. Nylon tubing is also very flexible and can be used
to fit into many different complex designs.
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mixture of a polymer with a variety of chemicals to form a
material that can be solid or flexible. Since its first use in
the 1950‘s, plastic tubing has revolutionized industrial
processes and has found a use in a wide variety of
applications...
Poly Tubing
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tubing that is produced from polyethylene, a polymer that is
made from the polymerization of ethylene. It is a very
versatile form of tubing that has break and crack resistant
walls...
PVC Tubing
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chloride used especially for making pipes, films and
electrical insulation. It is made by polymerizing vinyl
chloride, and...
Silicone Tubing
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strength, flexibility, and resistance. Silicone tubing can be
stretched without tearing and is highly versatile. It cannot
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Plastic Channel
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across their axis. They are long and narrow structures, and
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Plastic Extrusion
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thermoplastic material -- in a form of powder, pellets or
granulates -- is homogeneously melted and then forced out of
the shaping die by means of pressure...
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compounds called polymers along with other additive
components. They possess excellent formability, making them
extremely versatile for many different fabrication and
manufacturing processes...
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unit that can be vertical, horizontal, below or above ground,
as well as movable. They are designed to hold several gallons
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Plastic Rods
A plastic rod is a solid plastic shape made by the process of
plastic extrusion or plastic co-extrusion. These have a
contrast of plastic tubing and hollow plastic profiles.
Plastic rods are found in various industries, including...
Plastic Trims
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made to any length. Because of its ability to attach, hold,
and seal, plastic trim has many applications. Plastic, HDPE,
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Plastic Water Tanks
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store water for household, agricultural, irrigation, and
industrial manufacturing use. There are various types of water
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with...
Quick Release Couplings
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two shafts connected together at their ends. Couplings serve
one primary purpose: to join two pieces of rotating equipment
together, while...