Multilayer flexible tubing
A flexible tube includes a first layer comprising a polyolefin material having a flexural modulus of not greater than 150 MPa and includes a second layer directly bonded to and in direct contact with the first layer. The second layer comprising a blend of propylenic polymer and styrenic block copolymer.
1. A flexible tube comprising:
a first layer comprising a polyolefin material, wherein the first layer has a flexural modulus in a range of 10 MPa to 150 MPa; and
a second layer directly bonded to and in direct contact with the first layer, the second layer comprising a blend of propylenic polymer and styrenic block copolymer, wherein the propylenic polymer has a melt flow index (MFR) of 0.1 to 35 dg/min and wherein the styrenic block polymer is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogenated styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, a hydrogenated styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer, a styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS), a styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEPS), a styrene-ethylene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEEBS), a styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEEPS), and any combination thereof; the blend having a loss tangent value (tan δ) at 25° C. of at least 0.1.
2. The flexible tube of claim 1 , wherein the flexural modulus is not greater than 120 MPa.
3. The flexible tube of claim 1 , wherein the blend comprises 10 wt % to 80 wt % of the propylenic polymer.
4. The flexible tube of claim 1 , wherein the blend comprises 20 wt % to 90 wt % of the styrenic block copolymer.
5. The flexible tube of claim 1 , wherein the flexible tube exhibits a minimum bending radius of not greater than 1.0 inch.
6. The flexible tube of claim 1 , wherein the flexible tube exhibits a grip performance of at least 20 lb f at 25° C.
7. The flexible tube of claim 1 , wherein the first layer forms 5% to 20% of the thickness of the flexible tube.
8. The flexible tube of claim 1 , wherein the flexible tube has an average thickness of not greater than 250 mil.
9. The flexible tube of claim 1 , wherein the blend has a hardness in a range of 40 Shore A to 90 Shore A.
10. The flexible tube of claim 1 , wherein the blend has a storage modulus at 90° C. of at least 5 MPa.
11. The flexible tube of claim 1 , wherein the flexible tube has a Pump Life of at least 50 hours.
12. A flexible tube comprising:
a first layer comprising a polyolefin material, wherein the first layer has a flexural modulus in a range of 10 MPa to 150 MPa; and, the first layer forming an inner surface of the flexible tube, the inner surface defining a lumen; and
a second layer in direct contact with the first layer, the second layer comprising a blend of propylenic polymer and styrenic block copolymer, wherein the propylenic polymer has a melt flow index (MFR) of 0.1 to 35 dg/min and wherein the styrenic block polymer is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogenated styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, a hydrogenated styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer, a styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS), a styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEPS), a styrene-ethylene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEEBS), a styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEEPS), and any combination thereof, the blend having a loss tangent value (tan δ) at 25° C. of at least 0.1.
13. The flexible tube of claim 12 , wherein the loss tangent value is at least 0.30.
14. The flexible tube of claim 12 , wherein the flexural modulus is not greater than 120 MPa.
15. The flexible tube of claim 12 , wherein the second layer forms an outer surface of the flexible tube.
16. An apparatus comprising:
a fluid source; and
a flexible tube coupled to the fluid source at a first end, the flexible tube comprising:
a first layer comprising a polyolefin material, wherein the first layer has a flexural modulus in a range of 10 MPa to 150 MPa; and
a second layer directly bonded to and in direct contact with the first layer, the second layer comprising a blend of propylenic polymer and styrenic block copolymer, wherein the propylenic polymer has a melt flow index (MFR) of 0.1 to 35 dg/min and wherein the styrenic block polymer is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogenated styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, a hydrogenated styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer, a styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS), a styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEPS), a styrene-ethylene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEEBS), a styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEEPS), and any combination thereof; the blend having a loss tangent value (tan δ) at 25° C. of at least 0.1.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein a second end of the flexible tube is coupled to a valve.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein a second end of the flexible tube is coupled to a fitting.
19. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the flexible tube engages a pump.