PEEK’s properties provide resistance to abrasive and fatigue wear, while also providing high strength and excellent resistance to high temperatures. The mechanical properties and flexural modulus of PEEK are among the highest of all plastic resins. Darwin Microfluidics offers a selection of tubing and connectors with low internal volume, which can be found in our Tubing and Fittings & Connectors sections.PEEK (polyetheretherketone) is a high-performance engineering plastic with outstanding resistance to harsh chemicals.

Its operating temperature ranges from -200☌ to 150☌.Īs explained in details here ( Internal volume, swept volume, dead volume in microfluidics), it is important to choose connectors that reduce the internal volume as much as possible. Also, this material offers greater durability and is less permeable to gases than other types of tubing. It has a stiffer structure than PTFE, FEP and PFA, which makes the tube more resistant to collapse.

ETFE (Ethylene TetraFluoroEthylene)ĮTFE is chemically inert and offers very good resistance to solvents. PFA has a lower melting temperature than PTFE, is UV resistant, and has a very low water absorption rate (< 0.01%). It combines the properties of FEP and PTFE, with working temperatures to -200☌ to 260☌. PFA tubing is the right choice when high optical clarity, flexibility and high continuous working temperatures are required. PEEK materials are a good alternative to stainless steel tubing for fluid requirements, and can operate at high temperatures. It is inert to most solvents and has a smooth internal surface that increases the swept volume.ĭue to a swelling effect, use caution when using methylene chloride, THF, and DMSO. PEEK tubing has one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of all thermoplastics and can be used in numerous low and high pressure applications. PEEK is often considered as one of the most performant polymers, and is commonly used in microfluidics for its reliability and resistance to pressure. It combines high mechanical and chemical resistance properties, together with a working temperature range from -40☌ to 250☌. FEP tubing also has better gas and vapor permeability properties and excellent UV transmission ratings.įEP tubing can operate between -190☌ and 205☌, has a slightly higher coefficient of friction, and is more transparent than PTFE. In addition, thanks to its excellent clarity, it is ideal for sight glass/flow monitoring applications. Like PTFE, this flexible material is mainly used for low-pressure microfluidic applications. FEP is the preferred material in production of small diameter tubing of continuous lengths. This attractive alternative to PTFE tubes has many similar properties such as biocompatibility and remarkable inertness to most chemicals. PTFE can operate from -190☌ to 260☌, and has a very low water absorption rate (< 0.01%).

When used in microfluidics, its rigidity can stabilize the flow rate and increase the reactivity of your microfluidic system. In fact, it has many advantages, including unrivaled chemical resistance, a surface that facilitates flow, non-toxicity and chemical inert properties. Compared to similar fluoropolymers, PTFE offers the best price/performance ratio. PTFE tubing has the best performances in terms of chemical and thermal resistance and non-stick properties. Let's first take a look at some of the dimensions and main abbreviations, which will be useful to define your needs.įluoropolymer tubing for microfluidics PTFE (PolyTetraFluoroEthylene, often described as Teflon®) Given the large number of materials used, it is easy to get lost. In this guide, we compare the different types of fluoropolymers available on the market and their physico-chemical properties. As it is in contact with the fluids, the choice of tubing is mainly determined by the chemical compatibility with the fluids you use, but also by other parameters (pressure in the system, compatibility with the elements in your setup, etc.). Tubing is an essential element in the design of your microfluidic platform, being the link between the different components of this platform.

Tubing material peek