Flexible High Temperature Hose

A flexible high temperature hose can be used in a variety of different industries and applications. They are very useful for the purposes of transferring very hot air or gasses from one area to another. High temp hoses are used in applications such as range hoods in commercial kitchens, furnaces in industrial spaces, automotive applications and more. However, it is important to know that not all flexible hoses for high temperature uses are created equal. Their exact degree of flexibility and temperature resistance range can depend on the materials that the hoses are made from. Different industries make use of different types of high temperature tubing or hose depending on what the job in question calls for. High temperature is a relative term and WILL mean very different things to different applications.

Flexibility is also an important factor when it comes to ducting. Not every facility will have the need for a straight duct pipe. There are always bends and corners to consider. In such instances, the rate of temperature resistance is important, but so too is the flexibility of the hose. A flexible hose can reduce costs, since extra parts are not needed and installation costs are minimized.

Several different materials can be used to make a flexible high temperature hose. These materials flex and bend in different ways. High temp hoses made from elastic materials like rubber, PVC or polyurethane can bend and rebound to their straight fixed position. This means these materials offer excellent flex fatigue and will not rip or tear so easily when flexed. While others, like aluminum or stainless hoses, can stay flexed and bent through self-supporting body designs.

There are 6 general materials that can be used to make a flexible high temperature hose. They are thermoplastic rubber, aluminum, stainless steel, neoprene, and silicone. Of course there are hybrid hoses which use Nomex, or Teflon, or fiberglass but we will focus on the more popular hose products here.

Thermoplastic hoses are flexible products, but they tend to retain and rebound to their original shapes. In other words they do not maintain their shape once flexed. In terms of temperature resistance, they are on the lowest end of the range. They typically tend to have a maximum temperature range of 275° F. Neoprene hoses are generally made from a Neoprene/fiberglass fabric and have temperature resistance of up to 325F. This class of hose products is less flexible and not recommended for continuous flexing.

A flexible high temperature hose made of thermoplastic combines temperature and chemical resistance, making it ideal for use in fume exhaust applications. In these environments, keeping the air safe and habitable for humans is vital. Hot fume exhaust needs to be transferred away from the work area. To do this, one needs high temp hoses that have a degree of flexibility in order to fit the contours of a given facility.

Metal hoses can come in different varieties depending on the type of metal or alloy used to make them. You can find metal high temperature tubing made of aluminum, stainless steel, or even a stainless steel blended with titanium. They have different maximum operating temperatures depending on the type of metal a flexible high temperature hose is made from. Aluminum can handle temperatures up to 400° F, stainless steel can endure up to 800° F, and titanium/stainless hose can tolerate an extreme 1650° F. A useful feature of metal hoses is that they have self-supporting bodies that can retain their shape when they are bent into different positions.

Metal flexible high temperature hose products are highly prized for use in heavy-duty industrial applications such as in factory furnaces and corrosive materials transfer. For example, the intense levels of heat found near factory furnaces need to be minimized or taken away from the work area so that workers and machines are not harmed. Applications like these require are long-term in nature and need ductwork that can survive extended periods of staying in a flexed position. Metals like aluminum and stainless steel are very good at operating in very abrasive conditions like factory settings.

Silicone high temp hoses can generally operate in temperatures up to 550° F. These types of flex hose products offer some flexibility, but are not ideal for the purposes of continued flexing. Silicone fabric can rip if it is flexed long enough. Despite this, silicone is still a very popular material to use as a flexible high temperature hose because of its considerable temperature, chemical, and environmental resistance properties.

There are many more applications in which a flexible high temperature hose can be useful. Industries involved include oil, mining, agriculture, pollution control, brick kilns, and much more. Make sure you get the right flexible high temperature hose for your industry’s demands!