What is the primary characteristic required for materials used in high-pressure tubing?

The primary characteristic required for materials used in high-pressure tubing is strength. High-pressure applications impose significant stresses on the materials, necessitating that they can withstand these forces without deforming or failing. The tubing must be able to maintain structural integrity under high pressure to ensure safety and reliability in various applications, such as in natural gas distribution, oil transportation, and chemical processing.

While flexibility, low weight, and corrosion resistance are important characteristics for specific applications, they do not surpass the need for strength in high-pressure environments. Flexibility might be more relevant in applications where bending is necessary, low weight can be advantageous for transport or installation, and corrosion resistance is critical in environments with aggressive chemicals. However, without the requisite strength to handle high pressure, the tubing could lead to failure, posing safety risks and operational challenges. Hence, strength is the foremost characteristic for ensuring the tubing can endure the operating conditions effectively.