Flexible Metal Hoses And Its Key Components To Know About

Industries with processes involving the frequent transfer of hot, hazardous, or corrosive liquids and other materials rely on flexible hoses for their applications. By using the right type of flexible hoses, assemblies perform consistently with minimal risk from all sorts of safety hazards. Whilst essential considerations are needed to take into consideration to select the correct hoses and fittings, one other important aspect of determining the suitable flexible hose for a given application is its internal components.

Although most flexible hoses look identical on the outside, their inner components can widely vary as there are many different options when it comes to their thickness, size, and dimensions. To ensure you make a more informed decision, we have listed below the four key components of flexible hoses, the functions they serve, and their ideal applications.

 

1. Corrugated tubing

The corrugated tubing, which comprises the bulk of each assembly, is a vital part of flexible metal hoses as it determines key attributes such as flexibility, pressure rating, and corrosion resistance. Given the disparity between features of certain corrugated tubing products, it is essential for operators to fully determine the specification requirements of their applications. For instance, an operation may only need a high-pressure rating hose and no extra corrosion resistance. By knowing only what you need, you can achieve hefty cost savings without compromising the longevity and safety of the transfer system.  

 

2. Braid

The braid covers the corrugated tubing and directly influences pressure rating or its capacity to withstand high pressures. Moreover, several factors affect each braid’s flexibility and durability, including the percentage of braid coverage, the number of wires in each carrier, and the wire diameter.

Increasing the pressure rating of the hose can be achieved by adding extra layers of braid or using a braided braid. Using the appropriate braid configuration that features high-percentage braid coverage and is directly braided into the hose is essential to ensure the maximum life cycle of the hose and reduce its risk against potential deformation.

 

3. Braid collar

Braid collars serve an important role despite only accounting for a small part of the hose assembly. The purpose of all braid collars is to join the braid and the corrugated hose into a seamless singular unit. They each also work to ensure the proper distribution of any bending stress over the right corrugations to optimise the durability and functionality of each assembly.

 

4. End fittings

The end fittings are the final part that gets added to an assembly. The fittings enable the flexible hose assembly to securely fit inside certain spigots, connectors, and other receptacles for various applications. All end fittings must be thoroughly examined to ensure the best possible fit by verifying that their pressure ratings, alloy, and size match the requirements of the application prior to making a definitive selection.

 

Conclusion

All in all, a flexible metal hose assembly’s value comes down to the demands of a given application. As such, choosing the right combination and specifications of the components of a hose is crucial to good performance and longevity.

If you need nothing less than the highest-quality flexible hoses for your operation, Pharmchem Engineering is here to help! As one of Singapore’s leading hose suppliers, we offer a wide range of hose fittings for your business’s operational needs – have your pick from our lineup of stainless steel, silicon, rubber, and Teflon hoses. To learn more about our products or request a custom-made solution, don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.