/ Technical Guide / By Victory Technical Team (Zhuji Aoke Factory)
When engineering a pneumatic circuit or repairing a heavy-duty truck, the most common question we get at the factory is: “Which tube should I use: PA, PU, or PE?”
While they may look similar on the shelf, choosing the wrong material can lead to burst lines, system leaks, or DOT compliance failures. As a manufacturer with over 20 years in fluid transfer systems, Victory Technology has broken down the chemical and mechanical differences between Polyamide (PA), Polyurethane (PU), and Polyethylene (PE) to help you make the safe choice.
1. PA Tubing (Nylon) – The Heavy-Duty Standard
Best For: Air Brake Systems, Fuel Lines, High-Pressure Hydraulics.
Polyamide, commonly known as Nylon, is the “workhorse” of the industrial and automotive world.1 Among the various types (PA6, PA11), PA12 is the superior grade used in our factory for critical applications.
- Why it stands out: PA tubing is rigid, robust, and maintains its pressure rating even as temperatures rise. It has excellent resistance to oils, greases, and fuels.
- Industry Compliance: This is the only material on this list safe for primary air brake systems. Our PA12 tubing meets SAE J844 and DIN 74324 standards.2
🏭 Factory Pro Tip: Always check if the Nylon is “Plasticized” or “Rigid.” For air brakes, we use plasticized PA12 to ensure it doesn’t crack under chassis vibration.
👉 Shop Now: PA12 Nylon Air Brake Tubing
2. PU Tubing (Polyurethane) – The Flexible Automation Choice
Best For: Robotics, Pneumatic Tools, Pick-and-Place Machines.
If you need a hose that can bend, twist, and return to its original shape millions of times, Polyurethane (PU) is the answer. It combines the elasticity of rubber with the chemical resistance of plastic.
- Why it stands out: PU has excellent “memory” (it coils back up) and extreme kink resistance.3 It is softer than Nylon, making it perfect for push-in fittings in tight spaces.
- Limitations: PU is sensitive to hydrolysis (water damage) over time if not specially treated, and it has a lower working pressure than Nylon.
🏭 Factory Pro Tip: For humid environments, ask for “Ether-based” PU tubing. Standard “Ester-based” PU can degrade when exposed to moisture for long periods.4
👉 Shop Now: PU Pneumatic Tubing
3. PE Tubing (Polyethylene) – The Cost-Effective Chemical Solution
Best For: Water Filtration, Laboratory Fluids, Low-Pressure Air.
Polyethylene (PE) is widely used in the food and water industry.5 It is lightweight, tasteless, and highly resistant to aggressive chemicals like acids and alkalis that might eat through PU or PA.6
- Why it stands out: It is the most affordable option. It is FDA-compliant (usually) for food contact and resists environmental stress cracking.
- Limitations: It has the lowest pressure rating and temperature tolerance. Never use PE tubing for vehicle air brake systems—it cannot withstand the heat and pressure spikes.
👉 Shop Now: PE Polyethylene Tubing
📊 Quick Comparison: PA vs. PU vs. PE
| Feature | PA (Nylon) | PU (Polyurethane) | PE (Polyethylene) |
| Primary Strength | High Pressure & Heat | Extreme Flexibility | Chemical Resistance |
| Key Application | Truck Air Brakes | Robotics / Automation | Water / Lab |
| Flexibility | Medium (Rigid) | ⭐ Very High | Medium |
| Pressure Rating | ⭐ High (up to 30+ Bar) | Medium (10-12 Bar) | Low-Medium (8-10 Bar) |
| Temp Range | -40°C to +120°C | -20°C to +60°C | -40°C to +60°C |
| Cost | $$$(High) | $$ (Medium) | $ (Low) |
🛠️ Decision Guide: Which One Do You Need?
Scenario A: You are plumbing a Semi-Truck or Trailer.
- Verdict: Use PA12 (Nylon).
- Reason: You need high pressure resistance, DOT compliance, and protection against road salt and oil.
- Recommended: SAE J844 Air Brake Tubing
Scenario B: You are setting up an assembly line robot.
- Verdict: Use PU (Polyurethane).
- Reason: The hose needs to move rapidly without kinking. Nylon is too stiff, and PE will crack under constant flexing.
Scenario C: You are installing a water filter or spraying mild chemicals.
- Verdict: Use PE (Polyethylene).
- Reason: It is clean, chemically inert, and cost-effective.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use PU tubing for air brakes?
A: No. Standard PU tubing does not handle the high temperatures of an engine bay or the pressure spikes of a braking system. Always use SAE-certified PA12 Nylon for brakes.
Q: Is PA12 better than PA6?
A: Yes. PA12 absorbs less moisture than PA6.7 Moisture absorption causes tubing to swell and lose strength, making PA12 much more dimensionally stable for precision fitting connections.8
Q: Do these tubes work with Push-In Fittings?
A: Yes! All three (PA, PU, PE) are compatible with our standard Push-In Fittings and DOT Air Brake Fittings.
🔗 Related Categories
Looking for OEM specs or custom branding? Victory Technology manufactures tubing to your exact requirements. Contact our team today.
PA vs PU vs PE Tubing: The Ultimate Manufacturer’s Guide to Pneumatic Hoses
/ Technical Guide / By Victory Technical Team (Zhuji Aoke Factory)
When engineering a pneumatic circuit or repairing a heavy-duty truck, the most common question we get at the factory is: “Which tube should I use: PA, PU, or PE?”
While they may look similar on the shelf, choosing the wrong material can lead to burst lines, system leaks, or DOT compliance failures. As a manufacturer with over 20 years in fluid transfer systems, Victory Technology has broken down the chemical and mechanical differences between Polyamide (PA), Polyurethane (PU), and Polyethylene (PE) to help you make the safe choice.
1. PA Tubing (Nylon) – The Heavy-Duty Standard
Best For: Air Brake Systems, Fuel Lines, High-Pressure Hydraulics.
Polyamide, commonly known as Nylon, is the “workhorse” of the industrial and automotive world.1 Among the various types (PA6, PA11), PA12 is the superior grade used in our factory for critical applications.
- Why it stands out: PA tubing is rigid, robust, and maintains its pressure rating even as temperatures rise. It has excellent resistance to oils, greases, and fuels.
- Industry Compliance: This is the only material on this list safe for primary air brake systems. Our PA12 tubing meets SAE J844 and DIN 74324 standards.2
🏭 Factory Pro Tip: Always check if the Nylon is “Plasticized” or “Rigid.” For air brakes, we use plasticized PA12 to ensure it doesn’t crack under chassis vibration.
👉 Shop Now: PA12 Nylon Air Brake Tubing
2. PU Tubing (Polyurethane) – The Flexible Automation Choice
Best For: Robotics, Pneumatic Tools, Pick-and-Place Machines.
If you need a hose that can bend, twist, and return to its original shape millions of times, Polyurethane (PU) is the answer. It combines the elasticity of rubber with the chemical resistance of plastic.
- Why it stands out: PU has excellent “memory” (it coils back up) and extreme kink resistance.3 It is softer than Nylon, making it perfect for push-in fittings in tight spaces.
- Limitations: PU is sensitive to hydrolysis (water damage) over time if not specially treated, and it has a lower working pressure than Nylon.
🏭 Factory Pro Tip: For humid environments, ask for “Ether-based” PU tubing. Standard “Ester-based” PU can degrade when exposed to moisture for long periods.4
👉 Shop Now: PU Pneumatic Tubing
3. PE Tubing (Polyethylene) – The Cost-Effective Chemical Solution
Best For: Water Filtration, Laboratory Fluids, Low-Pressure Air.
Polyethylene (PE) is widely used in the food and water industry.5 It is lightweight, tasteless, and highly resistant to aggressive chemicals like acids and alkalis that might eat through PU or PA.6
- Why it stands out: It is the most affordable option. It is FDA-compliant (usually) for food contact and resists environmental stress cracking.
- Limitations: It has the lowest pressure rating and temperature tolerance. Never use PE tubing for vehicle air brake systems—it cannot withstand the heat and pressure spikes.
👉 Shop Now: PE Polyethylene Tubing
📊 Quick Comparison: PA vs. PU vs. PE
| Feature | PA (Nylon) | PU (Polyurethane) | PE (Polyethylene) |
| Primary Strength | High Pressure & Heat | Extreme Flexibility | Chemical Resistance |
| Key Application | Truck Air Brakes | Robotics / Automation | Water / Lab |
| Flexibility | Medium (Rigid) | ⭐ Very High | Medium |
| Pressure Rating | ⭐ High (up to 30+ Bar) | Medium (10-12 Bar) | Low-Medium (8-10 Bar) |
| Temp Range | -40°C to +120°C | -20°C to +60°C | -40°C to +60°C |
| Cost | $$$(High) | $$ (Medium) | $ (Low) |
🛠️ Decision Guide: Which One Do You Need?
Scenario A: You are plumbing a Semi-Truck or Trailer.
- Verdict: Use PA12 (Nylon).
- Reason: You need high pressure resistance, DOT compliance, and protection against road salt and oil.
- Recommended: SAE J844 Air Brake Tubing
Scenario B: You are setting up an assembly line robot.
- Verdict: Use PU (Polyurethane).
- Reason: The hose needs to move rapidly without kinking. Nylon is too stiff, and PE will crack under constant flexing.
Scenario C: You are installing a water filter or spraying mild chemicals.
- Verdict: Use PE (Polyethylene).
- Reason: It is clean, chemically inert, and cost-effective.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use PU tubing for air brakes?
A: No. Standard PU tubing does not handle the high temperatures of an engine bay or the pressure spikes of a braking system. Always use SAE-certified PA12 Nylon for brakes.
Q: Is PA12 better than PA6?
A: Yes. PA12 absorbs less moisture than PA6.7 Moisture absorption causes tubing to swell and lose strength, making PA12 much more dimensionally stable for precision fitting connections.8
Q: Do these tubes work with Push-In Fittings?
A: Yes! All three (PA, PU, PE) are compatible with our standard Push-In Fittings and DOT Air Brake Fittings.
🔗 Related Categories
Looking for OEM specs or custom branding? Victory Technology manufactures tubing to your exact requirements. Contact our team today.
