ca reactor tubes thinkness? also, is measurement i.d. or o.d

[fungia]

for a 4" diy ca reator tube, how thick does the acrylic have to be? also is acrylic tubes measured in inner diameter or outer diameter. is 4" inside or outside dimensions?

tia

 

[taikonaut]

you don't need to thick for a reactor. I would use quality acrylic (casted) and maybe 1/4 inch minimum thickness so that it is easier to cement.

tubes are measured in both ID and OD, so it can be either way. Doesn't matter as long as it got a matching cap and base.

 

[Acrylics]

Generally speaking, if you see someone using something like 4", they are usually referring to the OD. Most distributors will say something like 4 x 3.5" implying 1/4" wall thickness.
As ck pointed out, you don't need a thick wall when it comes to tube but you generally won't find tube in over 1/4" wall anyway, it simply isn't much of a commodity. 1/8", 3/16", and 1/4" walls are usually all most distributors will stock. In reality any will be fine for a reactor though the thicker you go, the more surface area, therefore the stronger the joint as well as the material. But if you get a good joint, even 1/8" wall is fine insofar as strength goes.

HTH,
James

 

[fungia]

thank you very much!