Flexible Metal Hose Applications
Flexible metal hoses are vital components in many industrial and commercial applications, offering unmatched versatility and reliability. These metal hoses are designed to handle a wide range of applications, from high-temperature environments to high-pressure systems. As a flexible metal hose manufacturer, we specialize in producing hoses that provide exceptional flexibility, durability, and resistance to heat, pressure, and corrosion.
In this blog, we’ll explore the various applications of flexible metal hoses, used in many industries due to their adaptability and robust design. From transporting high-temperature fluids and gas to withstanding extreme pressures, these metal hoses excel in challenging environments. Commonly used in aerospace, oil and gas, manufacturing, power generation, and chemical processing, flexible metal hoses handle tasks like vibration absorption, thermal expansion management, and fluid or gas transfer with reliability. Their corrosion resistance, flexibility, and durability make them an ideal choice for demanding applications, ensuring optimal performance and long service life.
Introduction to Flexible Metal Hose
Flexible metal hose, also known as metal hose or metallic flexible hoses that offer high durability, flexibility, and leakproof reliability. Flexible Metal Hoses can be constructed by using material like high-grade stainless steel with grades 304 & 316, making them exceptionally resilient, allowing them to absorb extensive movements and withstand challenging conditions such as thermal fluctuations and vibrations from pumps or compressors.
Flexible metal hose is constructed using interlocked or helically-wound metal strips or corrugated designs, allowing them to withstand high pressure, extreme temperatures. Flexible metal hoses are essential in applications requiring vibration absorption, noise reduction, and the ability to accommodate misaligned or moving connections.
Many flexible metal hoses feature teflon coatings, enhancing their resistance to high temperatures, cryogenic environments, and a broad range of chemicals, including acids and petroleum-based fluids. These metal hoses are non-contaminating, easy to clean, and suitable for sensitive applications like pharmaceuticals. Additionally, their robust construction ensures exceptional long life and performance.
Get In Touch
Looking for flexible metal hose solutions for your industrial needs? Connect with our experts & get the best quotation for high quality products.
High Quality Flexible Metal Hoses from Quality Flex
At Quality Flex, we are known as a leading flexible metal hose manufacturer, supplying products to India & middle east countries. Our metallic flexible hoses are manufactured to withstand extreme conditions, offering exceptional resilience against high temperatures, pressures, and vibrations. Each hose is carefully crafted to meet stringent international quality standards, such as BS:6501 Part-1 2004 and IS:10380, ensuring reliable performance.
Why Choose Our Metallic Flexible Hoses?
Premium Materials and Construction
Manufactured from high-grade stainless steel, including AISI 304, 321, and 316L, our flexible metal hoses have a convoluted tube design, often reinforced with a braided outer layer of stainless steel to enhance pressure resistance. For high-pressure applications, we offer multiple layers of braiding to support the core and prevent expansion under stress.
Customize Options
With diameters ranging from ¼” to 10”to offering customized solutions, our flexible metal hose assemblies offer great adaptability. They can be built to customer specific needs, including fittings and hose ends like male/female NPT threads, JIC ends, and propane connections.
Provide High Performance
Built to transfer both liquid and gas, our metal hoses can withstand temperatures up to (-200°C to +650°C) to be used in industries such as chemical processing, oil and gas, automotive etc. Each hose undergoes rigorous pressure testing to provide high performance.
As top flexible metal hose manufacturers, our expert team will guide you in selecting the right hose for your application. We are trusted by OEMs and engineering companies for our quality and fast turnaround times on custom-built hoses.
Types of Flexible Metal Hoses
Flexible metal hoses are used to handle a wide range of applications, from high-pressure fluid systems to vibration and stress absorption. Based on their construction and intended use, metal hoses can be classified into the following types:
These metal hoses have a corrugated design, which allows them to provide excellent flexibility while maintaining structural integrity under pressure. They are typically made from stainless steel, such as AISI 316L, to ensure durability and compatibility with various gas and liquids. Corrugated flexible metal hoses are commonly paired with braided covers to enhance their pressure resistance and prevent twisting or shifting under internal pressure.
Corrugated flexible metal hoses are designed with a continuous, flexible metal wall that provides excellent pressure resistance and flexibility. They are often reinforced with single or double-layer braids of stainless steel hoses to enhance their strength against internal pressure and external mechanical forces. These hoses are ideal for handling high-temperature fluids, steam, and corrosive substances in chemical plants, petrochemical facilities, and HVAC systems.
- Braided Flexible Metal Hoses
Flexible Metal Braided hoses are constructed by wrapping stainless steel wire braids (commonly AISI 304) around a corrugated hose. This design adds strength to the hose, enabling it to withstand higher internal pressures and protect against external abrasion. Braided flexible metal hoses are suitable for applications requiring flexibility and resistance to pressure, such as chemical plants, heating systems, and petrochemical facilities. Double-layer braids can be used for enhanced performance in extreme conditions.
- Interlocked Metal Hoses
An interlock flexible metal hose is created by spirally winding a continuous metal strip, with the edges interlocking to form a SS flexible hose. This design allows the hose to be highly resistant to pressure while maintaining flexibility. It is often used in systems that require movement or vibration absorption, such as steam, oil, and gas applications. Interlock hoses are available in various alloys, including galvanized and stainless steel, to suit different environmental conditions and requirements.
These metal hoses are available in a range of sizes, lengths, and end fitting configurations, offering flexibility for a wide variety of installations. Some metal hoses are constructed with a directional flow liner to ensure optimal fluid or gas movement within the hose.
How To Choose The Right Flexible Metal Hose?
Choosing the right metallic flexible hose, consider below important factors such as material, pressure, temperature, flexibility, and fittings to ensure reliable performance in specific applications.
1. Material Selection
Stainless Steel 304 is widely used for its corrosion resistance and versatility, though it lacks the high-temperature fatigue resistance. Stainless Steel 321 is used for high-temperature applications due to its superior resistance to oxidation and fatigue. Stainless Steel 316L is used for offering enhanced corrosion resistance and making it particularly suited for high-pressure chemical applications.
2. Pressure Ratings
The hose must be capable of withstanding the maximum working pressure. Selecting a hose with a higher pressure rating or a stronger braid may be beneficial to maintain the hose strength.
3. Flexibility Requirements
Flexibility of metal hose is measured by the hose’s minimum bending radius. A smaller bending radius allows for greater flexibility, but be sure to exceed this minimum to reduce fatigue and extend hose life. If the hose will be used in applications with frequent movement or vibration, consider a larger bending radius to reduce stress on the corrugations and minimize wear.
4. Fittings and Connections
Selecting compatible end fittings and flanges for flexible metal hoses is crucial for ensuring a secure and leak-proof connection. Choose from options like NPT, JIC, or custom-threaded fittings to match your system requirements.
Flexible Metal Hose Applications
Oil and Gas Industry
Flexible metal hoses are used for transferring oil, gas, and other fluids between components on offshore drilling platforms, providing the flexibility and durability for a constantly changing environment. These metal hoses withstand the high pressure and temperature requirements of refining processes, handling corrosive substances safely and efficiently.
Aerospace and Aviation Applications
Hydraulic lines in aircraft depend on the strength and flexibility of metal hoses to operate essential systems like landing gear and flight controls. Flexible metal hoses are vital in transmitting compressed air in pneumatic systems, ensuring reliable performance under high-pressure conditions.
Automotive Industry
Flexible metal hoses used to transport exhaust gas are resistant to high heat and vibrations, ensuring optimal performance. These corrugated metal hoses provide safe and reliable transfer of fuel offering durability in the engine. High-pressure, corrosion-resistant braided flexible metal hoses ensure the safe transfer of brake fluid from the master cylinder to the brake system, enhancing vehicle safety.
Food and Beverage Industry
In the food and beverage sector, flexible metal hose is essential for the safe transfer of food products and liquids to maintain hygiene and cleanness of food products.
HVAC Systems
Flexible metal hose is widely used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to transport air and gas efficiently. Their high-temperature resistance and durability make them ideal for withstanding the pressure, vibration, and frequent temperature changes typical in HVAC systems.
Benefits of Using Flexible Metal Hoses for Industrial Applications
Flexible metal hoses offer a range of benefits, making them a vital component in many industrial and commercial applications. Here are the key advantages of using a flexible metal hose:
1. High Temperature Resistance
Flexible metal hoses are designed to handle extreme temperatures ranging from -200°C to +650°C, as per industry standards. This exceptional temperature range makes them ideal for transferring hot fluids, steam, or high-temperature gas in industries such as aerospace, oil and gas, and manufacturing, where effective heat management is critical.
2. Superior Pressure Handling
These metal hoses can withstand maximum working pressures ranging from 28 kg/cm² to 200 kg/cm², depending on their size and construction. With a burst pressure of up to 1.5 times the working pressure, they are suitable for high-pressure applications in hydraulic systems and industrial processes, ensuring reliable performance.
3. Corrosion Resistance
Manufactured using corrosion-resistant materials such as AISI 316L and AISI 304 stainless steel, flexible metal hoses provide durability against chemicals, acids, and saltwater. This ensures a service life that surpasses conventional hoses, making them a preferred choice in chemical plants and marine environments.
3. Flexibility and Durability
Available in nominal diameters from 6mm (1/4″) to 250mm (10″), these metal hoses are designed for installation in tight spaces or complex piping layouts. Their robust construction, coupled with precise quality checks like fatigue cycle tests and bend radius tests, guarantees long-lasting performance, reducing maintenance expenses significantly.
FAQS for Flexible Metal Hoses
A flexible metal hose is a metal piping solution that allows for the safe transfer of fluids and gases while accommodating movement, vibration, and thermal expansion.
They are widely used in sectors like chemical processing, oil and gas, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing, where flexibility and resilience are critical.
Stainless steel (304 and 316 grades) and other specialty alloys are commonly used due to their corrosion resistance and durability.
Evaluate factors like pressure, temperature, and fluid compatibility, and ensure it matches with other system components.
Routine checks, cleaning, and following manufacturer guidelines are key to prolonging the hose’s life and performance.
