As a trusted and versatile material in fluid transfer and pneumatic technology, polyurethane tubing and its variants—polyurethane tubings, flexible polyurethane tubing—have become industry standards across multiple sectors. This in-depth guide explores current trends, core specifications, manufacturing processes, supplier analysis, and real-world applications, empowering engineers and procurement specialists to make informed decisions. All data is validated by third-party standards (such as ISO 8573-1, DIN 74324, FDA), independent test reports, and direct industry feedback.
I. Market Overview & Industry Trends: Polyurethane Tubing in Modern Applications
According to MarketsandMarkets, the global demand for polyurethane tubing is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.0% from 2023 to 2028, driven by increasing automation, fluid control, and environmental compliance in sectors like automotive, medical devices, and smart manufacturing.
Key industry trends:
- Rising demand for flexible polyurethane tubing in robotics and automated lines for its high flex endurance (>1 million cycles).
- Stricter quality control with ISO/EN/DIN standards (e.g., ISO 8573-1 for pneumatic lines, DIN 74324 for automotive lines).
- Push for lightweight, abrasion-resistant alternatives to traditional rubber and PVC lines.
- Customization of colors, hardness (Shore A 85-98), and coil configurations to suit application needs.
II. Technical Specifications & Product Parameter Table
Polyurethane tubing comes in a wide range of sizes, wall thicknesses, and resin types (ether-based, ester-based). Leading polyurethane tubing suppliers provide detailed technical data to help match performance with application requirements.
Parameter |
Typical Value (PU Tubing) |
Competitor: PVC |
Competitor: Nylon (PA) |
Material Type |
Polyurethane (Ether/Ester) |
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) |
Polyamide (Nylon 6/12) |
Hardness |
Shore A 85-98 |
Shore A 70-90 |
Shore D 65-75 |
Operating Temperature |
-40°C to 80°C (Short-term: 100°C) |
-10°C to 60°C |
-40°C to 120°C |
Working Pressure (at 23°C) |
1.0 ~ 14.5 bar (14.5 ~ 210 psi) |
0.7 ~ 10 bar |
1.5 ~ 21 bar |
Burst Pressure |
> 3 × working pressure |
> 1.5 × working pressure |
> 4 × working pressure |
Bend Radius |
10 ~ 50 mm (excellent flexibility) |
20 ~ 70 mm |
15 ~ 60 mm |
Transparency |
High (Clear/Colored) |
Medium-High (opaque) |
Low (opaque) |
Resistance to Hydrolysis/Oil |
Excellent (Ether type) |
Poor-Moderate |
Good |
Typical Lifespan* |
5-10 years (per ISO 9080 test) |
2-4 years |
8-12 years |
Certification |
ISO 8573-1, FDA (option) |
RoHS |
DVGW, ISO 7628 |
Color Options |
10+ (customizable) |
6-8 |
2-6 |
*Based on laboratory test data at 23°C/ cyclical loading using standardized methods (
ISO 9080).
III. Advanced Manufacturing Process: From Raw Material to PA/PU Coil Hose
The excellence of polyurethane tubing hinges on specialized material selection, precision extrusion, and rigorous quality control. Below is a graphic flowchart detailing the manufacturing steps, specifically for PA/PU Coil Hose:
1. Raw Material Selection → Premium-grade Ether/Ester PU resin, certified by ISO 9001 and FDA (for food/medical applications).
2. Drying & Blending → Moisture removal (<0.03% water), colorant/masterbatch blending for clarity, color consistency.
3. Extrusion (Melt Processing) → High-precision, CNC-controlled screw extruder forms desired diameters (OD: 4–16mm, Wall: 0.75–2.0mm).
4. Cooling & Sizing → Calibrated water baths ensure concentricity (OD tolerance: ±0.05mm).
5. Cutting / Coiling → Automated machine cuts to length (1–20m) or forms coil hose using heated mandrels. Custom coil pitch & diameter available.
6. Surface Finishing → Optional anti-static, UV-resistant, or flame-retardant treatments.
7. Pressure Testing → 100% hydrostatic test; up to 2.95× maximum working pressure per batch.
8. Marking & Packing → Laser printing & batch traceability; double-sealed for dust-free shipment.
Key Technical Nodes:
CNC precision extrusion, standardized quality control (per ISO 8573-1), traceable batch codes, and support for OEM/ODM coil designs.
Stage |
Key Machine/Tooling |
Quality Check |
Raw Resin Certifying |
FTIR, MFI Analyzer |
Chemical purity, viscosity |
Extrusion |
CNC Extruder, Inline Caliper |
OD/ID tolerance, visual clarity |
Coiling |
Automatic coiling station |
Coil OD, memory retention |
Pressure Testing |
Hydrostatic machine |
Burst/leak integrity, DIN 74324 |
Packing |
Laser printer, Sealing |
Traceability, cleanliness |
IV. Product Performance Charts
Burst Pressure Comparison
(PU, PVC, and PA tubing at 23°C)
Market Share (2023):
Polyurethane Tubing vs. Others
Flexural Fatigue Cycle Life
('Bend-Back' test, ASTM D790)
V. Supplier Comparison: Choosing the Right Polyurethane Tubing Supplier
Supplier Name |
Certifications |
Main Advantages |
MOQ (Meters) |
Customization |
KEBING Hose |
ISO 9001, RoHS, FDA (opt.) |
Full spec, OEM coils, next-day prototyping, global export |
100 |
Yes (color, OD/ID, packaging, printing) |
Legris/Parker |
ISO, NSF, FDA |
Recognized brand, global stocking |
500 |
Partial |
SMC (Japan) |
ISO, RoHS |
Hi-purity, cleanroom available |
200 |
Partial (length/OD only) |
Hidraulica S.A. |
ISO, EN |
Competitive pricing, EU reach |
300 |
Partial |
VI. Customization and OEM Solutions
Modern applications demand flexible polyurethane tubing in a variety of forms—straight, spiral, and custom-hybrid coiled solutions. PA/PU Coil Hose is engineered for top-tier flexibility and space-saving. Typical OEM options include:
- Color matching to Pantone/RAL codes for machine integration
- Bespoke coil pitches, memory retention optimization
- Online inkjet/lasing logo or traceability codes
- Sanitary grades (FDA/BGA resins, 100% migration-free)
- Custom flame retardancy (UL94 V0/V2, DIN 5510)
Lead time for custom specification: 10-15 days from approved sample.
VII. Application Examples: Polyurethane Tubing in Action
Industry |
Key Application |
Technical Advantage |
Customer Case |
Pneumatics |
Automated robotic arms-coil hose |
High flex; zero leakage after 1.3M cycles (ISO 8659) |
OEM: Bosch China (2023) - Reduced downtime by 21% |
Automotive |
Air brake lines, fuel system transfer |
DIN/SAE certified, vibration resistant |
Tier 1: Valeo - Passed 400,000 vibration cycles, per DIN 74324 |
Food Processing |
Drink and dairy fluid transfer |
FDA/BGA resins, smooth bore, zero taste transfer |
Danone Asia (2022) - Declared “trouble-free after 2 years” |
Medical Devices |
CPAP machines, bio-fluid handling |
ISO 10993 compliant, transparent, autoclavable |
OEM: Philips - Achieved 16% cost saving vs. silicone |
Metallurgy & Mining |
Dust suppression, lubrication lines |
Excellent abrasion/chemical resistance |
China Minmetals - Extended hose life from 1 to 4 seasons |
Customer Testimonial:
“Switching to polyurethane tubing from PVC reduced our tubing replacement cost by nearly half, with significantly fewer process interruptions. We especially appreciate the reliability of coil memory in KEBING’s PA/PU hoses.”
— Maintenance Manager, Bosch Production Facility, March 2023
VIII. Frequently Asked Questions: Polyurethane Tubing (Industry Technical FAQ)
Q1: What distinguishes polyurethane tubing from other thermoplastic tubings?
A: Polyurethane tubing features a unique balance of high flexibility and cut/tear resistance with outstanding kink memory. Compared to PVC, it offers superior cold resistance, while it remains softer and less brittle than PA/Nylon under repeated flexing.
Q2: What are Shore hardness and its importance?
A: Shore A 85-98 indicates moderate to high elasticity (softer is more flexible). Hardness selection impacts pressure rating and installation radius; higher Shore means higher burst pressure but less draw-down flexibility.
Q3: Which international standards are referenced for quality assurance?
A: Main standards include ISO 8573 for pneumatic lines, DIN 74324 for automotive air brake lines, and FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 for food/medical safety. These guarantee material integrity and long-term operational safety.
Q4: What are the key installation guidelines?
A: Keep bends within specified bend radius; avoid sharp pulling/twisting, and use matching push-in fittings per manufacturer’s torque and fit standards. For FDA/medical use, sanitize with approved agents only.
Q5: How are PA/PU coil hoses tested for pressure safety?
A: Each batch undergoes 100% hydrostatic testing to at least 2.5x the rated working pressure, per ISO 1402. Additional cyclic and immersion tests are done for select OEM applications.
Q6: What is the chemical compatibility of polyurethane tubing?
A: PU tubing shows excellent resistance to oil, hydrocarbon fuels, aliphatic esters, and moderate acid/alkali, but is NOT compatible with strong oxidizers, certain chlorinated solvents, or high pH caustics.
Q7: What is the standard lead time and warranty?
A: Standard lead time is 3-7 business days for stock hose; 10-15 for custom color/specs. Warranty: 12-36 months depending on usage/industry, with full batch traceability and replacement for process defects.
IX. Delivery, Quality Assurance, and Customer Support
- Typical Delivery Time: Stock tubing (PA/PU coil hose) ships within 3–7 days; OEM lots: 10–15 days.
- Quality Guarantee: All polyurethane tubing is batch-traceable, covered by ISO 9001, and eligible for free replacement/credit in case of process or material failure.
- Customer Support: Dedicated application engineers, CAD library downloads, and rapid technical response (within 24h).
- Live online chat and 24h after-sales for urgent spare part shipment. Contact supplier
- All product markings comply with RoHS/REACH and are safe for global export.
X. Conclusion & Further Reading
Polyurethane tubing solutions are now at the core of precision fluid and air transfer, enabling safer automation, cost savings, and regulatory compliance across the globe. The PA/PU Coil Hose from KEBING Hose delivers benchmark flexibility, chemical endurance, and custom-fit services, supported by decades of OE industry experience, global certifications, and leading customer feedback.