Rubber tubing is a versatile component in various industries. A rubber tube is essential in the medical, automotive, and electrical industries. It is popular in transporting fluids and gases, protective electrical wires, and vibration damping. There are other applications we will discuss in detail later. Before that, it is essential to know that rubber pipe tube is a flexible and durable component in some crucial applications. Even in chemical industries, rubber tubing resists various chemicals and temperatures.
However, rubber pipe tubes have three primary types depending on the type of required applications and the type of raw materials. They are natural rubber tubes, synthetic rubber tubes, and reinforced rubber tubes. Each of these categories performs uniquely in different fields of applications. Keeping this importance in mind, we have prepared this article.
We will delve into the properties and briefly discuss their applications. We will further discuss the types of rubber tubing and factors in choosing the suitable rubber tubing for your project. In addition, you can also check the comparison table to understand the difference between the types of rubber tubing. Above all, this article will be an ultimate guide to different types of rubber tubing and their applications.
What is Rubber Tubing?
Rubber tubing is a flexible, hollow tube of rubber or rubber-like material. It is famous for its flexibility, durability, and resistance to chemicals and high temperatures. The sizes, shapes, and lengths may vary based on the buyer’s requirements and projected applications. But the following points are the most common characteristics of rubber tubes.
- Elasticity: Rubber tubes provide excellent flexibility and strain properties. It is popular in those applications where flexibility is the prime concern.
- Durability: Rubber pipe tubes can withstand high pressure and extreme environmental conditions. As a result, it ensures the durability of your machine or required applications.
- Chemical Resistance: Rubber tubes also have excellent chemical resistance properties. As a result, most chemical industries use rubber tubing for transporting chemicals.
- Temperature Resistance: Rubber tubes also provide excellent temperature resistance properties. The typical temperature ranges from -40 °F to 248 °F (-40 °C to 120°C).
- Electrical Insulation: Rubber tubing can provide electrical insulation. The typical applications are electrical wires and cables.
- Vibration damping: Rubber tube is hugely beneficial where vibration is a problem.
Rubber Tube Applications
Rubber tubing is essential in the medical, automotive, industrial, and electrical sectors. Since it is flexible and durable, it can withstand high pressure, temperature, and chemicals. This ability makes rubber tubes necessary in various fields. Some of the most common applications are the following.
- Medical: Blood transfusions, delivery of anesthesia, and construction of instruments and devices.
- Automotive: Rubber tubes are prevalent in constructing fuel lines and air hoses.
- Industrial: Rubber tubes are famous for transferring chemicals and other materials in this sector. Rubber tubes are also popular in constructing air and water lines.
- Electrical: Insulation of wires, cables, and protection of electrical devices.
- Food and Beverage: In the food industry, rubber tubing transfers and dispenses liquids, gases, and other materials.
- Pharmaceutical: A rubber tube is also prevalent here, like in the medical and food industry.
- HVAC: Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems need rubber tubes to transfer air and water.
- Like other fields, marine, aerospace, and agriculture, rubber tubing is also prevalent in these three sectors. Rubber tubes transfer fluids, gases, and other materials. Rubber tubing also plays a vital role in vibration damping.
The examples mentioned above are some of the most popular applications of rubber tubing. But other than these, there are other applications out there. This type of application depends on the kind of rubber tubing and its dimensions.
Types of Rubber Tubing
Rubber tubing comes in three different types. Each of these types has its unique properties and applications. This section will elaborate on the following three primary types of rubber tubing.
Natural Rubber Tubes
This type of rubber comes from the sap of rubber trees. It is widely popular for its elasticity and durability. A natural rubber tube is often prevalent in applications where flexibility is a concern. However, this rubber tube is also resistant to abrasions, ozone, and weather.
Natural rubber tubes can be found in medical, automotive, and fuel line construction. This rubber tube helps in blood transfusions and transferring chemicals and other materials.
Advantages: They are highly flexible, durable, and resistant to abrasion and temperatures. This type of rubber tube is comparatively cheaper than other rubber tubing types.
Disadvantages: Natural rubber tubes are sensitive to particular chemical uses. It also may not be suitable for high-temperature applications.
Synthetic Rubber Tube
Synthetic rubber tube comes from synthetic rubber materials. This artificial rubber category may include neoprene, silicone, or EPDM rubber hose. The synthetic rubber tube is trendy for its resistance to chemicals and high temperatures. Seashore Rubber offers a great collection of artificial rubber tubes.
Synthetic rubber applications can also be seen in the medical industry in delivering anesthesia. Other applications include transferring fuel and airlines in the automotive sector. Besides, moving chemicals and other materials in industrial applications is also noteworthy. They are also prevalent in vibration-damping applications.
Advantages: Synthetic rubber comes from an artificial manufacturing process. As a result, it can be customized based on customers’ needs. This rubber tube provides added resistance to chemicals and high temperatures.
Disadvantages: Natural rubber tubes are more flexible than synthetic rubber. As a result, there may be more suitable options than synthetic rubber tubes where flexibility is a concern.
Reinforced Rubber Tubes
This type of rubber tubing comes from reinforcing a rubber tube (natural or synthetic) and other materials such as metal or textiles. Reinforced rubber tubes are famous for their added strength and durability. This type of rubber tubing is used in high-pressure or heavy-duty applications.
Reinforced rubber tubes are also popular in the automotive industry and industrial uses. Reinforced rubber tubes mainly help construct air and fuel lines. This rubber tubing is popular for transferring chemicals and other materials in other sectors.
Advantages: Reinforced rubber tubes offer more strength and durability than other materials.
Disadvantages: Reinforced rubber tubes are less flexible than the other two types of rubber tubing. As a result, this pipe tube may not be suitable for specific applications where flexibility is a concern.
Comparison of Different Types of Rubber Tubing
The following table compares the basic properties of three rubber tubing types. In this case, each rubber tube type has its unique properties. These unique properties make them suitable for specific applications. The table compares rubber products’ material composition, elasticity, durability, and flexibility. It also includes chemical resistance, temperature resistance, vibration damping, and unique applications.
This comparison table would benefit those looking for a quick summary comparing the three types of rubber tubing. This table also helps you choose suitable rubber tubes for your projects.
| Content | Natural rubber tube | Synthetic rubber tube | Reinforced rubber tubes |
| Material and composition | The sap of rubber trees | Synthetic rubber such as neoprene, nitrile, or EPDM rubber hose | Reinforcing a rubber tube with other materials such as metal or textiles |
| Flexibility | High | Comparatively high | Medium |
| Durability | Medium | High | High |
| Elasticity | Moderate | High | Moderate |
| Chemical Resistance | Moderate | High | Moderate |
| Temperature Resistance | Low | High | Extremely High |
| Electrical insulation | Low | High | Low |
| Vibration Damping | Moderate | High | High |
| Applications | Medical, automotive, industrial | Medical, automotive, industrial and electrical | Automotive, industrial, high-pressure, or heavy-duty applications |
How to Choose Suitable Rubber Tubing?
Choosing suitable rubber tubing is easy once you know all its parameters. It is crucial to consider some factors in determining suitable rubber tubes for your projects.
First, you must consider the specific applications and the environment in which the rubber tube will function. In this case, factors such as temperature, pressure, and chemical resistance are essential to consider. In this case, rubber tubes exposed to extreme environments should be made from suitable rubber materials. You can check the three types of rubber tubing above.
Second, other factors, such as flexibility, elasticity, and durability, are also crucial. In this case, you should choose rubber tubes that are flexible and elastic for the application, where flexibility is the prime concern. Similarly, the size and shape of the rubber tubing are also essential to consider. The dimension should be accurate based on the measurement of the projected applications.
Above all, consulting with experts in rubber tubing can also help you to assist. Or, you can contact our customer support team to learn more about the rubber tubes. They will help you choose suitable rubber tubes for your applications.
Summary
In summary, rubber tubes are a versatile and necessary component used in various industries. Rubber tubing is famous for its flexibility, durability, and resistance. Based on different material compositions, rubber tubes have three different categories. Natural rubber comes from the sap of rubber trees. On the other hand, synthetic and reinforced rubber are both artificially manufactured.
Consider a few factors when selecting rubber tubes for your application. These factors include flexibility, durability, elasticity, and material composition. The selection factors also include chemical, temperature, and abrasion resistance. You could also consult with our customer service team, and we hope you will get the best suggestions from our team.