Silicone Hoses are the premium choice for applications in the **Pharmaceutical, Food & Beverage, and Medical** industries where purity, high-temperature resistance, and flexibility are paramount. Unlike rubber or PVC, silicone is a high-purity polymer known for being non-toxic, non-leaching, and having zero taste or odor.
This guide from Glory Engineering Supplies serves as a complete technical reference. It is designed for engineers, quality assurance, and bioprocess specialists to understand the critical **platinum-cured** material, **FDA & USP Class VI** compliance, and hygienic assemblies required for the most sensitive processes.
Our hoses meet the most stringent biocompatibility and safety standards, making them ideal for pharmaceutical and food-grade use.
We supply platinum-cured hoses, which offer the highest purity, lowest extractables, and no byproducts (unlike peroxide-cured), ensuring product integrity.
Silicone is autoclavable and excellent for SIP (Sterilization-in-Place) and transferring hot products where other materials would fail.
We provide professional, crevice-free sanitary crimping of 316L SS Tri-Clamp fittings, ensuring a fully cleanable, hygienic system.
Silicone hoses are reinforced based on the application's pressure or vacuum requirements.
| Hose Type | Reinforcement | Key Characteristics & Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Unreinforced Silicone Tube | None (Translucent Tube) |
|
| Braided Silicone Hose | Polyester or Aramid (Kevlar) textile braid. |
|
| Wire-Reinforced Silicone Hose | Stainless steel or plastic wire helix. |
|
This chart shows the typical Maximum Working Pressure (MWP) for silicone hoses at 20°C (70°F). Silicone is a soft material; pressure ratings are generally lower than for rubber hoses.
| Hose Size (ID) | Unreinforced Tube | Braided Hose | Wire-Reinforced (S&D) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2" | ~40 PSI | 250 PSI | 150 PSIFull Vacuum |
| 3/4" | ~30 PSI | 200 PSI | 125 PSIFull Vacuum |
| 1" | ~20 PSI | 150 PSI | 100 PSIFull Vacuum |
| 1-1/2" | N/A | 125 PSI | 80 PSIFull Vacuum |
| 2" | N/A | 100 PSI | 75 PSIFull Vacuum |
| 3" | N/A | 75 PSI | 60 PSIFull Vacuum |
| 4" | N/A | 50 PSI | 50 PSIFull Vacuum |
For pharmaceutical and food use, all fittings must be "sanitary" and crevice-free. The connection is permanently crimped to the hose.
The #1 industry standard for Pharma & Food. A quick-disconnect fitting that joins two ends with a gasket and a clamp. Easy to clean and inspect.
The ONLY way to attach fittings. A stainless steel ferrule is crimped over the hose, creating a smooth, permanent, crevice-free transition from hose to fitting.
Other common threaded sanitary union standards, popular in Europe and globally. We can provide assemblies with these ends.
All our sanitary fittings are made from 316L Stainless Steel, which offers superior corrosion resistance and purity compared to 304 SS.
Proper handling is critical to protect the soft silicone material and maintain system purity.
Solution: Silicone is excellent for **Autoclaving** and **CIP/SIP**. Hoses MUST be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized before and after every use to prevent contamination.
Problem: Bending the hose too sharply creates a kink, which restricts flow, damages the reinforcement, and becomes a weak point that can fail.
Problem: Silicone is a soft material. Over-tightening Tri-Clamps or mounting clamps can cut or damage the hose cover, leading to failure. Tighten only until a seal is formed.
Problem: Twisting the hose during install will damage the braid. Dragging the hose on rough floors will damage the soft silicone cover. Handle with care.
This is the curing (vulcanizing) process. Peroxide-cured is cheaper but can leave byproducts (like dicumyl peroxide) which may leach into the product. Platinum-cured is a cleaner, addition-cure process. It leaves no byproducts, has the lowest extractables, and is the gold standard for pharmaceutical and high-purity food applications.
The U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) Class VI is a stringent biocompatibility standard. It involves rigorous testing to ensure the material is non-toxic and non-reactive when it comes into contact with human tissue or fluids. It is a mandatory requirement for most medical and pharmaceutical-grade materials.
Both are used in food processing, but for different jobs. Silicone is superior for high temperatures and purity (non-leaching) but is softer and has lower pressure/abrasion resistance. EPDM Rubber (like on a brewery hose) is much more durable, has a higher pressure rating, and better abrasion resistance, but a lower temperature limit than silicone.
Only if it is wire-reinforced. Standard unreinforced or braided silicone hoses are "soft-walled" and will collapse under a vacuum. A **wire-reinforced** hose has a steel or plastic helix specifically designed to prevent collapse, making it suitable for suction.
From WFI transfer lines to hot-fill food processing, our team provides certified, high-purity silicone hose assemblies. Contact us to discuss your specific pharmaceutical or food-grade application today.
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