Peristaltic Pump Tubing Material Guide
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Choosing the right tubing material is one of the most important steps when using a peristaltic pump. Different tubing materials perform differently with water, chemicals, oils, solvents, food liquids, and laboratory samples.
Quick Tip: The best tubing choice depends on the fluid type, chemical compatibility, temperature, pressure, pump speed, and required tubing life.
Common Peristaltic Pump Tubing Materials
| Tubing Material | Best For | Temperature Range | Chemical Resistance | Transparent | Fatigue Life | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone | Water-based liquids, food, beverages, laboratory fluids | -60°C to 200°C | Weak acids/bases, water; poor with oils and most organic solvents | Yes | Medium | Soft and flexible; widely available; not suitable for solvents |
| PharMed / BPT | Biotech, pharmaceutical, laboratory, long-term pumping | -40°C to 135°C | Broad compatibility; better than silicone for many lab chemicals | Yes | High | Longer pump life than silicone in continuous-run applications |
| Tygon | Laboratory, food, chemical, or low-absorption applications | 0°C to 65°C (varies by series) | Weak acids, alcohols, water; varies significantly by Tygon series | Yes | Medium | Always verify the exact Tygon series — compatibility varies widely |
| Viton | Oils, fuels, strong acids, aggressive chemicals | -20°C to 200°C | Excellent with oils, fuels, strong acids; poor with ketones and esters | No | Medium–High | Good chemical resistance but stiffer; verify flexibility at low temperatures |
| Norprene / Santoprene | Industrial transfer, long running time, general chemical use | -35°C to 135°C | Good with acids, bases, and many industrial chemicals; poor with aromatic solvents | No | Very High | Best fatigue resistance for continuous-duty industrial use |
| PVC / Solvent-Resistant PVC | Water, oils, fuels, kerosene, selected solvent applications | 0°C to 60°C | Water, dilute acids/bases, some fuels; standard PVC degrades with strong solvents | Yes (standard) / No (SR) | Low–Medium | Low cost; standard and solvent-resistant grades have very different compatibility |
How to Choose Tubing by Fluid Type
Water or Water-Based Liquids:
Silicone, PharMed, and Tygon are all reliable choices. Silicone is the most common for general use; PharMed is preferred for long continuous-run applications due to its superior fatigue life.
Silicone, PharMed, and Tygon are all reliable choices. Silicone is the most common for general use; PharMed is preferred for long continuous-run applications due to its superior fatigue life.
Food and Beverage Liquids:
Use FDA-compliant silicone or food-grade Tygon. Always confirm the specific product certification before use — not all silicone or Tygon grades meet food-contact requirements.
Use FDA-compliant silicone or food-grade Tygon. Always confirm the specific product certification before use — not all silicone or Tygon grades meet food-contact requirements.
Oils and Fuels:
Viton or Norprene are the preferred choices. Standard silicone and PVC will swell or degrade rapidly when exposed to petroleum-based fluids. Solvent-resistant PVC can handle some fuels but verify compatibility first.
Viton or Norprene are the preferred choices. Standard silicone and PVC will swell or degrade rapidly when exposed to petroleum-based fluids. Solvent-resistant PVC can handle some fuels but verify compatibility first.
Acids and Bases:
For dilute acids/bases (pH 3–11), Norprene or PharMed are good options. For strong acids (pH < 2) or strong bases (pH > 12), use Viton. Always cross-check with a chemical compatibility chart at the actual concentration and temperature.
For dilute acids/bases (pH 3–11), Norprene or PharMed are good options. For strong acids (pH < 2) or strong bases (pH > 12), use Viton. Always cross-check with a chemical compatibility chart at the actual concentration and temperature.
Organic Solvents (Ketones, Esters, Aromatics):
This is the most challenging category. Silicone, PVC, and Tygon are generally not suitable. Viton handles many solvents but is poor with ketones (e.g., acetone) and esters. Always verify with a compatibility chart — no single material covers all solvents.
This is the most challenging category. Silicone, PVC, and Tygon are generally not suitable. Viton handles many solvents but is poor with ketones (e.g., acetone) and esters. Always verify with a compatibility chart — no single material covers all solvents.
Important: Chemical compatibility can change depending on concentration, temperature, exposure time, and pump speed. Always verify compatibility before pumping aggressive chemicals.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using silicone tubing with organic solvents: Silicone swells rapidly when exposed to solvents like acetone or toluene, causing flow inconsistency and potential fluid contamination.
- Choosing Viton for ketone or ester-based fluids: Despite its strong chemical reputation, Viton degrades quickly with acetone, MEK, and ethyl acetate.
- Ignoring temperature: A tubing material that works at room temperature may fail at 80°C. Always check the rated temperature range, not just chemical compatibility.
- Not replacing tubing on schedule: Peristaltic tubing has a fatigue life. Even chemically compatible tubing will crack or lose elasticity over time. For continuous-duty pumps, inspect tubing every 500–1,000 hours.
- Assuming all grades of the same material are equal: "Tygon" and "PVC" each cover multiple grades with very different properties. Always check the specific product datasheet.
Final Selection Tips
- Check the liquid type and chemical concentration.
- Confirm the operating temperature and pressure.
- Choose the correct inner diameter for the required flow rate.
- Consider tubing life if the pump runs continuously.
- For food, medical, or laboratory use, check required certifications.