Have you ever noticed that your silicone hose changes color over time? Do you wonder what might be causing this transformation? We will dive into the world of silicone tubing and explore its tendency to change color. More importantly, we'll show you some simple steps to prevent it.

The Wonders of Silicone Hose

Before we dive in, it's important to understand why silicone is a preferred material for a lot of applications. Silicone hose is highly valued for its remarkable properties. It excels in resisting damage when used with ozone, offers outstanding flexibility, and is resistant to kinking. This makes silicone the tubing of choice for users of ozone therapy.

Even though silicone boasts impressive durability, it's not invincible. Over time, it can begin to crack and lose its pliability, requiring replacement. But what we're concerned with here is the intriguing color-changing issue.

The Mysterious Color Transformation

Why does silicone tubing, which is known for its non-reactive nature, sometimes undergo a dramatic shift in color? The answer lies in silicone's unique properties. Although silicone itself is non-reactive, it is porous and highly permeable. This means that substances can easily permeate the silicone tubing, leading to changes in color over time.

The Culprit: Nitric Oxides

The primary culprit behind silicone hose color changes is the absorption of a small amount of nitric oxide during use. Nitric oxides are formed when oxygen, nitrogen, and water vapor coexist. As ozone travels through the silicone tubing it encounters ambient air, which contains nitrogen. Additionally, if the ozone gas enters a water bubbler, water vapor is introduced into the mix. All these factors contribute to the formation of nitric oxides, which are responsible for the color changes observed in silicone tubing.

Preventing Silicone Hose Color Changes

Now that we understand the science behind this, the crucial question is clear: how can we prevent this from happening? Fortunately, it's a simple process. To preserve the integrity of your silicone tubing and prevent color changes, follow these steps:

• Flush your Ozone Tubing and Water Bubbler: Before turning on your ozone generator, flush both the ozone tubing and water bubbler with oxygen. Oxygen is considered a non-reactive gas and will effectively flush out the nitrogen, significantly reducing the likelihood of color changes.
  
  
• Use Distilled Water: Whenever possible, use distilled water in your ozone therapy setup. This will help maintain the purity of the system and reduce the introduction of unwanted substances.
  
  
• Operate in a Controlled Environment: Avoid exposing your ozone therapy setup to natural sunlight, as ultraviolet (UV) rays can accelerate the degradation of silicone tubing. Operate in a climate-controlled room to minimize temperature fluctuations.

The Safety of Nitric Oxides

You might be wondering if nitric oxides pose any safety concerns. Rest assured, the amount of nitric oxides produced in this context is minimal and unlikely to cause any negative effects. However, as a best practice, it's advisable to always flush your lines with oxygen before starting your ozone generator.

Understanding the reasons behind silicone hose color changes is the first step toward preserving the longevity of your ozone therapy setup. By following the advice above, you can ensure that your silicone tubing remains in excellent condition, allowing you to continue benefiting from its exceptional properties for a long time to come.