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Pneumatic Automation / Distribution & Conveyance / Tubing / Nylon (PA) Tubing
Layer 02 · Distribution & Conveyance Emerging · Mantova Economical · Polyconn
01What it is

Nylon (PA) Tubing

Nylon (PA = polyamide) tubing is extruded flexible tube for pneumatic and fluid lines that need higher pressure, better oil and chemical resistance, and greater rigidity than polyurethane can give. Nylon trades PU's softness for strength: meaningfully higher working pressure at the same OD (outside diameter), wider temperature envelope, and tolerance to oils, fuels, and cutting fluids that swell and degrade PU. Nylon 12 (PA12) is the workhorse grade — resists fuels, lubricating oils, aggressive coolants, and absorbs almost no moisture (so the bore holds dimensional stability over years rather than drifting out of fitting tolerance). That stability makes PA12 the correct call for CNC coolant lines, oil-lubrication plumbing, fuel service, transport air-brake lines, and centralized lubrication. DOT-certified PA12 to FMVSS 106 is the only legal material for transport air-brake circuits. Trade-off vs. PU: larger bend radius, not a constant-flex material — for runs articulating on every cycle, PU is still right.

Compare tiers ↓ How to sell this ↓ Request a quote →
Real-world reference Representative nylon (pa) tubing
Nylon (PA) Tubing — representative product photo
02Why it's needed

Why this matters.

Tips and pointers on when PA12 nylon is the right call — and when to spec something else. Scroll the strip →

01 · Key point
Inert to oil, fuel, coolant.

PA12 essentially unaffected by lubricating oils, cutting fluids, fuel mist at industrial concentrations. The correct polymer for CNC coolant lines, centralized lubrication, fuel service, oil-mist machine plumbing.

02 · Key point
2-3× the pressure rating of PU.

Standard-wall 6mm PA12 carries 240-350 PSI at 75°F, derating to 140-210 PSI at 150°F. Temperature band -60°F to +200°F — wider than PU at both ends.

03 · Key point
DOT/FMVSS 106 certified grade.

DOT-rated PA12 to FMVSS 106 / SAE J844 is the only legal material for transport air-brake circuits — tractor, trailer, school bus, transit bus service and emergency lines.

04 · Pro tip
Pick the grade by service.

PA12 — oil/fuel/coolant, high pressure, dimensional stability (0.7-1.5% moisture absorption). PA6 — cost-down where moisture is low (8-10% absorption — bore drifts in humid service). DOT-certified PA12 — air-brake only.

05 · Where not to use
Constant-flex robotics, tool drops.

PA12 fatigue-cracks at robot bend radius in weeks — it''s a static-run polymer. → Step down to soft 95A PU for any cycle-flexing application; per-foot is actually lower and fatigue life is 5-10×.

06 · Where not to use
Strong acids, strong bases, solvents.

PA12 attacked by sulfuric, nitric, sodium hydroxide, formic acid, phenols, hot methanol. → Step up to FEP/PTFE for aggressive chemistry, pharma, semi wet-process.

07 · Where not to use
Sustained heat above 200°F.

Pressure capability derates significantly past 150°F and polymer softens past 200°F. → Step up to FEP (400°F) or PTFE (500°F) for hot-process, steam-line proximity, hot-air ovens.

03Key selection criteria

What we need to spec it right.

From the machine spec sheet → to the part number. Answer what you know — leave the rest blank — and send.

01 · Input
Measure the existing tube or read the fitting size with a caliper — OD must match the fitting exactly. Metric and inch are not interchangeable.
Metric: 4mm · 6mm · 8mm · 10mm · 12mm · Inch: 1/4" · 3/8" · 1/2"
02 · Input
PA12 is the right answer almost every time. PA6 only where humidity is low and cost is the binding constraint — moisture-sensitive and not for chemistry exposure.
PA12 (default — oil / coolant / fuel / higher pressure-temperature) · PA6 (dry indoor utility only)
03 · Input
Confirms nylon is the correct polymer vs. PU (cleaner air only) or FEP (aggressive chemistry).
Compressed air · Oil / hydraulic mist · Coolant / cutting fluid · Fuel
04 · Input
Read the system gauge — nylon carries higher ratings than PU but confirm at operating temperature (PA12 derates at heat).
Typical: 150 PSI · 230 PSI · 300 PSI
05 · Input
Drives grade and finish — outdoor / UV runs need black PA12; transport brake circuits need DOT-certified PA12 (FMVSS 106 — non-DOT PA12 is non-compliant).
Indoor general / machine · Outdoor / UV · DOT transport (brake circuits) · Hot ambient (>150°F)
06 · Input
Black is the default (UV-stable); natural where transparency or circuit-color coding is needed.
Black (default / UV) · Natural · Blue (air) · Red (utility)
07 · Input
Distributor pricing breaks at roll size. Need multiple length/qty combinations? Add each as its own quote line (e.g., 4× 100-ft + 1× 500-ft = two lines).
Roll sizes: 100-ft · 500-ft · 1000-ft · Format: "qty × roll-size"

Need different sizes, colors, or quantities? Fill the form, add to quote, then fill again — each click is one quote line.

04Choose your solution tier  ·  core differentiator

Whatever your lever — spec, value, or price — SPC has the right brand.

Most distributors sell one brand per product type. SPC's 60-brand portfolio means every Product Type page surfaces three real options matched to how your customer is buying today. Pick the tier; the quote desk handles the cross-reference.

02 Emerging 1 brand
Mantova
Mantova polyamide 12 tubing — HIPHL / PHLY / PHL types
View brand →
03 Economical 1 brand
Polyconn
Polyconn nylon (polyamide) tubing — standard and DOT-rated
View brand →
05How to sell this  ·  distributor talk track

The tier conversation closes the deal. The cross-reference catalog wins the next one.

PA12 handles oil, heat, and pressure that PU can't — and it's the only tubing rated for DOT air-brake service. Spec discipline pays for itself in avoided failures.
The SPC difference · how distributors actually buy

The 30-second positioning

PA12 is the specification-driven tubing line. Customers buying PA12 are buying it for a specific reason — oil exposure, coolant, high pressure, high temperature, long pull, transport compliance — and they know what the spec calls for, or they should. The distributor's edge is grade discipline (PA12 vs. PA6 vs. DOT-certified PA12), correct OD-to-fitting matching, and pulling the customer back from misapplication when they're trying to spec PA12 into a constant-flex application where PU would be correct.
Tier: Industry Leader tier — deep-stock domestic distributor across the standard OD range, rapid same-day/next-day from US warehouses, full PA12 and PA6 availability, DOT-certified PA12, broad color and finish. The cross-reference partner for plant utility and project-driven PA12. Emerging tier — European-manufactured with EU spec rigor, well-suited for OEM machine builders shipping into Europe and project applications requiring specific certification packages.

Customer cue → talk move

"PU keeps swelling near the coolant tank"
Wrong polymer. Quote PA12 in matched OD. Re-spec the full run from the coolant source to the next isolation.
"Air-brake tubing for our truck fleet"
DOT-certified PA12 to FMVSS 106 — only legal material. 1/4" and 3/8" dominant for tractors/trailers. Black for service brake, red for emergency.
"CNC coolant line keeps failing"
Confirm polymer. PU and PE both fail in coolant. PA12 is the correct material — replace end-to-end, document spec change in MRO.
"Robot drop cracking, using PA12 for pressure rating"
Wrong polymer for constant-flex. Quote 95A PU — per-foot is lower than PA12 anyway, fatigue life is 5-10x.
"Hot compressor-room air drops"
PA12. Above 140-150°F, PU softens out of rating. PA12 stays serviceable to 200°F.
"Centralized lubrication line"
PA12 correct. Continuous oil exposure at moderate pressure — PA12's oil tolerance covers the duty indefinitely.
"Fuel-line application"
PA12 grades suitable for fuel. Confirm fuel chemistry (gasoline, diesel, ethanol-blended) against the brand's compatibility list.
"Long pneumatic pull across the plant"
PA12 at 8mm or 10mm OD for trunk; manifold at end-point; drop PU off the manifold for dynamic short runs.
Request a quote → Back to tier compare ↑
06Where it's used

Industries served.

Each industry below uses this product across the listed areas. Open an industry to see how it fits the rest of its system.

Automotive Manufacturing Automotive Manufacturing →
  • Transport vehicle air-brake systems (DOT/FMVSS 106 certified)
  • DOT-certified PA12 to FMVSS 106 is the only legal material
Metalworking & Fabrication Metalworking & Fabrication →
  • CNC machine-tool coolant and lubrication lines

Also applies to PA12's chemical inertness makes it the only correct polymer · Compressed air trunk runs in plant air distribution (long pulls, elevated pressure) · Centralized lubrication and oil-delivery systems · Fuel-line and hydraulic-pilot circuit applications · Pneumatic and hydraulic instrumentation lines · Machine OEM builds for oil/coolant-exposed and high-pressure service · Compressor-room and process-air hot-environment runs

09Install · 6 critical steps

The things that matter on the first install.

Step 01
Cut the tube square with a dedicated cutter
PA12 is harder than PU and takes more force to cut cleanly. Use a sharp tube cutter, not a utility knife. Cut face perpendicular within 1-2°. Inspect bore for extrusion flash.
Step 02
Deburr the bore edge
PA12's harder polymer holds extrusion flash more reliably than PU. The deburr step is more important on PA12 than on PU — a flash ring lifts the O-ring and creates a slow leak hard to find after install.
Step 03
Verify fitting compatibility — collet rating for PA12
Most PTC fittings (composite, technopolymer, metallic-brass, stainless) are PA12-compatible. For DOT air-brake installs, use only DOT-certified PTC fittings (typically brass with specific DOT collet engineering) — generic PTC is not legal. For high-pressure or high-temperature service, brass or stainless PTC is usually right over composite.
Step 04
Mark insertion depth and push fully home
Insertion depth typically 15-22mm. PA12's harder polymer takes more insertion force than PU. Mark should sit flush against fitting face. Pull back to confirm collet grip.
Step 05
Pressurize and soap-test at full working pressure
PA12's higher working-pressure capability means soap-testing at actual operating pressure catches leaks that wouldn't register at a lower test. For DOT air-brake installs, follow the DOT-specified leak-test protocol — standard plant soap-test is not sufficient for regulated service.
Step 07
Route around heat sources and document the spec
PA12 handles to 200°F but derates — pressure capability at 150°F is ~60% of ambient rating. Record grade (PA12 vs. PA6 vs. DOT-certified), OD, finish, install date, circuit ID. For DOT installs, documentation IS the compliance evidence — keep with vehicle service records.
10Troubleshoot · top failures

Most returns trace to one of these causes.

Symptom
Most likely cause
Fix
PA12 cracked at the bend on a robot end-effector within weeks.
Wrong polymer for constant-flex. PA12 is a static-run material — fatigue life at robot bend radius is a fraction of PU's.
Switch to soft 95A PU at the same OD. PA12 should never be specified into a constant-flex application. Document spec change in MRO.
PA12 gone soft or swollen at a section of unexpected chemistry.
PA12 is inert to most industrial fluids but is attacked by strong acids (sulfuric, nitric), strong bases (sodium hydroxide), and certain specific solvents (formic acid, phenols, methanol at elevated temperature).
For strong acids/bases/aggressive solvents, switch to FEP/PTFE. PA12's general tolerance is broad but not universal; verify against compatibility list.
PA12 air-brake line cracked or failed inspection on a DOT-regulated truck.
Installed tubing is non-DOT-certified general-industrial PA12, OR tubing has exceeded service life (DOT tubing has finite life under regulated inspection), OR install used non-DOT fittings, OR physical damage from chafing/impact.
Verify installed tubing is DOT-certified PA12 to FMVSS 106 — certification is printed on the tubing wall. Replace any non-certified with certified equivalent. For age-related, follow fleet inspection schedule (3-5 year cycle typical). Use only DOT-certified brass PTC.
PA12 diameter has drifted outside fitting tolerance over months in humid service.
This is the PA6 failure mode misattributed to PA12 — PA6 has 8-10% moisture absorption and swells significantly. Verify the installed tubing is actually PA12 (0.7-1.5% absorption).
Confirm grade by checking printed wall ID. If PA6 was installed where PA12 was specified, replace with PA12. Verify supplier — counterfeit material is a real risk on certain import-tier nylon.
PA12 leaking at PTC after months of service.
Tubing has crept slightly outward under thermal cycling, collet fatigued or fouled, O-ring degraded from extended chemistry exposure, or fitting loosened from vibration.
Depressurize, withdraw, inspect. Re-cut tube end (previously gripped section may have collet marks), re-seat. If recurs, replace the fitting. For vibration-prone installs, add mechanical support within 2-3 inches of the fitting.
PA12 kinked at a tight bend forced during install.
Bend radius forced tighter than minimum (PA12 = 5-8x OD vs. PU = 3-4x). Harder polymer takes a permanent set.
Cut out kinked section. Use a 90° PTC elbow at the corner. For routing requiring tighter bends than PA12 can handle, choice is PU (general service) or hard copper/stainless tubing (same chemistry envelope at tighter radius via mechanical bender).
PA12 high-pressure pneumatic-pilot line ballooning under pressure.
Operating pressure exceeds PA12 derated rating at operating temperature, or undersized OD for actual flow and pressure demand, or counterfeit/relabeled product.
Verify operating pressure at operating temperature against PA12 datasheet. Step up to thicker-wall PA12, larger OD, or stainless instrumentation tubing for high-pressure pilot.

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