Which tubing should I choose for my peristaltic pump?
Material selection, chemical resistance and service life in practice
The right tubing material is the most critical choice for a peristaltic pump. The tube is the only part that comes into direct contact with the liquid being pumped. The wrong choice leads to premature wear, leakage or even contamination of the medium. This article helps you make the right choice based on your application.
⏱ approx. 6 minutes reading time
Why the choice of tubing is so decisive
In a peristaltic pump, rotating rollers or shoes continuously squeeze the tube and release it again. The liquid is pushed forward by this wave-like movement. This mechanism means that the tube is constantly being deformed: elasticity, wear resistance and chemical resistance are therefore not side issues, but the core of pump selection.
Tube life depends on four factors:
- The chemical composition of the liquid being pumped
- The pump speed and the number of revolutions per minute
- The system pressure and back pressure
- The operating temperature and ambient conditions
Overview of the most commonly used tubing materials
| Material | Advantages | Disadvantages | Typical application |
| Silicone | Very flexible, biocompatible, wide temperature range | Relatively short service life at high pump speeds | Pharma, biotech, food, laboratory |
| PharMed BPT | Long service life, low gas permeability, biocompatible | Higher purchase price | Continuous dosing, medical applications, biotech |
| Norprene | Very wear-resistant, exceptionally long service life | More limited chemical resistance than some alternatives | Industrial applications, cooling water, general use |
| Santoprene (TPV) | Good value for money, wear-resistant | Not for all aggressive chemicals | Dosing of general industrial liquids |
| Viton (FKM) | Excellent resistance to solvents and high temperatures | Less flexible, higher wear in a peristaltic pump head | Solvents, oils, fuels, chemical industry |
| Tygon (various types) | Widely available in application-specific variants | Properties vary greatly by type | Laboratory, food, chemistry |
| EPDM | Good resistance to acids and alkalis, good UV resistance | Not suitable for oils and hydrocarbons | Water treatment, acids and bases |
| PVC | Inexpensive, transparent | Limited chemical resistance, short service life | Light industrial applications, single use |
Choose based on the medium
The chemical composition of the liquid being pumped is the first and most decisive factor in the choice of tubing. The most common combinations are listed below:
Water and aqueous solutions
For pure water, buffers and aqueous solutions, silicone, Norprene and Santoprene are all suitable options. Norprene has the longest service life in continuous operation. Silicone is the preferred choice when biocompatibility is required.
Acids and bases
The choice depends strongly on the concentration and the temperature. Viton is resistant to concentrated acids and many solvents. EPDM performs well with dilute acids and alkalis. Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) requires Santoprene or a specific Tygon variant. Always check the manufacturer's chemical resistance table for your specific combination of concentration and temperature.
Food and beverages
Only use FDA-certified or food-grade tubing materials. Silicone (food-grade) and Tygon Food are the standard choices. PharMed BPT is a good option when a longer service life and low extraction are required.
Solvents and fuels
Virtually only Viton (FKM) is resistant to non-polar solvents such as toluene, xylene, acetone and MEK. Check the temperature and concentration limits for each solvent. Silicone and Norprene are not suitable for these applications.
Biotechnology and cell culture
PharMed BPT is the first choice because of its certified biocompatibility, low gas permeability and long service life. Silicone is a good second option for less demanding applications. Both materials are USP Class VI certified for use in regulated environments.
Technical parameters to specify during selection
To select the right tubing, your supplier needs the following information. The more accurately you specify it, the better the recommendation:
| Parameter | Why it matters |
| Medium (chemical composition) | Determines chemical resistance; without this information, no responsible recommendation is possible |
| Desired flow rate (ml/min or l/hour) | Determines the inner diameter of the tube together with the speed of the pump |
| Maximum working pressure | Higher pressure shortens service life; thicker walls are needed at higher pressures |
| Operating temperature (min/max) | Every material has a maximum operating temperature; do not forget cleaning temperatures |
| Pump type and pump head model | Tubes are often specific to a pump head diameter; incorrect sizing leads to slippage |
| Desired service life | Continuous versus intermittent use differs greatly in wear pattern |
Shore A hardness and wall thickness: two underestimated factors
In addition to the type of material, hardness and geometry largely determine how the tube performs in the pump head.
Shore A hardness: A softer tube (low Shore A value) seals better against the pump head rotor and delivers more accurate dosing. A harder tube is more wear-resistant but requires more clamping force. In most peristaltic pumps, a Shore A hardness between 50 and 65 is optimal.
Wall thickness: A thicker wall can withstand higher pressures, but requires more drive power and reduces flow capacity. Walls that are too thin can collapse in vacuum applications. Always follow the pump manufacturer's recommendation for wall thickness and inner diameter.
Practical tip: immersion test
Not sure whether a tubing material is resistant to your medium? Cut a piece of tube 4 to 5 cm long, slice it open and immerse half of it in the liquid for 48 hours. Is there no visible attack, discolouration or change in volume? Then the material is in principle suitable for your application. Test at the highest operating temperature for the most representative result
When is it time to replace the tube?
The tube is the only consumable part of a peristaltic pump. Regular inspection and timely replacement prevent unplanned downtime and product contamination. Look out for the following signs:
- Visible cracks, tears or deformation in the tube wall
- Discolouration or swelling of the tubing material
- Noticeable decrease in the measured flow rate at the same settings
- Leakage around the pump head or from the tube itself
- Increased variation in the dosed volumes
Take care with continuous applications
With 24/7 pumping, the service life of a silicone tube can fall to a few weeks. In that case, PharMed BPT and Norprene are the right choice for a longer service interval and lower total maintenance costs.
