SMC TU1065BU Part Number Breakdown
| Position | Meaning |
|---|---|
| TU | SMC polyurethane tubing series |
| 10 | Outer diameter — 10 mm |
| 65 | Inner diameter — 6.5 mm |
| BU | Colour — Blue |
| (-20 or -100) | Roll length — 20 m or 100 m |
The TU series is SMC’s primary range of ether-based polyurethane tubing. Tubing is manufactured from the highest-quality ether-based polyurethane compound to ensure maximum service life. The TUH series (hard polyurethane) and TUS series (soft polyurethane) are specialist variants for specific conditions.
SMC TU1065BU Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | SMC Corporation (Japan) |
| Part number | TU1065BU |
| Series | TU (Polyurethane Tubing) |
| Outer diameter (OD) | 10 mm (0.394 in) |
| Inner diameter (ID) | 6.5 mm (0.256 in) |
| Wall thickness | 1.75 mm |
| Colour | Blue (BU) |
| Material | Ether-based polyurethane |
| Hardness | Shore A 95 |
| Working pressure (20 °C) | 0.8 MPa (8 bar / 116 psi) |
| Working temperature (air) | −20 °C … +60 °C |
| Working temperature (water) | +5 °C … +40 °C |
| Minimum bend radius | 27 mm |
| Working media | Air, water |
| Roll length | 20 m or 100 m |
| Compliance | RoHS |
| Country of origin | Japan |
SMC TU Series by Diameter: Choosing the Right Size
| Part number | OD | ID | Min. bend radius | Typical application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TU0425 | 4 mm | 2.5 mm | 10 mm | Mini robots, micro-pneumatics |
| TU0604 | 6 mm | 4 mm | 15 mm | Small cylinders, sensors |
| TU0805 | 8 mm | 5 mm | 20 mm | Medium cylinders, valves |
| TU1065 | 10 mm | 6.5 mm | 27 mm | Industrial lines, robots |
| TU1208 | 12 mm | 8 mm | 35 mm | High-output systems |
💡 Part numbers follow the scheme TU[OD][ID]: TU1065 = 10 mm OD, 6.5 mm ID. Colour suffixes: BU = blue, B = black, W = white, R = red, Y = yellow, G = green, C = clear, YR = orange.
8 Available Colours in the TU1065 Series
The TU series is available in 8 standard colours. For TU1065 tubing (10×6.5 mm):
| Suffix | Colour | Part no. (20 m) | Part no. (100 m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | Black | TU1065B-20 | TU1065B-100 |
| BU | Blue | TU1065BU-20 | TU1065BU-100 |
| W | White | TU1065W-20 | TU1065W-100 |
| R | Red | TU1065R-20 | TU1065R-100 |
| Y | Yellow | TU1065Y-20 | TU1065Y-100 |
| G | Green | TU1065G-20 | TU1065G-100 |
| C | Clear | TU1065C-20 | TU1065C-100 |
| YR | Orange | TU1065YR-20 | TU1065YR-100 |
Colour coding helps identify functional lines in complex installations: blue — air supply, black — return line, red — signal lines, etc.
SMC TU Polyurethane vs PVC and Nylon Tubing
| Parameter | SMC TU (polyurethane) | PVC tubing | Nylon (PA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexibility at low temperatures | Excellent (down to −20 °C) | Becomes rigid near 0 °C | Good |
| Abrasion resistance | Very high | Low | Medium |
| Cut resistance | High | Low | Medium |
| Recovery after bending | Complete | Permanent deformation | Good |
| Transparency | Semi-transparent | Can be clear | Opaque |
| Minimum bend radius | 27 mm for 10 mm tube | Greater | Greater |
| Working temperature | −20 … +60 °C | 0 … +60 °C | −20 … +80 °C |
The tubing offers resistance to abrasion, chemicals, cutting, kinking, and tearing.
Compatible Fittings and Applications for TU1065BU
Compatible SMC push-in (one-touch) fittings for 10 mm OD tubing:
- KQ2 series — standard push-in fittings (straight, elbow, tee, union)
- KQG series — fittings with locking lever
- KQB series — block fittings for manifold plates
- QS series (Festo), PC series (SHPI), and other push-in fittings for 10 mm OD tubing
Typical applications:
- Industrial robots and manipulators — pneumatic control lines for grippers
- Production lines — air distribution to cylinders, valves, suction cups
- Machining centres — pneumatic lines to tool-clamping devices
- Packaging machines — pneumatic actuator control lines
- Medical and laboratory equipment — air and water lines (at +5…+40 °C)
Installation and Operation: Key Points
Cutting the tubing Cut the tubing strictly perpendicular to the axis using dedicated tube cutters — an angled cut reduces joint sealing in the fitting and increases the risk of leaks. Do not cut with a knife rolling motion or a saw blade — the end must be clean and burr-free.
Inserting into the fitting Push the tubing in until you feel a firm stop. Minimum insertion depth for 10 mm tubing into a KQ2 fitting is 17 mm. Insufficient insertion is the primary cause of tubing pull-out under pressure.
Bend radius Do not bend the tubing to a radius below 27 mm (at 20 °C). When routing around a corner — use elbow fittings rather than bending the tube. At lower temperatures the minimum bend radius increases.
Working pressure Do not exceed 0.8 MPa at 20 °C. Burst pressure is significantly higher, but sustained operation above rated pressure accelerates polyurethane degradation and increases the risk of unexpected failure.
⚠️ Warning: do not use this tubing for oils, fuels, chlorinated solvents, or ketone-based solvents — these are incompatible with polyurethane and will destroy the material. For aggressive media, ask an Acvatron SRL engineer about the appropriate tubing material.
Expert Opinion
“The SMC TU1065BU is effectively the industry standard for industrial pneumatics in the 10 mm format. Unlike nylon tubing, SMC TU polyurethane retains flexibility at sub-zero temperatures — important for equipment in unheated workshops in winter. Abrasion resistance is 4–6 times higher than PVC — critical when routing lines near moving components. In practice: I use TU1065BU wherever a line passes through a zone of possible mechanical contact. Where route rigidity is needed — SMC PA nylon. The only thing to note when ordering — 20 m or 100 m roll: for small installations take 20 m, for equipping a production line — 100 m; the per-metre price difference is substantial.”
Vitaly Boluchevsky, Chief Engineer at Acvatron SRL, 15 years in the industry
FAQ
❓ What is the difference between TU1065BU-20 and TU1065BU-100? Only the roll length: -20 = 20 metres, -100 = 100 metres. Tubing specifications are identical. The per-metre price of a 100 m roll is significantly lower than a 20 m roll.
❓ Is TU1065BU compatible with SHPI PC 10 series fittings? Yes. Push-in (one-touch) fittings for 10 mm OD tubing from any manufacturer are compatible with TU1065BU — including SHPI PC series, Festo QSS, Parker, and others. The compatibility criterion is an exact 10 mm OD.
❓ Can TU1065BU be used for water? Yes, the tubing is compatible with water at +5…+40 °C and working pressure up to 0.8 MPa. For continuous water contact, confirm that the fittings also have appropriate water resistance.
❓ How does the TU series differ from the 10-TU (Clean Series)? The 10-TU series is a specialist clean series for applications with air purity requirements and minimum particle generation (clean room). The TU series is standard for general industrial use. Working pressure and temperature specifications are identical for both series.
❓ Are TU1065 tubes available in other colours in Chișinău? Check availability of the required colour with an Acvatron SRL manager: +373 22 503-580. Blue (BU), black (B), and clear (C) are the most frequently requested colours kept in stock.
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