Pump Tubing Frequently Asked Questions

What is a peristaltic pump?

A peristaltic pump uses tubing of a specific size to deliver a known quantity of fluid. The tubing inside the pump is in a circular position and a series of rollers pass over the tube to force a known quantity of fluid through the tube. Peristaltic tubing is design to return to its original shape after the rollers have passed over so the quantity and flow of fluid is consistently maintained. Gradko are specialists in manufacturing tubing that is suitable for peristaltic pumps.

Will your tubing fit my pump?

Gradko offer a wide variety of tubing ranges to fit many pumps. Many of our tubing ranges are equivalent to branded ranges of tubing.

What is a bridge?

A bridge, sometimes called a 'stop' is a plastic attachment to the tube that locks the tube in position on a peristaltic pump. Bridges are colour coded to easily identify the size of the tubing

Do the tubes need to be sterilised before use?

This depends on the application. If the tubes are being used for medical or pharmaceutical applications they should always be sterilised before use.

Are the tubes re-usable?

Generally these tubes are treated as a consumable product which is used for a period of time and then discarded to maintain accuracy of flow or due to contamination.

What is the life expectancy of the tubes?

This varies according to the chemicals in use, pump speed, temperature and humidity. Please contact us for advice on the optimum tubing for your application.

What chemicals are the tubes resistant to?

Please see our advisory chemical resistance chart.

What are the storage requirements of the tube?

Tubes should be stored in cool, dry conditions, out of direct sunlight – preferably below 20 C and in low humidity.

What do the hardness grades mean?

The hardness of our tubing is classified on the Shore A scale. The 60-69 hardness range is ideal for peristaltic pump use. Harder grades (86-90) are more suited to general purpose applications. Softer grades (40-50) do not work well with peristaltic pumps as they tend to collapse after a short working life.

A good balance is sought by tubing users. The harder a tube, the more likely it is to kink when bent. A softer grade is easier to work with when access is very tight.

Shore D applies more to semi-rigid materials such as Polyethylene and PTFE.