For Analytical HPLC
Selection: 1/16″ OD tubing is commonly used where low dead volume and easy fitting compatibility are required. Standard IDs range from 0.13mm to 0.25mm.
Advantages and Disadvantages of PEEK Capillary Tubing
Comprehensive material properties to help you make informed engineering decisions.
Key Advantages
High Temperature Resistance
PEEK capillary tubing can be used continuously at around 260°C, and withstands short-term exposure to temperatures as high as 300°C. Ideal for high-temperature analysis or equipment environments.
Chemical Inertness
PEEK has excellent corrosion resistance against strong acids, strong bases, organic solvents, and oxidizing agents. It remains stable in chromatographic analysis and chemical transport, and is not easily dissolved or damaged by solvents.
Stable Mechanical Properties
High strength and toughness, with good pressure resistance, even in small-diameter capillary tubes. It also maintains good dimensional stability, with high length and inner diameter accuracy.
High Precision Manufacturing
Can be produced with very small inner diameters (micron-level), and uniform wall thickness. The smooth inner surface minimizes fluid resistance.
Excellent Electrical Insulation
Ideal for applications requiring electrical insulation, such as electronics and sensors. Ensures safe and interference-free operation in sensitive equipment.
Low Adsorption
Smooth inner walls reduce the risk of sample or solution adsorption, ensuring highly accurate analysis results in chromatography.
Design Considerations
High Processing Requirements
The precision capillary tube end-port handling and connections require specialized equipment, otherwise, leaks or damage may occur during installation.
Limited Resistance to Strong Oxidizing Agents
While PEEK is resistant to most chemicals, it may be damaged by strong oxidizing agents like concentrated nitric acid or concentrated sulfuric acid.
High Price
As a premium high-performance engineering polymer, PEEK material is generally more expensive than standard PTFE or nylon tubing options.
Limited Flexibility
Compared to silicone or PTFE tubing, PEEK tubing is more rigid and is more likely to crack under excessive bending or in extremely tight radius routing.
| OD inch / mm | ID μm / mm | Color Code | Wall Thickness (mm) | Tolerance | Max Pressure | Standard Length | Application | Availability & Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/16″ (1.59) | 130 / 0.13 | Red | 0.73 | ±0.025 mm | 400 bar / 5800 psi | 1m / 3m / 10m | UHPLC / LC-MS | In Stock 1-3 Days |
| 1/16″ (1.59) | 180 / 0.18 | Yellow | 0.70 | ±0.025 mm | 350 bar / 5000 psi | 1m / 3m / 10m | HPLC / Microfluidic | In Stock 1-3 Days |
| 1/16″ (1.59) | 250 / 0.25 | Blue | 0.67 | ±0.025 mm | 300 bar / 4300 psi | 1m / 3m / 10m | HPLC / Analytical | In Stock 1-3 Days |
| 1/16″ (1.59) | 500 / 0.50 | Orange | 0.54 | ±0.025 mm | 200 bar / 2900 psi | 1m / 3m / 10m | Industrial / Fluidic | In Stock 1-3 Days |
| 1/32″ (0.79) | Custom | Natural | Custom | ±0.025 mm | Depends on Wall | Custom Reels | Specialty Equipment | Custom Make 7-15 Days |
How to Choose PEEK Capillary Tubing
Select the optimal specifications for your fluidic system based on your specific application requirements.
For Microbore HPLC
Selection: Opt for smaller IDs to minimize sample dispersion. 1/32″ OD or 360 µm OD is often preferred for highly compact, low-flow systems.
For LC-MS Transfer Lines
Selection: Prioritize high-purity, bio-inert PEEK to prevent metal-ion interactions and signal suppression. Striped or natural color tubing is recommended.
For Microfluidic Devices
Selection: 360 µm OD or 1/32″ OD is commonly preferred for lab-on-a-chip setups that demand precise micro-scale fluid manipulation and tight tolerances.
For High-Pressure Fluid Paths
Selection: Larger IDs may reduce pressure drop but can increase dead volume. Always calculate wall thickness to ensure it meets your burst pressure limits.
For Custom OEM Projects
Selection: Confirm OD/ID tolerance, precise cut length, fitting compatibility, and pressure requirements before ordering bulk assemblies.
Ready to Configure Your Solution?
Whether you need custom extrusions or standard testing samples, our engineering team is here to assist.
PEEK Capillary Tubing stock sizes
| Inner Diameter (ID) mm | Outer Diameter (OD) mm / inch | Wall Thickness (Approx.) mm | Remarks (Common Usage / Application) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.10 ~0.13 | 0.25 (≈1/32″) | 0.075 | Can be produced; commonly used in ultra-micro fluid analysis / microfluidic systems |
| 0.175 | 0.30 (≈1/32″) | 0.06 | One of the common specifications (Chromatographic connections) |
| 0.25 | 0.51 (≈1/32–1/16″) | 0.13 | Commonly used (VICI Precision Sampling) |
| 0.5 | 1.02 (≈1/16″) | 0.26 | Very common, used in internal connections for HPLC systems (VICI Precision Sampling) |
| 0.75 | 1.62 (≈1/16″ OD) | 0.44 | Common for higher flow rates or wider tubing (Cytiva) |
| 1 | 1.62 (≈1/16″) | 0.31 | Relatively common (Analytical Sales and Services, Inc.) |
| 1.55–2.0 | 1.8–2.0 mm | 0.2–0.25 | Can be produced, used for special instruments or industrial fluid systems (IDEX Health & Science) |
| 2.0–3.0 | 3.0–3.2 mm | 0.5–0.6 | Larger sizes, used for semi-preparative / industrial applications (Biotech Fluidics) |
| 3.0–4.0 | 3.5–4.0 mm | 0.5–0.75 | Less common, but can be produced |
| 4.0–5.0 | 4.5–5.0 mm | Similar proportions | Used for higher flow rate / industrial fluid transport |
| 5.0–7.9 | 6.0–8.2 mm | Thicker walls (1–1.5 mm or larger depending on specifics) | Less commonly produced / custom-made; higher cost and processing difficulty |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about our PEEK capillary tubing specifications, applications, and custom ordering process.
PEEK capillary tubing is primarily used in analytical instruments, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), microfluidic devices, and medical fluid paths due to its exceptional chemical resistance, high pressure tolerance, and bio-inert properties.
Yes. PEEK is highly bio-inert and does not interact with metal-sensitive biological samples, making it the industry standard for HPLC and LC-MS transfer lines to ensure accurate, noise-free analytical results.
Our standard Outer Diameters (OD) include 1/16″, 1/32″, 1/8″, and 360 µm. Inner Diameters (ID) range from 25 µm (0.001″) up to 2.0 mm, identified by industry-standard color coding. Custom geometries are also available.
Absolutely. In addition to bulk reels (e.g., 50m, 100m), we offer high-precision pre-cut lengths with square, burr-free ends ready for direct installation in OEM assemblies.
Pressure ratings depend on the wall thickness (the ratio of OD to ID). Standard 1/16″ OD x 0.13mm ID tubing can typically withstand up to 5,000 – 7,000 psi (345 – 482 bar). We can help calculate burst pressures for your specific sizes.
PEEK offers excellent thermal stability. It can withstand continuous operating temperatures up to 250°C (482°F) and retains excellent mechanical properties across a wide temperature range.
Yes. PEEK is resistant to almost all standard organic solvents, dilute acids, and bases used in chromatography. However, it is not recommended for use with concentrated nitric acid, sulfuric acid, or certain halogenated compounds.
1/16″ OD is the universal standard for analytical HPLC. Choose 1/32″ or 360 µm OD for microbore, nano-LC, and capillary systems where minimizing internal dead volume and extreme flexibility are critical.
Yes, we strongly encourage prototype testing. We can provide sample lengths of standard stocked tubing for your engineering and R&D teams to evaluate before committing to a bulk production order.
For standard stocked sizes, our Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) is typically 10 meters with a lead time of 1-3 days. Custom extruded dimensions require a slightly higher MOQ and typically take 7-15 days.
As a direct manufacturer, custom OEM manufacturing is our specialty. We can customize outer diameters, inner diameters (with tolerances up to ±0.015mm), colors, and custom flanging/flaring for your specific instrumentation.
Yes. Full material traceability is guaranteed. We provide RoHS, REACH, and FDA compliance certificates, as well as comprehensive dimensional inspection reports (Certificate of Conformance) with every shipment.
Ready to Elevate Your Fluidic Systems?
Partner directly with a specialized PEEK tubing manufacturer. We provide rapid prototyping, custom OEM extrusions, and guaranteed precision for your most demanding applications.
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Direct Factory Advantage Cut out the middleman for highly competitive bulk pricing.
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Extreme Precision Tolerances controlled down to ±0.015mm for critical flows.
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Certified Quality RoHS, REACH, and FDA compliant bio-inert materials.
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