Tips on Choosing Teflon Tubing and Tube Fittings

At present, there are lots of Teflon tubing and tube fitting manufacturers and distributors in the market that narrowing your prospects down to the most ideal providers can be a tedious task to accomplish. Your goal is to find a company that can give you the kind of material that works best, at the right price. Therefore you need to be cautious and your decision must be based on your personal research about them and their products - do not rely on their advertisements.

The following can help you find the right Teflon tubing - (getting familiar with different types)

• PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) -- this type has these properties: high continuous service temperature (260 degree Celsius); excellent lubricity; chemical and solvent resistance (all common solvents - acids, bases); excellent electrical resistance; high melting point (342 degree Celsius).


• FEP (Fluorinated ethylene propylene) -- it has a lower melting point than PTFE (at 265 degree Celsius); lower processing temperature (at 360 degree Celsius); has a continuous use temperature of 200 degree Celsius; it has an increased translucence as compared to PTFE.

• PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy) -- this type combines the best attributes of PTFE and FEP; melt process-able for longer continuous lengths; high purity; and, it has a smoother surface texture that PTFE and FEP.

The following can help you find the right tube fittings

As you narrow down your list of prospective manufacturers/suppliers, it is imperative that you consider browsing through companies' products catalogue (you can do it online) to see to it that the fittings you need are available. You must also consider the price of shipping (find cheaper selections, with low shipping costs). It can also help if you know which type of tube fitting material is more compatible with your tube structure - check out the following types:

• Aluminum tube fittings -- if you are looking for a metal that is lighter than steel and rust-free, this type is just right for you. This type is perfect for railings and rack systems.

• Steel tube fittings -- recommended for rugged and tough conditions; this type is resistant to corrosion (although it is not immune to it). It is more durable as compared to plastic fittings and is heavier duty than either aluminum or plastic.

• Plastic tube fitting -- this is recommended for use with fluids (e.g. oil and gas, food processing). Corrosion is not an issue with this type and it can be used with low, medium, and high pressure fluid applications.

Useful Tip: It will be an advantageous logistically on your part if you can find a company that offers all the materials you need. In this way, there is no need for you to jump from one company to another which can be an additional burden logistically.