Also known as: EPE foam tube, Foam sleeve, Foam pipe sleeve, Round foam profile, Foam net sleeve (netting)
A foam tube is an extruded hollow EPE section that slides over a cylindrical product — a pipe, rod, shaft, bottle or chair leg — and protects its full circumference in one piece. Tubes are made in inside diameters from about 10 mm to 150 mm with 5–25 mm walls at 25–35 kg/m³, cut to length, plain or slit.
Wrapping a round product in sheet foam takes time and the wrap unwinds in transit. An extruded tube solves both problems: it is pushed on in one motion, grips the product by a slight interference fit, and cannot come loose because it has no free end. That is why foam tubes are standard on stainless tubing from Ahmedabad, brass rods from Jamnagar, hydraulic cylinders, threaded bars, submersible pump shafts, glass bottles and furniture legs — anything long and cylindrical that must not be scratched or dented against its neighbour.
Extrusion produces the tube as a continuous hollow profile. The die sets inside diameter and wall thickness; the cutter sets length. Standard inside diameters run from roughly 10 mm to 150 mm, with walls from 5 mm on small sleeves to 20–25 mm on heavy-duty sections. Larger diameters are usually made as a slit tube or as a wrapped and glued sheet sleeve. Lengths of 1 m and 2 m are common stock sizes, but any length within the extruder output can be cut, and short rings can be cut for bottles and jars.
Sizing is the point most buyers get wrong. The tube inside diameter should be 5–10% smaller than the product outside diameter for a self-gripping fit on a smooth surface; for threaded or rough surfaces use the nominal size and allow the thread to bite. A tube that is too large slides off during handling; one that is far too small tears at the ends when pushed on. Where the product must be inserted from the side — a pipe already fitted with flanges, for example — a slit tube (C-section) opens along its length and closes around the product.
The wall does the cushioning, so it is specified from product weight and the number of tubes carrying it, exactly as for any foam. A bundle of ten 25 mm stainless pipes each in a 10 mm-wall tube is protected against surface contact and light knocks; a 40 kg hydraulic shaft needs thicker wall and higher density at the bearing points, or a tube combined with end caps. Anti-static pink tubes are available for electronic sub-assemblies and black or coloured tubes for identification.
Foam net sleeves (extruded EPE netting) are the lighter cousin used on fruit, bottles, ceramic ware and painted components. They give separation and abrasion protection rather than impact cushioning, cost less per piece and pack flat. Where a customer asks for "foam tube" for glassware or fruit, netting is often what they actually need.
We extrude EPE tubes to order in standard and custom bores, cut to length, plain or slit, with self-adhesive on request for tubes that must stay fixed to one position on a machine.
Foam Tube at a glance
| Material | Extruded EPE, closed-cell, 25–35 kg/m³ |
|---|---|
| Inside diameter | Approx. 10–150 mm as extruded; larger as slit or wrapped sleeves |
| Wall thickness | 5–25 mm depending on product weight and diameter |
| Standard lengths | 1 m and 2 m; cut to any length, rings on request |
| Fit rule | Bore 5–10% under product OD for self-grip on smooth surfaces |
| Variants | Plain, slit (C-section), self-adhesive, anti-static pink, coloured |
| Alternatives | EPE net sleeve for light separation; U-profile for flat edges |
| Typical uses | Pipes, rods, shafts, cylinders, bottles, furniture legs, threaded bars |
Common questions
What sizes do EPE foam tubes come in?
Extruded tubes are made in inside diameters from about 10 mm up to around 150 mm, with wall thickness from 5 mm to 25 mm, in 1 m and 2 m standard lengths. Custom bores are extruded to order, and larger diameters are produced as slit tubes or wrapped sleeves.
Should the foam tube be bigger or smaller than the pipe?
Slightly smaller. A bore 5–10% under the product outside diameter stretches on and grips without tearing. Oversize tubes slide off in handling. For pipes with fittings already attached, use a slit tube that opens along its length instead of forcing a closed tube over the end.
Can foam tubes be used for glass bottles?
Yes. Short cut rings or full-length sleeves separate bottles and stop rim-to-rim contact. For high-volume bottle lines an EPE net sleeve is cheaper and packs flatter, while a solid foam tube is chosen where real impact cushioning is needed, for example on sample bottles couriered singly.
Are foam tubes available in anti-static grade?
Yes. Pink anti-static EPE tubes at 10⁹–10¹¹ Ω/sq are supplied for cylindrical electronic sub-assemblies, sensors and motors. Bare semiconductor devices need conductive black foam, which is normally supplied as sheet or fitment rather than tube.
Need EPE Foam Buffers & Profiles for your product?
We manufacture epe foam buffers & profiles at our Rajkot unit and dispatch across India. Send the product, size or weight and monthly quantity and we specify and quote within one working day.
Or read the full specification: EPE Foam Buffers & Profiles