In modern automation lines, tubing installed inside moving cable carriers must withstand continuous bending, pulling, and vibration. Standard soft tubing often fails early due to fatigue cracking or excessive elongation. For this reason, many engineers specify Drag Chain Polyurethane Tube made from 95A or 98A PU materials, which provide improved structural stability and longer service life in dynamic installations.

Dynamic Motion Conditions in Drag Chain Systems

Drag chains create repeated cyclic motion where pneumatic tubing experiences bending thousands of times per day. Under these conditions, tubing with insufficient hardness tends to stretch or flatten, causing airflow instability and premature wear. A properly selected PU Pneumatic Hose  must maintain dimensional stability while remaining flexible enough to handle continuous motion.

In high-speed automation equipment such as pick-and-place robots or CNC tool changers, tubing fatigue resistance directly affects system uptime. Higher-hardness polyurethane tubing significantly reduces deformation under repeated stress, which improves long-term reliability.

Why 95A and 98A Polyurethane Materials Perform Better

Compared with softer grades such as 80A or 85A, 95A PU Tubing and 98A PU Tubing offer stronger molecular bonding and higher tensile strength. These material characteristics provide better resistance to mechanical fatigue and external pulling forces common in cable carrier installations.

Key performance advantages include:

      ◆Higher tensile strength for resisting drag-chain pulling forces

      ◆Improved abrasion resistance against carrier track friction

      ◆ower elongation under load, maintaining stable airflow performance

      ◆Longer service intervals, reducing maintenance costs

These properties make high-hardness tubing the preferred option in most dynamic pneumatic routing systems.

Performance Comparison of Different PU Hardness Levels

The following table shows the typical performance differences observed in industrial applications (data ranges based on industry material reports):

Reduced Fatigue Failure in Continuous Motion Applications

Fatigue cracking is one of the most common causes of pneumatic tubing failure inside cable carriers. When softer tubing repeatedly stretches beyond its elastic recovery limit, micro-cracks gradually develop and eventually lead to leakage. Using 98A PU Tubing minimizes elongation during each motion cycle, significantly extending operating life in robotic and automated production equipment.

For installations involving high travel speed or long stroke lengths, engineers often combine Industrial PU Hose with abrasion-resistant carrier guides to maximize lifetime performance.

Installation Stability and Routing Efficiency

Higher-hardness tubing also improves routing stability inside drag chains. Softer tubing tends to twist or overlap during operation, increasing friction and wear. 95A or 98A Drag Chain Polyurethane Tube maintains a more stable routing path, reducing internal cable-carrier interference and improving airflow consistency.

When selecting tubing for new automation equipment, engineers typically match tubing hardness with carrier motion intensity. Medium-speed systems often perform well with 95A tubing, while heavy-duty robotics or long-travel gantry systems benefit from 98A grades.

Practical Selection Guidance for Automation Engineers

Selecting the correct tubing hardness is not only a material decision but also a lifecycle cost consideration. While softer tubing may appear easier to install initially, frequent replacement and downtime can quickly increase operating costs. High-hardness polyurethane tubing delivers better long-term performance in dynamic motion environments, especially where continuous operation is critical.

For automation equipment operating under continuous motion, 95A and 98A polyurethane tubing remains the most reliable choice for drag chain pneumatic routing, balancing durability, airflow stability, and service life.

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