Silicone tubing is a flexible, durable tubing material used to transport liquids, gases and other substances in a wide range of applications.
Made from silicone rubber, it offers excellent flexibility, good temperature resistance and good resistance to weathering and ageing. These properties make silicone tubing particularly useful in medical, pharmaceutical, food, automotive, electrical and industrial applications.
Silicone tubing is available in different internal diameters, wall thicknesses, hardnesses and grades, allowing it to be selected for a wide variety of applications.
What Is Silicone Tubing?
Silicone tubing is manufactured from silicone rubber and is generally produced by extrusion, creating a continuous tube with a consistent internal diameter and wall thickness.
It can be supplied in long lengths or cut to specific lengths and can also be manufactured in different colours and specialist grades.
Depending on the application, silicone tubing may be available in:
- Standard industrial grades
- Food-contact grades
- Medical grades
- Pharmaceutical grades
- High-temperature grades
- Reinforced silicone tubing
- Specialist conductive or other modified grades
Medical and pharmaceutical silicone tubing, for example, can be manufactured to specific dimensional and material requirements.
What Is Silicone Tubing Used For?
Silicone tubing is used in many industries because it combines flexibility with good temperature performance.
Medical and Healthcare
Silicone tubing is widely used in medical and healthcare equipment.
Applications can include:
- Medical devices
- Fluid delivery
- Drainage systems
- Catheters
- Laboratory equipment
- Medical pumps
Specialist medical-grade silicone tubing can be manufactured to meet specific requirements for medical applications.
Food and Beverage
Silicone tubing can be used for transferring liquids and other food-processing products where a suitable food-contact grade has been specified.
It is commonly used in:
- Food processing equipment
- Beverage systems
- Pumps
- Dispensing equipment
- Brewing applications
The tubing should always be selected according to the particular food-contact requirements of the application.
Pharmaceutical Applications
Silicone tubing is widely used in pharmaceutical and life-science equipment.
Its flexibility and ability to be sterilised make suitable grades useful in applications involving fluid transfer, pumping and processing equipment.
Automotive
Silicone tubing can be used in selected automotive applications where flexibility and resistance to elevated temperatures are required.
Applications may include:
- Cooling systems
- Air systems
- Vacuum lines
- Turbocharger systems
- Engine compartments
The correct grade must be selected for the particular fluid, pressure and temperature.
Industrial Applications
Silicone tubing is also used in industrial equipment for applications such as:
- Air and fluid transfer
- Pumps
- Machinery
- Laboratory equipment
- Process equipment
- Heating and cooling systems
Silicone hose is particularly useful where flexibility and temperature resistance are important.
What Are the Advantages of Silicone Tubing?
Silicone tubing has several useful properties.
Temperature Resistance
Silicone remains flexible across a wide temperature range. Depending on the grade, silicone materials can withstand both very low and elevated temperatures. Some specialist silicone formulations are designed for temperatures approaching 300°C.
Flexible and Easy to Handle
Silicone tubing is flexible and can be routed around corners and through relatively confined spaces without the stiffness associated with some other tubing materials.
Good Weather Resistance
Silicone has good resistance to UV exposure, ozone and weathering, making it suitable for many outdoor and exposed applications.
Suitable for Sterilisation
Certain silicone tubing grades can be sterilised, making them useful in medical, pharmaceutical and laboratory applications.
Available in Specialist Grades
Silicone tubing can be manufactured using different formulations to provide particular properties, including food-contact and medical-grade materials.
Is Silicone Tubing Chemical Resistant?
Silicone has good resistance to many substances, but it is not resistant to every chemical.
For example, silicone can have good resistance to water and some aqueous solutions, but may perform poorly with certain fuels, oils, solvents and aggressive chemicals. Parker's chemical compatibility data shows that performance can vary considerably between different chemicals.
Temperature is also important. A chemical that is compatible with silicone at room temperature may behave differently at an elevated temperature.
Before selecting silicone tubing, always check the manufacturer's chemical compatibility information for the specific fluid, concentration and operating temperature.
What Size Silicone Tubing Do I Need?
Silicone tubing is normally specified by its:
Internal diameter (ID)
Outside diameter (OD)
Wall thickness
Length
The required size depends on the application and the connection being made.
For example, if tubing needs to fit over a connector, the internal diameter needs to provide the correct fit without stretching the tubing excessively.
Pressure and temperature should also be considered when selecting the wall thickness.
Silicone Tubing vs Silicone Hose
The terms silicone tubing and silicone hose are often used interchangeably.
Generally, tubing tends to refer to smaller, lighter-wall products used for fluid or gas transfer, while hose often describes larger or reinforced products designed for higher mechanical demands.
The terminology can vary between manufacturers and industries.
Silicone Tubing from TYM Seals & Gaskets
TYM Seals & Gaskets supplies silicone tubing in a range of sizes and grades for industrial and specialist applications.
We can also supply silicone materials in other forms, including silicone sheet, silicone sponge, silicone cord and extruded silicone profiles.
If you need a particular size or specification, provide us with the required internal diameter, outside diameter, length, temperature and application, and we can help identify a suitable silicone tubing grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is silicone tubing used for?
Silicone tubing is used for transferring liquids, gases and other substances in applications including medical equipment, pharmaceutical processing, food and beverage equipment, automotive systems and industrial machinery.
Is silicone tubing heat resistant?
Yes. Silicone has excellent temperature resistance compared with many conventional rubber and plastic tubing materials. The exact operating temperature depends on the particular silicone grade.
Is silicone tubing food safe?
Certain silicone tubing grades are manufactured for food-contact applications. Always check that the specific product has the required certification for the intended use.
Is silicone tubing suitable for chemicals?
It depends on the chemical. Silicone has good resistance to some chemicals but poor resistance to others, so compatibility should always be checked before use.
Can silicone tubing be sterilised?
Certain silicone tubing grades can be sterilised and are widely used in medical and pharmaceutical applications.
Can silicone tubing be made to a specific size?
Yes. Silicone tubing can be manufactured or supplied in different internal diameters, wall thicknesses and lengths. Specialist tubing can also be produced to specific requirements.
