Why Medical Industry Preferred Silicone Tubing?

Elastostar Rubber Corporation is a leading manufacturer of silicone tubing, which is used in several industries, including medicine, pharmaceuticals, and others. Silicone tubing is flexible, strong, and tough and is used as a restorative material in various industries.

In this way, Silicone material is a big part of the overall industry, and the medical industry is a great example. Its ultimate properties make it perfect for silicone medical-grade tubing. With suitable compounds and tolerance accuracy, the industries prefer it for its high-quality performance.

High-quality medical-grade silicone tubing is quite preferable over traditional rubber tubing. The current rubber material is sturdy and durable enough to play several required roles in the medical industry’s processes. It has a high elongation, which stands for high-quality medical tubing. It is resistant to high temperatures, even fire, which makes it perfect for the medical industry.

Features and Applications of Silicone Tubing

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Silicone tubing will come in different types and sizes. Medical tubing manufacturers consider what the industry seeks and how it can be served.

  • The silicone material is clean and non-toxic.
  • The material can handle sudden temperature changes.
  • It has good physical properties and excellent chemical resistance, too.
  • The flexibility of the material enables it to be stretched without tearing.
  • The material has a translucent quality that makes it useful for several operations.
  • Silicone tubing is odourless and non-toxic; therefore, it is entirely compatible with edible products to pass through the same.

The Medical Industry and Silicone Tubing

Silicone rubber tubing is NSF STD-51 certified, which includes 3-A Sanitary Standards. The other features are –

  • USP CL-VI Compound
  • FDA Grade, Food Grade
  • Fire Retardant
  • Metal Detectable Grade Silicone
  • UL 94-V0
  • AMS, ASTM D2000, Military/Industrial, and Commercial specifications

All the features mentioned above and their properties make it suitable for the medical sector –

  • The tough silicone tubing can be sterilized, and this feature makes it a key component in the medical industry. Medical practitioners can churn out usability with great effectiveness.
  • One of the most prominent medical properties of silicone tubing is its biocompatibility. This means the tubing is safe for living tissues and doesn’t cause toxic or allergic responses.
  • Silicone tubing is vital and safe for gasket sealing to secure fluid transfer.
  • Medical devices require higher-grade silicone tubing to meet the requirements. Manufacturers of medical-grade silicone tubing use vulcanization and continuous extrusion processes.
  • Medical-grade silicone tubing suppliers ensure they meet the requirements and confirm they have fine tubes to transport essential fluids in the industry. 

Why does the Medical Industry Prefer Silicone tubing?

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Silicone’s clear medical tubing meets the highest quality standards that healthcare practitioners demand. It is suitable for several purposes, from medical applications to infant care.

Silicone is resistant to bacteria, and the tubing is easy to sterilize. Silicone tubing is excellent for sensitive applications. On the other hand, silicone is a good property as it doesn’t react with different materials, and this property makes it suitable for multiple healthcare operations. Medical-grade platinum-cured silicone tubing helps manage several medical procedures and the required transportation.

Moving ahead with transportation only, Silicone’s texture and consistency provide exceptional comfort to the skin. The silicone material is hypoallergenic; therefore, it can be safely used on the skin as it doesn’t cause any irritation, etc.

Whatever material is used in the medical industry must undergo thorough testing. The testing procedures ensure the specific usability and regulations for industrial usage. Silicone qualifies for approximately all the requirements of the healthcare and medical industry. Silicone’s adhesion property is another important thing that makes it worthwhile for pacemakers and contributes significantly to safe wound management.

Standards That Make Silicone Tubing Reliable for Medical Use

Medical-grade silicone tubing must meet strict industry standards to be trusted in healthcare applications. These certifications ensure the tubing is safe, non-toxic, and performs well under pressure.

Here are some key standards that high-quality silicone tubing complies with:

  • FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 – Ensures the tubing is safe for contact with food and drugs.
  • USP Class VI Certification – Confirms biocompatibility for use inside the human body.
  • ISO 10993 – Evaluates the biological response of materials used in medical devices.
  • NSF 51/61 – Validates safety for food and potable water contact.
  • UL 94V-0Fire retardant silicone rating that proves the tubing’s flame resistance.

At Elastostar Rubber Corporation, all our medical silicone tubing products meet or exceed these standards, giving you complete confidence in performance and patient safety.

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Conclusion

Selecting a tubing material is an important aspect of the medical industry. Different material parameters make it available, including pressure capabilities, temperature range, and chemical resistance. You can find medical-grade silicone tubing from Elastostar Rubber Corporation. 

It will preserve and present all the physical and chemical performance characteristics. Apart from PVC, Fluoropolymers, and TPE, Silicone owns a unique identity that makes it more worthy for the medical industry. Choose the right tube wisely for completing the daunting tasks; the silicone tubing solution will determine all you need till now with the medical or healthcare industry.

Briefing Up

We are the leading medical-grade silicone Rubber Tubing Manufacturers. We aim to manufacture and supply the best sealing and gasket solutions. We use superior-quality materials and execute our manufacturing operations precisely so that the end product matches your expectations.

Elastostar Rubber Corporation supplies custom-made high-quality silicone rubber cord profiles in different sizes, shapes, and colors. We can also make custom silicone rubber tubing, silicone rubber cord, platinum-cured rubber tubing, silicone rubber strips, vulcanized and spliced silicone O-Rings, etc.

Some of the market areas where our rubber products are in use include, but are not limited to, aerospace, auto industry, pharmaceutical, construction, medical, food & beverage industry, defence, and military. We work with clients to select the feasible rubber material and provide robust customer service.

For more use and application, please get in touch with us with your details, email us at info@elastostar.com, or call us at 614-841-4400. We will help you explore more ways to utilize our products for your special purpose.

FAQs

1. What’s the difference between platinum-cured and peroxide-cured silicone tubing?

Platinum-cured silicone tubing is preferred in medical applications because it offers higher purity, no by-products, and better clarity. Peroxide-cured tubing can leave residual chemicals, making it less suitable for sensitive medical environments.

2. How long does medical-grade silicone tubing last in continuous use?

Medical-grade silicone tubing can last several years when used under the right conditions. Its durability depends on the application, chemical exposure, sterilization frequency, and temperature cycles.

3. Can medical silicone tubing be used in implantable devices?

Yes, but only specific grades of medical silicone tubing that meet implantable class standards, such as long-term biocompatibility (e.g., USP Class VI), are used in implants. Always consult with the supplier for such critical applications.

4. What sizes and shapes are available for medical silicone tubing?

Based on equipment and procedural needs, silicone tubing is available in various inner and outer diameters, wall thicknesses, durometers (hardness), and profiles, such as round, D-shaped, U-channel rubber, or custom geometries.

5. Is silicone tubing suitable for transferring reactive or sensitive fluids?

Yes. Medical silicone tubing is chemically inert and won’t react with drugs, blood, or lab chemicals. This makes it ideal for fluid transfer in IVs, catheters, pumps, and bioprocessing systems.

6. What kind of documentation or traceability comes with Elastostar’s silicone tubing?

Elastostar provides complete documentation, including material certifications, compliance reports, and lot traceability. This supports your quality assurance, especially for regulated medical and pharma manufacturing environments.

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Elastostar Rubber Corporation is an industry leader in silicone manufacturing to help our customers in achieving sustained profitable growth as a problem solver and provider of high-quality products and services.

We provide design, engineering and manufacturing of elastomer products to our customers globally backed by our streamlined and innovative supply chain compliant with global and regional regulatory requirements.