How To Choose Medical Silicone Tube: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthcare Professionals
Views: 0 Author: Kevin Publish Time: 2025-07-30 Origin: Jinan Chensheng Medical Technology Co., Ltd.
Selecting the right medical silicone tube is a critical decision that directly impacts patient safety, device performance, and regulatory compliance in healthcare settings. With applications ranging from drug delivery and surgical suction to respiratory therapy, medical silicone tubes must meet stringent requirements for biocompatibility, durability, and precision. As a leading China-based medical silicone tube manufacturer with over a decade of expertise, Jinan Chensheng Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (www.jngxj.cn) specializes in producing high-quality medical-grade silicone tubing tailored to global healthcare needs. In this guide, we break down the key factors to consider when choosing medical silicone tubes and explain how our manufacturing capabilities ensure optimal performance for your specific application.
1. Internal Diameter (ID) and External Diameter (OD): Precision for Flow and Compatibility
The internal diameter (ID) and external diameter (OD) of medical silicone tubes directly influence two critical aspects:
Flow rate: ID determines the volume of fluid or gas transferred per unit time. For example, a 4mm ID tube delivers ~100mL/min for IV therapy, while a 10mm ID tube may handle ~500mL/min for surgical suction.
Connector compatibility: OD must fit snugly with medical devices (e.g., catheters, pumps, or ventilator ports) to prevent leaks or disconnections.
Our Precision Advantage: Using advanced laser-diameter monitoring systems, we produce tubes with ID/OD tolerances of ±0.02mm—critical for precision applications like insulin pumps or neonatal ventilators. Our product range covers ID 0.3mm–50mm and OD 0.5mm–60mm, with custom wall thicknesses (0.1mm–10mm) to meet unique pressure requirements (e.g., high-pressure surgical tubing with 300psi burst resistance).
2. Shore Hardness: Balancing Flexibility and Structural Integrity
Shore hardness (measured on the Shore A scale) indicates a tube’s rigidity or elasticity, directly impacting its suitability for different procedures:
Soft tubing (30–50 Shore A): Ideal for delicate applications like neonatal care or catheter navigation, where flexibility prevents tissue irritation.
Medium tubing (50–70 Shore A): Versatile for general use (e.g., IV lines, respiratory circuits) balancing flexibility and kink resistance.
Hard tubing (70–80 Shore A): Suitable for high-stress applications like surgical suction or rigid catheter shafts, where structural stability is critical.
Our Material Expertise: We formulate silicone compounds to achieve precise hardness values (30–80 Shore A) with batch-to-batch consistency. For specialized needs, we offer ultra-soft tubing (20 Shore A) for neonatal intensive care and reinforced hard tubing (with braided polyester) for robotic surgery tools.
3. Tensile Strength: Ensuring Durability Under Stress
Tensile strength measures a tube’s ability to withstand stretching or pulling without breaking—essential for tubing subjected to frequent manipulation (e.g., catheter insertion, peristaltic pumping). Key considerations:
Minimum tensile strength: Medical-grade tubing should exceed 7 MPa (1,015 psi) to resist tearing during clinical use.
Elongation at break: >300% elongation ensures the tube returns to its original shape after deformation (critical for peristaltic pump tubing).
Testing and Quality: Our tubing undergoes rigorous tensile testing per ISO 37 standards, consistently achieving 8–12 MPa tensile strength and 350–400% elongation. For high-wear applications (e.g., hemodialysis), we add fiber reinforcement to enhance durability by 40% compared to standard tubing.
4. Autoclave Compatibility: Withstanding Repeated Sterilization
Medical silicone tubes must endure multiple sterilization cycles without degradation. Autoclaving (steam sterilization at 134°C) is the most common method, requiring tubing to:
Maintain elasticity and dimensional stability after 50+ cycles.
Avoid leaching harmful substances or developing cracks.
Our Sterilization Validation: We validate tubing for ISO 17665 compliance, ensuring no significant changes in hardness (<5 Shore A shift) or tensile strength (<10% loss) after 100 autoclave cycles. For heat-sensitive devices, we also offer ETO gas and gamma radiation (25–50 kGy) compatible tubing, with residual ETO <10 ppm.
5. Medical Silicone Adhesives and Connector Compatibility
Tubing often needs bonding to other materials (e.g., plastic hubs, metal luer locks) or integration into multi-component devices. Key factors:
Biocompatible adhesives: Must be non-toxic and sterilization-resistant (e.g., silicone-based adhesives meeting ISO 10993-5).
Standard connector compatibility: Fitting ISO 594 (luer locks), EN 13099 (respiratory connectors), and custom OEM interfaces.
Our Integration Solutions: We offer in-house bonding services using platinum-cured silicone adhesives, ensuring bonds withstand autoclaving and resist delamination. For custom devices, our engineering team designs hybrid tubing systems (silicone + plastic/metal) for seamless equipment integration.
6. Material Purity and Biocompatibility
The quality of raw materials directly impacts tubing safety:
Platinum vs. peroxide curing: Our tubing uses platinum curing to eliminate harmful residues, achieving heavy metal content <0.1ppm and extractables <0.1% (USP Class VI).
Biocompatibility certifications: ISO 10993-5 (cytotoxicity), ISO 10993-10 (irritation), and USP Class VI compliance for long-term implantation.
Why Choose Chensheng Medical as Your Medical Silicone Tube Partner?
With monthly production capacity of 100,000+ meters and strict quality control, we offer:
Color coding system: Standard colors for different applications (e.g., red for arterial, blue for venous lines).
Rapid customization: 7-day prototyping, 50% mold cost reimbursement for orders ≥10,000 meters.
Competitive pricing: $0.85–$2.20/m (FOB Qingdao), with 25% discount for bulk orders.
Global Success Stories
European Surgical Device OEM: Our reinforced tubing reduced 40% of kinking issues in laparoscopic suction systems.
US Dialysis Center: Custom hardness (60 Shore A) tubing improved patient comfort during hemodialysis.
Ready to Source Your Ideal Medical Silicone Tube?
Choosing the right medical silicone tube requires balancing technical specs, clinical needs, and regulatory compliance. At Jinan Chensheng Medical, we combine precision manufacturing, rigorous testing, and customization to deliver tubing that elevates your device performance.
Take Action Today:
Visit www.jngxj.cn to download our Medical Silicone Tube Selection Guide and certification documents.
Send your requirements (dimensions, hardness, application) to info@jngxj.cn for a 24-hour personalized quote.
Connect via WhatsApp: +8613256790045 to consult our technical team.
Your patients deserve the best—partner with a manufacturer that prioritizes quality, compliance, and innovation.
We look forward to collaborating with you!
