What is silicone tubing and what is it used for?

What is Silicone Tubing Used For?

Silicone tubing is an incredible material and is used for an abundance of applications. Silicone tubing is used for everyday kitchen tools to a valued material in the medical industry.

But what exactly is it used for and why is it so valued? In this guide, we will explore the various uses of silicone tubing and why it is a versatile material found in many different products, tools, and equipment.

United Silicones is a trusted silicone tubing suppliers in the UK, providing a range of silicone tubing sizes for your application. Contact us today.

Why is Silicone a Material of Choice in Many Applications?

Silicone tubing is made from silicone rubber, a material known for its impressive mix of properties:

Extreme Temperature Resistance

Silicone tubes can handle scorching temperatures that would melt or degrade other materials. Some grades can withstand continuous use well above 300°C (572°F), making them perfect for many applications that require high heat resistance.

Chemical Resistance

Silicone rubber stands out for its remarkable chemical resistance, unlike many other materials that deteriorate or weaken when exposed to various chemicals. This quality makes silicone a dependable option for numerous applications where a secure and safe fluid transfer is vital. It is particularly suitable for use in food and beverage processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, laboratory settings, and more.

Silicone rubber is resistant to many types of chemicals such as

Flexibility and Elasticity

Unlike rigid materials that can crack or snap under pressure, silicone tubing bends and stretches with ease, making it the perfect choice for applications that demand movement and adaptability. This makes it ideal for applications for medical devices, plumbing, pumps, connecting appliances, and much more.

Despite its flexibility, silicone rubber tubing bounces back. It exhibits excellent shape memory, returning to its original form after bending or stretching. This ensures consistent performance and long-term reliability.

Biocompatibility

Silicone tubing isn't just versatile; it can also be a lifesaver. Certain grades of silicone boast biocompatibility, meaning they are non-toxic and gentle on human tissue. Medical silicone tubing has remarkable properties that make silicone essential in the medical industry.

Easy to Clean and Sanitise

Silicone tubing is easy to clean and sanitise due to its smooth, non-porous surface, which prevents the buildup of bacteria and other contaminants. Additionally, silicone can withstand a wide range of cleaning agents and sterilisation methods, including autoclaving, chemical disinfection, and high-temperature cleaning.

This durability and resistance to harsh cleaning processes ensure that silicone tubing remains safe and effective for repeated use in various applications.

United Silicones is a trusted silicone tubing supplier in the UK providing a range of silicone tubing sizes for your application. Contact us today.

Silicone Tubing: Revolutionising Industries Across the Globe

Silicone tubing comes in a wide variety of sizes and thicknesses, allowing it to be tailored for various purposes.

Medical Industries

Silicone medical tubing is also known as platinum-cured silicone tubing as to meet specific medical standards, harmful properties need to be removed to ensure suitability in medical applications. Silicone rubber tubing plays a crucial role in medical devices like catheters, drains, feeding tubes, hearing devices and implants. Its biocompatibility and flexibility make it ideal for safe and comfortable use within the body.

To ensure suitability for delicate medical applications, medical-grade silicone needs to meet much higher standards than regular silicone. It undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it is biocompatible, non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and sterilisable.

Food and Beverage Industry

For food industry applications, silicone tubing is often FDA-approved, meaning it meets strict standards for food safety and hygiene. This makes it a reliable choice for food processing, packaging, and dispensing.

Silicone tubing is used for transferring liquids and powders without altering taste or introducing contaminants. For example, the dairy industry utilises silicone for dairy tubing, ensuring that the milk remains pure and uncontaminated during processing. Silicone tubing is also used in beverage applications for dispensing, ensuring that drinks are delivered safely and hygienically.

Laboratory and Scientific Applications

Silicone tubing is vital in laboratory settings for various applications, such as transferring liquids, gases, and chemicals. Its chemical resistance ensures that the integrity of the substances being transferred remains intact.

Silicone tubing is also used in scientific equipment like chromatography systems, spectrophotometers, and autoclaves. Its flexibility and biocompatibility make it a versatile option for research and experimentation.

Mechanical Applications

Car engines and other machinery rely on silicone tubing for transferring fluids like coolant and air. Its durability and heat resistance make it perfect for these demanding environments. Additionally, silicone gaskets, rubber mouldings, and other specialist silicone products are used for sealing and insulating in mechanical applications, ensuring that machinery operates smoothly and efficiently.

Aerospace Industry

Aircraft rely on efficient and secure fuel transfer systems. Silicone tubing, with its impressive chemical resistance, can handle various aviation fuels without degrading or reacting, safeguarding the integrity of the fuel system. Aeroplanes experience significant vibration during takeoff, landing, and flight. Silicone tubing's elasticity helps dampen these vibrations, protecting sensitive components and ensuring smooth operation.

Household Applications

Silicone tubing is used in a variety of household items such as kitchen appliances, plumbing systems, and DIY projects. Its flexibility and durability make it a versatile option for a range of tasks around the home.

Electrical Industries

Silicone tubing, characterised by its thin walls, is utilised as an electrical sleeve to protect wires and cables from harm and electrical shorts. Its exceptional insulating abilities, combined with its durability and strength, make it highly valued in the electrical sector.

The material's ability to withstand extreme temperatures, damp conditions, and chemical exposure ensures reliable safeguarding in severe settings. This makes silicone tubing perfectly suited for various electrical and electronic uses from vehicle wiring and aerospace parts to heavy industrial equipment.

Miscellaneous Uses of Silicone Tubing

  • Aquariums
Its flexibility allows for easy placement around tanks and decorations, while its non-toxicity ensures the safety of delicate aquatic life. It's commonly used for delivering oxygen to fish through diffusers or air stones and creating controlled water flow environments for breeding specific fish species.
  • Arts and crafts

Silicone tubing offers a unique and versatile material. Its flexibility allows for manipulation into various shapes, while its availability in different colours adds a vibrant touch to projects. Silicone tubing provides a strong and flexible base for stringing beads or other craft elements.

Our products are prized for their exceptional insulation, flexibility, and durability. Get your quick quote today.

A Valuable Material for Numerous Industries

Silicone tubing's unique blend of properties makes it a valuable material across numerous industries. From ensuring medical safety to keeping our kitchens running smoothly, silicone tubing plays a surprisingly significant role in our everyday lives.

Overall, silicone tubing is a crucial component in various industries due to its flexibility, biocompatibility, chemical resistance, and FDA approval for food safety. Its ability to withstand harsh chemicals and extreme temperatures makes it an ideal choice for applications in medical devices, food and beverage processing, pharmaceuticals, and industrial manufacturing.

Expert Silicone Tubing Suppliers in the UK

Providing a wide variety of custom silicone tubing from medical applications to aerospace

We are a UK-based manufacturer that offers a comprehensive range of silicone rubber tubing to meet diverse industry needs for clients worldwide. Our silicone rubber products are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK and German Water Councils, ensuring their suitability for use in the food and beverage industry and other hygiene-critical areas globally. Additionally, we stock antibacterial silicone and silicone medical tubing, adhering to the highest standards of safety and biocompatibility.

Types of Silicone Tubing We Offer

Peroxide Silicone Rubber Tubing: Ideal for general applications requiring durability and flexibility.

Platinum-Cured Silicone Tubing: Known for its high purity, excellent clarity, and resistance to high temperatures, chemicals, and bacteria, making it perfect for medical and food-grade applications.

Antibacterial Silicone: Antibacterial silicone provides enhanced protection against bacterial growth, suitable for hygiene-sensitive environments.

Range of Silicone Tubing Sizes and Custom Solutions

We offer silicone tubing in sizes ranging from 0.5 mm internal diameter (ID) up to 100 mm+, ensuring a suitable option for any requirement. Our range includes:

Clear Silicone Tubing: For applications where visibility and monitoring of fluid flow are essential.

Coloured Silicone Tubing: For colour-coding and easy identification in complex systems.

Custom Silicone Tubing Solutions: Tailored to meet unique customer specifications and requirements.

Whether you need thin-walled silicone tubing for electrical sleeving, or biocompatible tubing for medical devices like catheters, drains, and implants, United Silicones has the expertise and product range to deliver reliable and high-quality solutions.

Our products are prized for their exceptional insulation, flexibility, and durability, along with resistance to high temperatures, moisture, and chemicals, making them ideal for a wide range of electrical, electronic, and medical applications.

Make your specialised silicone tubing order with us today.

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