Made from silicone rubber, silicone tubing is used for transferring liquids, gases, and other substances in a variety of applications. This material is known for its flexibility, durability, and temperature, UV, and corrosion resistance. Silicone tubing is also easy to clean and sterilize, making it the perfect choice for medical, pharmaceutical, and food production applications where cleanliness and sterilization are key.
There are different grades of silicone, and depending on the needs of an application, they are used for a variety of tubing types. Keep reading to learn more about the different silicone material options and types of tubing, as well as common applications.
Types and Grades of Silicone Tubing
There are several different types of silicone and silicone tubing, and they are suitable for different use cases. Some of the most common include:
- Platinum-cured silicone tubing. Platinum-cured silicone tubing is made using a platinum catalyst, which improves purity and reduces contamination. This tubing remains clear, doesn’t yellow, and doesn’t affect product quality or flavor; therefore, it is widely used in pharmaceutical, biomedical, food, and beverage applications. It is available only as a translucent material and carries certifications to USP-VI and ISO-10993.
- Peroxide-cured silicone tubing. This tubing is cured with a peroxide catalyst, and tends to be less expensive than platinum-cured tubing. It is generally used in less critical applications in which high-level certifications such as ISO-10993 are not needed. It is available in translucent and multi-color options and comes in a range of diameters.
- High-temperature and Low-temperature silicone tubing. These are specifically designed for exposure to high and low temperatures as well as other extreme environmental conditions in the automotive, aerospace, and food processing industries.
- Medical-grade silicone tubing. This tubing is biocompatible, sterile, hygienic, and safe for medical uses. This material must comply with regulations such as United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) Class VI and ISO 10992. The most common applications of medical silicone tubing include:
- Food-grade silicone tubing. Food-grade silicone tubing is safe for food products and ingredients for human consumption and complies with 21CFR177.2600 for preventing contamination of consumer products. It meets high food safety standards without compromising quality or taste. There are also grades that are 3A compliant and certified by NSF to NSF-51.
It is important to note that each classification is not exclusive. For instance, a peroxide cured tube can also be high temperature and food grade at the same time.
Silicone Tubing Applications
Because it is durable, temperature resistant, flexible, and biocompatible, silicone tubing is suitable for many different applications, including:
- Medical and healthcare. Silicone tubing is biocompatible, non-reactive, hypoallergenic, and compatible with sterilization procedures, making it essential for medical devices, catheters, wound drains, feeding tubes, IVs, peristaltic pumps, and lab sampling.
- Electronic equipment. Silicone tubing is used in electronic equipment to insulate and protect electrical wiring from extreme temperatures and the ambient environment.
- Automotive components. This material performs better than regular rubber hoses when exposed to heat and vibration, so it can be used for hoses in engine coolant systems, turbochargers, and vacuum lines. Silicone tubing is also preferred in vehicles and industrial machinery because it resists cracking and damage from exposure to ozone and chemicals, for a longer service life.
- Water filtration and purification. Because it is non-toxic and flavorless, food-grade silicone tubing is commonly used for water filtration applications. This tubing prevents contamination purification in residential water purifiers and laboratory filtration units.
- Food and dairy processing. Because it is nonreactive, nonporous, and easy to clean, silicone tubing is frequently used in food and dairy processing facilities. It is an FDA compliant and BPA-free material that also prevents flavor contamination across products. It is also durable and can be cleaned and reused numerous times without degrading.
Reach Out to Vanguard Products for More Information
Silicone tubing plays an essential role in a variety of industries, including food and beverage, aerospace, and the medical field. It is strong and durable, can be sterilized, tolerates high temperatures, and does not impact flavors.
Vanguard Products provides a variety of silicone tubing grades and types, custom molded silicone and rubber gaskets and extrusions, and EMI shielding gaskets. With over 50 years of experience, we have the expertise necessary to consistently deliver the best products to meet your requirements. We can also work with you to select the best tubing products for your application. Contact us today to learn more or to request a consultation.