Peristaltic Pump Tubing: Theoretical Flow Rates, Pressure Ratings, Calculations, Formulations, Comparative Descriptions
The information presented on this page is a continuation of advanced technical details on Peristaltic Pump Tubing. Select from the links below to "jump" to a specific section on the page.
Additional detailed information is available from the links below or at right.
The information below can be used to calculate theoretical flow rate of a pumping system or to determine tubing ID required for a desired flow rate.
Theoretical flow rate
in cc's/minute | = | "V" | x | tubing length that will be
occluded by pump rollers | x | number of rollers
on the rotor | x | rpm's of
the pump |
| | | | | | | |
| Tubing ID (inches) | | "V" = Volume of Occluded tubing(cc's/inch) | | | Tubing ID (inches) | | "V" = Volume of Occluded tubing (cc's/inch) |
| 1/16 | | 0.05 | | | 3/8 | | 1.81 |
| 1/8 | | 0.20 | | | 1/2 | | 3.22 |
| 3/16 | | 0.45 | | | 3/4 | | 7.24 |
| 1/4 | | 0.80 | | | 1 | | 12.87 |
| 5/16 | | 1.26 | | | 2 | | 51.48 |
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Tests have shown that as the back pressure experienced by a pumping system approaches the working pressure ratings, tubing life is reduced. Working pressures are calculated at a 1:5 ratio relative to burst pressure.
| Inside Diameter | Outside Diameter | Wall Thickness | Maximum Suggested Working Pressure of Pumping System at Room Temperature (73°F) |
| (inches) | (inches) | (inches) | (psi) | (KPa) |
| 1/16 | 3/16 | 1/16 | 70 | 482 |
| 1/8 | 1/4 | 1/16 | 43 | 296 |
| 3/16 | 5/16 | 1/16 | 31 | 214 |
| 1/4 | 3/8 | 1/16 | 25 | 172 |
| 5/16 | 7/16 | 1/16 | 21 | 145 |
| 3/8 | 5/8 | 1/8 | 31 | 214 |
| 1/2 | 3/8 | 1/8 | 25 | 172 |
| 3/4 | 1-1/4 | 1/4 | 31 | 214 |
| 1 | 1-3/8 | 3/16 | 19 | 131 |
| 2 | 2-1/2 | 1/4 | 14 | 96 |
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This information can be used to calculate the working pressure of a specific tubing. Using the pressure ratings for peristaltic pump tubings chart and the calculation of working pressure chart, multiply the appropriate value shown times (x) the number provided below. For example: 1/16 inch I.D. Tygon® B-44-3 tubing would be 70 psi x 1.43 = 100.10 psi working pressure.
| Tygon® LFL | Multiply Value Shown Times (x) | 1.00 |
| Tygon® R-3603 | Multiply Value Shown Times (x) | 1.00 |
| Tygon® R-1000 | Multiply Value Shown Times (x) | 0.43 |
| Tygon® F-4040-A | Multiply Value Shown Times (x) | 1.14 |
| Tygon® 2001 | Multiply Value Shown Times (x) | 0.63 |
| Tygoprene™ XL-60 | Multiply Value Shown Times (x) | 0.43 |
| Fluran® F-5500-A | Multiply Value Shown Times (x) | 0.43 |
| Norprene® A-60-G | Multiply Value Shown Times (x) | 0.43 |
| Norprene® A-60-F | Multiply Value Shown Times (x) | 0.43 |
| Tygon® S-50-HL | Multiply Value Shown Times (x) | 1.29 |
| PharMed® BPT | Multiply Value Shown Times (x) | 0.43 |
| Tygon® B-44-3 | Multiply Value Shown Times (x) | 1.43 |
| Tygon® 3350 | Multiply Value Shown Times (x) | 0.43 |
| Versilic® SPX-50 | Multiply Value Shown Times (x) | 0.29 |
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The chart below details our most popular peristaltic pump tubing formulations for general market categories.
| | Labora-
tory | Pharma-
ceutical/ Cosmetic | Food/
Beverage | Medical | Environ-
mental | Industrial | *Auto-
analyzer |
Tygon®
LFL | | a | a | | a | a | |
Tygon®
R-3603 | a | | | | a | | a |
Tygon®
R-1000 | a | | | | | | |
Tygon®
F4040-A | | | | | | a | a |
Tygon®
2001 | | | a | | a | a | |
Tygoprene™
XL-60 | a | | a | | | a | |
Fluran®
F-5500-A | | | | | | a | a |
Norprene®
A60-G | | | | | | a | |
Norprene®
A-60-F | | | a | | | | |
Tygon®
S-50-HL | a | a | | a | | | |
PharMed®
BPT | a | a | | | | | a |
Tygon®
B-44-3 | | | a | | | a | |
Tygon®
3350 | | a | | a | | a | a |
Versilic®
SPX-50 | a | a | a | a | a | a | |
|
*Saint-Gobain Autoanalyzer tubing - Outstanding flow characteristics and dimensional tolerances provide accuracy and reproducibility of delivery rates. Available in a wide variety of application specific formulations. |
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Tygon®
LFL | Clear and flexible, provides the longest life in peristaltic pumps where other clear, plastic tubings fail. Ideally suited for bulk transfer applications. Low spallation. Meets USP Class VI and FDA criteria.
|
Tygon®
R-3603 | Consistently unaffected by virtually all inorganic chemicals. Tygon® R-3603 provides the laboratory pump user with repeatedly reliable results. Low spallation. Meets FDA criteria.
|
Tygon®
R-1000 | An extremely soft and flexible tubing, Tygon® R-1000 offers long life and minimal resistance to compression in low torque peristaltic pumps. Meets FDA and NSF 51 criteria
|
Tygon®
F-4040-A | Maintains pumpability and resists cracking when transporting fuels, lubricants and other hydrocarbon based products.
|
Tygon®
2001 | Provides low compression set properties of a thermoset rubber in a clear, flexible tubing. Meets FDA criteria.
|
Tygoprene™ XL-60 | Designed specifically for use in peristaltic pump applications and provides flexibility and long life. Meets FDA and NSF 51 criteria
|
Fluran®
F-5500-A | Provides unequalled chemical and temperature resistance to perform in the most severe environments.
|
Norprene®
A-60-G | Exhibits extremely high flexural fatigue characteristics, excellent chemical resistance and an ability to handle a wide temperature range. An all-around top performer for numerous industrial peristaltic pump applications.
|
Norprene®
A-60-F | A long flex life tubing that is unaffected by wide temperature variations; formulated specifically for hot food and beverage processing and dispensing. Meets FDA, NSF 51, and 3-A Sanitary Standards for Plastics Criteria.
|
Tygon®
S-50-HL | Initially developed for open heart surgical procedures, this tubing represents the standard of excellence in critical clinical and biological applications. Crystal clear, non-toxic and non-hemolytic. Low spallation. Meets USP Class VI criteria. Fully tested to ISO 10993 standards.
|
PharMed®
BPT | Low spallation, low gas permeability and an unequaled flex life will minimize the risk of fluid exposure in sensitive applications. Biocompatible, non-toxic and non-hemolytic, an excellent choice in pharmaceutical processing, tissue and cell culture applications. Meets FDA, NSF 51 and USP Class VI criteria. Fully tested to ISO 10993 standards.
|
TygonTM
B-44-3 | The most widely specified tubing for use in the handling of food, beverages and dairy products. Tygon® B-44-3 tubing meets appropriate FDA, NSF 51, and 3-A Sanitary Standards for Plastics Criteria. Low spallation.
|
Tygon®
3350 | A platinum cured silicone with an engineered, ultra-smooth inner surface that reduces particle entrapment and minimizes bacterial growth. Ideally suited for transfer of sensitive fluids. Meets FDA, NSF 51, 3-A Sanitary Standards for Plastics and USP Class VI criteria. Fully tested to ISO 10993 standards.
|
VersilicTM
SPX-50 | A peroxide cured silicone that provides long life, strength and durability. Meets FDA, NSF 51, 3-A Sanitary Standards for Plastics and USP Class VI criteria.
|
Note: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation assumes no obligations or liability for any advice furnished by it, or for results obtained with respect to those products. All such advice is given and accepted at the buyer's risk.
Contact our customer service hotline at:
Ohio, U.S. +1 800-798-1554- Outside U.S. +1 330-798-9240