PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) tubing—commonly referred to as Teflon® tubing—is the most widely used and most economical polymeric tubing for low‑pressure chromatography and general laboratory applications. PTFE tubing is commonly installed before the injector, after the detector, at mobile‑phase inlets, and on “to‑waste” lines in HPLC systems, as well as in low‑pressure LC and auxiliary laboratory workflows where chemical inertness is required.
All MicroSolv™ PTFE tubing is manufactured from virgin PTFE resin and is chemically inert, making it suitable for routine solvent handling and low‑pressure fluid transfer.
Why Choose PTFE Tubing
PTFE tubing is selected for its broad chemical resistance, temperature stability, and cost effectiveness in non‑pressurized fluid paths.
Key characteristics include:
Extruded from virgin PTFE fluoropolymer resin
Excellent chemical inertness for a wide range of solvents
Low coefficient of friction
Negligible moisture absorption
Stable electrical and physical properties across wide temperature ranges
Most economical option among polymeric tubing materials
PTFE tubing is widely used across analytical, research, and general laboratory environments.
Micro‑Porosity & Solvent Considerations
Important consideration: All PTFE tubing has a coherent, low‑density fibrous structure that contains micro‑pores within the tubing wall. These micro‑pores allow rapid gas exchange with the surrounding environment.
This characteristic is especially important when:
Using degassed solvents
Handling oxygen‑sensitive mobile phases
Maintaining strict solvent composition is critical
For applications where gas permeation is undesirable, alternative materials such as PFA or FEP tubing may be more appropriate.
Temperature & Pressure Characteristics
PTFE tubing is intended for low‑pressure applications and offers a very wide usable temperature range:
Maximum temperature: 260 °C (500 °F)
Minimum temperature: –240 °C (–400 °F)
Operating PTFE within recommended pressure limits ensures long‑term performance in solvent handling lines.
Dimensional Tolerances
PTFE tubing is manufactured to tolerances appropriate for low‑pressure chromatography applications:
1/16″ OD tubing: ± 0.10 mm
1/8″ OD tubing: ± 0.20 mm
These tolerances reflect the material structure of PTFE and are suitable for auxiliary fluid paths and solvent transfer.
Purity & Regulatory Considerations
All MICROSOLV™ PTFE tubing:
Is extruded from virgin PTFE
Contains no plasticizers or performance‑altering additives
Meets FDA food‑contact compliance per 21 CFR 177.1550
Complies with EU Regulation No. 10/2011, where applicable
Color is used only for external identification and does not affect the internal fluid path.
Typical Applications
PTFE tubing is commonly used for:
HPLC mobile‑phase inlet lines
Post‑detector waste lines
Low‑pressure solvent transfer
General laboratory fluid handling
Auxiliary, non‑pressurized connections
Specifications
👉 View polymeric tubing specifications and available sizes
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