Polyethylene tubing is widely used in medical device manufacturing due to its balance of flexibility, chemical resistance, and processability. Polyethylene (PE) is a versatile thermoplastic that can be precisely extruded into thin-wall tubing and complex profiles used across a wide range of medical applications.
Common grades include LDPE (low-density polyethylene), HDPE (high-density polyethylene), and UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene). Each offers unique mechanical and performance characteristics that allow engineers to tailor tubing designs to specific device requirements.
Because polyethylene processes efficiently during extrusion and provides consistent dimensional stability, it is frequently used for high-volume medical device manufacturing and precision tubing applications.
Excellent Flexibility
LDPE grades provide soft, flexible tubing that performs well in fluid transfer systems and catheter-based devices.
Strong Chemical Resistance
Polyethylene resists many acids, solvents, and medical fluids, supporting long-term performance in clinical environments.
Low Friction Surface
Smooth interior and exterior surfaces can help reduce drag during device insertion or fluid movement.
Lightweight & Durable
Polyethylene offers a strong strength-to-weight ratio, making it suitable for disposable and single-use medical devices.
Efficient Processing
Polyethylene extrudes reliably and consistently, making it a practical material for both prototyping and high-volume production.
| Property | LDPE | HDPE |
| Density | 0.91–0.94 g/cm³ | 0.94–0.97 g/cm³ |
| Tensile Strength | ~8–12 MPa | ~20–37 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 100–650% | 100–1000% |
| Melting Temperature | ~105–115°C | ~120–130°C |
Exact performance characteristics vary depending on the specific resin grade, extrusion conditions, and tubing geometry.
Polyethylene tubing is often selected when device designers need a material that balances flexibility, chemical resistance, and manufacturability.
Compared to other thermoplastics used in medical tubing:
Polyethylene vs. PVC
Polyethylene offers strong chemical resistance and does not require plasticizers.
Polyethylene vs. Polyurethane
Polyethylene is typically more cost-effective and easier to process for high-volume manufacturing.
Polyethylene vs. Nylon
Polyethylene provides greater flexibility, while nylon offers greater stiffness and higher mechanical strength.
Material selection ultimately depends on the performance requirements, mechanical stresses, and regulatory considerations of the device being developed.
Polyethylene tubing is used in a wide range of medical device and healthcare applications, including:
Because polyethylene can be extruded into thin-wall tubing with tight tolerances, it is frequently used in applications where precision, consistency, and repeatability are critical.
Successful polyethylene tubing extrusion requires careful control over process variables such as melt temperature, drawdown ratio, and cooling conditions. These factors influence important tubing characteristics including wall uniformity, flexibility, and dimensional stability.
Medical device manufacturers often collaborate with extrusion partners early in the development process to evaluate:
Early engineering collaboration can help improve manufacturability and reduce development timelines.
Medical Extrusion Technologies manufactures custom polyethylene tubing for medical device OEMs with capabilities that include:
Our extrusion processes are designed to maintain consistent lumen geometry and dimensional accuracy, supporting the performance requirements of catheter-based systems and other precision medical devices.
Medical Extrusion Technologies Inc.® specializes in precision thermoplastic extrusion for medical device applications, supporting OEMs with custom tubing solutions manufactured to exact specifications.
Our engineering team works closely with device manufacturers to optimize tubing designs, ensure consistent production performance, and support the demanding quality requirements of the medical device industry.
Choose Medical Extrusion Technologies to be your quality extrusion partner.
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