Why tubing matters
The tubing is a very important part inside a proportional pinch valve. It’s just like a soft and flexible pipe that controls the mobility of fluids. When a valve opens or closes, the tubing is the main part that gets squeezed or bent.
In order to run the workflow smoothly, you need to select the right material for the tubing. To help you with this, we have written this blog. So, read it till the end to understand completely!
Three simple questions to pick tubing
Answer these quick questions to narrow choices fast:
- What fluid will flow? (water, oil, chemicals, food)
- What temperature will the tubing face?
- How often will the tubing flex or rub?
Common tubing types and what they do
- EPDM rubber works for water and mild chemicals. It resists heat and lasts in many machines.
- Nitrile (Buna-N) handles oils and fuels well. It resists cuts and oil swelling.
- Silicone stays soft at very low or high heat. It suits food and medical uses.
- PTFE tape or lined tubes resist almost every chemical, but cost more.
- PVC and polyurethane offer low cost and good wear for many simple uses.
How to match tubing to needs
If you handle food or medicine, pick FDA-grade silicone or approved elastomers. If you push oil or fuel, choose Nitrile. If a strong chemical attacks rubber, choose PTFE or a lined option. For high heat or steam, pick silicone or specialty high-temp rubber.
Wear, bend, and life
Think about how the tube will move. Always confirm fit by trying the tubing in a proportional pinch valve sleeve. If it bends a lot, pick a flexible tube that resists cracking. If the tube rubs against parts, pick a material rated for abrasion. Test a sample in the real machine to see how long it lasts.
Pressure and thickness
Higher pressure needs thicker tubing or a stronger material. Check the tube burst pressure and pick a safe margin. Many systems work well by using tubing rated two times the normal pressure.
Cleaning and sterilizing
If you must clean tubing often, choose materials that stand up to the cleaning method. Some plastics will break down in strong cleaners. Silicone and PTFE handle many cleaning methods and steam well.
Cost and replacement
Cheaper tubing works at first, but it may fail sooner. When choosing tubing, think about how easy it is to change and how long it will last. So, pick tubing that balances price, durability, and safety.
Simple steps to select the right tubing
- Step 1: List the fluid and temperature.
- Step 2: Eliminate materials that the fluid will attack.
- Step 3: From the left items, pick the one that meets the pressure and movement needs.
- Step 4: Check cleaning and cost. Buy a small batch and test.
Installation tips
Cut tubing clean and square. Avoid sharp bends at the pinch point. Fit the tube so the sleeve pinches evenly. Replace tubing before it shows deep cracks or leaks.
Quick checklist before you buy
- Fluid type and purity
- Temperature range
- Pressure rating
- Flex cycles per day
- Abrasion or sharp edges
- Cleaning method
- Food or medical approvals
Final note
A correct tubing choice makes a big difference in machine uptime and safety. Use the three questions to pick a good match. When you pick tubing for a proportional pinch valve, ask for test samples and check them under real conditions. Ask suppliers for data sheets and test small batches before a full change. With simple checks, you will get tubing that works well and lasts longer in your pinch valve system.
Extra tip
Keep an old tube as a sample and write the installation date on it. Track how long each tube lasts. Small tests save time and money and make future choices easier.
