Silicone hoses

What distinguishes silicone hoses?

Silicone hoses are distinguished by unique features, which we outline below:

• insensitivity to low and high temperatures (these have no significant effect on the physical properties of the hoses); 
• physiological inertness; 
• resistance to oxidation; 
• elasticity (in terms of both resilience and compressibility);
• resistant to various types of radiation (UV, infrared, ultraviolet) and weather conditions; 
• insensitivity to tearing; 
• resistant to low-pressure steam up to 3 atmospheres (high-pressure steam results in partial silicone degradation); 
• dielectric breakdown properties.

The only significant disadvantage of silicone hoses is that they are susceptible to concentrated acids, alkalis and petroleum products that contain aromatic compounds.

What are the types of silicone hoses?

You already know that silicone hoses vary according to their intended use. Therefore, we distinguish between several types of this type of hose. We divide them according to their application.

Below, we distinguish between the most common types of silicone hoses:

• Universal silicone rubber hose,
• Food grade silicone hose,
• Silicone hose for pharmaceutical applications.
  

Universal silicone rubber hose

Silicone rubber hose is a multipurpose product for general industrial applications. Among its applications are:

• radiator hoses in cooling systems; 
• hot air flow; 
• industrial installations and equipment; 
• household appliances; 
• automotive silicone hoses.

The product is made from silicone rubber as a homogeneous transparent or translucent hose. There are two types of a silicone hose — as reinforced silicone hose (e.g. with textile braid) or without reinforcement.

What is the working pressure of a silicone hose?

silicone hoses can work in ranges from less than 1 bar to several bars in terms of working pressure according to manufacturers. This largely depends on the presence of reinforcement.

What is the operating temperature range of a silicone hose?

The operating temperature range of a silicone hose is from -60 to 200 degrees Celsius.

Food grade silicone hose

As the name suggests, the food grade silicone hose meets all hygienic requirements for working with food. This means, among other things, that it has a very smooth inner surface which prevents the formation of deposits. In addition, it is suitable for sterilisation by various methods (e.g. steam, ethylene oxide, radiation).

The hoses are created by vulcanising silicone rubber with hydrogen peroxide or platinum and (like general industrial hoses) come in two versions: unreinforced or reinforced with a textile braid and, in some cases, with a steel spiral.

The allowable working pressure remains the same (from less than 1 bar to several bar), as does the operating temperature range (from -60 to 200 degrees Celsius).

Silicone hose for pharmaceutical applications

The pharmaceutical industry is characterised by even more strict requirements in terms of cleanliness and hygiene. In this case, therefore, silicone hoses are created under the highest sterility conditions using platinum vulcanisation technology for silicone rubber.

Food grade hoses are characterised by a very smooth internal surface, which prevents deposits from forming on the walls.

In terms of construction, they also come in versions without and with reinforcement (textile braid or steel spiral). In addition, they can be transparent or translucent.

In terms of permissible working pressure, nothing has changed. This parameter ranges from less than 1 bar to several bars.

The operating temperature range, on the other hand, is greater, extending from -62 to 260 degrees Celsius. It is therefore a high-temperature silicone hose.

Of course, this type of hose meets all the standards necessary for working with pharmaceuticals.

What are the production methods of silicone hoses?

Previously, we mentioned two methods of producing silicone hoses. One uses hydrogen peroxide, while the other uses platinum enhancement technology. Both affect the final properties of the hoses, so it is useful to know the differences.

Hydrogen peroxide technology

The silicone hose, which is based on hydrogen peroxide technology, has the following advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

• Greater strength and longer service life with peristaltic pump operation; 
• Less brittleness compared to hoses created by platinum enhancement.

Disadvantages:

• Increased risk of deposit formation on hose walls; 
• Likelihood of release of acidic substances.

Platinum enhancement technology

The advantages and disadvantages of a hose that has been created using platinum enhancement technology are as follows:

Advantages:

• Better flow visibility; 
• Fewer defects in production; 
• Less risk of contamination.

Disadvantages:

• Less robustness and longevity with peristaltic pump operation;
• Greater brittleness.