SMC TU1208BU Part Number Breakdown
| Position | Meaning |
|---|---|
| TU | SMC polyurethane tubing series |
| 12 | Outer diameter — 12 mm |
| 08 | Inner diameter — 8 mm |
| BU | Colour — Blue |
| (-20 or -100) | Roll length — 20 m or 100 m |
The TU series is SMC’s primary range of highest-quality ether-based polyurethane tubing. TU1208BU is the largest diameter in the standard TU series: the 8 mm inner diameter provides minimum flow resistance for high air consumption applications.
SMC TU1208BU Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | SMC Corporation (Japan) |
| Part number | TU1208BU |
| Series | TU (Polyurethane Tubing) |
| Outer diameter (OD) | 12 mm (0.472 in) |
| Inner diameter (ID) | 8 mm (0.315 in) |
| Wall thickness | 2.0 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 | 35 mm |
| Working media | Air, water |
| Roll length | 20 m or 100 m |
| Compliance | RoHS |
| Country of origin | Japan |
TU1208BU (12 mm) vs TU1065BU (10 mm): When You Need the Larger Diameter
| Parameter | TU1065BU (10 mm) | TU1208BU (12 mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Outer diameter | 10 mm | 12 mm |
| Inner diameter | 6.5 mm | 8 mm |
| Internal cross-section area | 33.2 mm² | 50.3 mm² |
| Air flow at 6 bar | ~400 l/min | ~600 l/min |
| Minimum bend radius | 27 mm | 35 mm |
| Application | Standard lines | Main headers, high flow |
When to choose TU1208BU:
- Main air distribution header between the manifold and multiple consumers
- Supply lines to large-bore pneumatic cylinders (50–100 mm bore)
- Robotic manipulators with multiple grippers and high combined flow rate
- Systems with fast-acting valves where minimising header pressure drop is critical
- Connection of high-consumption pneumatic tools (impact wrenches, hammers)
When TU1065BU (10 mm) is sufficient:
- Lines to individual cylinders and valves
- Distribution from a directional control valve to actuators
- Systems with moderate air consumption
Full SMC TU Range by Diameter
| Part number | OD | ID | Min. bend radius | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TU0425 | 4 mm | 2.5 mm | 10 mm | Micro-pneumatics, sensors |
| TU0604 | 6 mm | 4 mm | 15 mm | Small cylinders |
| TU0805 | 8 mm | 5 mm | 20 mm | Medium cylinders, valves |
| TU1065 | 10 mm | 6.5 mm | 27 mm | Industrial lines |
| TU1208 | 12 mm | 8 mm | 35 mm | Main headers, high flow |
8 Available Colours in the TU1208 Series
| Suffix | Colour | Part no. (20 m) | Part no. (100 m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | Black | TU1208B-20 | TU1208B-100 |
| BU | Blue | TU1208BU-20 | TU1208BU-100 |
| W | White | TU1208W-20 | TU1208W-100 |
| R | Red | TU1208R-20 | TU1208R-100 |
| Y | Yellow | TU1208Y-20 | TU1208Y-100 |
| G | Green | TU1208G-20 | TU1208G-100 |
| C | Clear | TU1208C-20 | TU1208C-100 |
| YR | Orange | TU1208YR-20 | TU1208YR-100 |
SMC TU Polyurethane vs PVC and Nylon
| Parameter | SMC TU (polyurethane) | PVC | Nylon (PA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexibility at −20 °C | Excellent | Becomes rigid | Good |
| Abrasion resistance | Very high | Low | Medium |
| Cut resistance | High | Low | Medium |
| Recovery after bending | Complete | Permanent deformation | Good |
| Minimum bend radius | 35 mm (12 mm tube) | Greater | Greater |
| Working temperature | −20 … +60 °C | 0 … +60 °C | −20 … +80 °C |
SMC polyurethane abrasion resistance is 4–6× higher than PVC — critical when routing lines near moving components.
Compatible Push-In Fittings for 12 mm Tubing
TU1208BU is compatible with all one-touch (Push-In) fittings for 12 mm OD tubing:
- SMC KQ2 — KQ2H12, KQ2L12, KQ2T12, KQ2U12 and other models with ’12’ in the part number
- SMC KQG — locking-lever fittings for 12 mm
- SHPI PC 12 series — e.g. PC 12-02, PC 12-03, PUT 12, etc.
- Festo QSS-12 and other QS series fittings for 12 mm
- Any push-in fittings from other manufacturers for 12 mm OD tubing
💡 Compatibility criterion — exactly 12 mm OD. Both 12×8 and 12×10 (OD×ID) tubing have the same 12 mm OD and fit the same fittings. The difference is only in the inner diameter and therefore in the flow rate.
Installation and Operation
Cutting the tubing Cut strictly perpendicular to the axis with dedicated tube cutters. For 12 mm tubing, a clean square cut is especially important — the larger face area magnifies the effect of an angled cut on joint sealing.
Insertion depth Minimum insertion depth for 12 mm tubing into a KQ2 fitting — 19 mm. For TU1208BU with 2 mm wall thickness, ensure the tubing reaches the stop with a distinct click.
Bend radius Minimum bend radius of TU1208BU — 35 mm at 20 °C (greater than TU1065BU’s 27 mm). Plan routing accordingly. At lower temperatures the minimum bend radius increases.
Incompatible media Do not use with oils, fuels, ketones (MEK, acetone), or chlorinated solvents. Polyurethane is incompatible with these substances and will degrade on contact.
Expert Opinion
“TU1208BU is the header tubing. It’s chosen where the 10 mm size is creating a flow bottleneck: not enough air when several cylinders actuate simultaneously, a noticeable pressure drop on start. An 8 mm ID versus 6.5 mm in the TU1065 means 1.5× the cross-section area, and air flow at equal conditions increases by roughly the same factor. Practical tip: if you have a multi-consumer system — run the TU1208 as your main header, then branch off with TU1065 or TU0805 to each individual cylinder. That’s the classic tree-branch distribution layout that minimises pressure drop across the whole system.”
Vitaly Boluchevsky, Chief Engineer at Acvatron SRL, 15 years in the industry
FAQ
❓ What is the difference between TU1208BU-20 and TU1208BU-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 — cost-effective for production line installation.
❓ Is TU1208BU compatible with the SMC KQ2H12-03S fitting? Yes, KQ2H12 is a straight SMC push-in fitting for 12 mm tubing — fully compatible with TU1208BU.
❓ Can TU1208BU be used for water? Yes, at +5…+40 °C and working pressure up to 0.8 MPa. For continuous water contact, confirm that fittings also have appropriate chemical resistance.
❓ What tubing is needed for a header with a flow rate of 600 l/min? For approximately 600 l/min air flow at 6 bar — TU1208BU (8 mm ID) is the optimum choice. For flow up to 400 l/min, TU1065BU (6.5 mm ID) is sufficient. Ask an Acvatron SRL engineer for a flow calculation: +373 22 503-580.
❓ Is TU1208BU available in other colours? Blue (BU), black (B), and clear (C) are the most popular. Check availability of the required colour with an Acvatron SRL manager.
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