Degradation resistant expandable tubing and method and system for manufacture thereof

An article of manufacture comprising:

• an expandable tube;
• an expandable, degradation-resistant liner integrally bonded to the interior surface of the expandable tube;
• and
• a mandrel inserted in the longitudinal lumen of the liner.

An apparatus for manufacturing tubing, the apparatus comprising:

• a longitudinal center chamber having gas-permeable, rigid walls;
• a longitudinal outer chamber of a diameter greater than the center chamber, having impermeable rigid walls;
• the center chamber positioned inside the outer chamber;
• and
• the space between the center chamber and the outer chamber being closed on each end with an air-tight seal.

A system for manufacturing tubing, the system comprising:

• a mandrel insertion apparatus;
• a pre-formed liner tube;
• a pre-formed mandrel;
• and
• a resulting liner-clad mandrel.

A system for manufacturing tubing, the system comprising:

• a mandrel extrusion die;
• a source of extrudable mandrel material;
• a liner tube extrusion die;
• a source of extrudable liner tube material;
• and
• a resulting liner-clad mandrel.

A method for manufacturing tubing, the method comprising:

• providing an insertion apparatus;
• inserting a pre-formed liner tube into the apparatus;
• circumferentially fastening each end of the liner tube to the apparatus to form an air-tight seal leaving the lumen of the liner open;
• evacuating the insertion apparatus:
• inserting a mandrel into the lumen of the liner tube;
• aerating the apparatus;
• and
• removing the liner-clad mandrel from the apparatus.

A method for manufacturing tubing, the method comprising:

• providing a mandrel extrusion die;
• loading the die with extrudable mandrel material;
• extruding a mandrel;
• passing the extruded mandrel through a liner tube extruding die;
• extruding a liner tube on the mandrel;
• and
• removing the liner-clad mandrel from the die.