Plastic Tubes
Plastic tubes are extruded channels used to protect electronic components from electrostatic discharge, mechanical shock, and environmental damage during shipping and handling.
Plastic Tubes in One Paragraph
Plastic tubes are extruded channels used to protect electronic components from electrostatic discharge, mechanical shock, and environmental damage during shipping and handling. SEWATE manufactures them in PVC, PS, PC, PETG, and ABS, with lengths from 50mm to 3000mm and wall thicknesses from 0.30mm to 1.85mm. Profiles are available in oval or square shapes, or customized to match device bodies. The tubes are anti-static via surface treatment or built-in additives, and critical dimensions are controlled within 5 mils on PVC and ±2 mils on PC. They are used across ICs, relays, switches, connectors, sensors, power modules, LEDs, and medical instruments.
Why Buyers Specify Plastic Tubes
- Protects components from ESD, dust, moisture, and mechanical shock during transit and storage
- Critical dimension control within 5 mils on PVC and ±2 mils on PC ensures consistent feeding
- Oval or square profiles match device body and lead span to prevent misalignment
- Available in multiple materials to balance cost, clarity, impact strength, and environmental compliance
- Lengths from 50mm to 3000mm cut to match machine magazine pitch or carton layout
- Standard stock profiles ship in 5-15 days, reducing downtime for urgent needs
Plastic Tubes on the Line
Shipping relays, switches, and connectors from a component plant to an overseas EMS or SMT line
Feeding through-hole, SMT, and leadless devices (QFN, MLF, LPCC) into tube feeders without re-orientation
Protecting high-value or long-lead semiconductors in buffer stock against ESD and physical damage
Re-packing bulk components into fixed counts per tube for traceability and kitting
Using high-impact PC tubes for MSOP and TSSOP packages that require tight tolerance and high-speed feeding
Using PETG tubes for heavy-duty packages where impact resistance and clarity are critical
Plastic Tubes Is Built For
- IC distributors re-packaging bulk components for their customers
- Semiconductor and passive component makers shipping finished devices
- EMS and SMT plants receiving tube-packed components and needing spares for rework
- Relay, switch, and connector manufacturers with large or heavy bodies unsuitable for tape and reel
- Purchasing teams replacing a supplier whose tube profile no longer matches the device
What Goes Wrong Without Plastic Tubes
- Devices jam mid-tube due to inconsistent internal profile or dimensional drift
- Electrostatic discharge damages sensitive components during handling and transport
- Bulk-packed parts arrive in random orientation, requiring manual sorting and increasing labor cost
- Tubes crack on drop during transit, spilling contents and damaging cartons
- Large or heavy devices cannot fit into tape and reel pockets but still need fixed orientation
- Anti-static performance degrades after wiping when surface treatment is used
Technical Detail of Plastic Tubes
- Extruded in oval or square profiles matched to device body and lead span
- Anti-static via surface layer process or additives built into the resin
- Critical dimension control within 5 mils on PVC and ±2 mils on PC
- Smooth internal surface to prevent binding and allow free device movement
- Good impact strength and drop resistance for crack-free tubes after carton handling
- Available with rubber end plugs, plastic pins, nails, caps, or EPE plugs for closure
The Numbers for Plastic Tubes
Values are taken from the SEWATE product data for this item.
| Model Number | SE-IC-008 |
|---|---|
| Length | 50mm-3000mm 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 |
| Lead Time | 5-15 days or depending on quantity |
| Capacity | 50000 pcs per week |
| Supply Ability | Monthly output of final products is 150 tons |
| Payment Terms | T/T, L/C, etc |
| Application | ICs, relays, switches, connectors, sensors, toys, power modules, LEDs, medical instruments, etc |
Resins Used in Plastic Tubes
- PVC provides high strength, good flexibility, stable geometry, and long storage life; standard choice for most applications
- PS is halogen free, low cost, and easy to process; offers improved clarity and impact strength over standard plastics
- PC is used when tight tolerances, high impact strength, and resistance to temperature or heavy handling are required
- PETG offers the strongest impact strength and excellent clarity; ideal for heavy-duty or large packages
- ABS is selected when high impact resistance is needed and transparency is not critical
Production Route for Plastic Tubes
- Review of application requirements and tube function during quotation
- Drawing created from purchase order and issued for customer approval before tooling
- Mould making and tooling trial on approved profile
- Sample production with 20-50 free tubes for fit testing on customer’s device
- Extrusion of approved profile followed by cutting to ordered length
- Anti-static treatment applied via surface layer process or built-in additive as specified
- Fitting of closures (rubber plugs, plastic pins, caps, EPE plugs), counting, and packing into cartons
How Plastic Tubes Is Checked
- Critical dimension control within 5 mils on PVC and ±2 mils on PC to prevent jamming
- Fit testing of sample tubes against customer’s 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 to ISO14001 with after-sales support on shipped lots
What Can Change on Plastic Tubes
- Tube length customized from 50mm to 3000mm to match machine magazine or carton pitch
- Internal profile designed from customer’s tube drawing, device drawing, or physical sample
- Material selected from PVC, PS, PC, PETG, or ABS based on cost, clarity, impact, and environmental needs
- Colour chosen from transparent, blue, black, red, yellow, purple, or custom options for line identification
- Anti-static method specified as surface treated or additive loaded based on storage and handling requirements
- Surface printing of symbols, part numbers, or handling marks available
- Closure selected from rubber end plugs, plastic pins, nails, plastic caps, or EPE plugs
Comparing Plastic Tubes
| Tape and reel | Tubes handle larger, heavier, or leadless packages (QFN, MLF) that tape pockets cannot hold, but tape is better for high-volume SMD placement |
|---|---|
| Vacuum formed trays | Trays offer better protection for fragile or fine-pitch packages, but tubes cost less 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 devices they were designed for |
Working With Plastic 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 the magazine on your insertion or placement machine before tooling
- Specify whether anti-static must survive repeated wiping and long storage to select the right treatment
- Choose closure type: rubber plugs for repeated opening, pins for one-way shipping
- Store tubes flat and dry in cartons, away from direct sunlight to avoid deformation
- Plan for one-time tooling cost and 4-6 weeks lead time when introducing a new custom profile
Related Products
Other items in the IC Tubes line that buyers compare with plastic tubes.
ESD Plastic Tubes
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 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.
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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.
View DetailsRelated Guides
Background reading before you specify plastic 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 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 ApplicationPlastic Tubes Buyer Questions
What is the minimum order quantity for plastic tubes?
10000 pieces for standard profiles. The MOQ reflects extrusion setup cost; short runs are not economical due to changeover time and material waste.
How long does a stock tube order take?
5-15 days depending on quantity. Samples for fit testing are available 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, device drawing, or physical sample. If none exists, send the component for profile measurement.
Which material should I choose for my application?
PVC is standard for strength and stability. PS is halogen free and lower cost. PC offers tight tolerance and high impact. PETG has the strongest impact strength. ABS is used when impact resistance is key and clarity is not required.
Is the anti-static property permanent?
It depends on the method. Surface treatment can degrade with wiping and long storage. Additives built into the resin maintain anti-static performance longer. Specify your storage and handling needs to select the right option.
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 Tubes Quoted
A drawing, a sample or the physical component is enough. Sales and engineering come back within 24 hours.