Pneumatic Tubing

PA (polyamide) is the primary choice for general industrial pneumatics — robust, dimensionally stable, modest flexibility. Used in air-braking systems. PU (polyurethane) is the most flexible choice — best for installations with tight bends or frequent movement, but slightly less pressure-stable than PA. PE (LLDPE) is for water, food contact and chemical inertness — not for compressed-air pneumatics under high pressure. PS combines PUR flexibility with PA's pressure/UV/hydrolysis resistance — best for outdoor or wet environments.

Standard PU tubes melt or stick when hot weld spatter lands on them. NORWELD is a special PU formulation that's halogen-free, self-erasing, flame retardant (UL94 V2 to V0) — and it is free of materials that hinder paint adhesion (such as VMQ/silicone), so it can be used in paint and coating shops. It's specified in welding cells and powder-coating lines where occasional spatter / overspray is unavoidable.

Synflex 1300 (formerly Dekabon) is a metal-plastic composite — a thin metal layer between plastic walls. This gives it the low weight and corrosion-immunity of plastic with the shape-retention of metal: you can bend it neatly by hand without special tools, and the bend stays. Excellent in corrosive or chemical-containing atmospheres. It connects with standard compression or push-in fittings.

Spring coils retract automatically — they don't lay slack on the floor or get pinched in machinery. The swivel fittings prevent twist build-up as the coil flexes. Best for handheld tools and machine-tool applications where the line moves with the operator or with a moving machine head. The downside is a higher pressure drop than equivalent straight tube — size up by one diameter if pressure drop matters.

Pressure ratings depend on tube material, diameter and temperature. Always consult the datasheet for the specific tube and configuration ordered — higher temperature reduces pressure rating for plastic tubing. As a rough guide: PA, PU and PS handle workshop pneumatic pressures — PU2 is rated 9-12 bar at 20 °C depending on diameter, so always check the specific tube. PE2 is also rated for compressed air (up to 15.9 bar at 23 °C, less at larger bores), not just water and food-contact use. Synflex 1300 and NORWELD carry their own ratings — consult the specific datasheet.