HOSING AND TUBING PERMEABILITY
In our continued discussion of permeability and plastics, one very important set of applications is permeability-optimized polyamides used in hoses and tubing. Whether it’s making a soda fountain dispenser or pumping gas, ensuring the stable, long-term performance of hosing and tubing in equipment that transmits hazardous or corrosive substances can be the difference between successful operations and broken equipment, down-time and added costs. Wastage, parts breakage, and the resulting clean up from polymers that do not meet the permeability requirements for their uses can be a challenge of engineering and part design, and choosing the right material at the outset can be critical.
When it comes to hose and tubing parts, nylon can often be a natural fit to meet the need, but even then, the selection of nylon is quite important, as different nylons can have very specific differences in permeability to select categories of chemicals.
Nylon chemistry includes ‘short-chain’ polymers such as nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 that are fairly commonplace among engineered polymer applications. In contrast, ‘long chain’ polyamides - nylons with 10 or more carbons in their polymer backbone - have some unique permeability properties that can make them excel in some applications. For example, compared to short chain polyamides, long-chain nylon tubes are superior at preventing hydrocarbons from permeating and weakening their walls. Short chain polyamides can often be de-rated by as much as 50% because of the damage permeation does to their structure. However, long chains like may be far less susceptible. And, unlike alternative materials like metals, they’re highly resistant to corrosion, are inherently flexible, and offer an attractive light-weighting option.
Nylon can also maintain its strength and permeability in very low-wall thickness applications, helping to produce the same part with less weight in materials. There are times when just an interior liner of nylon is used in hoses, pipes, or tubing, to create a strong barrier effect for a cheaper external material (this can sometimes require more complex manufacturing, introducing an additional layer into a tube that functions to bind the nylon to its non-nylon outer layer). Whether you’re using it as your primary material, or with a combination of materials, nylon can be a powerful tool in your arsenal in the battle against the wear and tear of permeation.
As a tubing material, nylon is excellent for high heat applications. Nylon polymers can be exposed to high temperature operating environments without emitting toxic or harmful chemicals - even in working conditions where they are exposed to open flame. Again, which specialty nylon resin you select is critical, because not all nylon materials are impervious to heat. Still, this resiliency and safety benefit can make the difference if your application involves operation at high temperatures or some exposure to flammable materials, especially in an enclosed environment.
Nylon tubing is also very good for its UV stabilization. Applications which involve direct exposure to sunlight can be quite demanding for plastics. But nylon has a strong resilience in these applications. Some nylon chemistries are intrinsically more resistant to UV decay, and there is well-established chemistry on how to enhance UV stability in nylon polymers.
Permeability properties of nylon can also be important when using food-grade resins - in these hosing and tubing applications application, the resin that contacts foods need to be safe for human consumption afterwards; nylon has an established track record of success in these use cases. Combined with its resistance to high pressure, nylon tubing can often be used when it comes to drink dispensers and storage,, syrups, air lines, and even liquors.
When it comes to permeability heat and pressure are the two main considerations and Nylon is resilient to both. As such it’s little wonder that Nylon is an increasingly important material in the critical world of hoses and tubing. By working with Nycoa’s team of experts we can combine nylon’s toughness, heat resistance, flexibility, and pressure resistance with a host of additives which can alter these properties to your specific application.
About NYCOA
NYCOA (the Nylon Corporation of America) commercially manufactures many grades of specialty engineered nylon, including nylon 6, nylon copolymers, filled and super-tough grades, nylon 6,10 and 6,12, and unique long-chain polyamide family NXTamid , and our unique flexible PEBA Nylon Ny-Flex. All NYCOA products are made in the USA, manufactured in our ISO plant located in Manchester, NH. NYCOA is dedicated to plastics engineering, plastics innovation, and a consistent quality earned through operational excellence. NYCOA is dedicated to its customers, and produces specialty engineered polymers for industries and partners around the world, and has plastics compounding capabilities to produce a variety of reinforced grades.
Nylon manufactures for many industries and applications, including fasteners, hook and loop, extruded parts, injection molding, athletic accessories, military and transportation applications, foamed components, monofilament, powders, and wire and cable jacketing.
Interested in a sample of our specialty nylon grades, or more information about their chemical resistance and permeability properties? CONTACT US
Contact:
333 Sundial Ave.
Manchester, NH 03103-7230
Tel: 603.627.5150
Fax: 603.627.4499