Description
Formatube® – Trusted by Contractors in Australia & New Zealand for Over 50 Years
The Most Economical Solution for Concrete Columns and Voids
Contractors across Australia and New Zealand have relied on Formatube® for over five decades. More than just paper tubes, Formatube concrete forms provide a cost-effective and reliable solution for creating round columns and voids in a variety of structural applications, including:
- Residential and commercial buildings
- Bridges
- Structural columns
- Other industrial and commercial structures
Why Choose Formatube?
Easy to Use
With over a century of expertise in design, technology, and manufacturing, Sonoco engineers have developed lightweight and water-resistant Formatube forms. These features make them easy to:
- Handle
- Set up
- Strip
- Discard after use
Simply set your Formatube form today and pour concrete tomorrow!
Industry-Leading Strength & Value
Formatube forms offer superior strength-to-weight properties, preventing blowouts and often eliminating the need for cranes during setup. Contractors across Australia and New Zealand trust Formatube for its unmatched technology and value.
Applications
- Columns for residential, commercial, and industrial structures
- Footings and piers
- Round void-forming in cast-in-place and pre-cast concrete for:
- Roof slabs
- Bridge decks
- Beams
Advantages
- Easy to set up and brace
- Reduced blowouts due to superior strength-to-weight ratio
- Customizable – easy to cut and drill on-site
- Cost-effective – no cleaning, reassembly, or return freight costs
- Efficient – multiple columns can be set and poured at the same time
Design
- Lightweight cardboard material designed for quick and versatile column pouring
- Single-use form – no cleaning, oiling, or inventory required
Placing
- Easy to handle and cut to required length on-site
- No bolting, nailing, or piercing required
- Can be dropped over reinforcing bar cage
- Multiple forms can be set up for simultaneous pouring
Bracing
- Minimal bracing required for plumb positioning
- Use light timber or scaffolding to keep forms plumb
- Brace tubes at:
- 2.5-metre intervals for tubes up to 225mm in diameter
- 3-metre intervals for tubes 250mm and above
Pouring Guidelines
- Designed for single-lift pouring using conventional methods
- Recommended pour rate: 4.5 metres per hour, not exceeding 14 Kpa
- Release agent not required but recommended for aggressive concrete formulations
Curing Benefits
Formatube forms left in place retain moisture, preventing loss due to seepage, absorption, and evaporation. This ensures proper cement hydration for better curing.
Stripping Instructions
- Recommended 1-5 days after pouring
- Two simple removal methods:
- Power Saw Method: Make two vertical cuts and pull the form off
- Linoleum Knife Method: Make a 30cm vertical cut, then peel the tube spirally using a broad-blade tool
Encasement of Piles & Poles
- Formatube forms can be slipped over a pole or pile
- A split form (Formatube with a longitudinal joint) can be wired and sprung around the piling, then secured with tape or braces
Surface Finish
- F-3 grade finish
Storage & Handling Guidelines
- Keep dry before use
- Store vertically to maintain roundness
- If stored horizontally:
- Elevate at least 100mm off the ground
- Support the full length of the tube
- Keep tube ends covered and elevated (minimum 100mm from ground) before pouring
- Ensure base remains above surface water before pouring
- Protect the top of the tube from moisture before concrete placement
- DO NOT use if the Formatube form is wet or softened
Contact Us
For more information about Formatube® products or to place an order, get in touch with our team today!
Available in the following internal diameters:
- 300mm, 370mm, 405mm, 457mm, 508mm, 610mm – available in 3 metre lengths only (no minimum quantity)
- 140mm, 152mm , 200mm , 242mm, – a minimum of 50 lineal metres required for these sizes (eg 17 tubes at 3m lengths – Made only in ChCh factory – additional freight costs will apply)
Please email your specific requirements for a price.
Note: Formatubes are non returnable products. Please order carefully as we cannot accept these back for credit.
