Medical Tubing TPU | Kink-Resistant, Transparent, Sterilization-Grade
Medical Tubing TPU
TPU material selection for medical tubing applications (infusion tubing, connector tubing, and functional medical lines),
where the core requirement is stable mass production with consistent wall thickness, clear appearance stability, and repeatable extrusion behavior.
This page focuses on production-driven shortlist logic and common risks that typically cause long-run instability.
In medical tubing projects, the biggest hidden cost is usually not the first trial—it’s run-to-run drift:
wall thickness variation, clarity changes, and process instability over long runs. A good tubing TPU must balance
flexibility, appearance, low odor direction, and a stable processing window for continuous production.
wall thickness variation, clarity changes, and process instability over long runs. A good tubing TPU must balance
flexibility, appearance, low odor direction, and a stable processing window for continuous production.
Extrusion Stability
Wall Thickness Consistency
Transparency / Appearance
Flex & Kink Resistance
Low Odor Direction
Low Migration Direction
Wall Thickness Consistency
Transparency / Appearance
Flex & Kink Resistance
Low Odor Direction
Low Migration Direction
Typical Applications
- Infusion and fluid transfer tubing – projects prioritizing stable clarity, consistent wall thickness, and flexible handling.
- Connector and extension tubing – small-to-medium diameter tubes where dimensional control and stable surface quality matter.
- Functional medical tubing (project-dependent) – applications requiring balanced flexibility, durability, and long-run consistency under specific processing and validation constraints.
Quick Grade Selection (Shortlist)
Choose “Clear & Stable” when
- Clarity and appearance stability are strict
- Long runs require low haze and consistent visual quality
- You want stable extrusion behavior with controlled heat history
Choose “Production-Window” when
- Wall consistency and output stability dominate selection
- Scale-up needs a wider, more repeatable processing window
- You want stable behavior across shifts and line changes
Note: Final selection depends on tubing ID/OD, wall thickness range, target flexibility/feel, line configuration, and your verification plan (project-dependent).
Common Failure Modes (Cause → Fix)
Most tubing issues are system-level (material + process + line stability), not a single property gap. Use the table below as a quick diagnostic:
| Failure Mode | Most Common Cause | Recommended Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Wall thickness variation over long runs | Output drift, narrow processing window, unstable vacuum/cooling | Choose a wider-window grade family; stabilize line speed/vacuum; standardize start-up and long-run controls |
| Clarity drops / haze increases | Moisture, overheating, contamination, inconsistent melt history | Dry thoroughly; tighten temperature profile; improve filtration and cleanliness; reduce heat/shear spikes |
| Surface defects (die lines / rough feel) | Die condition, melt instability, cooling imbalance | Die maintenance and polishing; stabilize melt; tune cooling and puller coordination |
| Kinking / poor flex handling | Geometry not matched to softness; stiffness too high for routing radius | Rebalance hardness and modulus direction; confirm wall thickness and bend requirement; validate on assemblies |
A reliable medical tubing TPU system is the one that delivers stable wall consistency + stable appearance while remaining
repeatable in continuous production—not only a resin that looks good in a short trial.
repeatable in continuous production—not only a resin that looks good in a short trial.
Typical Grades & Positioning
| Grade Family | Hardness | Design Focus | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| TPU-MED TUBE Clear & Stable | 75A–95A | Clarity and appearance stability direction with controlled processing sensitivity | Infusion and transfer tubing where visual consistency is strict |
| TPU-MED TUBE Production-Window | 85A–55D | Wider extrusion window and dimensional stability direction for long runs | High-volume tubing requiring stable output and wall thickness control |
Note: Positioning is application-focused. Final selection depends on tube geometry, line setup, cleanliness discipline, and verification plan (project-dependent).
Key Design Advantages
- Stable extrusion and wall consistency focus for continuous production and scale-up.
- Transparency and appearance stability direction to reduce haze drift across lots and runs.
- Flexible handling and fold resistance for practical routing and use conditions.
- Low odor and low migration direction supported by formulation and processing discipline (project-dependent).
Processing & Recommendations (3-Step)
1) Dry
Moisture strongly impacts clarity and wall consistency. Dry compounds thoroughly and keep feeding sealed to reduce drift.
2) Stabilize Heat & Shear
Avoid overheating and shear spikes. A stable melt history reduces haze drift and helps maintain a wider processing window.
3) Control Long-Run Geometry
Wall consistency depends on coordinated line control: puller speed, vacuum, cooling and die stability. Validate over long runs, not only short trials.
- Cleanliness discipline: Filtration, equipment cleanliness and material handling affect clarity and surface quality.
- Stability over time: Run trials long enough to confirm drift tendency in wall thickness and appearance.
- Verification focus: Validate tubing performance on your finished geometry and assembly conditions (project-dependent).
Is this page for you?
You will benefit most if:
- Your tubing wall thickness varies during production
- Your clarity and appearance drift across lots or long runs
- Your extrusion window feels narrow and sensitive to small changes
- You need a shortlist aligned to stable mass production and consistent quality
Request Samples / TDS
If you are developing medical tubing and want to reduce trial and scale-up risk,
contact us for a recommended grade shortlist and technical data sheets based on your tube geometry,
process route and key constraints.
To get a fast recommendation, send:
- Tubing type (infusion/connector/functional), contact scenario (project-dependent)
- ID/OD, wall thickness range, and target clarity / appearance goals
- Line conditions (output rate, cooling/vacuum notes, current instability symptoms)
- Key validation focus (appearance stability, long-run drift, flex handling, project-dependent)
