Silicone hoses and silicone tubings
Silicone hoses and silicone tubings – general information
Silicone hoses, thanks to their unique physical and chemical properties, are widely used in many industries such as: pharmaceutical, biotechnological, medical, food, machine-building, construction, power industry and in many other sectors.
The physicochemical properties of the silicone hoses depend on their composition. Because manufacturers offer a great diversity of rubber types as well as various fillers, cross-linking agents and other ingredients but also different processing methods, it is possible to match silicone hose characteristics to specific operating conditions and Customer expectations.
The characteristics of the silicone rubber
The basic characteristics of the silicone rubber include:
- resistance to both low and high temperatures with only minor changes in physical properties,
- dielectric breakdown properties,
- good resistance to oxidation,
- physiological inertness,
- high compressibility and resilience,
- tear resistance
- excellent resistance to infrared radiation, ultraviolet radiation, UV and weather conditions,
- resistance to low pressure steam up to 3 atm. (high pressure steam causes partial degradation of silicone),
- lack of resistance to concentrated acids, alkalis, petrochemical products with aromatic content.
Production using hydrogen peroxide cure system or platinum cure system
As standard, silicone-based hoses are manufactured using hydrogen peroxide curing or platinum curing. Some highly advanced applications require hoses cured on platinum rods. In peroxide cured hoses, a hydrogen peroxide catalyst is added to the silicone elastomer, then two substances are thoroughly mixed to obtain smooth, homogeneous mixture. The platinum cured silicone hoses are made from two equal-weight parts of silicone elastomer. One of them contains a platinum catalyst and the other contains cross-linking agent. The two substances are mixed thoroughly to produce a homogeneous mixture (without air voids or an undesirable gel-like consistency). Each curing method has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Hydrogen peroxide cure system:
Advantages Disadvantages
longer service life of hoses operating in peristaltic pumps,
reduced brittleness compared to platinum cured hoses.
impurities stick to the surface easily,
toxic by-products may be produced.
Platinum cure system:
Advantages Disadvantages
better fluid flow visibility,
less prone to production-related defects (lack of air bubbles, homogeneous silicone etc.),
small quantities of organic contaminants.
shorter service life of hoses operating in peristaltic pumps,
Classification of silicone hoses by application
By application, silicone hoses can be divided into:
Silicone rubber hoses for general purpose industrial application, e.g. for cooling or for hot air, in various industrial systems and equipment, in household appliances. Manufactured from silicone rubber as homogeneous, transparent or translucent hoses with or without textile braid reinforcement. Intended for low working pressure, from very low (below 1 bar) to several bars. Working temperature ranges from -60°C up to 200°C.
Versitec: made of peroxide cured silicone. Resistant to UV radiation, oxygen and ozone. Widely used in the industry and household appliances. Meets FDA and BfR requirements.
Food-grade silicone hoses manufactured by vulcanising silicone rubber with hydrogen peroxide or platinum, with or without textile reinforcement, optionally with steel wire helix. Depending on the silicone rubber and reinforcement, they can be transparent or translucent. Their perfectly smooth inner surface prevents contaminant build-up. Intended for low working pressure, from very low (below 1 bar) to several bars. Working temperature ranges from -60°C up to 200°C. Suitable for sterilisation by various methods (e.g. with steam, ethylene oxide, radiation). Meet the hygiene requirements of FDA, Pharmacopoeia, BfR, EC directives.
Versilic: biologically inert hose made of peroxide cured silicone. Compliant with FDA, BfR, USP (class VI), ISO 10993 quality standards.
Pharmatech: hydrophobic delivery hose made of platinum cured silicone. Compliant with the requirements of FDA, USP class VI, European Pharmacopoeia 3.1.9, Regulations (EC) No 1935/2004 and (EC) No 2023/2006 (GMP). Safety factor 3:1.
Silicone Star/D: delivery hose made of platinum cured silicone. Extruded inner layer. Compliant with the requirements of FDA 21 CFR 177.2600, USP class VI, European Pharmacopoeia 3.1.9, BfR XV A, Journal Officiel Brochure 1227 and Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004.
Silicone Star/ SD: suction-delivery hose made of platinum cured silicone. Extruded inner layer. Compliant with the requirements of FDA 21 CFR 177.2600, USP class VI, European Pharmacopoeia 1.9, BfR XV, Journal Officiel Brochure 1227 and Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004.
For more food grade hoses, see the following groups: food hoses, TYGON® tubing, PTFE hoses.
Hoses used in the pharmaceutical industry, medicine and biotechnology, made of the highest purity materials under cleanroom conditions, by vulcanising silicone rubber with platinum, with or without textile reinforcement, optionally with steel wire helix. Depending on material and reinforcement, they can be transparent or translucent. Their extremely smooth inner surface prevents contaminant build-up. Intended for low working pressure, from very low (below 1 bar) to several bars. Working temperature ranges from -62°C up to +260°C. Suitable for sterilisation by various methods: steam, ethylene oxide, radiation, autoclaving. Compliant with the hygiene requirements of FDA, Pharmacopoeia, BfR, EC directives, standards for the assessment of pyrogenic, cytotoxic, hemolytic properties and extractability. Made of silicone and other materials.
Sani-Tech STHT-R: hose made of platinum cured silicone. Used for blood transport, tissue transport etc. Meets the requirements of USP XXIV (88) and USPXXIV (87) concerning biological reactivity, ISO 10993 standard for biocompatibility, FDA CFR 177.2600, USDA 3A, European Pharmacopoeia 3.1.9.
Sani-Tech STHT-C: hose made of ultra-pure platinum cured silicone, has permanent laser marking of hose type and LOT number. Compliant with FDA,USP class VI, ISO 10993, European Pharmacopoeia 3.1.9 and Japanese Pharmacopoeia – Chapter 51.
Sani-Tech ULTRA: hose with extremely low extractability of the hose material and extended service life in peristaltic pump applications. Made of platinum cured silicone.
Silicone Star/ SD: suction-delivery hose made of platinum cured silicone, UV and ozone resistant. Meets the requirements of EC 1935/2004, FDA 21 CFR 177.2600, USP class VI, European Pharmacopeia 3.1.9, BfR XV, Journal Officiel Brochure 1227.
DYNAMIC Cleanroom-Platinum: suction-delivery hose made of platinum cured silicone. Free of materials of animal origin, phthalates, adipates and other materials subject to the restrictions of EC Directive 1907/2006 (REACH).
C-Flex: transparent, flexible hose made from patented thermoplastic elastomer. Suitable for peristaltic pumps. Non-toxic, non-haemolytic and non-pyrogenic, with high purity class, easily heat-sealable.
For hoses for pharmaceutical and biotechnology application, check the following groups: TYGON® tubing, PTFE hoses.