TubingTypes: Hard Tubing
The most popular type of hard tubing is made from acrylic. It’s a strong, clear, hard-tube, usually coming in straight lengths of about 20 inches or so. It can be bent to shape using a silicon insert and a heatgun, and typically needs its edges cutting to size and chamfering off, so it can fit within its compression fittings. Like soft tubing, it can leach color over time—however, that usually only happens when it’s situated in direct sunlight for long periods of time. Although it’s almost always clear, you can find frosted versions as well. The only downside to acrylic tubing is that it does have a tendency to shatter when hit hard enough. Which is where PETG comes in.
PETG tubing and acrylic look almost identical, yet the two have very different material characteristics. PETG has slightly less clarity than acrylic, and additionally features a far lower melting point, making it easier to bend. The big advantage, though, is that it doesn’t shatter under pressure; instead, compresses when force is applied.
You can also get borosilicate glass tubing, which apart from being PH neutral and impermeable, features the highest clarity of all tubing types. Typically used in straight lines with angled extensions, it can also be bent with a blowtorch and skill. Finally, there’s annealed copper tubing, which can be plated in zinc, chrome, or other metals, or powder coated. To bend this, you need a fairly heavy-duty mandrel.