Two different kinds of tubing are used in the organic chemistry teaching labs: Tygon tubing and vacuum tubing.
Tygon tubing is the clear type of flexible tubing. It is used to run water to and from condensors and steam to and from steam baths. In the picture below, it is the tubing on top. The tubing in the labs has been used and often is a lot darker in color than the tubing in the picture. Never use Tygon tubing to connect to a vacuum source since it will collapse under reduced pressure.
Vacuum tubing is the thick-walled black tubing. This type is specially designed to retain its shape under reduced pressure. Use it to connect the vacuum source to your vacuum flask or to a vacuum distillation set-up.
Location: student lab drawer equipment. Keep two pieces of Tygon tubing and a piece of vacuum tubing in your lab drawer. If you need a different length of tubing, or if your tubing is cracked or otherwise damaged, both types of tubing are stored in drawers or boxes in the student labs.
Cost: you are not charged for tubing, not ever, take what you need from the boxes in the lab rooms.
