Controlled hollow profiles for wire and cable protection, sensor sleeves, fiber-optic loose tubing and localized protection inside motors, aerospace equipment, energy systems and industrial machinery
| Parameter | What to specify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Outside diameter | Nominal OD, tolerance and method | Fit in connectors, housings, clips and routing channels |
| Inside diameter | Nominal ID, tolerance and clearance | Insertion force and wire, fiber or component clearance |
| Wall thickness | Nominal or minimum wall; priority | Stiffness, insulation, abrasion margin and heat transfer |
| Ovality/concentricity | Functional limit or drawing callout | Even wall and reliable passage through interfaces |
| Length format | Cut pieces, straight or continuous length | Handling, straightness, assembly and shipping |
| Grade/color | Grade, source, natural or identification color | Mechanical, electrical and documentation requirements |
| Surface/cleanliness | Internal surface, cleaning and packaging | Optical, sensing and contamination-sensitive assemblies |
Drawing tip: OD, ID and wall are related in a hollow extrusion. Identify the functional priority instead of independently applying the tightest tolerance to all three.
Protect conductors, thermocouple leads and sensor wires from abrasion, hot surfaces, oils and chemicals
Compact localized sleeves where voltage, creepage, thermal class and assembly damage are evaluated.
Loose tubing with controlled ID, internal surface, bend radius and thermal movement.
Low-mass protective sleeves exposed to vibration, fuels, oils, pressure and temperature cycles.
Controlled tubing for wiring, sensing elements and small flow paths in process equipment.
| Issue | What to check |
|---|---|
| Stiffness and bend radius | Routing space, minimum bend radius and installation force versus softer fluoropolymer tubing. |
| Thermal expansion | Movement, connector restraint and clearance across the complete cycle. |
| Abrasion/cut-through | Contact pressure, vibration, edge geometry and temperature. |
| Electrical insulation | Voltage, frequency, wall, electrode geometry, creepage and safety factor. |
| Pressure/vacuum | Size-specific analysis; fittings and end connections may be limiting. |
Extruded PEEK tubing quality is controlled by linking each functional drawing requirement to a production and inspection method. Depending on geometry, the review may cover material identity, OD, ID, wall distribution, ovality, concentricity, straightness, cut length, surface and packaging.
Extruded PEEK Tubing FAQ
Can it be supplied in long continuous lengths?
Sometimes. Continuous-length feasibility depends on OD, ID, wall thickness, stiffness, dimensional stability, surface requirement, allowable coil set and packaging diameter. Small, relatively thin-wall tubing is generally more compatible with spooling than large or thick-wall tubing, which may need straight lengths or cut pieces. The buyer should specify the minimum usable continuous length and whether coil memory is acceptable. WELLELE must confirm the actual format after an extrusion trial; “continuous” should not imply an unlimited, joint-free length
Can it protect optical fiber?
PEEK tubing can be evaluated as a loose or protective tube around optical fibers because PEEK combines stiffness, wear resistance, chemical resistance and performance across a broad temperature range. Victrex identifies high strength, dimensional stability, wear resistance and low moisture absorption as core PEEK properties. The tube still requires application testing: ID clearance, internal surface, insertion method, thermal expansion, bend radius and external compression can all affect attenuation or microbending. Validate the actual fiber and target tubing together rather than approving the design from polymer data alone
Is it a direct replacement for PTFE tubing?
No. PEEK and PTFE can both resist many chemicals, but they behave differently in stiffness, friction, deformation, temperature response and fitting interaction. Victrex describes PEEK as having high strength, stiffness, creep resistance and dimensional stability; this is why a PEEK tube may route with more force and transmit more stress than a soft fluoropolymer tube. A substitution review should compare ID clearance, bend radius, insertion force, vibration, chemicals, temperature, pressure or electrical duty and the connection design. Test the assembled component before changing materials
Can it be used as electrical insulation?
Unfilled PEEK is an electrically insulating polymer, and Victrex reports that its electrical properties are maintained over a wide frequency and temperature range. That does not create a universal voltage rating for tubing. Dielectric performance of the finished sleeve depends on grade, wall thickness, temperature, humidity, frequency, electrode geometry, creepage distance, partial discharge, defects and aging. Define the real voltage and test method, then validate the quoted tube at the minimum acceptable wall rather than relying only on a resin datasheet value
Can I order prototypes or cut samples?
Prototype and cut-sample feasibility can be reviewed before a production order. State the required length, quantity and acceptance tests. Fit samples may be sufficient for connector clearance and routing, but electrical, thermal, pressure, chemical or optical-fiber testing may require production-representative material, surface and dimensional controls. Mark sample dimensions and lot identity so the approved configuration can be transferred to the production drawing