One of the most versatile materials available today, silicone is used in a plethora of applications that impact almost every aspect of our lives.

Due to its inherent properties, silicone is used wherever good electrical insulation is required (it is non-conductive), it is highly resistant to heat and has great thermal stability (hence can be used in applications where repeated exposure to sterilization and autoclaving is required) it is water-repellent (hence it can be used for sealants against water and moisture). It is also highly resistant to oxygen and ozone and UV light so it is the ideal material for applications where there is exposure to these elements. Silicone has very low adherence properties and hence does not attract particles to stick on it and also has very low chemical reactivity. The smooth surface does not allow bacteria or micro-organisms to attach themselves to its surface. Another great advantage is that silicone is highly gas-permeable hence gas-transfer in medical applications can be conducted via silicone tubes.

Silicone tubing is extensively used in many industrial, medical, pharmaceutical and domestic environments. In the medical field it has almost completely replaced other plastic and rubber polymers in surgical implants and drug-delivery systems. Silicone tubing has also been found to be highly compatible biologically and is very durable and efficient. Since it has very low toxicity and remains physiologically inert, it is ideal for delivery of blood and blood fluids and for use in sterile environments. It does not leach or fragment into the material being transported and is also hypoallergenic.

Medical applications:

Implants like pace-makers and defibrillators have silicone tubing and non-implanted applications like wound drainage also use it. Since it can be separated into very thin strands, capillary size tubing can be manufactured, which is essential in wound drainage, burns, clot surgery, laser surgery etc.

Bio-sensors, prosthetics and drug-delivery systems use silicone tubing extensively.

Feeding pumps, catheters, disposable drug-delivery systems, dialysis and other sterile tubes are made of medical grade silicone tubing.

Since it can be extruded into clear, transparent or translucent tubing, these different types can be used in different medical and pharmaceutical applications.

One disadvantage in medical applications is that it cannot withstand very high pressures. Hence reinforced silicone which is blended with other polymers can be used in such situations, or it can be braided or spiral-wrapped to provide additional strength.

Food/Beverages:

Here hygiene and cleanliness are supreme hence silicone with all its natural advantages is the perfect choice for tubing. It provides smooth walled tubing which can be quickly and thoroughly cleaned.

Breweries and beverage industries use silicone tubing for yeast-harvest or mixing/blending operations.

Fillings, flavors, colors and other ingredients can be transferred through clean, transparent silicone tubing which can be measured and metered.

Dispensing finished products is another area where silicone tubing is used. Sauces, ice-cream, yogurt and other thicker liquids can be pumped through silicone tubing.

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