a
Adhesive Lined Tubing
Dual-wall tubing with an inner layer that melts and flows when heated, filling voids in the areas being covered, and forming a mechanical bond to the substrate.
Antifungal
Additive used to retard fungal growth in tubing, especially for applications in which tubing is exposed to damp environments.
Antioxidant
Additive used to prevent yellowing of tubing or loss of strength when exposed to oxygen in the atmosphere.
AWG (American Wire Gauge)
A method of specifying conductor size. Lower gauge numbers indicate larger conductor size. Click here for a chart of Grayline AWG Tubing Sizes.
b
Braided Sleeving
A fiber woven sleeve that can be coated or heat treated and that serves to insulate and protect electrical components.
Braided fiberglass sleeving is very flexible and provides exceptional abrasion protection, and is particularly suitable for use in elevated temperature environments. A variety of coatings are available to meet your specific needs.
Fiberglass Sleeving Available Features
Braided fiberglass sleeving is very flexible and provides exceptional abrasion protection, and is particularly suitable for use in elevated temperature environments. A variety of coatings are available to meet your specific needs.
Fiberglass Sleeving Available Features
- Meets UL/CSA VW-1, Automotive, Military and NEMA TF1, TF2 Specifications
- High Operating Temperatures (Up to 600°C)
- Excellent Abrasion Resistance
- Lead Free (RoHS)
- Available on Reels or Cut to Length
Some Typical Applications
Heating Elements, Automotive and Aerospace Wire Harnesses, Motor Leads.
Heating Elements, Automotive and Aerospace Wire Harnesses, Motor Leads.
Brittleness Temperature
The temperature below which a flexible material exhibits brittle failure when subjected to a specified impact during testing.
c
Colorant
Pigment additives used to introduce color to tubing. Both natural colored opaque polymers and clear polymers can be colored. Addition of colorant to clear polymers results in a tinted transparent polymer.
Compound
A chemical blend of base resin and desired additives, which becomes the raw material from which tubing is extruded.
Concentricity
Used to describe the uniformity of the wall thickness of tubing, it is a measure of the offset of the center of the inside diameter from the center of the outside diameter.
Core
The inner wall of dual wall, heat shrinkable tubing.
Cross-linking
The formation of three-dimensional covalent bonds between molecular chains in a polymer, thereby improving the mechanical and thermal properties.
D
Durometer
A measurement of the hardness or resistance to surface penetration of a polymer. Usually measured using Shore or Rockwell scales. Higher numbers represent harder materials.
e
Elastic Memory
The ability of a polymer to be temporarily shaped to a different geometry before returning to its original shape upon the application of heat. This is the basic principle by which heat shrink tubing has been developed.
Elongation
The maximum amount, expressed as a percentage, that tubing can be stretched in length before it breaks.
European Union (EU) Directive
One of several European requirements that must be met to allow product use in Europe. Current EU Directives include:
- EU 2000/53/EC (ELV: End of Life Vehicles)
- EU 2000/95/EC (RoHS: Restriction of Hazardous Substances)
- EU 1907/2006 (REACH: Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) See Explanation of Common Specifications for details
Expansion
A process used to create heat shrinkable tubing in which polymer tubing is enlarged in diameter (and the wall thickness is reduced) under closely controlled thermal conditions, resulting in a product that will revert to the original diameter upon application of heat.
Expandable Sleeving
A loosely-woven monofilament protective sleeve that can readily expand or contract in diameter to accommodate larger diameter areas of the component being covered.
Expandable monofilament sleeving offers flexible, lightweight mechanical protection. It can be expanded up to 3 times its diameter to allow both easy assembly and a snug fit. The open weave construction of expandable sleeving dissipates heat and doesn't trap moisture. Sleeving is available in a variety of polymers including polyester (PET), nylon, fluoropolymer and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).
Available Features
Expandable monofilament sleeving offers flexible, lightweight mechanical protection. It can be expanded up to 3 times its diameter to allow both easy assembly and a snug fit. The open weave construction of expandable sleeving dissipates heat and doesn't trap moisture. Sleeving is available in a variety of polymers including polyester (PET), nylon, fluoropolymer and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).
Available Features
- Meets UL/CSA, Automotive, and Military Specifications
- Oil Resistance
- Wide Temperature Range (-70°C to 220°C)
- Expansion Up to Three Times Its Original Diameter
- Available on Reels or Cut to Length
Some Typical Applications
Wire Harness Bundling, Abrasion Protection.
Wire Harness Bundling, Abrasion Protection.
Expanded ID
The minimum internal diameter of heat shrinkable tubing as supplied to the customer, before heat is applied for recovery.
Extrusion
The thermal and mechanical process by which a polymer compound is conveyed through a heating chamber, forming dies, cooling tanks, and vacuum tanks to form tubing.
f
Flame Retardant
An additive that is included in tubing compounds to improve resistance to burning.
Fluoropolymer
A polymer compound containing fluorine. These compounds are typically very chemically resistant and can withstand extreme elevated temperatures. Grayline Fluoropolymer (PTFE, FEP, PFA) Tubing
Product Features
- Chemically Inert
- Extreme Temperature Resistance
- Low Friction Properties
Some Typical Fluoropolymer Tubing Applications
Chemical Transfer - Food & Beverage - Laboratory & Medical - Automotive - Corrosive Resistance, & many more.
Chemical Transfer - Food & Beverage - Laboratory & Medical - Automotive - Corrosive Resistance, & many more.
h
HAlogen Free
A compound that does not contain Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine, or Astatine. Halogenated compounds are often used to improve flame resistance of tubing, but when burned these compounds emit smoke which is toxic to humans and corrosive to electronic equipment.
Halogens are the five elements Fluorine (F), Chlorine (Cl), Bromine (Br), Iodine (I) and Astatine (At). These elements are highly reactive and readily combine with metals to form halogen compounds, which are considered to be hazardous to the environment. Various industry and legislative environmental initiatives are driving the elimination of halogen compounds.
In addition, when materials containing halogens burn, they often emit smoke that is both toxic to humans and corrosive to equipment. Halogen-free materials may be specified for use in applications in which combustion products are of significant concern, including:
Halogens are the five elements Fluorine (F), Chlorine (Cl), Bromine (Br), Iodine (I) and Astatine (At). These elements are highly reactive and readily combine with metals to form halogen compounds, which are considered to be hazardous to the environment. Various industry and legislative environmental initiatives are driving the elimination of halogen compounds.
In addition, when materials containing halogens burn, they often emit smoke that is both toxic to humans and corrosive to equipment. Halogen-free materials may be specified for use in applications in which combustion products are of significant concern, including:
- Enclosed areas occupied by humans (such as subways, trains, planes)
- Areas having sensitive or critical electronic equipment (such as communication centers, security systems).
Why use Halogen-Free Tubing?
Reasons Include:
Reasons Include:
- Environmentally Friendly Material
- Enhanced Fire Safety (smoke emitted has low toxicity)
- Reduced Fire Damage (smoke emitted is minimally corrosive)
Grayline's HF100, non-halogen, flame retardant tubing is specifically designed for fire safety.
Hardness
A measurement of resistance to surface penetration that correlates well with mechanical strength and rigidity. Usually measured using Shore or Rockwell scales.
Heat Forming
A secondary process in which thermoplastic tubing is permanently reformed to a new three-dimensional shape while under elevated temperature conditions.
Heat Shrinkable
Tubing that is capable of being reduced in size when exposed to heat. Grayline Heat Shrink Tubing
Heat shrinkable tubing is used in wire harnesses and other electrical applications to bundle, insulate, and protect wires and electrical components. After placing heat shrinkable tubing over an object to be covered, heat is applied to cause the tubing to shrink in size and conform tightly to the object.
Grayline offers a wide range of heat shrinkable tubing products having shrink ratios of 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1, including adhesive lined (dual wall) products to provide the ultimate environmental seal.
Grayline offers a wide range of heat shrinkable tubing products having shrink ratios of 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1, including adhesive lined (dual wall) products to provide the ultimate environmental seal.
j
Jacket
The outer wall of dual wall, heat shrinkable tubing.
l
LDPE
Low Density PolyEthylene, typical density range of 0.910-0.940 g/cm3
LLDPE
Linear Low Density PolyEthylene. LLDPE has very short chain branching from the polymer backbone compared to LLPE, which has long chain branching. LLDPE typically has higher tensile and elongation.
Lead Free Tubing
See European Union Directive, RoHS.
Liner
The inner wall of dual wall, heat shrinkable tubing.
Longitudinal Shrinkage
The change in length, as opposed to the change in diameter, of heat shrinkable tubing during the recovery process initiated by the application of heat.
M
MDPE
Medium Density PolyEthylene, typical density range of 0.926-0.940 g/cm3
MIL Spec
Military Specification. These are standards published by the U.S. Department of Defense. There are several Mil specs that apply to flexible tubing. These include MIL-I-631, MIL-I-7444 (replaced by SAE-AMS-I-7444), and MIL-DTL-23053 (replaced by SAE-AMS-DTL-23053). Please see Learn About Tubing - Common Electrical Tubing Specifications for more details.
Monomer
A small molecule that bonds chemically with other monomers to form a longer chain polymer molecule.
n
Nylon
A class of polymers known as polyamides. Nylon is a tough, abrasion-resistant, semi-rigid material with good high-temperature properties. Grayline Nylon Tubing
Grayline Nylon tubing (also known as polyamide tubing) has excellent mechanical properties and is abrasion resistant. It is a very tough material that resists temperature extremes and has great low friction properties.
Product Features
Product Features
- Abrasion Resistance
- Extreme Temperature Resistance
- Excellent High-Pressure Resistance
- Great Impact Strength
- Semi-Rigid
Some Typical Nylon Tubing Applications
Air Lines - Food & Beverage - Fuel & Oil Transfer - Hydraulic Lines - Wire Jacketing - Pneumatic Controls - Refrigeration & Cooling Systems, & many more.
Air Lines - Food & Beverage - Fuel & Oil Transfer - Hydraulic Lines - Wire Jacketing - Pneumatic Controls - Refrigeration & Cooling Systems, & many more.
O
OFT (Optional Flame Test)
Former CSA test for measuring the flame retardance of tubing. This test is now obsolete and has been replaced with the VW-1 test.
Operating Temperature
The maximum recommended temperature at which tubing may operate in continuous service.
Oxygen Index
The minimum oxygen concentration, expressed as a percentage of the total ambient gases, that will support candle-like combustion of a polymer.
p
Phthalate
Esters of phthalic acid that are commonly used as plasticizers to soften and increase the flexibility of PVC compounds. DOP/DEHP and DINP are two commonly used phthalate plasticizers.
Plasticizer
A chemical additive that is included in polymer compounds to provide flexibility. Plasticizers serve to fill and increase the spacing between polymer chains, allowing them to slip past each other more readily. Types of plasticizers include phthalates, trimellitates, adipates, epoxidized vegetable oils, and polymerics.
Polyethylene (PE)
A tough, flexible low-cost plastic. Common applications are bags, film, and squeeze bottles. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is the most flexible. Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) is the toughest and cheapest. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is less transparent, but stiffer and more heat resistant. Grayline's Polyethylene Tubing.
Grayline polyethylene tubing is generally less flexible than PVC or polyolefin, but has good chemical resistance and mechanical strength. It is often used as a cost-effective solution in fluid transfer and pneumatic applications.
Product Features
Product Features
- Lightweight
- Chemically Inert
- Non-Toxic Grades Available
Some Typical Polyethylene Tubing Applications
Air Lines - Food & Beverage - Chemical Transfer - Potable Water Systems - Wire Jacketing - Hospitals & Laboratory - Pneumatics, & many more.
Air Lines - Food & Beverage - Chemical Transfer - Potable Water Systems - Wire Jacketing - Hospitals & Laboratory - Pneumatics, & many more.
Polypropylene (PP)
Similar to high-density polyethylene, but more heat resistant (it can handle boiling water) and having high tensile strength and clarity. Common applications are plastic rope and drinking straws. Grayline's Polypropylene Tubing.
Grayline polypropylene tubing can be used as a low cost solution in many fluid transfer applications. It offers good mechanical strength and can be used in structural systems.
Product Features
Product Features
- Lightweight
- Excellent Electrical Properties
- Good Chemical Resistance
Some Typical Polypropylene Tubing Applications
Compressed Air Lines - Food & Beverage - Potable Water Systems - Wire Jacketing - Pneumatics, & many more.
Compressed Air Lines - Food & Beverage - Potable Water Systems - Wire Jacketing - Pneumatics, & many more.
Polyurethane
A tough, abrasion-resistant polymer having excellent low-temperature properties and high clarity. Chemically resistant to fuels, oils, and solvents, and available in a range of hardnesses. Common uses for polyurethane tubing include fuel line and wire abrasion protection. Grayline Polyurethane (TPU) Tubing.
Grayline can manufacture polyurethane tubing from a wide variety of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compounds.Polyurethane tubing is very flexible and extremely tough. It offers great abrasion, fatigue, tear, and kink resistance for demanding applications.
There are two basic types of polyurethane tubing, ester-based and ether-based. Ester-based polyurethane has better chemical resistance to fuels, lubricants and other petroleum based chemicals. However, ether-based is more resistant to moisture while still providing good chemical resistance.
Product Features
There are two basic types of polyurethane tubing, ester-based and ether-based. Ester-based polyurethane has better chemical resistance to fuels, lubricants and other petroleum based chemicals. However, ether-based is more resistant to moisture while still providing good chemical resistance.
Product Features
- Excellent Toughness Characteristics
- High Abrasion Resistance
- Chemical Resistance; Including Fuels, Oils, and Solvents
- Low Temperature Flexibility and Impact Resistance
- Clarity
- Halogen and Lead Free (RoHS)
- Custom Sizes and Colors Available
- Printing Available
Some Typical Polyurethane Tubing Applications
Fuel Line (Fuel Handling) - Wire Harness Bundling - Fluid Transfer Hose - Potable Water - Abrasion Protection and many more.
Fuel Line (Fuel Handling) - Wire Harness Bundling - Fluid Transfer Hose - Potable Water - Abrasion Protection and many more.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
A resin that can be easily blended with many different additives to change the resultant mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of the compound. Common flexible PVC applications are tubing and shower curtains. Common rigid or semi-rigid PVC applications are drainpipe and house siding. Grayline's Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Tubing.
Polyvinyl chloride is frequently the material of choice for flexible tubing applications. It is a relatively low cost polymer, which can be formulated to provide a wide range of properties. PVC can be compounded with a large variety of additives to provide a material that will best fit your application requirements.
Grayline PVC tubing is available in both heat-shrink and non-heat-shrink forms to meet your specific needs.
Product Features
Grayline PVC tubing is available in both heat-shrink and non-heat-shrink forms to meet your specific needs.
Product Features
- Electrically Insulating
- Available in many colors from crystal clear to bright white to black (Custom color matching also available)
- Inherently flame retardant
- Suitable for a wide range of environmental conditions
- Value Added Services Available: cutting, slitting, printing, hot stamping & heat forming.
Some Typical PVC Tubing Applications
Wiring Harness Bundling & Abrasion Protection - Fluid Transfer - Food & Beverage - Fuel Line - Potable Water - Chemical transfer - Abrasion Protection - Wire Marking - Color Coding and many more.
Wiring Harness Bundling & Abrasion Protection - Fluid Transfer - Food & Beverage - Fuel Line - Potable Water - Chemical transfer - Abrasion Protection - Wire Marking - Color Coding and many more.
Polymer
A compound consisting of long molecular chains formed from monomers occurring as repetitive "building blocks".
Polyolefin
A generic term for a group of polymers produced from olefin (or alkene) monomers. Olefins are hydrocarbon substances having a single carbon-to-carbon double bond. Polyolefin heat shrink tubing is typically made from polyethylene and is usually cross-linked. Grayline's Polyolefin Tubing.
Polyolefin tubing is available in both Heat-Shrink and Non-Heat-Shrink forms.
Product Features
Product Features
- Electrically Insulating
- 2:1, 3:1, & 4:1 Heat Shrink Ratio Available
- Dual Wall (Adhesive Lined) Available
- Wide Operating Temperature Range
- Halogen Free Materials Available
Some Typical Polyolefin Tubing Applications
Wiring Harness Bundling - Electrical Insulation - Abrasion Protection - Strain Relief - Moisture Protection - Chemical Transfer - Abrasion Protection - Wire Marking - Color Coding and many more.
Wiring Harness Bundling - Electrical Insulation - Abrasion Protection - Strain Relief - Moisture Protection - Chemical Transfer - Abrasion Protection - Wire Marking - Color Coding and many more.
R
Recovery (Heat Shrinkable Tubing)
Heat activation of the elastic memory effect to cause expanded heat shrinkable tubing to return to its originally extruded size.
Recovered ID
The internal diameter of heat shrinkable tubing after being allowed to recover fully.
Recovery Temperature
The midpoint of the recovery versus temperature curve of heat shrinkable tubing.
Resin
The base material in a polymer compound.
S
Shore Hardness
A series of scales used to indicate hardness. The Shore A scale is most commonly used to measure the hardness of plastic tubing. Within a given scale, a higher number indicates a harder material.
Shrink Ratio
The nominal ratio of expanded diameter to recovered diameter of heat shrinkable tubing.
Specific Gravity
The ratio of the density (mass per unit volume) of a material to the density of water.
Strain Relief
The use of a length of tubing to reduce the stress or strain on a wire or cable being flexed.
t
Tensile Strength
The ratio of the amount of axially applied force required to break or rupture a piece of tubing to the cross-sectional area of the tubing. It is expressed in units of force/area, such as pounds per square inch (psi).
Thermoplastic
A polymer that can be repeatedly melted and solidified with only minimal degradation of the properties following each cycle. Common examples are polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene.
Thermoset
A polymer, such as polyolefin, in which irreversible chemical "curing" or "set" takes place as the molecule chains are cross-linked in three dimensions through covalent bonding. Once set, the polymer cannot be melted.
TPE: Thermo-Plastic-Elastomer
A class of copolymers or a mixture of polymers which have both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties. These materials can be melted, can be stretched and then return to their original shape, and have very low creep. TPE's are also referred to as ThermoPlastic Rubber (TPR) or ThermoPlastic Vulcanate (TPV). Grayline Rubber Tubing.
Grayline Offers a variety of rubber tubing options that are soft and pliable, yet readily spring back into shape.
Product Features
Product Features
- Chemically Inert
- Resilient Materials (Resistant to Flex Fatigue and Tear)
- Wide Operating Temperatures
- Outstanding Compression Characteristics
Some Typical Applications
- Food & Beverage
- Fuel & Oil Lines
- Peristaltic Pumps
- Cable Jacketing
- & Many More
TPU: Thermo-Plastic-Urethane
Also called polyurethane. A tough, abrasion-resistant polymer having excellent low temperature properties and high clarity. Chemically resistant to fuels, oils and solvents, and available in a range of hardnesses. Common uses for polyurethane tubing include fuel line and wire abrasion protection. Grayline Polyurethane (TPU) Tubing.
Grayline can manufacture polyurethane tubing from a wide variety of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compounds.
Polyurethane tubing is very flexible and extremely tough. It offers great abrasion, fatigue, tear, and kink resistance for demanding applications.
There are two basic types of polyurethane tubing, ester-based and ether-based. Ester-based polyurethane has better chemical resistance to fuels, lubricants and other petroleum based chemicals. However, ether-based is more resistant to moisture while still providing good chemical resistance.
Product Features
Polyurethane tubing is very flexible and extremely tough. It offers great abrasion, fatigue, tear, and kink resistance for demanding applications.
There are two basic types of polyurethane tubing, ester-based and ether-based. Ester-based polyurethane has better chemical resistance to fuels, lubricants and other petroleum based chemicals. However, ether-based is more resistant to moisture while still providing good chemical resistance.
Product Features
- Excellent Toughness Characteristics
- High Abrasion Resistance
- Chemical Resistance; Including Fuels, Oils, and Solvents
- Low Temperature Flexibility and Impact Resistance
- Clarity
- Halogen and Lead Free (RoHS)
- Custom Sizes and Colors Available
- Printing Available
Some Typical Polyurethane Tubing Applications
Fuel Line (Fuel Handling) - Wire Harness Bundling - Fluid Transfer Hose - Potable Water - Abrasion Protection and many more.
Fuel Line (Fuel Handling) - Wire Harness Bundling - Fluid Transfer Hose - Potable Water - Abrasion Protection and many more.
u
Ultraviolet Degradation
The loss of strength or discoloration caused by long-term exposure of tubing to sunlight or other ultraviolet rays.
Ultraviolet (UV) Stabilizer
An additive to tubing compounds that protects against loss of strength or discoloration when it is exposed to the outdoors.
Urethane
See Polyurethane.
V
VW 1
A flammability test conducted by UL or CSA. Tubing with a VW-1 rating is highly flame-retardant.