Rigid tube or soft tube: which one to choose?

If it was already difficult to mount a liquid cooling system, it is important to know what type of tube to choose: soft or rigid. You may not have considered the importance of the difference between the two types of tube, so we have decided to compare them to know their advantages and disadvantages. We hope to dispel many doubts We begin!

Rigid tube

As its name suggests it is a tube that is not flexible. This can be positive or negative, depending on the space we have to work with or to install the refrigeration kit.

Normally, it is made of glass, carbon, acrylic, PETG or metal. It will be more difficult for us to choose one material or another, so we will explain the virtues of each material.

Finally, to say that this type of tube is used by more advanced users, since it requires certain knowledge about the materials that we find.

Crystal

It is a borosilicate glass solution, that is, a type of glass characterized by incorporating silicon and boron oxide, sodium and calcium carbonate. In Christian: it is very resistant and transparent. What should matter to us with this material are the outer dimensions of the tube, we find the following:

16/11 mm. 13/10 mm. 16/12 mm. 16/13 mm. 12/10 mm.

Acrylic

These types are made of methacrylate, a kind of PVC called PMMA. It is difficult to flex and is very resistant to high temperatures. However, it suffers from cracking due to the glycols that some liquids contain.

On the one hand, we don't have to worry because there are practically no glycol liquids left, but we can find them in the market. Tell you that the cracking causes fissures, which will spill the liquid to the outside of the circuit.

On the other hand, you have nothing to worry about because it is rare to see the use of these liquids.

PETG

It is a material characterized by being used regularly in 3D printing. It is a polymer to which is added a gilicol that depends on the dimensions of the tube, as on its composition. In short, this provides greater flexibility, being able to change the shape through heat.

The big problem it presents is that it does not withstand temperatures above 40 degrees, melting and deforming at the ends.

Metal

Normally, they are usually made of brass and copper, but we can see some other premium material. Say that they are not flexible at all, unless we use specific tools. If the tubes are made of brass, be careful because it needs to be galvanized to avoid galvanic corrosion and that the tube dissipates the heat of the water with the outside temperature.

Finally, to say that we can buy them in different colors to improve the aesthetics of our box.

Soft tube

The vast majority of soft tubes are made of a material similar to PVC. Do not confuse yourself with tubes of a lifetime because soft tubes for refrigeration contain special materials that act as biocides. Its main characteristics are the following:

Cheaper. Harder materials. Ease of handling. Adaptable to the circumstances of the boxes. Transparent.

For all these characteristics they are chosen by those who start in the world. That said, there are some measures that are not as in demand as before, but others are increasing.

On the other hand, they have certain disadvantages that must be observed. On the one hand, the plasticizer can cloud the liquid in the tube. Also, that great flexibility can cause knots in the circuit, which is totally undesirable.

Finally, to say that we find 4 main measures:

13/10 mm. 16/10 mm. 16/12 mm. 19/13 mm.

Advantages and disadvantages of rigid tubes

To make it more enlightening, we are going to put the advantages and disadvantages of each type of tube.

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The advantages that the rigid tube offers compared to its rival are the following:

They can be shaped with heat tools. Being rigid, they cannot bend or twist. They are difficult to crack from the inside. Their appearance, especially that of glass, is shiny and clean.

On the contrary, its disadvantages are these:

They are more expensive. They are easier to break because they are not flexible. They do not fit as well because they are more complicated to handle. Depending on the material, temperatures above 40 degrees can be a problem. There are added corrosion problems.

Advantages and disadvantages of soft tubes

Soft tubes have many virtues, but they are not spared from having defects like their opponent.

Thus, the advantages of the soft tube are these:

Easy to install. Cheaper. Hard to break. More adaptable without specific tools. They do not suffer from temperatures. Certain materials help prevent the growth of bacteria.

Its disadvantages are as follows:

Its appearance is not so good. They can be twisted and tied if they are not properly arranged. They can become cloudy or wet, worsening the appearance of the circuit.

In short, each one has its pros and cons. In my opinion, each one is focused on a specific audience, so: if you are a novice, choose soft tube; If you are an expert, choose a rigid tube. The appearance of the rigid tube is much better, but some knowledge is required to choose the right tube material to avoid scares.

We hope that it has helped you, if you have any questions, leave them below so that we can answer you.

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Do you prefer soft or rigid tube? Why? Have you had any problems with either of them?