Plastic tubing is responsible for delivering liquid and air throughout many different types of industrial machinery. Without the air or liquids that plastic tubing delivers, a piece of machinery would not be able to function properly. This makes the importance of plastic tubing high in any manufacturing setting.

Selecting the right plastic tubing is critical to the efficiency and safety of your equipment. Be sure that you consider the following three factors before you purchase replacement tubing to prevent a possible breakdown of your industrial machinery in the future.

1. The Materials You Are Moving

The materials that will be moving through your plastic tubing should play a central role in the selection of replacement tubing. Plastic tubes are manufactured from a wide range of materials. Each of these options is designed to pair with a specific type of liquid or air to provide the results you are looking for.

If you will be moving air through your plastic tubing, then most materials will accommodate your needs. If you will be moving chemicals or other hazardous liquids, you will need tubing made from materials that can withstand exposure to these elements.

2. The Design of Your Machinery

The way that your industrial machinery is designed should also play an influential role in selecting replacement plastic tubing. Quality tubing can be categorized as either flexible or rigid.

Flexible tubing is beneficial in applications where your tubes must bend and flex in order to accommodate the design of your machinery. A flexible tube has rubber-like pliability that allows it to conform to curves and bends without sustaining serious damage. 

If the design of your machinery doesn't require flexible tubing, rigid plastic tubing is a great option. Rigid tubing tends to be more durable than flexible tubing, allowing you to minimize the need for tube replacements in the future.

3. The Need for Reinforcement

Plastic tubing that operates in an industrial environment must be able to withstand exposure to both internal and external contaminants. For some manufacturers, this means relying on tubing that is reinforced with a spiral wire or cord. A plastic compound is formed into a tube around the wire or cord coil when creating reinforced tubing. This design can be especially useful in flexible tubing.

The reinforced walls will be better able to withstand damage as the flexible tubing curves and bends through your industrial machinery. Reinforced tubing is also able to withstand damage caused by a powerful external blow.

For more information on custom plastic tubing, contact a tubing manufacturer.