Rubber tubing is used to move gasses and liquids. Flexible rubber tubing is useful in areas where pipelines would get bent or twisted. Flexible tubing has strong walls that can support itself. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
NewAge® Industries, Inc.
Southampton, PA | 800-506-3924We are rubber tubing experts, and we have been since our founding in 1954. We serve the entire world with quality tubing products right from the heart of Pennsylvania.
Atlantic Rubber Company, Inc.
Littleton, MA | 800-882-3666As the largest in-house pure gum inventory carrier in the U.S., Atlantic Rubber Company has cost-effective and resilient rubber tubing. We carry a variety of materials so that we can make the best product for your needs.
Britech Industries
Stuart, FL | 772-286-9278Manufacturer of standard and custom rubber tubing. Made of EPDM, neoprene, nitrile, dense, recovery sponge rubber and silicone compounds. Secondary processes such as die cutting, notching, and glue splicing are offered.
GSH Industries, Inc.
Cleveland, OH | 440-238-3009Established in 1986, GSH Industries supplies plastic, aluminum and rubber tubing to an array of industries including automotive, consumer, marine and electrical.
Kent Elastomer Products, Inc.
Kent, OH | 800-331-4762Kent Elastomer Products manufactures rubber tubing products and leads the way when it comes to precision low durometer tubing. As the largest producer of dipped natural rubber latex tubing, we offer a choice of sizes and colors. Our natural rubber latex tubing is made in the USA.
Like all the other rubber tubings, flexible rubber tubing can be made from synthetic rubber or natural rubbers like latex and polyisoprene. Natural materials are more elastic than synthetic rubbers. Another characteristic of these natural materials is that they are hygienic in nature. These materials are hygienic, and used widely in the food and medical industries accomodate saftey concerns.
On the other hand, synthetic materials are resistant to tears and work will with oils. Therefore, synthetic materials are used for oils, chemicals, and other diluted acids where natural rubber tubings fail.
Characteristics of Flexible Rubber Tubing
- Flexible rubber tubing are made of natural or synthetic material.
- Rubber is stretchy and flexible, meaning it’s resistant to tears, deformation, and twisting.
- Flexible rubber tubing can withstand more extreme temperatures.
- Flexible rubber tubing are long-lasting.
Materials used for Flexible Tubing
Most of the material needed to manufacture flexible rubber tubing comes from a special elastomeric resin. This resin is elastic, soft to touch, and resilient when thick. Other materials that are used for flexible tubing include:
Thermoplastic Rubber
Thermoplastic rubber provides the strength of plastic and the flexibility of rubber. It is a versatile material that can withstand high temperatures. Thermoplastic rubber is used in high pressure hydraulic systems, chemical fuming processes, and other pressured gas applications.
PVC
PVC material is flexible and crush resistant. But this material is suitable for indoors only as high temperature and humidity can damage it.PVC is light-weight and helps direct the flow of liquids and gasses.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane is good for outdoor use because it deals well with temperature, humidity, chemicals, and abrasion. It is widely used in agriculture, industrial, mining and the lumber industry.
Neoprene
Neoprene is an inexpensive option that works well with oil, grease and high temperatures.
Silicone
.Silicone is a highly durable, flexible, and a versatile option in tube manufacturing. Silicone can retain its shape even at high temperatures therefore, it is widely used in automotive and exhaust industries.
Polyethylene
This material is durable, resistant to high pressure and kinks. Polyethylene is resistant to chemicals also. This material is used in high velocity water treatment plants, and wastewater plants.
Methods for Manufacturing Flexible Rubber Tubing
There are three general methods for manufacturing flexible rubber tubing.
Molding
Molding process forms halves of the tube separately. Liquid rubber is poured into molds and pressed into the tubes. The halves are then attached to each other.
Extrusion
Extrusion is done by forcing the raw rubber material into an extruder or extrusion die.
Dipping
Dipping or latex tubing is the most commonly used process. A cylindrical rod of desired diameter is dipped into liquid rubber material. It is slid out of the tube after the liquid rubber dries.
In all three processes, the rubber is cured and processed. Sometimes vulcanization of rubber is done in order to achieve desired consistency and shape of the tubing.
Types of Flexible Rubber Tubings
Red Natural Rubber
Red natural rubber is manufactured from natural rubber, and is used to transfer liquids, diluted acids, and gasses. It is a strong material, with excellent electrical properties. but doesn’t wear with oil or minerals. But it shows poor ozone, minerals, and oil resistance.
Silicone Rubber
Silicone rubber tubing has increased tensile strength and bacterial resistance. Therefore, it is safe for food and medical use. Silicone rubber tubing is resistant to temperature, ozone and weathering.
Neoprene Rubber
Neoprene rubber is a long-lasting rubber used for liquids and is stubbornly weather-resistant. This rubber can workwell for petroleum, but isn’t as useful for electrical insulation.
Nitrile Rubber
Nitrile rubber is a synthetic rubber that is resistant to fuels, oils, and other chemicals. It is used to transport gas, lubricants, and petrochemicals in pipelines. Nitrile rubber has high tear strength and abrasion resistance but is not good for electrical purposes.
Latex Rubber
Latex rubber is incredibly stretchy and flexible. It won’t become deformed even after continuous stretching. It is used for medical purposes, peristaltic and dosing pumps.
Applications of Flexible Rubber Tubings
- Flexible rubber tubings are widely used in the food and beverage industry.
- Medical and pharmaceutical industry use flexible tubing for sterile equipment
- Automotive, exhaust, and marine industries use these tubings for various applications.
- Agriculture industry uses plastic tubing fo rirrigation. This tubing is also used in hydraulic and peristalic pumps.
- Aerospace and wastewater treatment plants use these plastic tubes for liquid transfer.
