Technical Foundation
What Is a Polyurethane Tubing?
Polyurethane (PU) tubing is a flexible, abrasion-resistant plastic tubing widely used for pneumatic air lines because it combines good flexibility with higher working pressure and better kink resistance than nylon or PVC tubing of similar size. It's sized by outer diameter to match push-to-connect fittings — common metric sizes run 4mm to 16mm OD, imperial sizes 1/8 in to 1/2 in OD — and wall thickness sets both the working pressure rating and the minimum bend radius.
Durometer (hardness) affects the trade-off between flexibility and burst pressure: softer tubing (around 90A) bends into a tighter radius and resists kinking in cluttered machine routing, while harder tubing holds pressure better and resists collapse under vacuum. Color coding is commonly used to identify circuit function (supply, exhaust, control air) across a machine's pneumatic system, and reinforced or braided PU tubing steps up the pressure rating for higher-pressure or larger-diameter runs.
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| Spec | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Outer Diameter (OD) | Metric 4-16mm, imperial 1/8-1/2 in | Must match the push-to-connect fitting size exactly — OD, not ID, sets fit |
| Wall Thickness | Standard vs. thin-wall for a given OD | Determines working pressure rating and minimum safe bend radius |
| Durometer (Hardness) | Commonly 90A-98A Shore hardness | Softer tubing bends tighter and resists kinking; harder tubing holds pressure/vacuum better |
| Working Pressure | Typically 100-150+ psi depending on size/wall | Must exceed the system's regulated air pressure with margin |
| Material Grade | Standard, food-grade, low-temperature | Food-grade required for direct or indirect food-contact pneumatic applications |
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Applications
Where Polyurethane Tubing Get Used
Polyurethane tubing is specified anywhere pneumatic or vacuum air needs to be routed flexibly through a machine or facility.
Pneumatic Machine Control Circuits
Routing supply and control air between valves, cylinders and actuators on automated machinery using push-to-connect fittings.
Packaging & Food Processing Equipment
Food-grade PU tubing used on pneumatic actuators near food-contact zones on packaging lines.
Robotics & CNC Machine Tending
Flexible tubing routed through cable carriers and robot arms where repeated flex-life is required.
Pick-and-Place & Vacuum Handling Systems
PU tubing connecting vacuum generators to suction cups for part handling in assembly automation.
General Factory Air Distribution
Color-coded drop lines from a shop air header to point-of-use tools and fixtures.
FAQ
Polyurethane Tubing Questions, Answered
How do I pick the right OD for my push-to-connect fittings?
Push-to-connect pneumatic fittings are sized to the tubing's outer diameter, not inner diameter, so measure or confirm the OD spec on your fittings and match tubing exactly — common sizes are 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm and 12mm metric, or 1/8 in, 5/32 in, 1/4 in and 3/8 in imperial. Mixing metric and imperial sizing on the same fitting will leak or not seat.
What durometer should I choose?
Softer tubing around 90A Shore hardness flexes into tighter bend radii and resists kinking, which matters in cluttered machine routing or where the tubing flexes repeatedly (like on a robot arm). Harder tubing around 95-98A holds pressure and vacuum better and resists collapsing, which matters more on straight runs carrying higher pressure or pulling vacuum.
Is polyurethane tubing rated for vacuum service?
Yes, PU tubing is commonly used for vacuum lines in pick-and-place and material handling applications, but wall thickness matters — thin-wall tubing can collapse under vacuum, so choose a standard or heavier wall thickness rated for negative pressure rather than the lightest-wall option sized for supply air.
What's the difference between standard and food-grade PU tubing?
Food-grade PU tubing is manufactured from materials compliant with food-contact regulations (such as FDA or similar standards) and is required where the tubing may directly or indirectly contact food product, even in pneumatic actuator lines near food processing zones. Standard PU tubing is not certified for this use and shouldn't be substituted on food-contact equipment.
Why is color-coded tubing used in pneumatic systems?
Color coding lets technicians visually trace a specific circuit's function — for example, blue for supply air, red for control signals, green for exhaust — across a machine with dozens of pneumatic lines, speeding up troubleshooting and reducing wiring/routing errors during installation or repair. The specific color scheme is typically set by plant or machine-builder standard rather than a universal code.
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