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 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.

Silicone-based hoses  are normally manufactured using hydrogen peroxide cure system or platinum cure system technology. Some highly advanced applications require hoses cured on platinum rods. In order to produce hoses using the peroxide cure system, the hydrogen peroxide catalyst must be added to silicone elastomer, then two components are mixed to obtain smooth, homogeneous mixture. When the platinum cure system is used, two silicone elastomer parts of the same weight must be mixed. One of them contains platinum catalyst and the other contains cross-linking agent. Next, both substances are thoroughly mixed to obtain smooth mixture (without air bubbles or undesirable consistency of gel). Each of the systems above has both advantages and disadvantages.

Hydrogen peroxide cure system:

Platinum cure system:

Following the most frequent applications, silicone hoses can be divided into:

• Silicone rubber hoses intended for general purpose industrial applications, e.g. for cooling or for hot air, in a variety of industrial installations and machines, in home appliances. Manufactured of silicone rubber, homogeneous, transparent or translucent hoses with or without textile braid reinforcement. Intended for low working pressure, from very low (below 1 bar) to over ten bar. 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 home appliances. Compliant with the requirements of FDA and BfR.

• Food grade silicone hoses are manufactured using either hydrogen peroxide cure system or platinum cure system, with or without textile reinforcement, with steel wire helix if necessary. Depending on silicone rubber and reinforcement, they can be transparent or translucent. Their perfectly smooth inner surface inhibits particulate build-up. Intended for low working pressure, from very low (below 1 bar) to over ten bar. Working temperature ranges from -60°C up to 200°C. Suitable for sterilisation (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 and also directives CE 1935/2004 and CE 2023/2006 (GMP). Safety factor 3:1.
  • Silicone Star/D: delivery hose made of platinum cured silicone. Extruded inner hose 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 CE 1935/2004 directive.
  • Silicone Star/ SD: suction-delivery hose made of platinum cured silicone. Extruded inner hose 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 CE 1935/2004 directive.

For more food grade hoses, see the following groups: food hoses, TYGON® tubing, PTFE hoses.

• Hoses used for drug manufacturing, in medicine and biotechnology, made of the highest purity materials in cleanroom conditions, cured by a platinum-catalysed cure system, with or without textile reinforcement, with steel wire helix if required. Depending on material and reinforcement, they can be transparent or translucent. Their perfectly smooth inner surface inhibits particulate build-up. Intended for low working pressure, from very low (below 1 bar) to over ten bar. Working temperature ranges from -62°C up to +260°C. Suitable for sterilisation (e.g. with steam, ethylene oxide, radiation, autoclaving ). Meet the hygiene requirements of FDA, Pharmacopoeia, BfR, EC directives, standards for validation 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 platinum cured silicone of ultra high purity, permanently laser-marked with hose code and LOT number. Compliant with FDA,USP class VI, ISO 10993, European Pharmacopoeia 3.1.9 and Japanese Pharmacopoeia – Section 51.
  • Sani-Tech ULTRA: hose with an extremely low level of extractables and so prolonged 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. Compliant with the requirements of 1935/2004 CE, 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 restricted by EC Directive 1907/2006 (REACH).
  • C-Flex: transparent, flexible, made of patented thermoplastic elastomer. Suitable for application in peristaltic pumps. It is non-toxic, non-hemolytic and non-pyrogenic, of high purity level, easily heat sealable.

For hoses for pharmaceutical and biotechnology application, check the following groups: TYGON® tubing, PTFE hoses.