Raw materials

POLYAMIDE 12 - PA 12

Produced since more than 30 years from Oil source (Laurynlactam), PA12 is a techno-polymer used in high requirement applications because of its outstanding properties:

• Very good dimensional stability/li>
• High mechanical properties, especially resistant to high pressure
• Outstanding weathering resistance
• Very good abrasion resistance
• Excellent chemical resistance
• Wide range of working temperature (from -60°C to +130°C)
• High flexibility
• Excellent hydrolysis resistance

PA 12 is widely used in the air-braking systems for trucks and trailers, automotive fuel lines, fluid and gas (included compressed air) handlings where chemical resistance and strength are required. PA 12 is used in C.BEST tubes.

RILSAN® Polyamide 11 - PA 11

Produced from a renewable source (castor oil), Rilsan® PA11 is used in a large number of applications thanks to its outstanding properties:

• Excellent resistance to chemicals in particular to hydrocarbons and zinc chloride
• Wide range of working temperature (from -60°C to +130°C)
• Excellent dimensional stability
• Outstanding cold impact resistance
• Excellent ageing resistance
• Very good mechanical properties and especially at high pressure
• High flexibility
• Excellent abrasion resistance
• Excellent hydrolysis resistance

These properties of this unique material have been the reasons of its utilisation in harsh conditions such as in the Gas and Oil industry for offshore flow lines and gas pipes. Rilsan® PA11 is also used in top ski layer and ski boots applications where cold impact properties and light weight are required. Tubes made of Rilsan PA11 are printed C.BIO.

POLYURETHANE - PU

There are several types of thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) used for technical applications:

• Polyester based TPU
• Polyether based TPU

Properties (mechanical and chemical) are quite different from each other. Polyether based TPU show better hydrolysis resistance than Polyester TPU which allows Polyether based TPU to be used when in contact with fluid (in particular with water) is needed. Polyether TPU is also less sensible to microbiological attack. Apart this major difference, both TPU families show similar properties such as:

• Excellent abrasion resistance
• Extreme flexibility (low E. modulus) even at low temperature (-40°C)
• Good tear, cutting and perforation resistance
• Fair mechanical properties
• Excellent kinking behaviour leading to small bending radius.
• Very good transparency
• Resistant to oil and grease

TPU are used in a wide range of applications such as films, shoe soles, tubes…especially because of its abrasion resistance and extreme flexibility.
Tube made in TPU are marked C.FLEX. The transparent tubes in TPU are marked C.KOLOR.

POLYAMIDE 6 - PA6

Produced since more than 50 years from an oil source (Caprolactam), PA6 is a techno-polymer used for less stringent applications where a good compromise price / property is required. Main properties are:

• Good mechanical properties
• Mediocre dimensional stability (especially in humid environment compared to PA12)
• High pressure resistance
• Good ageing behaviour
• Good chemical resistance

PA 6 properties are suitable for hobby coils, packaging films, corrugated tubes with the best ratio performance/price.
Tubes made in PA6 are marked C.SIX.

POLYETHYLENE - PE

Produced from an oil source (ethylene), PE is a commodity polymer used for cost sensitive application with low level of stress such as plastic waste bags, waste water tubes, packaging films, low pressure tubes (< 5bars). The Polyethylene family can be divided in 2 branches:

• High density Polyethylene (HDPE)
• Low density Polyethylene (LDPE)

HDPE offers better mechanical properties than LDPE without renouncing to flexibility. Both products offer excellent water barrier properties when the temperature does not exceed +60 °C. Tubes made of PE are called C.ECO.

POLYVINYLIDENE FLUORIDE - PVDF

PVDF is a special plastic material in the fluoropolymer family. It is used generally in applications requiring the highest purity, strength, and resistance to solvents, acids, bases and heat and low smoke generation during a fire event.
It is commonly used in the chemical, semiconductor, medical and defense industries, as well as in lithium ion batteries.
PVDF shows outstanding properties:

• High purity
• Excellent microbiological resistance
• High flexibility and exceptional physical properties
• Suitable for food contact

Tubes made of PVDF are marked C.TECH.

POLITETRAFLUORILETILENE - PTFE (TEFLON®)

Created in 1938, PTFE is well known under the name TEFLON® from Dupont. Because water and water-containing substances like most foods do not wet PTFE, adhesion to PTFE surfaces is inhibited. Due to this property PTFE is used as a non-stick coating for pans and other cookware.
It is very non-reactive, and so is often used in containers and tubes for reactive and corrosive chemicals. Where used as a lubricant, PTFE reduces friction, wear and energy consumption of machinery.
Main properties of PTFE are:

• High temperature resistance (+250°C)
• Low friction coefficient
• Suitable for food contact
• Excellent chemical and hydrolysis resistance

Tubes made of PTFE are called C.CHEM.