Product Overview
Reliable custom rubber parts for industrial applications
Quick Answer
This Wacker R401 silicone rubber formed hose is designed for a suction-side connection and specified at 70 Shore A. Confirmed sections measure 14 × 10 mm, 12 × 8 mm, and 13 × 9 mm by outer and inner diameter. Dimensional tolerances follow DIN ISO 3302-1 M3, while overall geometry follows the approved 3D model.
Wacker R401 silicone rubber formed hoses are flexible suction-side connectors with a multi-diameter curved structure. The confirmed hose sections measure Ø14 × Ø10 mm, Ø12 × Ø8 mm, and Ø13 × Ø9 mm. The hose is specified at 70 Shore A with dimensional tolerances according to DIN ISO 3302-1 M3. Overall geometry follows the approved 3D model.
Wacker R401 Silicone Rubber Hoses — Precision Molded for Food-Contact and Technical Applications
Wacker R401 silicone rubber hoses are molded from ELASTOSIL R 401, a peroxide-curing, high-consistency silicone rubber (HCR) base compound available across a wide range of hardness grades, making it a versatile material for extruded and molded hose components used in food processing, automotive, and general technical applications. This compound family is prized for its combination of good flexibility, high transparency, and solid mechanical properties, along with compliance with food-contact regulations after proper post-curing. Molded shaped hoses, such as suction-side hose fittings, are a common application for this material, typically produced at hardness grades around 70 Shore A for a balance of flexibility and structural stability.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Material | ELASTOSIL R 401 (peroxide-curing solid silicone rubber, HCR) |
| Available Hardness Grades | 13, 23, 34, 33/41, 52, 55, 61, 62, 71, 81, 89 Shore A |
| Appearance | Transparent to translucent, colorless |
| Temperature Range | -55°C to +210°C (heat stabilizers recommended above 180°C) |
| Tensile Strength Range | Approx. 6.0 to 12.0 N/mm² depending on grade |
| Elongation at Break | Approx. 160% to 1200% depending on grade |
| Food-Contact Compliance | Meets BfR Recommendation XV and FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 when properly post-cured |
| Curing Method | Heat-cured with peroxide crosslinker |
| Manufacturing Process | Compression molding, transfer molding, extrusion, calendering |
What Is Wacker ELASTOSIL R 401?
ELASTOSIL R 401 is a family of high-consistency, peroxide-curing solid silicone rubber grades supplied by Wacker Chemie, designed to be processed by conventional rubber methods including extrusion, calendering, compression molding, transfer molding, and injection molding. The compound cures under heat and is engineered to produce a wide variety of silicone rubber articles, including tubing, hoses, profiles, seals, and gaskets, with a usable service temperature range from -55°C to +210°C. Because the R 401 series spans hardness grades from as soft as 13 Shore A up to as firm as 89 Shore A, manufacturers can select the specific grade that best matches the flexibility, sealing force, and dimensional stability needs of a given hose or molded component.
Available Hardness Grades and Properties
| Grade | Hardness (Shore A) | Tensile Strength | Elongation at Break | Tear Strength | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R 401/10 OH | 13 | 6.0 N/mm² | 1200% | 24 N/mm | Food-contact, general purpose |
| R 401/20 OH | 23 | 9.0 N/mm² | 1000% | 27 N/mm | Food-contact, general purpose |
| R 401/30 OH | 34 | 10.0 N/mm² | 720% | 22 N/mm | Food-contact |
| R 401/40 S | 33 or 41 | 10.0–11.0 N/mm² | 730–800% | 24–28 N/mm | Food-contact, general purpose |
| R 401/50 S | 52 | 12.0 N/mm² | 640% | 29 N/mm | Food-contact, general purpose |
| R 401/55 S | 55 | 11.0 N/mm² | 470% | 23 N/mm | Food-contact, general purpose |
| R 401/60 S / KX | 61–62 | 11.0 N/mm² | 460–530% | 25–26 N/mm | Food-contact, general purpose |
| R 401/70 S | 71 | 11.0 N/mm² | 530% | 31 N/mm | Food-contact, general purpose |
| R 401/80 S | 81 | 10.0 N/mm² | 430% | 26 N/mm | Food-contact, general purpose |
| R 401/90 OH | 89 | 7.4 N/mm² | 160% | 14 N/mm | Food-contact, general purpose |
The 70 Shore A grade (R 401/70 S) is a commonly specified option for molded silicone hoses requiring a firmer, more structurally stable wall while retaining good flexibility and tear resistance.
Why Choose ELASTOSIL R 401 for Hose Applications
- Wide hardness selection — grades ranging from 13 to 89 Shore A allow hose stiffness to be tuned precisely to the application, from very soft, highly flexible tubing to firmer, more structurally rigid hose sections.
- Food-contact compliance — properly post-cured R 401 grades meet BfR Recommendation XV and FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 for rubber articles intended for repeated use, making the material suitable for food and beverage handling hoses.
- Broad service temperature range — usable from -55°C to +210°C, covering both cold storage and higher-temperature process environments without requiring a different base compound.
- Good processing versatility — compatible with extrusion, calendering, compression molding, transfer molding, and injection molding, allowing both straight tubing and complex molded hose shapes to be produced from the same base material family.
- High transparency and clarity — most R 401 grades are transparent or translucent, which can be useful for visual flow inspection in certain hose applications.
Molded Shaped Hose Example — Suction-Side Hose
Molded shaped hoses, such as a suction-side hose fitting, are a common custom application for ELASTOSIL R 401 silicone rubber, typically produced at approximately 70 Shore A hardness to provide the structural firmness needed to resist collapse under suction while retaining adequate flexibility for routing and installation. These molded shapes are produced to a specific customer drawing, with dimensional and volume parameters (such as molded volume in cm³) controlled precisely to match the required fit and performance in the connected system.
| Parameter | Typical Detail |
|---|---|
| Application | Molded suction-side hose fitting |
| Material | Silicone rubber, 70 Shore A |
| Production Basis | Molded to customer drawing/specification |
| Scale Reference | 1:1 drawing scale typical for hose fitting production |
Manufacturing Process
Wacker R401 silicone rubber hoses are produced by incorporating a peroxide crosslinker into the raw HCR base compound, taking care to avoid incorporation temperatures above 30°C to maintain optimal processing behavior and pot life, before curing the compound under heat within a mold cavity or extrusion die shaped to the required hose profile. For molded shaped hoses, compression or transfer molding is typically used to form curved, tapered, or fitting-specific geometries in a single operation, while straight tubing is more commonly produced via extrusion. Post-curing at elevated temperature for several hours is required to achieve full food-contact compliance and to drive off residual peroxide decomposition byproducts from the cured part.
Common Applications
- Food and beverage processing hoses and tubing requiring food-contact compliant silicone rubber.
- Molded suction-side and shaped hose fittings for pumps and fluid transfer systems.
- Automotive hoses, including turbocharger hoses and exhaust-related flexible connections.
- Membranes, seals, gaskets, and profiles produced from the same base compound family.
- Technical and industrial tubing requiring a broad service temperature range from -55°C to +210°C.
- Cable and wire insulation applications using extruded R 401 compound.
Custom Manufacturing Options
- Custom hardness grade selection across the full R 401 range (13 to 89 Shore A) to match specific flexibility and structural requirements.
- Custom molded shaped hose geometry produced to customer drawing, including curved, tapered, or multi-diameter fittings.
- Custom color options, including pigmented or opaque finishes where transparency is not required.
- Custom post-cure processing to achieve food-contact or medical-grade compliance where required.
- Reverse-engineering service to reproduce a hose or fitting shape from a sample part or drawing.
- Prototype and low-volume sampling available prior to full production tooling commitment.
FAQ
What are the confirmed hose dimensions?
The confirmed cross-sectional dimensions are 14 mm OD × 10 mm ID, 12 mm OD × 8 mm ID, and 13 mm OD × 9 mm ID. Exact overall length, connection lengths, bend radii, and three-dimensional orientation must follow the approved 3D model.
What material and hardness are specified?
The hose is specified in Wacker R401 silicone rubber with a hardness of 70 Shore A. Any required color, compound documentation, compliance declaration, or application-specific test criteria must be confirmed during the technical review.
What dimensional tolerance applies?
The specified dimensional tolerance is DIN ISO 3302-1 M3. Critical interface dimensions and overall formed geometry should also be identified in the approved technical documentation. Any tighter customer-specific tolerances require a separate feasibility review.
Can the formed hose geometry be customized?
Yes. Hose routing, bend geometry, connection diameters, interface lengths, compound, hardness, color, and tolerances can be customized. A complete 3D model is required when the hose must follow a specific three-dimensional path within the equipment.
Are prototype samples available?
Sample availability depends on the confirmed geometry, silicone compound, tooling requirements, and requested quantity. Initial samples can be arranged after technical review. Dimensions, hardness, installation fit, internal passage, appearance, and functional acceptance criteria should be defined before approval.
How are tooling, MOQ, and lead time confirmed?
Tooling, MOQ, and lead time depend on the hose geometry, compound specification, dimensional requirements, inspection method, sample approval process, and order quantity. These details are confirmed after reviewing the complete technical information and estimated annual demand.
Request a Custom Quote
Send your 2D drawing, complete 3D model, or physical sample for a custom silicone rubber formed hose quotation. Include connection dimensions, transported media, temperature, pressure or vacuum conditions, material requirements, quantity, and estimated annual volume. Tooling, samples, MOQ, lead time, testing, and documentation will be confirmed after technical review.
