Product Overview
Reliable custom rubber parts for industrial applications
Quick Answer
High-temperature silicone rubber tubes are customizable by outer diameter, inner diameter, wall thickness, length, compound, Shore A hardness, and color. They are developed for compatible air, gas, or liquid transfer under confirmed temperature, pressure, media, installation, and compliance conditions.
High-temperature silicone rubber tubes are flexible hollow profiles designed for transferring compatible air, gases, or liquids under elevated-temperature conditions. Outer diameter, inner diameter, wall thickness, length, hardness, color, and temperature rating can be customized. The exact silicone compound must be selected according to the operating temperature, contact medium, pressure, installation method, and applicable compliance requirements.
High-Temperature Silicone Rubber Tubes for Industrial Fluid Transfer
High-temperature silicone rubber tubes are extruded, flexible hollow tubing engineered to withstand continuous exposure up to approximately 460°F (237°C), with higher tolerance for brief intermittent spikes, making them suitable for conveying liquids, air, or gases and for protecting wires and hoses in harsh thermal environments. These tubes remain more resilient than latex rubber, retaining flexibility over time even under continuous bending, flexing, and repeated heat cycling, which is why they’re commonly used with metering and peristaltic pumps, robotics, and industrial fluid transfer systems. Silicone’s naturally non-stick surface also means molten metal, weld splatter, and grinding sparks do not adhere to the tubing, extending its usefulness into welding and metal fabrication settings.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Typical Range/Option |
|---|---|
| Material | High-consistency silicone rubber (HCR) |
| Continuous Temperature Rating | Up to approximately 460°F (237°C); higher intermittent tolerance |
| Low Temperature Rating | Down to approximately -94°F (-70°C), depending on grade |
| Common Colors | Natural/clear (small sizes), oxide-red (mid-to-large sizes), FDA food-grade clear |
| Durometer Range | Approx. Shore A35 to Shore A70, depending on application |
| Inner Diameter Range | Approx. 0.5mm up to 180mm, depending on manufacturer |
| Wall Thickness Range | Approx. 1mm to 2mm+ depending on tube size |
| Special Variants | Star tubing for fastener thread protection, FDA food-grade tubing |
| Sterilization Compatibility | Steam autoclave compatible |
What Is High-Temperature Silicone Rubber Tubing?
High-temperature silicone rubber tubing is manufactured from a specialized high-temperature silicone formulation, extruded into round tube or sleeving form to convey fluids or gases, or to shield wires, bolts, and hoses from direct heat exposure. Unlike standard rubber or latex tubing, which softens, cracks, or degrades quickly under sustained heat, this silicone formulation maintains its flexibility and mechanical integrity even at continuous operating temperatures around 460°F, with brief intermittent exposure tolerance even higher. This heat stability, combined with excellent electrical insulation, weather resistance, and chemical resistance, makes it a versatile choice across industrial, automotive, and laboratory environments where standard elastomers would fail.
Why Choose Silicone Over Standard Rubber Tubing
- Superior heat resistance — withstands continuous exposure up to roughly 460°F, far beyond the working range of latex or standard rubber tubing.
- Retains flexibility over time — unlike many heat-resistant materials that stiffen and crack with age, silicone tubing continues to flex and bend reliably even after repeated thermal cycling.
- Non-stick surface properties — molten metal, weld splatter, and grinding sparks do not adhere to the tubing surface, making it useful for thread masking during welding and metal finishing.
- Broad chemical and weather resistance — resists degradation from ozone, UV exposure, and a range of chemicals better than standard rubber compounds.
- Excellent electrical insulation — supports use in wire and cable protection applications where both heat resistance and insulation are required simultaneously.
- Reusability — the high temperature rating allows certain applications, such as thread masking in painting or powder coating, to reuse the same tubing multiple times.
Available Grades and Color Variants
| Variant | Key Characteristics | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Natural/Clear (small sizes) | Transparent, general-purpose | Small-diameter fluid or gas lines, visual flow inspection |
| Oxide-Red (mid-range sizes) | High visibility, heat and chemical resistant | Wire/hose protection, general industrial heat shielding |
| Oxide-Red (large sizes) | Same properties, larger diameter | Larger hose bundles, industrial thread protection |
| Star Tubing | Ribbed internal profile for fastener grip | Bolt and screw thread protection during painting/coating |
| FDA Food-Grade Clear | Food-contact compliant | Food and beverage processing lines |
Sizing and Performance Reference
| Parameter | Example Range |
|---|---|
| Inner Diameter (ID) | 0.5mm to 180mm depending on manufacturer and grade |
| Outer Diameter (OD) | Matched to ID plus wall thickness, e.g., 3mm ID / 5mm OD |
| Durometer | Shore A35 (soft, flexible) to Shore A70 (firmer wall) |
| Temperature Range | -94°F to 460°F depending on specific formulation |
| Maximum Working Pressure | Varies by wall thickness and diameter; consult manufacturer specs for pressure-rated applications |
Manufacturing Process
High-temperature silicone rubber tubes are produced through a continuous extrusion process, where uncured high-consistency silicone rubber compound is forced through a precision die to form the tube’s inner and outer diameter before being cured under heat to cross-link the material into its final, stable form. Manufacturers formulate specific silicone blends to push the continuous temperature rating as high as approximately 460°F while still maintaining flexibility and tear resistance across the tube wall. For food-grade or medical-adjacent applications, tubing is produced from FDA-compliant silicone formulations and may undergo additional post-cure processing to remove residual curing byproducts before packaging.
Common Applications
- Conveying and transferring liquids, air, or gases in high-heat industrial environments.
- Protecting wires, cables, and hoses from direct heat exposure in engine bays, furnaces, or industrial equipment.
- Thread masking on bolts and screws during painting or powder coating operations, leveraging the tubing’s reusability at high temperatures.
- Metering and peristaltic pump tubing requiring continuous flexing and bending resistance.
- Robotics applications requiring durable, flexible tubing that withstands repeated motion cycles.
- Food and beverage processing lines requiring FDA-compliant, heat-tolerant tubing.
- Welding and metal fabrication settings where non-stick resistance to molten metal and spatter is required.
Custom Manufacturing Options
- Custom inner diameter, outer diameter, and wall thickness to match specific fluid transfer or protective sleeving requirements.
- Custom durometer/hardness selection to balance flexibility against structural rigidity for the intended application.
- Custom color options, including natural/clear, oxide-red, or specialty pigmented finishes.
- Custom length cutting and coiling for bulk industrial supply.
- FDA food-grade formulation available for food and beverage contact applications.
- Reverse-engineering service to match tubing dimensions to an existing sample or system specification.
FAQ
Can the tube dimensions be customized?
Yes. The outer diameter, inner diameter, wall thickness, and supplied length can be specified according to the installation. A drawing, physical sample, or complete dimensional specification should be provided. Dimensional tolerances must be reviewed according to the tube size, material, manufacturing process, and connection requirements.
What temperature can a silicone rubber tube withstand?
The exact operating range is available upon request. It depends on the silicone compound, continuous and intermittent temperatures, exposure duration, tube dimensions, pressure, contact medium, and required service conditions. Minimum, normal, and peak temperatures should be provided before the material is selected.
Can silicone tubing carry oil, fuel, or chemicals?
Compatibility should not be assumed from the material name alone. The specific oil, fuel, chemical, concentration, temperature, pressure, and contact duration must be reviewed. Application-specific material testing may be required where swelling, softening, permeability, or dimensional change could affect performance.
Are food-grade or medical-grade options available?
Application-specific compounds and compliance documentation are available upon request. Buyers must identify the required regulation, destination market, contact medium, temperature, duration, cleaning method, and testing requirements. Compliance must be confirmed for the selected compound, color, and finished tube specification.
Are samples available for testing?
Sample availability depends on the requested dimensions, silicone compound, hardness, color, tooling status, and quantity. Samples can be discussed after technical review. Dimensional fit, flexibility, media compatibility, temperature exposure, pressure, and connection performance should be included in the approval criteria.
How are MOQ and lead time confirmed?
MOQ and lead time depend on the tube dimensions, silicone compound, hardness, color, tolerance, supplied length, testing requirements, packaging, sample approval process, and order quantity. These commercial details are confirmed after reviewing the complete technical specification and estimated annual demand.
Request a Custom Quote
Send your 2D drawing, physical sample, or required tube dimensions for review. Include the silicone compound, Shore A hardness, continuous and peak temperatures, contact medium, pressure or vacuum, fitting method, compliance requirements, required quantity, and estimated annual volume. Samples, tooling, MOQ, lead time, inspection, and packaging will be confirmed after technical evaluation.
