PU tubing, Nylon tubing, and PTFE tubing are all used in pneumatic and industrial fluid systems, but they are not used in the same equipment or under the same conditions.

The quickest way to compare them is to look at how the tube is routed, what the equipment does, and what medium passes through the tube.

PU vs. Nylon vs. PTFE: Quick Comparison

In simple terms:

PU is commonly used when the tube needs to move.

Nylon is commonly used when the tube needs to maintain a stable route under pressure.

PTFE is commonly used when temperature, chemical compatibility, or purity becomes the main requirement.

1. PU Tubing: Pneumatic Cylinders and Moving Automation

PU air tube is widely used in pneumatic equipment where the tube needs to bend around components or move with the machine.

Pneumatic Cylinders

A pneumatic cylinder receives compressed air through a valve to move the piston.

The PU pneumatic Air Tube connects the solenoid valve to the cylinder ports.

Typical setup:

Air Preparation → Solenoid Valve → polyurethane air hose → Pneumatic Cylinder

The 1 4 id air hose is normally cut to length and connected with push-in fittings.

When the cylinder moves repeatedly, the tubing may also move or bend with the equipment. This is why flexible PU air tubing is commonly used in compact pneumatic systems.

Pneumatic Grippers

Pneumatic grippers are used on automated assembly machines and robotic end-of-arm tooling.

The 3 8 pneumatic tubing connects the directional valve to the gripper ports and supplies compressed air for opening and closing the jaws.

The 1 4 plastic air line is usually routed through the robot arm or around the moving tooling.

Robotic Arms

On a robotic arm, tubing may need to follow several moving joints.

For example:

Valve → pneumatic air tubing → Robot Joint → Pneumatic Gripper

The tube moves together with the robot during pick-and-place, assembly, or handling operations.

This is a typical dynamic routing application for flexible PU tubing. PU is commonly used where repeated bending and compact routing are required.

Packaging Machines

Packaging equipment often contains multiple pneumatic cylinders, cutters, clamps, and positioning mechanisms.

3 8 bulk air hose connects these pneumatic components to valves and air preparation units.

The poly pneumatic Air Tube can be routed around the machine frame and between moving actuators without taking up much installation space.

→See the difference between PUR and PU

2. Nylon Tubing: Automotive, CNC and Fixed Pneumatic Lines

Nylon tubing is commonly used where the tube remains fixed or semi-fixed and requires dimensional stability, pressure resistance, or resistance to oils and industrial fluids.

Automotive Air Brake Systems

Commercial trucks, buses, and trailers use compressed-air brake systems.

The Nylon tubing carries compressed air between the air supply, valves, and braking components.

The tube is normally routed along the vehicle chassis and secured with clips or clamps.

Unlike a robot tube that constantly follows moving joints, the brake tube follows a controlled and relatively fixed route.

CNC Machine Tools

CNC equipment contains pneumatic circuits for functions such as:

• Tool changing
• Workpiece clamping
• Air blow-off
• Pneumatic actuators
• Control valves

PA tubing can be routed between the machine’s air preparation unit, valves, cylinders, and other pneumatic components.

The pneumatic Air Tube is generally fixed to the machine structure rather than continuously flexing.

Automated Assembly Equipment

Automation machines often have a main compressed-air supply and multiple branch lines.

A typical arrangement is:

Main Air Line → Manifold → Valve → Nylon pneumatic tubing → Pneumatic Actuator

Nylon can be used for fixed sections of the pneumatic circuit, while flexible PU tubing can be used closer to moving actuators.

This combination is also common when one machine contains both fixed and moving tubing routes.

Packaging Equipment

Packaging machines use pneumatic cylinders for clamping, cutting, pushing, positioning, and sealing.

polyamide tubing can be installed along the fixed machine frame to connect the main air supply and pneumatic control components.

For short moving sections, the system may transition from Nylon to PU tubing.

3. PTFE Tubing: Specific Equipment for Heat, Chemicals and High Purity

PTFE is used in applications where standard PU or Nylon tubing may not provide the required chemical or temperature resistance.

Instead of simply describing the application as “semiconductor,” it is more useful to identify the actual equipment.

Wafer Cleaning Equipment

In semiconductor manufacturing, wafer cleaning equipment uses chemical liquids and high-purity process fluids.

PTFE tubing can connect chemical pumps, valves, filters, and process points.

A typical route is:

Chemical Supply → Pump → PTFE Tube → Valve → Cleaning Equipment

The tube carries the process medium without introducing a metal tube into the chemical path.

Wet Etching Equipment

Wet etching equipment uses chemical solutions to remove selected material from wafer surfaces.

PTFE tubing can be used between chemical storage, pumps, valves, and the process chamber.

The important requirement here is not simply “semiconductor use.” It is the tubing’s compatibility with the specific chemical and operating conditions.

Chemical Dosing Equipment

Chemical dosing systems use pumps to deliver a controlled amount of liquid to a process point.

The PTFE tube connects the dosing pump to the valve, reactor, or dosing point.

Typical equipment includes:

• Chemical dosing pumps
• Chemical reactors
• Filtration equipment
• Chemical circulation systems
• Laboratory dosing equipment

PTFE flexible tubing is widely used in chemical and laboratory applications because of its chemical resistance.

Laboratory Analytical Equipment

Laboratory equipment may require small-diameter Teflon hose to connect pumps, valves, analytical instruments, and chemical containers.

Typical applications include:

• Chromatography systems
• Laboratory pumps
• Chemical analyzers
• Sampling systems
• Gas delivery systems

The tubing can be selected according to the medium, temperature, pressure, and required cleanliness.

High-Temperature Air and Gas Systems

high temperature PTFE tubing can also be used for air and gas connections where operating temperatures exceed the range of standard pneumatic Air Tube.

Typical equipment includes:

• High-temperature process equipment
• Gas delivery systems
• Industrial heating equipment
• High-temperature pneumatic connections
• Laboratory heating systems

How to Choose the Tubing for Your Equipment

1. Check the equipment

Start with the actual machine:

Pneumatic cylinder? → Check PU or Nylon.

Robotic arm? → Check flexible PU or suitable reinforced tubing.

Automotive brake system? → Check PA tubing.

Chemical dosing equipment? → Check PTFE or another compatible fluoropolymer.

Wafer cleaning equipment? → Check PTFE/PFA according to the chemical and purity requirements.

2. Check the medium

The tube must be compatible with what is passing through it.

Common media include:

• Compressed air
• Water
• Oil
• Chemical liquids
• Inert gases
• Process gases

3. Check movement

If the tube moves continuously with a robot, gripper or automated mechanism, bending performance becomes important.

If the tube remains fixed, pressure, temperature and media compatibility may have greater influence on the selection.

4. Check the connection

Tube outside diameter must match the fitting.

For common pneumatic systems, PU tubing and Nylon tubing can be connected with push-in fittings and other pneumatic fittings. LANGCHI also supplies fittings compatible with PA and PU tubing.

5. Check temperature and pressure

The same material can have different working limits at different temperatures.

For example, LANGCHI’s standard PUR tube is specified for air from -40°C to +70°C and water from 0°C to +40°C, while its PTFE products are used for much higher-temperature applications.

LANGCHI PU, PA and PTFE Tubing

LANGCHI manufactures PU tubing, PA tubing, and PTFE tubing for pneumatic, automation, automotive, chemical, laboratory and other industrial applications.

The tubing can be customized according to:

• Outside diameter
• Inside diameter
• Material
• Color
• Wall thickness
• Hardness
• Length
• Packaging
• Application requirements

pneumatic automation, LANGCHI supplies polyether PU tubing for cylinders, grippers, robots, packaging equipment and other moving air lines.

For automotive and industrial systems, PA12 tubing is available for air, water, oil and other specified media. For chemical and high-temperature applications, PTFE and other fluoropolymer tubing are available according to the operating conditions.

FAQ

Is PU or Nylon better for pneumatic cylinders?

Both can be used. The choice depends on pressure, temperature, movement and fitting requirements. PU is commonly used where flexibility and repeated bending are important, while Nylon provides higher dimensional stability.

Can PU tubing be used for compressed air?

Yes. PU pneumatic Air Tube is widely used for compressed-air connections between valves, cylinders, grippers and other pneumatic components.

Where is Nylon tubing commonly used?

Nylon Air tubing is commonly used in automotive air brake systems, pneumatic equipment, CNC machines, packaging equipment and other industrial air or fluid systems.

When is PTFE tubing used?

Teflon PTFE tubing is used when the system requires chemical resistance, high-temperature resistance or clean fluid and gas handling. Common equipment includes chemical dosing systems, wafer cleaning equipment, wet etching equipment, CVD equipment and laboratory systems.

Can one tubing material replace another?

Not always. The tube must be selected according to the actual medium, temperature, pressure, movement, fitting and equipment requirements.