Needle Tubing Breakage Resistance Test

Understanding needle tubing breakage resistance is crucial for maintaining the safety and quality of medical devices, especially syringes and infusion needles. This test ensures that the tubing can endure bending stress during manufacturing and clinical use without failure. For professionals working in quality control, especially in pharmaceutical and medical device industries, mastering this test is not only vital for compliance but also for patient safety.

Importance of Needle Tubing Breakage Resistance

Needle tubing must be resilient, especially during repeated handling, bending, and insertion into soft or hard tissues. If the tubing fractures, it could cause serious harm to the patient and pose legal and regulatory risks for the manufacturer. That’s why the needle tubing breakage resistance test is essential — it simulates real-world mechanical stress and evaluates whether the tubing maintains its structural integrity after cyclic bending.

Syringetest.com supports this critical need by providing accurate and repeatable testing systems to help medical device manufacturers meet international standards efficiently.

Understanding ISO 9626 and ISO 9626 Annex C

ISO 9626 is the international standard specifying the mechanical properties of stainless-steel needle tubing used in the manufacture of medical devices. Annex C of ISO 9626 outlines a normative method for testing the tubing’s resistance to breakage under repeated bending stress.

According to Annex C, the tubing must be bent cyclically to simulate mechanical fatigue, and then visually inspected for any signs of fracture. The outcome determines whether the tubing meets the minimum performance requirements necessary for safe medical use.

Test Method for Needle Tubing Breakage Resistance

The breakage resistance test involves precise procedures, which ensure repeatability and compliance. Here’s a breakdown of the method, as referenced in ISO 9626 Annex C:

To conduct the test effectively, the following equipment is necessary:

  • Tubing Fixation Device: To hold one end of the tubing rigidly in place.
  • Force Application Device: Capable of bending the tubing up to 25° depending on wall thickness.
  1. Secure the Tubing: One end of the needle tubing is rigidly fixed to the support.
  2. Apply Bending Force: At a specified distance from the fixed point, bend the tubing in one direction through a defined angle:
    • (25 ±1)° for regular-walled
    • (20 ±1)° for thin-walled
    • (15 ±1)° for extra-thin and ultra-thin-walled tubing
  3. Reverse the Force: Bend the tubing in the opposite direction through the same angle.
  4. Repeat the Cycle: Conduct 20 full cycles of reversal at a rate of 0.5 Hz.
  5. Visual Inspection: After cycling, check the tubing for visible signs of breakage or cracking.

A complete test report must include:

  • Tubing size and identification
  • Wall type classification (regular, thin, extra-thin, ultra-thin)
  • Visual results of breakage
  • Testing date
  • Stainless steel alloy type as specified in Clause 4 of ISO 9626

Accurate documentation ensures traceability and facilitates audits or certification processes, which are essential for companies aiming to export or meet stringent regulatory standards.

Why Choose Syringetest.com?

At Syringetest.com, we specialize in designing high-precision, automated testing systems that comply with ISO standards, including ISO 9626 Annex C. Our equipment is widely used in medical device quality control, ensuring consistent test results with minimal human error. Furthermore, we offer customizable solutions for unique tubing dimensions or wall types and provide automation transformation services to integrate this test into production lines seamlessly.

Whether you’re in the pharmaceutical, medical device, or quality inspection sector, our instruments help you maintain compliance while improving operational efficiency.