This article will take an in-depth look at nylon tubing.
The article will bring more detail on topics such as:
This part delves into the world of nylon tubing, discussing its production techniques and operational foundations.
Known as polyamide tubing, nylon tubing is manufactured from polyamide resin, providing outstanding resistance to abrasion. It's engineered for applications involving high pressure and temperature conditions. Notably versatile, certain nylon variants resist chemical-induced degradation effectively.
Its UV stabilization makes nylon tubing perfect for sunny and warm settings. Its exceptional flexibility allows integration into complex configurations. Due to its elastic memory, nylon tubing endures frequent bending without cracking.
Even in subzero temperatures, nylon tubing maintains impact resistance and absorbs minimal moisture, retaining its dimensions and shape. Additionally, it successfully withstands solvents, alkalis, petroleum products, greases, oils, and numerous molds and fungi.
Nylon tubing is invaluable in industrial applications, spanning robotics, hydraulic systems, brake and air lines, fuel and vacuum lines, oil and chemical processing, and tool lubrication. It's also integral to food processing and pneumatic mechanisms using compressed air for operational automation.
Compared to other nylon resins, nylon plastic tubing presents a reduced bend radius and a lighter weight wall. The special characteristics of nylon tubing originate from its molecular structure, setting it apart from other plastics like polycarbonate. With a melting point around 374°F (190°C), it remarkably surpasses the thermal resilience of many other resins.
Furthermore, nylon's crystalline composition enhances its durability against wear and chemical exposure. The nylon tubing comprises hollow channels crafted from solid nylon. Though commonly utilized in textiles, solid nylon excels as a material for fabricating plastic tubes and other similar products.
Crafting nylon tubing involves either plastic extrusion or plastic co-extrusion, elaborated in detail hereunder.
The initial step in nylon tubing creation is the plastic extrusion method. In this stage, raw materials—commonly small beads or nurdles—are delivered from a hopper into the barrel of an extruder. Additives, including colorants and UV stabilizers, are introduced either into the extruder or mixed with resin beforehand.
While similar to plastic injection molding, extrusion is a continuous operation. The related technique, pultrusion, pulls products through a die for reinforcement rather than extruding melted polymers.
Initially, material enters the feed throat at the barrel's back, where it meets a rotating screw, often running around 120 rpm, propelling the plastic beads into a heated barrel. Extrusion temperatures frequently surpass the barrel's set temperature due to viscous heating.
In extrusion setups, a designated heating profile with multiple PID-controlled zones raises the material's temperature as it traverses the barrel, averting overheating and degradation.
Further heat is generated through internal pressure and friction within the barrel.
Efficient extrusion lines can regulate melt temperature via pressure and friction, occasionally eliminating the need for heating elements. Many setups feature cooling fans and cast-in cooling coverings to manage excess heat when air cooling is insufficient.
Upon exiting the barrel, the molten plastic traverses a screen pack to filter contaminants. Reinforced by a metal breaker plate, this setup withstands high pressures, essential for maintaining uniform melting and mixing. Adjusting the number and mesh size of screens, among other aspects, allows control of pressure.
Screen packs and breaker plates also minimize rotational memory, reducing longitudinal memory. Once past this phase, the molten plastic reaches a die, shaping the final product. Precise die engineering ensures even flow and precludes residual stresses that can warp profiles during cooling. While a variety of shapes is possible, continuous profiles are the domain of this process.
Once extruded, the product cools, usually in a water bath. Given plastic's insulating properties, it cools slowly compared to metals. A controlled vacuum within the water bath prevents collapse of newly formed tubes or pipes.
For products like sheeting, cooling often involves cooling rolls, while thin films sometimes use air cooling initially, as in blown film extrusion. In addition, plastic extruders reprocess sorted, blended, and cleaned recycled plastic materials effectively.
Nylon rods aren't always purely nylon—they may be co-extruded with materials like metals. This adapted extrusion method combines multiple materials in a single product through individual extruders melting specific polymers for incorporation.
Upon melting, materials enter the die at consistent speeds, forming distinct layers. Co-extrusion combines unique material properties to create enhanced characteristics unattainable by individual polymer use.
To economize material or fortify the rod's core, producers may co-extrude with a different plastic or material. Low-cost co-extrusion materials suffice where minimal strength is required.
For enhanced structural support, a metal core may be included. Moreover, co-extrusion seeks to bolster wear resistance and cut down oxygen permeation.
Pultrusion, akin to extrusion, continuously creates tubing profiles but involves drawing fiber reinforced by thermoplastic resin through a die, unlike extrusion's polymer melting. Polymerization proceeds within the die, efficiently yielding corrosion-resistant, low thermally conductive plastic tubing.
Radius pultrusion, a pultrusion variant, facilitates two or three-dimensional curved profiles with minimal distortion. This is advantageous for complex textile reinforcements in specialized applications.
On occasion, manufacturers employ secondary processes for their plastic rods, like drilling, painting, deburring, powder coating, labeling, finishing, and notching. The rods come transparent or in varied, custom colors.
Extruded nylon tubing's versatility and wide material options make it a preferred choice among manufacturers, offering cost-effective, swift, and enduring results.
Nylon and polyurethane are prominent tubing materials, each with distinct benefits. Polyurethane's flexibility suits tight bends, like in robotics, and finds application under medium pressures. Contrastly, nylon excels in high-pressure settings, resists stress cracking, and offers superior chemical and heat resistance compared to polyurethane. Both demonstrate commendable abrasion resistance.
In the United States and Canada, a wide range of machines are used to produce nylon tubing. These machines are crucial in today’s industries, as nylon tubing is widely employed in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, medical, and food and beverage, offering a durable and flexible option for transporting fluids and gases. Below, we explore some of the leading machines used in this process and highlight their distinctive features and capabilities.
Features: The DSREV Extruder is widely favored for manufacturing nylon tubing because of its impressive productivity and dependability. It boasts advanced control systems for precise temperature and pressure management, ensuring uniform tube dimensions and consistent wall thickness. Its energy efficiency and versatility with different polymer materials, including nylon, have made it a popular choice in the industry.
Features: Conair MedLine® Co-Extruders are highly regarded for their capability to produce multi-layered nylon tubing. These co-extruders facilitate the blending of various materials, enhancing the tubing's properties, such as improved barrier performance or increased strength. The machines feature intuitive interfaces and offer seamless integration with downstream equipment.
Features: The Nylon Tube Extrusion Line by Allied Supreme is tailored for manufacturing nylon tubing. It comes with sophisticated temperature and pressure control systems to maintain uniform tube dimensions and wall thickness. Known for its high productivity and versatility, this machine is ideal for a range of industrial applications.
Features: AET's Nylon Tubing Extruder is recognized for its accuracy and dependability in producing nylon tubing. It boasts a high-performance screw and barrel design that ensures efficient melting and extrusion of nylon. The machine’s user-friendly operation and minimal maintenance requirements contribute to its popularity for nylon tubing manufacturing.
Features: American Kuhne provides specialized extrusion lines designed specifically for nylon tubing production. Their equipment is engineered to handle the distinct characteristics of nylon, ensuring precise control over the extrusion process and consistent tube quality. These extrusion lines can be customized to meet diverse production needs, making them a favored choice for industries that require high-quality nylon tubing.
Please note that the details and availability of specific models may have changed since this information was posted. For the most current details on top machines used for nylon tubing production in the United States and Canada, it is advisable to consult with industry experts, manufacturers, and suppliers.
Nylon tubing comes in various types, including high-pressure nylon tubing, flexible or ultra-soft nylon tubing, coiled nylon tubing, DOT-approved nylon tubing, standard nylon tubing, nylon mini coils, as well as nylon 6 and nylon 66 tubing.
The most prevalent type is nylon 6, known for its moisture resistance and consequently, its enhanced corrosion resistance compared to other nylon types. Nylon 6 is produced from a single monomer—a simple molecule with multiple sites for additional monomer bonding. This standard nylon comprises six carbon atoms, which is reflected in its name, nylon 6.
DOT nylon tubing is designed to meet Department of Transportation standards, which is why it bears the DOT designation. This type of tubing is made from an engineered polyester blend, offering greater flexibility over extended periods compared to standard nylon tubing. As a result, DOT nylon tubing is commonly used in vehicle brake lines.
DOT nylon tubing is capable of enduring extreme conditions, with a temperature range from -85°F (-65°C) to over 200°F (93°C). It is designed to be flexible, lightweight, and resistant to fatigue. Additionally, DOT nylon tubing maintains dimensional stability and provides excellent resistance to abrasion and vibration.
High-pressure nylon tubing is engineered for diverse applications and can endure exposure to natural solvents, hydraulic fluids, alkali solutions, diluted acids, and oils. It is known for its strength and rigidity, offering excellent abrasion resistance, particularly in environments with high heat, pressure, and vibration. With enhanced tensile strength, high-pressure nylon tubing is commonly used in the chemical and transportation industries, as well as in automotive applications.
High-pressure nylon tubing is used in various applications, including brake lines, hydraulic hoses, robotics, vacuums, air systems, high-pressure gas lines, and grease transfer. It is designed to handle working pressures up to 800 psi and can withstand temperatures up to 200°F (93°C). This type of tubing is also available in high-temperature variants suited for elevated temperature conditions.
Flexible nylon tubing, often referred to as super soft nylon tubing, is manufactured from nylon 11 resin. This resin imparts a high degree of flexibility to the tubing. Super soft nylon tubing offers several advantages, including dimensional stability and resistance to chemicals, abrasion, impact, heat, and moisture.
Nylon 11, derived from castor beans, is suitable for applications where polyurethane may not be viable. It is used in environments such as fuel lines, gas detection systems, lubrication lines, coolant and refrigeration systems, pneumatic equipment, robotics, and suspension lines.
Nylon coils are spiral formations of nylon tubing that can be extended and retracted, offering increased flexibility. They are commonly used for transporting compressed air or liquids over short distances. These coiled nylon tubes automatically retract and extend, providing a cost-effective and lightweight solution for delivering air to pneumatic tools.
The nylon tubing used in nylon coils is designed to avoid scratching paint, making it suitable for use with articulated brake coils in semi-trucks. Additionally, this type of nylon tubing is also employed for feeding and watering livestock.
Nylon mini coils offer similar flexibility to larger nylon tubing coils but in a more compact form. These mini coils feature pigtails at each end, which facilitate easy connections with other components or mechanisms.
Nylon mini coils are well-suited to handle high pressure, making them particularly useful in confined spaces. They are resistant to abrasion and can operate effectively in environments with pressures up to 298 pounds per square inch (PSI).
These mini coils benefit from coil memory, which allows them to return to their original shape after extension. Nylon mini coils are commonly used in control circuits, robotics, smaller pneumatic tools, and other applications requiring flexible motion.
Alongside nylon 6, nylon 66 is another widely used type of nylon tubing. Although similar, they possess distinct characteristics due to differences in their chemical structures. Nylon 6 is composed of a single monomer with 6 carbon atoms, while nylon 66 consists of two different monomers. Additionally, nylon 6 tubing generally offers better resistance to stress and impact compared to nylon 66 tubing.
Nylon 6 tubing experiences less shrinkage during molding, which facilitates easier coloration. On the other hand, nylon 66 tubing, with its more crystalline structure, offers superior resistance to acids and chemicals and has a higher water absorption capacity. Additionally, nylon 66 tubing is more resistant to heat.
Both nylon 6 and nylon 66 tubing share several qualities, including ease of machining, smooth sliding capability, electrical insulation, high mechanical strength, fatigue resistance, vibration resistance, and durability against x-rays and gamma rays. Nylon 6 tubing is commonly used in military applications and industrial settings, including gears, firearm components, and automotive engine compartments.
Customized nylon tubing is tailored for specific applications, incorporating properties that suit particular needs. Various options are available in custom nylon tubing, including those listed below.
Nylon tubing can be manufactured in custom colors to meet specific requirements. Available colors can range widely, including options such as neon, red, blue, and orange, among others.
Nylon tubing can be precisely cut to various lengths based on the project's requirements. This process is designed to minimize waste, reduce costs, and ensure accurate measurements for each cut.
Coiling is a popular and efficient method for organizing flexible plastic tubing while maximizing its usable length. By customizing the diameter of the nylon tubing, you also influence the coil's retractability and the length to which the tubing can be extended and still function effectively.
With advanced co-extrusion techniques, it is possible to combine multiple materials in a single tube, overcoming the limitations of using just one type. By forcing different materials through the same die, you can create a nylon plastic tubing that integrates all the desired properties for a particular application.
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.
Two or more tubes, regardless of color or size, can be fused together to streamline troubleshooting, replacement, or line tracing. Additionally, these tubes can be easily separated without leaving any residue behind.
Different materials can be used to produce nylon tubing tailored for specific applications. Examples include nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 11, and nylon 12, each offering unique properties. For instance, nylon 6 is composed of a single monomer with 6 carbon atoms, while nylon 66 consists of two monomers.
Comparatively, nylon 6 tubing generally performs better in terms of stress and impact resistance and exhibits less shrinkage during molding, which facilitates easier coloring. Conversely, nylon 66 tubing, with its more crystalline structure, provides enhanced resistance to acids, chemicals, and water absorption, along with superior heat resistance.
This chapter will explore the various applications and advantages of nylon tubing.
Nylon tubing is valued for its lightweight and flexible characteristics, making it suitable for a range of applications. It is commonly used in pneumatic systems, including aircraft control mechanisms. Additionally, nylon tubing is employed in automotive fuel lines, refrigerator water lines, and other applications requiring resistance to cracking and heat. In certain cases, nylon tubing can serve as a substitute for metal tubing due to its advantageous properties. Some types of nylon tubing are FDA-approved, making them suitable for use in the food and beverage industry as well.
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.
Nylon tubing made from nylon 12 polymers exhibits excellent properties, including high resistance to abrasion, cold temperatures, and heat. In the pneumatic sector, its precise tolerance allows for seamless compatibility with push-in and compression fittings.
In the brewery and beverage industries, nylon tubing is used for carbon dioxide gas lines and can withstand high temperatures. It is lightweight, heat-stabilized, and resistant to stress cracking. The advantages of nylon tubing include its strength, flexibility, light weight, resistance to corrosion and chemicals, dimensional stability, and a tight bend radius.
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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