Silicone vs Rubber

Why ask the question silicone vs rubber?

Automotive hoses, although often overlooked, are essential for the performance and durability of your engine. Traditionally made of rubber, they are now surpassed by a new generation of silicone hoses. But why is this material so popular? Let's discover together the advantages of silicone hoses and why FLEXEO offers them for its products.

1. Rubber: A solution from yesterday, with obvious limits

Rubber has long been the material of choice for hoses, primarily due to its low cost and availability. However, it has some drawbacks that have become increasingly apparent over time:

• Rapid Wear : Rubber hoses crack and deform over time, especially when exposed to aggressive fluids and temperature variations.
• Temperature Sensitivity : Under extreme conditions, such as in high-performance engines, rubber hoses become stiff or soft, increasing the risk of leakage or rupture.
  
  

2. Silicone: A modern solution with unmatched performance

Silicone, on the other hand, offers far superior durability and performance. At FLEXEO, we have chosen to focus on this material, and here’s why:

• Extreme Temperature Resistance : Silicone hoses can withstand very wide temperature variations, from -50°C to over 200°C. Perfect for sports vehicles or harsh conditions.
• Increased longevity : Unlike rubber, silicone retains its flexibility and performance even after several years of use. This means fewer replacements, thus saving drivers money in the long term.
• Fluid and Chemical Resistance : Silicone is much less susceptible to coolants, oil and other chemicals that can degrade traditional hoses.
  
  

3. FLEXEO: Silicone hoses designed for performance

We don’t just offer silicone hoses, we design hoses that combine performance and aesthetics. Each FLEXEO product is designed to meet the needs of automotive enthusiasts who seek both durability and style:

• Personalization and aesthetics : Available in several colors, our hoses allow you to bring a unique and personalized touch to your car's engine. Whether you are on a circuit or at a car rally, your hoses will cause a sensation.
• Impeccable quality : Our hoses are made with reinforced layers to provide maximum resistance to mechanical stress. Whether for daily use or for competitions, they are made to last.
  
  

4. Silicone vs Rubber: Technical Comparison

For those who like technical details, here is a summary of the main differences between the two materials:

Characteristic	Rubber Hoses	Silicone Hoses
Heat resistance	Medium (up to 120°C)	Excellent (up to 200°C)
Wear resistance	Low (cracks)	High (long life)
Flexibility	Decreases over time	Stay stable
Chemical resistance	Average	Excellent
Aesthetic	Simple	Variety of colors

5. Why choose FLEXEO for your silicone hoses?

At FLEXEO, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality silicone hoses that meet the expectations of the most demanding drivers. Our experience and passion for the automotive industry have allowed us to create products that meet modern challenges.

• Performance : Our hoses are designed to withstand extreme conditions and guarantee reliability under all circumstances.
• Aesthetics : Personalize your engine with colored hoses that add a unique and elegant touch.
• Reliability : No more frequent replacements and leaks. With FLEXEO silicone hoses, you invest in durability.

6. Our added value: matte black silicone!

In order to meet the demands of our passionate customers, we have exclusively developed matte black silicone .

This finish represents the majority of our sales and allows us to address collectors wishing to preserve an original appearance while benefiting from the advantages of silicone.

To summarize the matte black silicone :

• appearance very close to the original
• has the same performance as colored silicone
• highly regarded by automotive experts
• does not cost more (unlike our competitors across the Atlantic)

7. Price Comparison

If you think silicone is more expensive than rubber, that's probably a misconception, and we'll explain why;

Let's take the example of a silicone cooling hose kit consisting of 10 hoses for Peugeot 205 GTI 1.6 105hp . Our product is sold at €219, or €22 per hose.

This same hose kit offered in rubber is marketed at 150€ or 15€. You will only need to replace 2 rubber hoses (average price noted at 30€ per unit) to have the equivalent price of the silicone kit.

Our advice :

Choose silicone if...
- you are restoring a vehicle that you want to keep ; it is still more peaceful to drive with peace of mind after major investments.
- you are preparing a competition vehicle ; silicone hoses will allow you to push the mechanical limits thanks to better water cooling and potentially higher boost pressures. Let's add an extra quality to silicone thanks to its excellent thermal ratio.
- you want to preserve your mechanics ; at the risk of damaging the mechanics with cheap rubber products of which you do not know the composition, origin, lifespan, etc.
- you adopt the philosophy of "who can do more can do less" ; this is what will allow you to have a reliable vehicle.

Choose rubber if...
- you are looking for savings because your budget is limited at the time of purchase
- you do not want to keep your vehicle for long
- you don't like the appearance of the silicone

8. Competition

About Us :

FLEXEO has become a leader in its field over the years. We started our activity as a self-employed company under the brand name "AUTORICAMBI" specializing in hose kits for Italian vehicles since 2010 , building a reputation that has gradually grown installed in vehicles of other brands to become FLEXEO in 2015.

Our clientele is currently made up of individuals and professionals specializing in collector vehicles (the latter representing 50% of our turnover). Proof that silicone is becoming more popular with collectors who want to take full advantage of their vehicles. Our services also serve certain specialists in vintage motorcycles and tractors.

Competition :

Clearly, there are not a multitude of brands established in the silicone hose market in France. Some are older than FLEXEO, others younger, but not all of them are content to offer only their own brand products, unlike us. Indeed, our competitors are also resellers of other brands, which is not our case since 99% of our products are developed internally.
We work directly in the factory, manage our specifications and our development, manage our imports and are in control of our decisions in our after-sales service.

For your information, in addition to offering unique products thanks to the matte finish of our silicone hoses, we have studied the problems of customers who have encountered problems with the bleed screws of competitive products. And we have solved this with conical bleeds to fit, unlike crimped bleeds that leak over time.

Conclusion: Don’t compromise, choose quality

Rubber has had its day. To ensure the performance and longevity of your vehicle, it is essential to choose silicone hoses. At FLEXEO, we have put our expertise at the service of car enthusiasts to offer them products that meet their expectations. Whether you are looking to improve the reliability of your engine or customize its appearance, our silicone hoses are the solution.

Ready to make the switch to silicone? Visit our online store to discover all of our products and give your vehicle the best it deserves.

Our rubber hoses selected from manufacturers are also waiting for you to adapt to your budget.