Peristaltic Pump Lubricants

Shoe, roller, silicone lubricant or silicone grease. Choosing the right Enviroflex product helps protect your hose, reduce friction and avoid unnecessary downtime.

Quick answer: which Enviroflex lubricant do I need?

If you are not sure which pump type you have, check the pump manual or send us the pump make and model before ordering.

Why peristaltic hose pumps need lubricant

A peristaltic hose pump works by squeezing a hose closed and moving that point of compression along the hose. In a shoe pump, fixed shoes press the hose against the casing. In a roller pump, rollers apply the compression as they rotate.

In both designs, there is repeated contact between the moving compression element and the outside of the hose. That contact generates friction and heat. If the wrong lubricant is used, or if the lubricant is not compatible with the hose or application, hose wear can accelerate.

The lubricant in the casing performs three main jobs:

1. It reduces friction between the shoe or rollers and the hose.
2. It helps transfer heat away from the compression point.
3. It supports smoother pump operation and correct hose protection.

Hose life is also affected by pump speed, pressure, hose material, pumped media, temperature, suction conditions and maintenance practice. Lubricant is one of the main controllable factors, but it is not the only one. Lower pressure tube pumps that run a dry tube against rollers are a different case and are not covered here.

How the right lubricant helps protect hose life

A correctly specified peristaltic pump lubricant protects the hose in three connected ways.

First, it reduces drag at the compression point. Less drag means less mechanical stress on the outside of the hose during each revolution.

Second, it helps manage heat. Excess heat accelerates rubber fatigue and compound ageing, which can shorten hose life. The right casing lubricant helps transfer heat away from the hose and into the pump casing.

Third, it must be compatible with the hose and the application. A lubricant that looks acceptable on day one can still cause problems if it is not suitable for the hose compound, the operating temperature or the pumped media in the event of hose failure.

This is where a non-approved or poorly matched substitute can become expensive. Any saving on the lubricant can quickly be lost through premature hose replacement, unplanned downtime or process risk.

Correct lubricant selection also helps avoid premature hose changes, reducing downtime and unnecessary consumable waste.

Food grade H1 lubricant for food and beverage applications

In food, beverage and audited hygiene applications, lubricant selection is not only a maintenance decision. It can also be an audit and product safety issue.

If a hose fails in service, the pumped media and casing lubricant may come into contact. In applications where incidental food contact is possible, the lubricant should have suitable registration and documentation.

H1 registration does not mean the lubricant is a food ingredient or suitable for deliberate direct contact with product. It means the product has been registered for incidental food-contact applications within the conditions stated on the certificate.

For food, beverage, potable or pharmaceutical related duties, always confirm the product certificate, site requirements and relevant approval documents before use. A cheaper unregistered substitute may not provide the same audit trail, certificate or formulation assurance.

Enviroflex Shoe Lubricant

Enviroflex Roller Lubricant

Enviroflex Silicone Lubricant

Enviroflex Silicone Grease

Before choosing a lubricant, check these details

If you are unsure, do not guess. The wrong lubricant can increase friction, raise operating temperature and shorten hose life.