Micro-Tek manufactures custom-extruded PTFE tubing and liner products for various medical and industrial applications. Understanding which applications rely on PTFE extruded tubing and the benefits PTFE products can deliver will help you determine if extruded PTFE tubing and liners from Micro-Tek are right for your application.

Medical Applications

The medical industry depends on extruded PTFE tubing’s non-stick properties that allow liquids and gasses to flow smoothly through the tubing and its biocompatibility to prevent adverse reactions in patients. It is ideal for medical instruments that come in contact with a patient’s skin or tissue, like catheters and IV tubes.

PTFE Liners for Catheters

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is a synthetic fluoropolymer that is used as a liner in catheters due to its unique properties. PTFE has a very low coefficient of friction and is a highly durable material with excellent tensile strength. Catheter liners made of PTFE can withstand the stresses of use in medical devices and resist breaking or tearing.

For more than 40 years Micro-Tek has been a major manufacturer of thin walled PTFE liners ranging from .012″ OD to .100″ OD with a minimal wall thickness of .0015”. Liners can be etched and cut to length based on customers’ specifications.

Advantages and applications include:

  • Biocompatibility. PTFE’s non-toxic composition ensures biocompatibility, minimizing the risk of any adverse reactions when the material comes into contact with the human body. Just as importantly, the material hinders the growth of bacteria, lessening the chance that patients will develop an infection. PTFE liners are beneficial for gastrointestinal catheters as they are suitable for feeding tasks.
  • Low friction. A PTFE liner will have a low friction coefficient, meaning that it will be easier for medical professionals to insert, causing less discomfort and harm in a patient. Its flexibility and lubricity help in this, as well. All of the catheter types included above benefit from the material’s low friction.
  • Durability. The high abrasion resistance that PTFE possesses lends the benefit of durability to lined catheters, even in repeated applications. Also, their stiff construction aids in a catheter’s insertion into the body.
  • Chemical resistance. The material’s resistance capabilities and its inertness in the presence of chemicals add to its durability and its application versatility. Cardiac and urological catheters, which assist in angiogram and urinary applications, respectively, use PTFE liners for their resistance to chemicals.

PTFE Tubing for Medical Devices

Like catheters, various other medical devices depend on PTFE tubing for the material’s beneficial properties. For example, given its low coefficient of friction and its flexibility, scopes like endoscopes and bronchoscopes are common applications for this tubing. Ventilators and respiration equipment also rely on PTFE tubing for its biocompatibility. Medical-grade PTFE tubing is ideal for infusion pumps and related drug delivery systems because of the polymer’s chemical resistance capabilities, as well. PTFE’s inertness makes it easy for medical professionals to use, clean, and disinfect, and the tubing also has the ability to withstand temperatures up to 500° F. These properties have earned PTFE approval from the FDA for safe medical use in manufacturing healthcare devices and caring for patients.

Industrial Applications

Extruded PTFE tubing is preferred in many industrial applications due to its exceptional properties, such as its non-stick surface, ability to withstand high temperatures, and exceptional chemical resistance. The aerospace industry relies on extruded PTFE tubing to protect cables and wires from extreme conditions aircraft face during flight. It resists exposure to chemicals, is electrically insulating, and withstands high operating temperatures to ensure optimal operation of mission-critical aircraft systems and components. PTFE tubing is used in the chemical processing industry for transporting gases and corrosive liquids with minimal risk of contamination and leakage. It can withstand nearly any industrial chemical and has a slick surface for efficient transportation of materials.

Extruded PTFE Tubing Features and Benefits

Extruded PTFE tubing offers several benefits for a range of applications. It provides the following benefits:

  • Chemical resistance: It is the preferred choice for storing and transporting chemicals due to its total resistance to almost every chemical.
  • Temperature resistance: Its high-temperature resistance makes it ideal for tolerating extreme temperatures in chemical processing and aerospace applications.
  • Low coefficient of friction: PTFE has a remarkably low coefficient of friction, providing its non-stick properties and allowing materials to travel through the tubing without resistance while also making its surface easy to clean and sanitize.
  • Food grade: PTFE is ideal for food and beverage processing due to its plasticizer and contaminant-free composition. The FDA approves PTFE for food contact applications.

PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES

For more than 40 years Micro-Tek has been a major manufacturer of thin walled PTFE liners ranging from .012″ OD to .100″ OD with a minimal wall thickness of .0015”.

Tubing is available in solid colors and with ID and/or OD etched for bondability; can be cut to length if required.

MONO-FILAMENTS

Micro-Tek also manufactures very fine PTFE mono-filaments .010″ OD and larger; available on spooled or cut-to-length.