Hoses have a wide variety of uses in the home and even more widely in industry. From your run-of-the-mill garden hose to tubing for construction or manufacturing, hoses made of silicone and rubber are both very popular.
In the home, garden hoses are generally made of rubber; however, silicone is gaining in popularity, mainly due to its ability to withstand higher heats than rubber.
Which is better?
With this in mind, which is preferable – the silicone hose or the rubber hose? Rubber has historically been more popular – as it comes from a natural substance, it has been used for centuries. Silicone is a relatively modern material and has long been viewed as a more niche product for specialist use in industry.
Both rubber and silicone are hardy, malleable materials and can both be used for a range of hosing needs. When it comes to which one is preferable, it depends on the environment in which it is being used.
Horses for courses
As silicone hoses are completely non-toxic, they are ideal for use in the medical industry. They are also ideal to use if coming into contact with food or drink, such as in drinks dispensers. Silicone can survive very high and low temperatures, which makes it ideal for use in the food sector.
Silicone hose is manufactured by companies such as https://www.goodflexrubber.com/pages/silicone-hose-manufacture.
It is worth pointing out that rubber can also cope with very low temperatures and is slightly more cost-effective; therefore, it should not be ruled out for some uses when it comes to water cooling.
Rubber is also good at withstanding corrosive elements and is great for hoses in the automotive and aviation industry that are used to transport petrol and diesel.
The verdict
In reality, neither rubber nor silicone is better; instead, they are suited to different uses. For anything that needs maximum hygiene, silicone is best. For dealing with potentially toxic materials or for using around the house, rubber is likely to be the better option. This is especially true as rubber tends to be less costly.
There is definitely a case for both materials. What’s more, the choice for consumers when it comes to hoses and tubing can only be a good thing.
