Nylon tubing is widely used in medical device manufacturing due to its strength, durability, and excellent dimensional stability. Nylon, a family of synthetic polyamide polymers, provides a unique balance of mechanical strength, abrasion resistance, and flexibility that makes it well suited for demanding medical applications.
Common grades include Nylon 6, Nylon 6/6, and Nylon 12, each offering different mechanical and chemical performance characteristics. Nylon tubing is frequently selected when device designers require higher stiffness and strength than polyethylene or polypropylene, while still maintaining enough flexibility for complex medical device assemblies.
Because nylon extrudes with strong dimensional stability and maintains mechanical performance under stress, it is commonly used in precision medical tubing applications where structural integrity and performance are critical.
Nylon tubing provides greater tensile strength and stiffness compared to many other thermoplastics used in medical tubing.
Nylon resists wear and surface damage, making it suitable for applications involving friction or repeated movement.
While stronger than polyethylene or polypropylene, nylon tubing still offers flexibility for device assembly and operation.
Nylon maintains consistent geometry during extrusion and under mechanical stress, supporting tight-tolerance medical applications.
Nylon offers good resistance to many oils, fuels, and chemical agents encountered in medical and laboratory environments.
| Property | Nylon |
| Density | ~1.13–1.15 g/cm³ |
| Tensile Strength | ~70–90 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 50–300% |
| Melting Temperature | ~190–265°C (varies by grade) |
Exact performance characteristics vary depending on the specific nylon grade, extrusion parameters, and tubing geometry.
Nylon tubing is often selected when medical device designers require greater mechanical strength, durability, and structural integrity than other thermoplastics can provide.
Compared to other materials commonly used in medical tubing:
Nylon offers significantly higher strength and stiffness, while polyethylene provides greater flexibility.
Nylon provides stronger mechanical performance and abrasion resistance, while polypropylene is lighter and more chemically resistant.
Nylon generally offers greater stiffness and structural stability, while polyurethane is typically softer and more flexible.
Material selection ultimately depends on the device’s mechanical demands, environmental exposure, and design requirements.
Nylon tubing is used across a range of medical device and healthcare applications, including:
Because nylon can be extruded with tight dimensional tolerances and excellent structural performance, it is often used in applications where mechanical strength and reliability are essential.
Extruding nylon tubing requires careful management of moisture levels, melt temperature, and cooling conditions to ensure consistent mechanical properties and dimensional stability.
Medical device manufacturers often collaborate with extrusion partners early in the design process to evaluate:
Early engineering collaboration can help optimize tubing performance and reduce production challenges during scale-up.
Medical Extrusion Technologies manufactures custom nylon tubing for medical device OEMs with capabilities that include:
Our extrusion processes are designed to maintain precise lumen geometry and dimensional consistency, supporting the demanding performance requirements of modern 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 reliable production performance, and support the strict quality standards of the medical device industry.
Choose Medical Extrusion Technologies to be your quality extrusion partner.
Polyethylene Tubing
Polypropylene Tubing
Polyurethane Tubing
Pebax® Tubing
Copyright Medical Extrusion Technologies Inc.®
