SFS's pre-formed silicone sponge tubes avoid fabrication hassles

Blackburn, UK – SFS Manufacturing Group Ltd. now offers silicone sponge tubes pre-formed into specific shapes. They are an addition to the company's long-established range of premium grade silicone sponge hose and pipe insulation.

Standard bends include 30, 45, 60, 90, 135 and 180 degrees, with bore sizes from 16 to 70 mm. More complex three-dimensional shapes can be supplied with internal diameters and wall thicknesses to customer specifications.

SFS director John Soanes said: "Pre-forming allows the insulating sponge to fit tightly around the pipework, ensuring maximum efficiency and producing a neat and tidy installation."

Using shaped tubes avoids the need to fabricate the required shapes by cutting and joining straight tubes, which is time-consuming, says SFS, and produces a less neat appearance.

The use of premium grade silicone gives the tubes a wide operating temperature range of -50degC to +200degC. Higher temperatures (+225degC) can be achieved using a heat-stabilised compound. Silicone sponge offers good chemical resistance to many aggressive chemicals, says the company.

The tubes are available in the same wide range of grade and colour combinations as SFS's existing silicone sponge products.

Expected applications include emissions testing, heating and ventilation in the automotive, engineering, aerospace and HVAC industries.