PFA Tubing

PFA Tubing: Unmatched Performance for Diverse Applications

For more than 50 years, M Barnwell Services has provided PFA Tubing to companies worldwide. As one of the UK’s biggest independent fluid seal stockists and distributors, our customers can trust that they’ll receive the right product for their needs.

Our proficient team manages the entire production process, from prototyping and testing to final part manufacturing. Additionally, we offer specialised certification upon request.

If you would like more information about our range, or contact a team member.

Overview:

Developed in the late 1960s, PFA combines the best qualities of PTFE and FEP, offering a resin with chemical and use temperatures close to PTFE while retaining the melt processability of FEP. Despite being slightly more expensive, PFA tubing presents numerous advantages, including a use temperature of 260°C, high chemical inertness, and longer service life in aggressive industrial environments.

Furthermore, PFA tubing is renowned for its rigidity, making it a suitable alternative to stainless steel tubing in certain cases. It excels in high and low temperatures and pressure, providing corrosion resistance. Its flexibility and crack resistance, even at temperatures up to 260ºC, make it ideal for moving parts in machinery.

PFA tubing, offered by M Barnwell Services, boasts broad chemical resistance and impressive mechanical performance at high temperatures. From downhole oil well instrumentation to corrosive chemical manufacturing, PFA tubing stands out as a reliable and versatile solution.

Key Features of PFA Tubing:

• Wide Temperature Range: Can withstand a very broad temperature range, from -260°C (-436°F) to 260°C (500°F). This makes it suitable for applications involving extreme temperature variations.
• Good Mechanical Strength at Elevated Temperatures: Maintains excellent mechanical strength even at elevated temperatures, ensuring reliable performance in demanding conditions.
• Excellent Chemical Resistance: Exhibits impressive resistance to a wide range of chemicals, making it suitable for use in corrosive environments and applications.
• Low Gas Diffusion: Low gas diffusion properties, making it an effective barrier against gas permeation and ensuring the integrity of the tubing in various applications.
• UL 94 V-O Flammability Rating, LOI 95%: Meets high flammability standards with a UL 94 V-O rating and a Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) of 95%, indicating low flammability.
• Smooth Internal Surfaces: Features smooth internal surfaces, reducing friction and minimising the risk of contamination. This is particularly important in high-purity environments.
• Good Clarity, Refractive Index 1.34: Offers good clarity, allowing easy visual inspection of processes. The refractive index of 1.34 contributes to optical transparency.
• Gamma & EtO Sterilisable: Compatible with sterilisation methods such as gamma irradiation and ethylene oxide (EtO), ensuring its suitability for medical and pharmaceutical applications.
• Physiologically Harmless: Making it safe for use in applications where contact with biological systems is a consideration.
• Inherent Purity: Maintains inherent purity, reducing the risk of contamination in sensitive processes. It is suitable for high-purity environments such as those found in the semiconductor industry.
• Possible Certificates on Request: PFA tubing can be accompanied by various certificates upon request, including FDA (Food and Drug Administration), RoHS3/Reach, ADI-free, UL94 (V-0), and USP Class VI certifications.

Availability:

With a myriad of options, PFA tubing caters to diverse applications seamlessly. It not only spools or coils long continuous lengths but also thermoforms into custom 2D shapes, enabling adaptable designs.

Impressively, the tubing excels at tip forming, accommodating configurations such as flanges, flares, drawdowns, and complex micro-molded ends. For straightforward installation, PFA tubing is available in straight pieces with precise, clean, square cuts. Maintaining cleanliness is made easy as the tubing is conveniently bagged directly off the extruder.

Moreover, users have the flexibility to choose from a variety of pigmentations, including striped or solid options. PFA tubing offers high-purity (HP) grades, allowing users to tailor their selection to meet specific industry requirements. This comprehensive range of features underscores the versatility and customisation options that PFA tubing brings to the table for various industrial applications.

Industry Applications:

• Pharma, Cosmetic, and Medical.
  – PFA tubing is commonly used for fluid transfer applications, ensuring the integrity of critical processes. Its chemical resistance and high purity make it suitable for handling pharmaceutical compounds, cosmetics, and medical fluids without the risk of contamination.
• Food and Beverage.
  – Its transparency allows for easy monitoring of fluids, and its resistance to chemicals makes it a reliable choice for handling various food products without compromising on hygiene.
• High-End Print & Reprographics.
  – Facilitates the precise and controlled transfer of inks and solvents. Its resistance to chemicals ensures compatibility with the diverse range of substances used in printing processes, contributing to the quality and consistency of printed materials.
• Textile and Flooring.
  – PFA tubing is utilised for dyeing processes and chemical applications. Its ability to withstand a wide temperature range and resist chemicals makes it suitable for conveying dyes and other substances involved in the coloring and treatment of textiles and flooring materials.
• Chemical Industry.
  – It is used in various processes involving corrosive chemicals, acids, and solvents. Its durability and resistance to aggressive environments contribute to the longevity of the tubing in challenging chemical applications.
• Aviation & Space.
  – The aviation and space industries benefit from PFA tubing in fluid handling systems, where lightweight and durable materials are crucial. PFA tubing’s ability to withstand a broad temperature range, resist chemicals, and maintain high purity aligns with the stringent requirements of these industries, ensuring reliable performance in aerospace applications.

In conclusion, PFA tubing, with its exceptional properties and versatility, proves indispensable in demanding production cycles and various industries. The initial investment in PFA tubing often pays off in the medium to long term, as it outlasts alternatives.

You Are In Safe Hands

As a reliable partner to global OEM manufacturers, M Barnwell Services ensures quality products and an exceptional service experience. With £5.1 million in sealing inventory and five UK branches strategically positioned, we’re primed to meet and surpass your needs.

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