How to Select Tubing for Your Peristaltic Pump
Share
Peristaltic pumps have one wetted part: the tube. Flow accuracy, contamination risk, and service life all depend on choosing the right tubing. Here's what to evaluate.
1. Tubing Dimensions
All three measurements must match your pump head.
| Parameter | What It Controls | Selection Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Inner Diameter (ID) | Flow rate per revolution | Larger ID = higher flow |
| Outer Diameter (OD) | Fit in pump head channel | Must match pump head geometry exactly |
| Wall Thickness | Compression, pressure rating, fatigue life | Standard: 1.6 mm / Heavy: 2.4 mm |
Common # Size Reference (Masterflex System)
The # numbering system (e.g., 13#, 15#, 25#) originated from Masterflex/Cole-Parmer. Each number encodes a fixed ID/OD/wall combination. Two wall thickness series exist: standard wall (1.6 mm) and heavy wall (2.4 mm) — the same ID gets a different # number depending on wall thickness (e.g., ID 4.8 mm = 25# standard wall vs. 15# heavy wall).
| # Number | ID (mm) | OD (mm) | Wall (mm) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13# | 0.8 | 4.0 | 1.6 | Low-flow lab dosing |
| 14# | 1.6 | 4.8 | 1.6 | Low-flow lab |
| 16# | 3.1 | 6.4 | 1.6 | Low-to-mid flow |
| 25# | 4.8 | 8.0 | 1.6 | Mid flow, standard wall |
| 17# | 6.4 | 9.6 | 1.6 | Mid flow |
| 18# | 7.9 | 11.1 | 1.6 | Mid-to-high flow |
| 19# | 9.5 | 12.7 | 1.6 | High flow, standard wall |
| 26# | 12.7 | 15.9 | 1.6 | High flow industrial |
| 27# | 15.9 | 19.1 | 1.6 | Large flow industrial |
| 73# | 1.6 | 6.4 | 2.4 | Low flow, heavy wall |
| 82# | 3.1 | 8.0 | 2.4 | Mid-low flow, heavy wall |
| 15# | 4.8 | 8.0 | 2.4 | Mid flow, heavy wall |
| 24# | 6.4 | 11.1 | 2.4 | Mid flow, heavy wall |
| 35# | 7.9 | 12.7 | 2.4 | Mid-high flow, heavy wall |
| 36# | 9.6 | 14.4 | 2.4 | High flow, heavy wall |
Regional usage of the # system:
|
🇺🇸 North America
Standard. Masterflex # system is the dominant convention across labs and industry.
|
🇨🇳 China
Widely adopted. Most domestic pump manufacturers follow the # system; some label tubing directly as ID/OD/wall.
|
🇪🇺 Europe
Mixed. Watson-Marlow uses proprietary numbering; others label tubing as ID×OD in mm.
|
ⓘ When sourcing across brands, always verify by actual dimensions (ID × OD × wall in mm) — # numbers are only reliable within the same brand's system.
2. Tubing Material
| Material | Temp Range | Chemical Resistance | Best For | Do NOT Use For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone | -60°C to +200°C | Moderate | Aquariums, homebrewing, general lab water/buffer transfer | Oils, fuels, solvents, concentrated acids/bases |
| Platinum-Cured Silicone | -60°C to +200°C | Moderate | Pharma, IV fluids, food & beverage, any FDA/GMP process | Same chemical limits as silicone |
| Tygon® (PVC) | -50°C to +74°C | Good (grade-dependent) | General lab chemical transfer, dilute acids/bases | Autoclave; food/pharma contact (plasticizer risk) |
| Norprene® | -60°C to +135°C | Very good | Chemical dosing, oil transfer, autoclave-required processes | Aromatic/chlorinated solvents at high temp |
| Viton® (FKM) | -20°C to +200°C | Excellent | Fuels, aggressive solvents (toluene, DCM), hydraulic fluids | Ketones, esters, amines; needs higher-torque motor |
| PTFE | -200°C to +260°C | Near-universal | Ultra-high-purity transfer, low-speed analytical instruments | High RPM / continuous duty — fatigues rapidly |
| Marprene® | -20°C to +100°C | Good | 24/7 high-RPM industrial processes (5–10× longer life than silicone) | Non-Watson-Marlow pump heads — proprietary sizing |
Quick pick: Water/food/pharma → Platinum Silicone | Oils/mild chemicals → Norprene | Aggressive solvents/fuels → Viton | 24/7 high-speed → Marprene
3. Sterilization Compatibility
| Method | Silicone | Platinum Silicone | Tygon | Norprene | Viton |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autoclave (121°C) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Chemical (bleach, IPA, H₂O₂) | ✅* | ✅* | ✅* | ✅* | ✅* |
| Gamma irradiation | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ |
| UV | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ |
*Verify concentration and contact time against compatibility data.
4. Key Operating Factors
| Factor | Impact | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| High RPM (>300) | Accelerates fatigue | Use heavy-wall or Marprene tubing |
| High back-pressure | Increases compression stress | Use heavy-wall (2.4 mm+) tubing |
| Elevated temperature | Reduces elasticity | Add 20°C safety margin to rated max |
| Dry running | Destroys tubing within minutes | Always prime before starting |
| Abrasive fluids | Internal wear | Prefer silicone or PTFE (smooth bore) |
5. End-of-Life Signs & Replacement Planning
|
Replace tubing when you see:
|
Extend tubing life by:
|
Shop Peristaltic Pump Tubing & Accessories
U.S. Solid offers replacement tubing and accessories sized to fit our M6 series peristaltic pump heads, including platinum-cured silicone tubing in multiple sizes, tube clamps, and straight connectors.