Latex Tubing
Latex tubing and latex tubing products are hollow channels made of latex. Their purpose is to convey liquids and gases. Commonly, the term "latex" is used in reference to raw rubber latex, a naturally occurring substance found in a number of plant species, in particular the Pará rubber tree. More technically, however, latex, which may also be produced synthetically, is a stable dispersion (emulsion) of polymer microparticles in an aqueous solvent. Whether latex tubing is made from natural rubber material or synthetic rubber material, it is very useful and heavily applied in a number of industries, among them manufacturing, food and beverage service and healthcare and medicine.
Quick links to Latex Tubing Information
Benefits of Latex Tubing
Latex tubing has many positive qualities that make it popular in the formation of a variety of products in the consumer, commercial and industrial markets. First, latex tubing, especially latex tubing derived from natural latex, is incredibly elastic. This is helpful not only when the tubing is being stretched and bent during formation, but if and when it is encountering impact, vibrations and other things that could fracture or break other types of tubing. Second, pure latex tubing has no fillers, plasticizers or coagulants, which means that no such substances will contaminate the fluids passing through it. Third, the walls of latex tubing are very smooth, both inside and outside. This feature both decreases the chances of buildup and/or crust and increases ease of flow. Fourth, latex tubing displays exceptional fortitude and holding-on strength when adhered to connectors.
Disadvantages of Latex Tubing
Despite the many wonderful qualities of latex tubing, it should be noted that some people can develop an allergy to latex, particularly natural latex, so it must be carefully applied and, sometimes, it must be substituted for something else. In the healthcare industry, for example, where surgical tubing is prevalent, healthcare professionals must sometimes switch out tubing made of natural latex with tubing made of a polymer-based synthetic silicone.
Latex Tubing Creation Process
To make latex tubing, manufacturers may use a number of different methods, the most common of which are extrusion and dipping, also known as mandrel curing.
- Latex Extrusion Process
- To successfully extrude latex, manufacturers enlist a rubber extruder, which is a piece of forming equipment made specifically to shape rubber. Mainly, rubber extruders are set apart by their die, a metal plate with a hole in it through which material is forced in order to take its designated shape. All extruders use dies, but the rubber extruder die is made specially so that it can continuously form rubber into useful rubber products. The extrusion process, of course, does not begin and end with the die. Rather, the die is just part of the process as a whole, which begins with the collection of raw latex. After the collection of the latex, the process continues when manufacturers dump it into a hopper that is suspended above a conveyance channel. When they are ready, the manufacturers allow the raw latex to be released into the conveyance channel. Once inside, the rubber is forced through the channel by a long, turning shearing screw. As it turns, the turning screw generates friction that in turn creates pressure and heat. Thus, by the time the rubber reaches the end of the tunnel, it has become molten. At the end of the channel, now molten, the latex is forced through the die, where it takes its shape, and then emerges on the other side as newly extruded latex tubing. After the latex tubing has cooled and hardened, it is removed from the extruder and cut to length and then either sent on for additional processing or prepared for shipment.
- Tube Fabrication Through Dipping
- The other common tubing fabrication method, dipping, is much simpler. Using this method, manufacturers take a cylindrical tube or rod, known as a mandrel, dip it into a pool full of liquid latex and then remove it. After being dipped, the mandrel is left with residual latex that dries in its shape. Once the latex has fully dried, manufacturers separate it from the mandrel. The newly formed latex tubing is then sent on to the next step in its processing.
Things to Consider When Purchasing Latex Tubing
Latex tubing is fairly inexpensive and easy to produce and interested parties can find tubing in a variety of different lengths, diameters and wall thicknesses. Latex tubing manufacturers also typically offer tubing made of similar materials like neoprene, pure gum rubber, synthetic rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), silicone and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). To learn more about latex tubing and how it may benefit your application, or to get a quote, we encourage you to get in contact with one or more of the excellent manufacturers listed near the top of this page.