Reinforced
MicroLumen offers custom braid and coil reinforced tubing. Primary advantages of using reinforced tubing include increased column strength, torque transmission, and increased burst strength.
Connect with an engineer to review your needs and explore custom solutions.
Engineered Reinforcement
Reinforced tubes are available in a wide range of diameters and configurations. The construction of a typical reinforced tube consists of a substrate layer, a braided or coiled layer, and an exterior layer.
Substrate Layer
Substrates can include polyimide, PTFE liners, and many thermoplastics like Pebax® or nylon.
Outer Layer
Polyimide, Pebax, nylon and urethanes, can be applied to the OD for varying durometer and color.
Substrate Layer
Braiding
Outer Layer
Types of Reinforcement
Higher PIC counts improve flexibility, while a lower PIC count increases longitudinal stiffness for better pushability. The PIC count can be varied within a specific length to provide variable flexibility.
PIC Count: Per Inch Crosses
WPI: Wraps Per Inch
Wire Options
304V stainless steel is the primary reinforcement material for high-performance medical tubing due to its vacuum‑melted micro structure with low inclusion content, providing predictable torque response and superior corrosion resistance under bodily fluids, sterilization cycles, and demanding clinical conditions.
Flat Wire
0.0005″ x 0.0025″ and larger
Round Wire
0.0010″ to 0.004″
Bring your design to life.
Explore our custom solutions and connect with an engineering expert to review your specifications.
Ready to engineer your solution?
Let's discuss how custom tubing can advance your next generation device.