Technical Foundation
What Is a Santoprene Tubing?
Santoprene is a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) — a blend of cross-linked EPDM rubber particles dispersed in a polypropylene matrix — that combines the flexibility and sealing behavior of a thermoset rubber with the processability of a thermoplastic. In tubing form it's widely used in peristaltic pumps because its flex-fatigue resistance lets it withstand millions of compression cycles from the pump's rollers or shoes without cracking, far outlasting general-purpose PVC or silicone in that specific duty.
Beyond pump life, Santoprene offers broad chemical resistance to many acids, bases, alcohols and ketones, though it is not resistant to most hydrocarbons, oils or aromatic solvents, so compatibility should be checked against the specific fluid being transferred. FDA-compliant and USP Class VI grades are available for food, beverage and pharmaceutical transfer where extractables and biocompatibility matter.
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| Spec | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Durometer | Typically 55A-90A Shore A depending on grade | Softer durometers flex more readily in peristaltic service; harder grades resist crushing under external load |
| Inner Diameter & Wall | Sized to pump head or fitting, e.g. 1/4 in ID x 1/16 in wall | Must match the pump manufacturer's tubing spec for correct occlusion and flow rate |
| Chemical Compatibility | Good vs. acids, bases, alcohols; poor vs. hydrocarbons/oils | Wrong fluid choice causes swelling, softening or premature failure |
| Flex-Fatigue Life | Rated in millions of peristaltic pump cycles | Primary reason Santoprene is chosen over PVC or silicone for continuous pump duty |
| Certification | FDA 21 CFR 177.2600, USP Class VI (select grades) | Required for food, beverage and pharmaceutical fluid transfer applications |
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Applications
Where Santoprene Tubing Get Used
Santoprene tubing is specified wherever peristaltic pump flex life and chemical compatibility both matter more than raw cost.
Water & Wastewater Treatment
Peristaltic metering pump tubing for chemical dosing lines handling coagulants, polymers and disinfectants.
Food & Beverage Processing
FDA-compliant transfer tubing for product lines and CIP (clean-in-place) systems.
Pharmaceutical & Biotech Manufacturing
USP Class VI tubing for peristaltic pumps in fill-finish and buffer transfer applications.
Chemical Processing & Dosing
Chemical-resistant tubing for metering pumps transferring acids, caustics and process additives.
Analytical & Laboratory Equipment
Precision peristaltic tubing in autosamplers and analytical instrumentation requiring long service life.
Agricultural Chemical Application
Metering tubing for fertilizer and pesticide dosing systems mounted on spray equipment.
FAQ
Santoprene Tubing Questions, Answered
Why is Santoprene preferred over PVC or silicone for peristaltic pumps?
Santoprene's TPV structure gives it significantly better flex-fatigue resistance than PVC or general-purpose silicone, letting it survive far more compression cycles from the pump rollers before cracking or developing spallation inside the tube wall. This translates to longer service intervals and more consistent flow rate over the tubing's life in continuous-duty peristaltic applications.
Is Santoprene tubing resistant to oils and hydrocarbons?
No — while Santoprene resists many acids, bases, alcohols and ketones well, it has poor resistance to most oils, fuels, and aromatic or aliphatic hydrocarbons, which cause swelling and softening. Always check a chemical compatibility chart against the specific fluid before specifying Santoprene for a transfer application.
What durometer should I choose for peristaltic pump tubing?
Softer durometers (around 55A-65A) flex more easily under the pump rollers and are common for standard peristaltic dosing, while harder durometers (up to 90A) offer more resistance to external crushing and are chosen when the tubing also needs to hold up outside the pump head, such as in exposed runs. The pump manufacturer's tubing spec sheet is the best starting reference.
Is Santoprene tubing safe for food and pharmaceutical use?
Select grades of Santoprene tubing are manufactured to meet FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 for food contact and USP Class VI for biocompatibility, making them suitable for food, beverage and pharmaceutical fluid transfer — but not all Santoprene tubing carries these certifications, so confirm the specific grade and its documentation before use in a regulated process.
How does Santoprene tubing compare to natural rubber or EPDM tubing?
Santoprene is a thermoplastic vulcanizate that behaves like cross-linked EPDM rubber in flexibility and chemical resistance but is thermoplastic rather than thermoset, meaning it can be melt-processed and is generally more consistent dimensionally. It typically offers comparable or better flex-fatigue life to EPDM in peristaltic service with easier manufacturability.
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