Plastic IC Tubes
Plastic IC Tubes are extruded channels made from PVC, PS, PC, PETG, or ABS that hold electronic components in a fixed orientation during shipping, storage, and feeding into assembly machines.
Where Plastic IC Tubes Fits
Plastic IC Tubes are extruded channels made from PVC, PS, PC, PETG, or ABS that hold electronic components in a fixed orientation during shipping, storage, and feeding into assembly machines. They protect against electrostatic discharge, mechanical shock, dust, and moisture. Available in oval or square profiles with wall thickness from 0.30mm to 1.85mm and lengths from 50mm to 1000mm, they support through-hole, SMT, and leadless packages like QFN, MLF, and LPCC. Standard tools cover over a thousand device types, while custom profiles are made to match exact device dimensions with tight tolerance control.
The Case for Plastic IC Tubes
- Holds components in fixed orientation so they feed directly into tube feeders without re-orientation
- Anti-static protection from surface treatment or built-in additives to prevent ESD damage
- Wall thickness from 0.30mm to 1.85mm allows trade-off between material cost and drop resistance
- Critical dimension control within 5 mils on PVC ensures parts slide without jamming
- Tight tolerance of +/- 2 mils on PC tubes enables high-speed, unattended loading and unloading
- Clear or translucent materials allow visual inspection of contents without opening
- Stable dimensions and smooth internal surfaces prevent binding during feeding
- Available in multiple materials to match environmental, impact, and clarity needs
Typical Uses for Plastic IC Tubes
Shipping relays, switches, and connectors from a component plant to an overseas EMS or SMT line
Feeding DIP, SOIC, MSOP, TSSOP, and QFN devices into automatic insertion or pick and place machines
Storing moisture-insensitive components in a warehouse between incoming inspection and production
Re-packing bulk devices into fixed counts per tube for traceability and kitting
Protecting long-lead semiconductors in buffer stock held against allocation risk
Handling heavy or large packages like power modules and sensors that cannot fit in tape and reel
The Buyer of Plastic IC Tubes
- IC distributors re-packaging bulk devices for their customers
- Semiconductor and passive component makers packaging finished goods
- EMS and SMT plants receiving tube-packed devices and needing spares for rework
- Relay, switch, and connector manufacturers shipping large or heavy bodies
- Purchasing teams replacing a supplier whose tube profile no longer matches the device
Plastic IC Tubes Against the Failure Modes
- Devices jam mid-tube due to internal profile drift or dimensional inaccuracy
- Electrostatic discharge damages sensitive components during handling and transport
- Bulk-packed parts arrive in random orientation, requiring manual sorting and loading
- Tubes crack on drop in transit, spilling devices inside the carton
- Large or heavy components cannot fit into tape and reel but still need fixed orientation
- Anti-static performance fades after wiping when only surface treatment is used
- Inconsistent feeding causes machine downtime and rejected PCBs
Inside the Plastic IC Tubes Specification
- Extruded oval or square profile matched to the device body and lead span
- Anti-static achieved by surface layer process or additives built into the resin
- Critical dimension control within 5 mils on PVC tubes and +/- 2 mils on PC tubes
- Smooth internal surface for consistent device movement without binding
- Good impact strength and drop resistance to survive carton handling
- Symbols and part numbers can be printed on the tube surface
- Available with rubber end plugs, plastic pins, nails, caps, or EPE plugs for closure
- Stable geometry and dimensional consistency across production runs
Plastic IC Tubes Data Sheet
Values are taken from the SEWATE product data for this item.
| Model Number | SE-IC-007 |
|---|---|
| Length | 50mm-1000mm or as customized |
| Wall Thickness | 0.30mm-1.85mm |
| Profile | Oval or square or customized |
| Material | PVC / PS / PC / PETG / ABS |
| Colour | Transparent, Blue, black, red, yellow, purple and customized etc |
| Dimension Control | Within 5 mils on PVC, +/- 2 mils on PC |
| Certification | RoHS |
| MOQ | 10000 pieces |
| Sample Time | 3-5 days or according to customers’ requirements |
| Capacity | 50000 pcs per week |
| Supply Ability | Monthly output of finished products 150 tons |
| Payment Terms | T/T, L/C, etc. |
| Application | ICs, relays, switches, connectors, sensors, capacitors, toys, power modules, LEDs, medical instruments, etc. |
| Lead Time | 5-15 days depending on quantity |
Choosing Material for Plastic IC Tubes
- PVC provides high strength, good flexibility, stable geometry, and long storage life; the common default for IC tubes
- PS is halogen free, easy to process, and low cost but more brittle with lower impact strength than PVC and ABS
- PC offers tight tolerance of +/- 2 mils, superb clarity, high impact strength, and is ideal for MSOP and TSSOP packages
- PETG has the strongest impact strength, excellent clarity, and is suitable for heavy-duty or large packages
- ABS is used when high impact strength is needed and transparency is less critical
From Resin to Packed Plastic IC Tubes
- Review of application, key design requirements, and tube functionality during quotation
- Drawing created from purchase order and issued for customer approval before tooling
- Mould making and tooling trial on the approved profile
- Sample production with 20-50 free tubes for fit testing on the actual device
- Extrusion of the approved profile followed by cutting to the ordered length
- Anti-static treatment applied via surface layer process or built-in additive as specified
- Plug fitting, counting, and packing into cartons according to customer requirements
Inspection of Plastic IC Tubes
- Critical dimension control within 5 mils on PVC tubes and +/- 2 mils on PC tubes to prevent jamming
- Fit testing of sample tubes against the actual device or drawing before mass production
- Anti-static value verified to remain stable after handling and storage
- Drop and pressure tests performed on tube bodies before packing
- Quality management system compliant with ISO14001 with after-sales support on shipped lots
Plastic IC Tubes Options
- Tube length cut to match your magazine or carton pitch from 50mm to 1000mm
- Internal profile designed from your tube drawing, device drawing, or physical sample
- Material selected from PVC, PS, PC, PETG, or ABS based on cost, clarity, and impact needs
- Colour chosen from transparent, blue, black, red, yellow, purple, or customized
- Anti-static method specified as surface treated or additive loaded based on storage and handling
- Surface printing of symbols, part numbers, or handling marks available
- Closure selected from rubber end plugs, plastic pins, nails, plastic caps, or EPE plugs
When Not to Use Plastic IC Tubes
| Tape and reel | Tubes handle larger, heavier, or leadless packages that tape pockets cannot support, but tape is better for high-volume SMD placement |
|---|---|
| Vacuum formed trays | Trays offer better protection for fine-pitch and fragile packages, but tubes are lower cost per unit and load directly into tube feeders |
| Bulk bag packing | Tubes cost more per unit than bulk bags but eliminate random orientation, ESD exposure, and manual loading time |
| Standard stock tubes | Custom profiles require one-time tooling and 4-6 weeks lead time, but stock profiles ship in 5-15 days and fit only pre-defined device types |
Handling and Storing Plastic IC Tubes
- Send a tube drawing, device drawing, or physical sample so the internal profile can be matched
- If no drawing exists, send the physical component for profile measurement
- Confirm tube length against your machine’s magazine pitch before tooling
- Specify storage duration and handling frequency so the right anti-static method is selected
- Choose closure type: rubber plugs for repeated use, pins for one-way shipping
- Store tubes flat and dry in cartons, away from direct sunlight to prevent deformation
- Plan for one-time tooling cost and 4-6 weeks lead time when introducing a new custom profile
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ESD Plastic Tubes are extruded protective channels made from PVC, PS, PC, PETG, or ABS to hold electronic components in fixed orientation during shipping and handling.
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Plastic Anti Static IC Tubes
Plastic Anti Static IC Tubes are extruded channels made from PVC, PS, PETG, PC, or ABS to hold electronic components in a fixed orientation during shipping and processing.
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Plastic Tubes
Plastic tubes are extruded channels used to protect electronic components from electrostatic discharge, mechanical shock, and environmental damage during shipping and handling.
View DetailsRelated Guides
Background reading before you specify plastic ic tubes.
How Anti Static IC Tubes Are Made From PVC
The process starts with PVC resin fed into an extruder.
Read Guide
Vacuum Formed Trays For Component Packaging
Vacuum formed trays are made by heating a plastic sheet, stretching it over a mold, and pulling it down with vacuum pressure.
Read Guide
Custom Anti Static IC Tube Guidelines
To begin customization, supply four items: the tube material, part size, desired tube length, and plug type.
Read GuideWhere It Is Used
Where plastic ic tubes is used in production.
Connectors Relays And Switches
Connectors, relays, terminal blocks, switches and power modules are too large or heavy for standard tape and reel packaging.
See Application
LED And Optoelectronics
SEWATE supplies anti-static carrier tape and reel, cover tape, and anti-static tubes for LEDs and optoelectronic devices, including modules, diodes, filters, relays, switches, fuses, transformers, magnetic components, and inductors.
See ApplicationWhat Buyers Ask About Plastic IC Tubes
What is the minimum order quantity for Plastic IC Tubes?
10000 pieces for standard profiles. The MOQ is driven by extrusion setup costs; short runs are not economical due to tool changeover time.
How long does a stock tube order take?
5-15 days depending on quantity. Sample tubes for fit testing are delivered in 3-5 days.
What is the lead time for a custom tube profile?
A basic low volume project can be 25-day ARO. Typical lead time is 4-6 weeks. Complex tools or high volume may take 10-12 weeks.
What do you need to quote a custom tube?
One of: a tube drawing, a device drawing, or a physical sample. If none exists, send the actual component for profile measurement.
Which material should I choose for my application?
PVC is the default for strength and stability. PS is halogen free and lower cost but more brittle. PC offers tight tolerance and clarity. PETG has the highest impact strength. ABS is best for high impact needs.
Is the anti-static property permanent?
It depends on the method. Surface treatment can degrade with wiping or long storage. Additives built into the resin maintain anti-static performance longer. Specify your storage and handling needs.
Do the tubes come with plugs?
Yes. Rubber end plugs, plastic pins, nails, plastic caps, and EPE plugs are available and selected based on the tube profile and how often it will be opened.
Send the Device and Get Plastic IC Tubes Quoted
A drawing, a sample or the physical component is enough. Sales and engineering come back within 24 hours.