Peristaltic pumps, also called hose, tube, or roller pumps, are used in many industries to transfer fluids in a continuous and controlled way. They are particularly important for applications like chemical processing, wastewater treatment, packaging doses of medicines, and other uses that call for precise flow rates and dispensed volumes with minimal risk of contamination.

Vanguard Products offers high-quality silicone tubing for peristaltic pumps in a range of inner and outer diameter sizes and durometers to meet the requirements of various applications. Learn more about this tubing, how it works, and its benefits.

About Peristaltic Pumps and Tubing

Peristaltic pumps work on the principle of peristalsis: the repeated contraction and release of a tube, which causes fluid to be drawn into and moved through it. In a peristaltic pump, the continual squeeze-and-release is done with a roller that sits in the center of the pump body and is driven by a motor or PLC. A flexible tube runs around the roller in a U-shape, and is connected to a suction end and a discharge end.

The roller touches the tube at two points (or more, depending on its design) simultaneously at all times. The touch points cause the tube to compress, trapping and moving a volume of fluid around the pump toward the discharge port, where the compression and fluid are released. As the tube returns to its original size and shape, it creates suction that draws in another volume of fluid, and the cycle repeats.

The Role of Tubing in Peristaltic Pump Technology

Here is a closer look at the critical role tubing plays in peristaltic pumps and the benefits of this pumping technology as a whole:

  • Gentle Fluid Handling. The peristaltic movement of fluid into the tubing is gentler than other pumping mechanisms, making it suitable for delicate fluids like blood, cellular suspensions, or pharmaceutical solutions.
  • Accurate Fluid Transfer. The regular spacing of touch points on rollers means the same volume of fluid is drawn into the tube with each pass.
  • Versatility. Many materials can be used for tubing of different sizes and hardnesses, making peristaltic pumping compatible with fluids with a range of viscosities, chemical compositions, and other characteristics.
  • Ease of Use and Maintenance. Peristaltic tubing in a pump is bi-directional, meaning it can easily be cleaned and flushed by running the pump in the opposite direction. The simplicity of the tubing design makes it easy to install and replace, for minimal disruption.
  • Durability. A range of materials can be used for the tubing, including chemical-resistant, food-safe, and biocompatible options, for a long service life and consistent performance.
  • Sterility. Many types of peristaltic tubing are compatible with sanitization and sterilization processes, which is especially important for medical and pharmaceutical applications.
  • Customizability. A supplier like Vanguard can create custom mixtures of silicone and other materials to create tubing that meets your needs for durometer, size, wall thickness, biocompatibility, food safety, and other requirements.

Types of Peristaltic Pump Tubing

Peristaltic pump tubing can be made of different materials depending on the application. Common materials include:

  • Silicone. Flexible and biocompatible, silicone tubing is suitable for delicate fluids and is widely used in medical and pharmaceutical industries. It withstands a large temperature range for use in various operational climates.
  • Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM). EPDM has excellent resistance to chemicals and high temperatures, making it ideal for uses that involve harsh chemicals or extreme heat.
  • Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR). NBR tubing is highly resistant to oils and abrasion, providing durability for industrial and automotive applications.
  • Fluoroelastomers. Fluoroelastomers are an excellent choice for chemical resistance and temperature tolerance. It’s commonly used in the chemical processing and medical industries for its durability and biocompatibility.

Each offers unique benefits in terms of flexibility, resistance to chemicals, and suitability for industrial applications.

Peristaltic Silicone Tubing from Vanguard Products

Vanguard Products offers a comprehensive selection of standard peristaltic silicone tubing, as well as the ability to customize tubing for your application and industry. Contact our team today for more information or to request a quote for your peristaltic tubing project.