5 Kinds of Tubing We Carry at Rock West

5 Kinds of Tubing We Carry at Rock West Here at Rock West Composites, we are extremely proud of the fact that we are one of the region's most reputable suppliers of composite products. Among the many products we carry is tubing. In fact, you might say we cut our teeth on tubing. We carry many different styles and shapes to meet a variety of needs. We invite you to contact us to learn more.

The idea behind this post is to introduce new customers to five types of tubing in our inventory. Each has its own unique properties that are applicable to certain kinds of projects. We would be more than happy to answer your questions regarding a specific type of tubing and how you might use it.

Unidirectional Tubing The 'unidirectional' designation typically applies to carbon fiber products in which all the fibers are aligned in a single direction. As such, it is really a misnomer when applied to carbon fiber tubing. Our unidirectional circular tubing is so named because it has an outer layer of unidirectional carbon fiber while the interior layers are multidirectional.

A typical unidirectional tube from our inventory is made with multiple plies at 0° and 90°. A small number of our products are made with directional plies at 45°. Remember that the directional layout of the fibers in a given layer is that which gives carbon fiber is desired rigidity.

Filament Wound Tubing Another workhorse in our tubing inventory is filament wound tubing. This is tubing made using a continuous fiber winding process that allows for longer tubes and some flexibility in shape. Perhaps the biggest benefit of filament winding is its cost. Filament wound tubing is among the most economical types of tubing we carry. It may be just what you need for your budget-limited project.

Fiberglass Square Tubing Not all our tubing products are either circular or made from carbon fiber. Take our fiberglass square tubing as an example. Square tubes come in a variety of inner diameters as small as 0.75 inches and as large as 1.24 inches. Standard dimensions allow for easy component machining while flat surfaces make for easy mounting as needed. Fiberglass tubing offers good structural properties and good looks in a single package.

Pullbraided Tubing There are several different ways to make carbon fiber tubing, pullbraiding being another of those methods. It is a method that combines the concept of pultrusion with the strength of braiding. Our pullbraided tubing is made with TORAYCA® T700 carbon fiber – or an equivalent product – at a braiding degree of approximately 45°.

This particular method results in a very strong tube thanks to interlocked fibers that provide exceptional bend and twisting stiffness. These particular tubes are an excellent choice for sporting goods, photography, and aircraft manufacturing.

Carbon and Aramid Braided Tubing Last is our carbon and aramid braided tubing, a type of tubing that combines carbon fiber and aramid (Kevlar) fibers to create a surprisingly strong and good-looking product. Combining these two revolutionary products together makes it possible for us to offer a carbon and aramid product that boasts superb mechanical properties and exceptional strength.

It certainly does not hurt that aramid creates a different kind of finish that makes an immensely powerful aesthetic statement.

Please note that we carry tubes in different shapes, ranging from circles to hexagons and rectangles to octagons. Even telescopic tubing is in our inventory. If you need a composite tube for your project, we likely have a suitable product. We would love the opportunity to sit down with you and discuss your composite tubing needs.