Plastic Cores: Precision Cut Tubing from Vip Rubber and Plastic

Plastic cores are precision cut tubing with chamfered ends, burr-free cuts, and tight tolerances. They come in a choice of materials and sizes and can be produced in standard and custom lengths in a variety of colors. Plastic cores are extruded from thermoplastics, cut to size, and machined so that the ends have a smooth, clean finish. VIP Rubber and Plastic of La Habra, California (USA) extrudes, cuts, and machines plastic core tubing for a variety industries, including high-performance applications.

Let’s take a look at the advantages of plastic core tubes and consider some available materials and sizes. Plastic core types and applications vary, but VIP combines its plastic extrusion capabilities with value-added services like custom printing, color matching, and custom packaging.   

Plastic Core Advantages

Plastic core tubing resists crushing and is moisture resistant and hygienic. It remains stable under humid conditions, resists most chemicals and solvents, and is seamless. During the extrusion process, anti-static agents can be added to ensure that plastic cores won’t become a voltage source. Compared to paper cores, plastic tubing can have thinner walls. Compared to fiber cores, there’s less dust contamination. VIP can also use recycled plastics for cores that support your green initiatives. 

Plastic Core Materials and Sizes 

Plastic tubing materials include HDPE, PP, ABS, and PVC. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is strong and lightweight. Polypropylene (PP) resists cracking and stress, even when flexed. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) provides strong resistance to corrosive chemicals and physical impacts. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) combines abrasion resistance with mechanical strength. Three-inch plastic core is a common size, but VIP can also extrude cores smaller than 1/2” and up to 6” inside diameter.    

Plastic Core Types and Applications

Plastic extruded cores are used in a variety of industrial, commercial, and medical applications. With industrial brushes, bristles are stapled to plastic cores that attach to metal shafts for machine mounting. Plastic cores are also used in roller brushes for cleaning produce on conveyors. Along with extruded cores for produce cleaning and produce processing, examples of manufacturing-related products include tape cores, film cores, label cores, paint roller cores, and yarn cores.  Medical cores and clean room cores may require hygienic plastic materials. Plastic tubing can be flexible, but rigid plastic core is also available. 

VIP is a plastic extruder that combines experience in converting cores with material selection assistance and value-added manufacturing. Are you ready to get started? Contact us to learn more about our capabilities, or get a quote for your project.