Specifications

• Inner Diameter (ID): 3 mm (0.118 in)

• Outer Diameter (OD): 5 mm (0.197 in)

• Length: 1 yard / 36 in (0.9144 m / 91.44 cm)

• Material: (commonly PVC or silicone — check product listing for exact material)

• Color: Transparent / clear (allows visual ink monitoring)

• Temperature range: (typical silicone/PVC ranges; verify with vendor)

  • Operating: approx. -40°C to 150°C for silicone; -10°C to 60°C for standard PVC

• Chemical compatibility: Compatible with most water-based dye and pigment inks; solvent compatibility depends on tube material — confirm before use with strong solvents.

Highlights

• Precise inner diameter for controlled ink flow and stable pressure.

• Clear construction for quick visual inspection of ink color and air bubbles.

• Standard size fits many printer fittings and barbed connectors.

• Cut-to-length convenience — 1 yd provides spare length for routing and testing.

• Flexible and kink-resistant for tight routing in printer chassis.

Use

• Replace damaged or discolored ink lines in large-format printers and plotters.

• Create custom ink feed assemblies for continuous ink systems (CISS).

• Connect reservoirs, dampers, and printheads during maintenance or testing.

• Short-run fluid transfer in lab or prototyping setups where small-diameter tubing is needed.

Details & Practical Notes

• Fittings & connectors: Use matching 3 mm ID barbed fittings or 5 mm OD compression fittings for a secure seal. If fittings are sized in inches, the OD ≈ 0.197 in — choose compatible hardware.

• Cutting & mounting: Cut with a sharp tubing cutter or razor for a clean edge; push fully onto barbs and secure with small hose clamps or heat-shrink if higher pressure is expected.

• Priming & bleeding: Because of the small ID, take care when priming — gently purge air to avoid bubbles that affect print quality.

• Material check: Confirm whether the tube supplied is PVC or silicone. Silicone is more heat- and chemical-resistant and remains flexible at low temperatures; PVC is cheaper but can stiffen and may be less solvent-resistant.

• Storage: Store coiled, away from direct sunlight and solvents; prolonged UV exposure can degrade many plastics.