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Experience the Difference Silicone Can Make

30th Apr 2020

Does upgrading to silicone hoses really matter?

Have you been considering upgrading from traditional rubber hoses to silicone? As people are navigating the different types of hose selections, it can be difficult to really nail down whether silicone hoses perform better than rubber. Many are left wondering, does it really make a difference?

At Flex Tech, we know the advantages of silicone hoses! And while they’re multifaceted and great for a number of applications, there are some instances where another material is better performing. Take a moment with us today and learn more about the difference silicone can make!

The Superiority of Silicone

Switching from rubber hoses to silicone can be nail-biting because you want to believe that silicone is the superior choice, and, at the end of the day, perform better, yet you’re left wondering if investing in silicone is worth it.

Flex Tech has you covered! We’ll explore frequently asked questions when it comes to upgrading from rubber hoses to silicone hoses.

Are silicone hoses really better than rubber?

Rubber has been king in many industries — rightly so — with many manufacturers turning to it for its performance, but as silicone has evolved and developed over the years, it’s now considered to be a more relevant material and superior to rubber. Let’s explore some of the leading benefits of silicone.

Longevity

Silicone is known for its resilience and flexibility, which in turn aids in its longevity. Silicone hoses are far more flexible than rubber by maintaining its suppleness, reducing the risk of dry rot, hardening, and splitting that are the unfortunate features of rubber hoses.

Durability

People choose silicone for its durability — it lasts forever and it will likely outlive your car! Silicone is the preferred material when compared to rubber because when it’s broken down to the cost per mile, silicone is always cheaper — even with its higher up-front cost.

When the silicone hose is used for the correct application, it’s durability is incomparable.

Vibration and Noise Reduction

Silicone is known for its ability to dampen vibrations and sounds, keeping its application stable and subdued. If there is anything that’s more frustrating to factory workers or car drivers, it’s the incessant noises that can drive you mad! A little whistle here or heavy friction sound there can add up!

Rubber is known to be the culprit of noise and vibrations caused by the friction of the rubber and its connecting surface, whereas silicone provides a smooth and quiet connection every time.

Improved Temperature Ranges

Higher temperature ranges are one of the main reasons people choose silicone over rubber — it’s all about thermodynamic efficiency. Rubber just can’t carry fluids at high temperatures the way silicone can. Silicone is the preferred choice because it doesn’t expand or get hot when exposed to high temperatures, which makes it the superior material when adding a turbocharger to your car or constructing a racing vehicle.

Aesthetics

While the way silicone looks may not be what everyone talks about, it’s one feature that most agree on — silicone has great aesthetics! Flex Tech offers custom colors, but even the standard blue, black, and red are a favorite amongst car enthusiasts who love to pop their hoods!

Performance

Last, but not least, silicone provides valuable performance enhancement when compared to rubber. We’ve explored its heat tolerance above, which really is a major reason people choose silicone. If you’re after power in your car and want to add a turbocharger but forego upgrading to silicone hoses, you could potentially blow hoses because they’re unable to handle the heat that’s being driven into them.

Silicone is almost always in a like-new condition, even as it ages. Rubber hoses are prone to cracking and brittleness, but the stability and resilience of silicone ensure that this is far less likely to happen, if at all.

If you’ve ever experienced a hose leak, you know what a nightmare it is to identify and diagnose it — silicone will afford you improved performance where hose leaks and cracks are a thing of the past.

Applications Where Silicone is Contraindicated

While silicone is widely used in a variety of diverse industries and applications, there are some where it’s not the best material of choice. Silicone does not play well with oil-based products or fuels because it’s porous and the oil and fuel easily break down its molecular structure. If you need hoses for specific oil and fuel usages, we have a specific workaround and recommend fluorocarbon- and fluorosilicone-lined hoses. These hoses are ideal for these applications and have a better tolerance for wider temperature ranges, both high and low.

Flex Tech has your silicone hose solutions!

If you’re ready to update from rubber to silicone hoses, we have a solution for you — we’re here to provide silicone hose options to achieve the performance you’re after! Connect with us today to find the silicone hose that’s ideal for your industry and application.