More about this product
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Features:
 Phenolic-impregnated kraft paper construction has more strength and less weight than cardboard tubing (up to 40% lighter than cardboard tubes).
The inside wall lined with flocked light absorbing material to suppress stray light.
Economical optical tube solution
Easy to cut and drill.
Moisture resistant.
Excellent thermal properties.
Instructions included.
Exterior is unpainted (light tan) with spiral seam.
BlackLite telescope tubes are an economical alternative to heavy cardboard concrete form tubing (or “Sonotube”). They are available for 6", 8", and 10" Newtonian telescopes. These tubes are designed specifically to be telescope tubes, and the diameter, rigidity, optical and thermal properties all have that purpose in mind.
 BlackLite tubes are constructed of hard phenolic impregnated kraft paper. This material has over five times the compression strength of cardboard, so the tube is up to 50% lighter than cardboard. They are also up to 40% lighter than aluminum tubes (even thin-walled aluminum).
ProtoStar flocked light trap material is integrated into the interior tube wall during manufacture for superior stray light baffling compared to black paint, and this also saves you the time and trouble of installing the material. (When comparing tube costs, remember that BlackLite tubes are pre-flocked.) The hard exterior is ready-to-paint, or it can be used unpainted. The phenolic composite is easy to cut and drill.
Tubes up to 90" long
BlackLite tubes up to 48" long are single-piece tubes. Longer tubes (up to 90-inches) are made by joining tube sections with an external coupler. The joint is stronger than the tube, so there is no sacrifice in rigidity.
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One-piece tubes up to 48 inches long are available. |
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Longer tubes up to 90 inches can be constructed by joining two BlackLite tube sections with the supplied external coupler. |
Optional accessories
End trim, custom end caps, slip-on light shields, and other accessories are available for BlackLite tubes.
Specifications
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BL-8
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BL-10
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BL-12
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Inside diameter
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7.65 in.
(194 mm)
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9.65 in.
(245 mm)
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11.45 in.
(291 mm)
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Wall thickness
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0.12 in.
(2.8 mm)
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0.13 in.
(3.0 mm)
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0.16 in.
(3.6 mm)
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Outside diameter (nominal)
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7.90 in.
(201 mm)
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9.91 in.
(252 mm)
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11.77 in.
(299 mm)
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Weight per length
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1.0 lbs/ft
(15 g/cm)
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1.3 lbs/ft
(19 g/cm)
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1.8 lbs/ft
(27 g/cm)
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Total weight of 48" long tube
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4.0 lbs
(1.82 kg)
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5.2 lbs
(2.37 kg)
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7.2 lbs
(3.28 kg)
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Modulus of elasticity, E
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1400 ksi
(9.65 GPa)
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Inside wall reflectivity
(Avg visible @ 0º AOI)
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<0.4%
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Inside wall reflectivity
(Avg visible @ 80º AOI)
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<0.7%
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Thermal conductivity, k
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0.23 W/m.K
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Thermal expansion
coefficient (1/ ºF)
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8.0 x 10(-6)
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Design temperature range
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-25 to 170 º F
(-30 to 75 ºC)
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Detailed Product Images
(click to enlarge)
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Download the installation
instructions for BlackLite
telescope tubes. (90 kB pdf)
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 See BlackLite tube accessories...
Attention O.E.M.s...
Custom sizes of BlackLite tubes are available. For order quantities of as little as 25 pieces, we can deliver tubes with inside diameters from 1.00” up to 12” (25 to 300 mm). Call us for details and price quotes.
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