PVC vs.

Polyurethane:
A Tubing Comparison
by John Stover
Director, Product Management & Product Regulatory Compliance
NewAge Industries, Inc.

Introduction
PVC and polyurethane are thermoplastic materials that can be formed
into a variety of shapes, including tubing and reinforced hose. Both
materials are useful in numerous applications. But depending on
factors such as temperature, chemicals and outdoor use, one product
may perform better than the other in a particular application.
This document will examine each materials benefits, drawbacks
and common uses as they pertain to products available from
NewAge Industries, Inc.

PVC
Although no plastic tubing product can universally handle
all applications, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) products cover
one of the widest ranges of applications serviced by
any one type of plastic material.
Flexible PVC tubing offers a broad range of
chemical and corrosion resistance, excellent
abrasion and wear resistance, rubber-like flexibility, visual contact with the flow (with clear
styles), and outstanding flow characteristics.
These features, along with various construction
options like wire, spiral or braid reinforcement or
unreinforced tubing, and the different formulations
available (industrial, fuel and oil grade, 3-A, FDA,
NSF, USP Class VI), make PVC attractive for a wide
variety of uses.
Examples include chemical processing, water transfer, waste product
lines, viscous fluid handling, wet or dry food handling, beverage
transfer, dairy processing, granular material conveyance, air and gas
supply, vacuum lines, pump discharge, spray systems, small engine
fuel lines, protective jacketing, potable water and irrigation systems.
Some of PVCs disadvantages are that it may harden and become less
pliable when certain fluids concentrated acids and alkalis, for
example are transferred through it. Standard PVC tubing does not

PVC vs. Polyurethane: A Tubing Comparison

react well with fuels and oils; the tubing will harden and crack. Special
PVC formulations are available for fuel and oil applications, such as
those involving small engines for power landscaping equipment.
Industries that use PVC tubing:
industrial
medical
chemical

food, beverage and dairy

cleaning apparatus
pool and spa

appliance
laboratory
energy

Polyurethane
Polyurethane, often abbreviated as PU, PUR or TPU, combines the best
properties of plastic and rubber. It offers high elongation values
(stretchability) like rubber and abrasion resistance thats superior to
PVC. Polyurethane is naturally flexible and does not use additives to
retain its flexural properties.
Combining good chemical resistance with
excellent weathering characteristics sets
polyurethane apart from other thermoplastics. It has exceptional resistance
to most gasolines, oils, kerosene,
and other petroleum-based chemicals, making it an ideal choice for
fuel lines (although additives in
todays gasoline and petroleum
products warrant field testing).
Polyurethane is generally more
resistant to pressure and vacuum
applications than corresponding
sizes of PVC or rubber. It is also more
cut resistant than most other thermoplastics.

PVC vs. Polyurethane: A Tubing Comparison

The two basic formulations of urethane, ester and ether, have some
important differences. Water attacks ester-based urethane, causing a
significant reduction in physical properties. Ether urethanes exhibit far
superior hydrolytic stability, especially in humid environments. Etherbased materials also resist fungus growth better than ester-based
materials.
Generally, polyurethane is tackier than PVC. It may stick to itself,
which especially in the case of tubing can result in tangles.
Additives can be mixed with the polyurethane resin at manufacture to
reduce tackiness. Material combinations such as PVC/polyurethane
blends can also change the surface characteristics, but PVC by itself
has a naturally slipperier surface than 100% polyurethane.
Typical polyurethane tubing applications include pneumatic control
systems, petroleum product transfer, cable jacketing, air lines, powder
and granular material transfer, fluid lines, sleeving, low pressure
hydraulics and robotics.
Industries that use polyurethane tubing:
agriculture
chemical
appliance

undersea oil exploration

nuclear power
mining

industrial
petroleum
automotive

Similarities & Differences

Characteristics that PVC and polyurethane have in common:
Kink resistance
The ability to be colored either solidly or with tints so that the
tubing or reinforced hose remains transparent

PVC vs. Polyurethane: A Tubing Comparison

 Flexibility
Customization such as heat
formed shapes, thermal bonding,
overbraiding for increased
pressure and/or heat resistance,
manufacture in harder or softer
durometers, non-stock sizes
Specified cut-to-length pieces
Important ways in which the two
materials differ:
Low temperature use PVC can be
used at temperatures approaching 50F/
-45C, while polyurethane can handle those
near 95F/-70C
The transfer of odors or taste to products flowing within
PVC is generally regarded as odorless and tasteless;
polyurethane is not
Weather resistant properties PVC may harden and discolor
when exposed to certain conditions; polyurethane handles
outdoor applications well
PVC generally costs less than polyurethane
The following charts compare the
physical properties of several
styles of PVC and polyurethane
tubing. Note: This information
pertains to properties and
characteristics of PVC and
polyurethane products available from NewAge Industries,
Inc. The values listed are
typical for the materials
used in manufacture and are
meant to be used as a guide.
Field testing should be
performed to find the actual
values for a specific application.

PVC vs. Polyurethane: A Tubing Comparison

Polyurethane

PVC

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5

Comparison Chart 1: Physical Properties

Clearflo
Tubing

68

1900

400

-41

175

14 - 70

56 - 280

Clearflo
Fuel & Oil
Tubing

62

1980

730

-20

175

40 - 68

120 - 204

Nylobrade
Hose

80

2500

320

-50

175

50 - 465

150 - 1395

Newflex
Hose, Standard
& Heavy Duty

65

1900

440

-45

150

35 - 105

105 - 315

Newflex
Hose, Light
Duty

70

2000

420

-42

140

n/a

n/a

Vardex
Hose

73

2100

270

23

150

70 - 200

210 - 600

Superthane
Ester Tubing

85

6000

550

-95

185

27 - 135

81 - 405

Superthane
Ether Tubing

85

5500

580

-90

175

22 - 135

66 - 405

Superthane
Pneumatic
Tubing

85

5500

580

-90

175

130 - 135

390 - 405

Urebrade
Hose

85

5500

580

-90

175

40 - 250

160 - 1000

*Dependent on tubing/hose size

PVC vs. Polyurethane: A Tubing Comparison

PVC

Ta
ste
he
les
rR
s
e
sis
Ma
ta
de
nt
in
US
A
We
at

or
les
s&
Od

lor
Co

Re
inf
or
ce
d
St
an
In dar
gr d
Tu edie s Me
bin nt t
g/ s o by
Ho r
se

te
ria
l

Clearflo
Tubing

Clear PVC

No

FDA,
NSF 51*,
3-A, Class VI

Clear

Yes

No

Yes

Clearflo
Fuel & Oil
Tubing

Transparent
Yellow PVC

No

n/a

Transparent
Yellow

No

No

Yes

Clear Braided
PVC

Yes

FDA,
NSF 51* &
61*, Class VI

Clear

Yes

No

Yes

Newflex
Hose, Standard
& Heavy Duty

Clear Spiral
PVC

Yes

FDA, 3-A

Clear

Yes

No

Yes

Newflex
Hose, Light
Duty

Clear PVC
with White
Spiral

Yes

FDA, 3-A

Clear with white

spirals

Yes

No

Yes

Clear PVC with

Steel Wire

Yes

FDA

Clear

Yes

No

No

Superthane
Ester Tubing

Clear Ester
Polyurethane

No

FDA

Transparent
Amber

No

Yes

Yes

Superthane
Ether Tubing

Clear Ether
Polyurethane

No

FDA,
NSF 61

Transparent
Amber

No

Yes

Yes

Superthane
Pneumatic
Tubing

Colored
Polyurethane

No

NSF 61

Transparent Red, Blue,

Yellow, Green & Clear;
Opaque Gray, Black,
White & Orange

No

Yes

Yes

Urebrade
Hose

Clear Ether
Braided
Polyurethane

Yes

FDA,
NSF 61

Transparent
Amber

No

Yes

Yes

Nylobrade
Hose

Vardex
Hose

Polyurethane

Ma

Pr
od

uc
t

Comparison Chart 2: Appearance, Standards & Performance

*The finished product is certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).

PVC vs. Polyurethane: A Tubing Comparison

Conclusions
The deciding factor in whether to choose PVC or polyurethane tubing
depends on the specifics of your application what will flow through
the tubing, what temperatures are involved, will it be used indoors or
out, what pressure capabilities are needed, are leachables a concern,
what hardness is required, will fluids drip onto the tubing, can it be
sterilized, can it be reused?
Communication with your tubing supplier is a tool you can use to help
determine what tubing material is the right one for your particular
needs. Ask questions and request samples for evaluation. Perform
field testing, and when the results are in, youll be able to make a
well-educated decision.
For more information on NewAge Industries PVC and polyurethane
tubing and hose, contact the company at 215-526-2300 or visit
http://www.newageindustries.com.

123c
Fluid Transfer Specialists

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145 James Way Southampton, Pennsylvania 18966 USA

888-506-3924 215-526-2300
www.newageindustries.com [email protected]
Clearflo, Newflex, Nylobrade, Superthane, Urebrade, Vardex, NewAge
and Fluid Transfer Specialists are registered trademarks of NewAge Industries, Inc.
Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved. 4/9/15
Reproduction of this document or any part thereof, in any form whatsoever, is prohibited without express written permission of NewAge Industries, Inc.

PVC vs. Polyurethane: A Tubing Comparison