The right peristaltic pump hose material is the one that suits the liquid, its temperature and the chemicals used to clean the pump, in that order. Verderflex makes peristaltic hoses in five materials: natural rubber (NR) for abrasive slurries and inorganic products, nitrile rubber (NBR) for oily or fatty products, food-grade nitrile rubber (NBRF) for hygienic applications, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) for corrosive chemicals and inorganic products, and CSM (chlorosulfonated polyethylene, sold as Hypalon) for highly corrosive products. Tubes in Verderprene or platinum-cured silicone cover smaller, lower-pressure dosing duties.
No single material suits every liquid. Compatibility depends on the chemical, its concentration, the temperature, how long the hose is exposed and what you use to clean the pump, so a general chart is a starting point and not a guarantee. We recommend confirming the material with us before you order.
You can explore our full range of peristaltic pump tubing , along with our ranges of peristaltic hose pumps , tube pumps , and the complete Verderflex range.
Why Hose Material Matters in Peristaltic Pumps
Unlike many other pump technologies, the hose or tube in a peristaltic pump is the primary wear component and the only part that comes into contact with the pumped fluid.
The material therefore decides chemical compatibility, abrasion resistance, the temperature limit and whether the hose can be used in food and hygienic duties.
Verderflex hoses are designed with reinforced construction to maximise fatigue strength and extend operational life. Compared with many competitor hoses, Verderflex hoses contain additional reinforcements that help improve durability under continuous compression cycles. The hose surface is also engineered with a textured finish that creates microscopic lubrication pockets. This promotes more even lubricant coverage, helping reduce friction and extend hose life without increasing operational resistance.
Additional design benefits include:
- Consistent wall thickness and outer diameter tolerances
- No requirement for external machining
- Reduced maintenance requirements
- Improved long-term reliability in demanding industrial applications
Verderflex hoses, says hoses generally fail from fatigue in the reinforcement, so material choice is one factor in hose life and not the only one. Our blog on peristaltic pump hose life covers the others.
Verderflex hoses come in 12 standard sizes from 5 mm to 125 mm. Colour-coded lettering and identification tapes bonded into the outer surface show the material, which makes it easy to check that the right hose has been fitted.
Hose & Tube Material Comparison
| Hose material | Colour | Temperature range | Best for | Advantages | Considerations | Typical applications |
| Natural rubber - NR | White | -20 °C to 80 °C | General industrial use | Excellent fatigue resistance, highly flexible, long hose life | Not suitable for oily products | Mining slurries, wastewater, abrasive fluids |
| Nitrile buna rubber – NBR | Yellow | -20 °C to 80 °C | Oily and fatty products | Good oil resistance, durable under industrial conditions | Less suitable for strong oxidising chemicals | Oils, fats, oily wastewater, industrial processing |
| Food grade - NBRF | White/Yellow | -20 °C to 80 °C | Food-grade applications | FDA CFR21 & EC No.1935/2004 approved liner | Limited availability on certain models | Food processing, hygienic transfer |
| EPDM | Red | -20 °C to 100 °C | Corrosive chemicals | Excellent resistance to acids and chemicals | Not ideal for oils and hydrocarbons | Chemical dosing, wastewater treatment |
| Hypalon - CSM | Green | -20 °C to 85 °C | Highly corrosive fluids | Superior chemical resistance and durability | Higher-specification material for aggressive applications | Chemical processing, harsh industrial chemicals |
| Verderprene | Beige/Cream | 10 °C to 85 °C | Low-pressure and low-spallation duties | Low particle shedding, FDA & USP compliant tubing options available | Can be autoclaved, compatible with most CIP solutions and SIP | Designed for lower pressure applications |
| Platinum cured silicone | Translucent | -20 °C to 85 °C | High-purity applications | Odourless, low residuals, FDA & USP compliant | Lower abrasion resistance | High-purity transfer applications |
Understanding Verderflex Hose Materials
NR (Natural Rubber)
Natural Rubber hoses are the most widely used material across industrial markets due to its excellent flexibility and fatigue resistance. It performs particularly well in abrasive and slurry applications where hose life is critical.
Its ability to repeatedly compress and recover makes it ideal for mining, wastewater, and heavy industrial pumping applications.
Common applications:
- Slurry transfer
- Lime dosing
- Wastewater treatment
- Abrasive chemical transfer
NBR (Nitrile Buna Rubber)
Nitrile Buna Rubber hoses are designed for fluids containing oils and fats. The material provides excellent resistance to petroleum-based products and oily wastewater streams while maintaining good durability under demanding operating conditions.
Common applications:
- Oily sludge transfer
- Industrial oils
- Fat and grease processing
- Waste oil systems
NBRF Food Grade Hose
NBRF combines the oil resistance benefits of nitrile rubber with an FDA and EC-approved food-grade liner. This makes it suitable for hygienic processing applications requiring compliance with food-contact standards.
Common applications:
- Food processing
- Beverage transfer
- Hygienic industrial applications
EPDM
EPDM hoses offer exceptional resistance to corrosive chemicals, particularly acids and oxidising agents. They are commonly selected for aggressive chemical dosing and industrial treatment processes.
Common applications:
- Acid transfer
- Chemical dosing
- Wastewater treatment
- Corrosive fluid handling
CSM - Hypalon
CSM is designed for highly corrosive and chemically aggressive applications where standard elastomers may degrade prematurely. It provides advanced chemical resistance and long-term reliability in harsh environments.
Common applications:
- Aggressive chemical transfer
- Industrial chemical processing
- Hazardous fluid handling
Verderprene Tubing
Verderprene is the standard option for many peristaltic pump tubes . This cream-coloured tubing is popular due to its versatility, durability, and FDA & USP compliance.
It is well suited to:
- General industrial dosing
- Water treatment
- Chemical transfer
- Low-pressure fluid handling
Platinum Cured Silicone Tubing
Platinum cured silicone tubing is designed for higher purity applications where low residuals and clean fluid handling are important.
Its translucent and odourless properties make it suitable for applications requiring hygienic fluid transfer.
Hose Compatibility with Other Peristaltic Pump Brands
Some Verderflex hoses are also compatible with other peristaltic pump brands, providing operators with a high-quality replacement option without requiring complete system replacement.
When selecting a replacement hose, it is important to confirm dimensional compatibility, operating pressure, and chemical suitability for the application.
Choosing the Right Hose Material
Selecting the correct hose or tube material depends on several operational factors, including:
- Fluid chemistry
- Abrasion levels
- Temperature
- Pressure requirements
- Food-grade compliance
- Expected hose life
- Maintenance intervals
Choosing the correct material can significantly improve pump performance, reduce maintenance costs, and extend hose life in demanding industrial environments.
Next step
If you would like us to confirm a hose material for your application, send us the chemical, concentration, temperature, pressure and cleaning details and we will work through it with you. You can also explore our peristaltic pump hoses and tubes, or read how Verderflex and non-OEM hoses compare.
