What is an Operating Temperature?

In high temperature applications, it is essential that you have the proper equipment to handle the elevated temperatures in and around to your machinery or equipment. Without proper high temperature ducting, extreme heat can cause permanent damage to the flex duct being used, your fume ventilation system, and derail your project. High temperature is an inexact word, therefore this temperature range must be identified, so that the appropriate hose can be suggested for your needs. The most important distinction that must be made is the determination of the maximum temperature to which a hose is exposed. This includes the media being moved through the flex duct, as well as the temperature in and around the machinery in which a flex hose is attached. High temperature hoses are made from a variety of materials and these raw materials have temperature thresholds that are defined. Generally, the price of flexible high temperature hose and ducting goes up as their ability to resist high temperatures does. Considering this it makes sense to try and choose a hose that will not affect your budget negatively.

An operating temperature is the permissible temperature range of the equipment’s acceptable environment at which a heat generating machine or mechanical device operates. The instrument will function successfully within a specified temperature range which varies based on the machine’s functional context, and ranges from a lowest operating temperature to the highest operating temperature (i.e., topmost). Outside this range of safe temperatures the equipment may fail and be damaged. The reason there is a maximum temperature range defined for an instrument by an OEM, is that the machinery’s constituent materials can only handle up to this topmost range. This is very similar to biological organisms that have a sustainable temperature range, which might be referred to as an operating temperature.

High Temperature Duct Options

We offer high temperature ducting made from a diverse set of materials such as stainless steel, silicone, polyester, fiberglass, and aluminum. The wide range of materials provide a wide maximum temperature range from 140 degrees Fahrenheit to 1,650 degrees Fahrenheit. With such a wide range of temperatures available, we have products that are perfect for applications involving fume exhaust, chimneys, steam work, and other extremely high temperature applications.

Our inventory of high temperature ducting includes products that are constructed from officially classified flame retardant materials. This means that our high temp hoses are tested and a great choice for applications where the flex hose will be placed near flammable materials and is a suitable choice for jobs with strict fire safety regulations. The potential damage that can result to ducting from unchecked fires cannot be overstated; even the most minor flare-ups can have severe consequences for not just your flex duct system, but also the entire infrastructure of a given area. When it comes to fire prevention, nothing is more important than proper preventative measures, chief among them being using only high temperature ducting in areas you know will be subjected to extreme heat or friction.

The variety of materials used to make our high temperature ducting offer the end user a vast variety of hoses designed to fit your applications and budgets.

If your application requires hose flexibility and ease of transportation of the flex hose, we have products that are highly compressible for easy transport and storage as well as products that can be continuously flexed without sacrificing airflow. For heavy-duty applications, we offer extremely durable flex duct products that feature self-support qualities, crush resistance, and the ability to withstand external abrasion. Oftentimes, both flexible and stiffer kinds of high temperature ducting are used in tandem. Oftentimes, the interior compartments, whose temperature is lower, will make use of flexible, compressible flex hose to minimize the amount of space being taken up, while still maximizing ventilation quality.

Aluminum High Temperature Flexible Duct Hose

Aluminum Flex 280 – Compressible – Temperature Range – 22°F to + 284°F
Aluminum Flex 400 – Temperature Range – 100°F to + 400°F

Aluminum is a chemical element found naturally on Earth. It is the most abundant metal on our planet, as it makes up roughly 8% to 10% of the Earth’s crust. It is affordable and has excellent technical features which makes it ideal for use in applications that require durability. Some varieties of aluminum ducting can handle up to 400-degree Fahrenheit. In combination with is malleability, makes it a popular choice in a flexible high temp hose. Aluminum is impermeable and does not discharge smell or taste. Since aluminum ducts are non-toxic and odorless, they make for great ducts or tubes to be used in ventilation.

Aluminum has a strength to weight ratio that is greater to that of steel. It is lightweight but sturdy and since it is lighter, it is less expensive to transport and has lower finished goods costs that steel. Aluminum is resistant to corrosion so that when it gets exposed to air and humidity, a layer of oxide membrane is created naturally to protect the material from more oxidation. This shielding oxide coating gives the metal protection against erosion and ozone weathering.

We offer two aluminum flexible ducts:

1- Aluminum Flex 400 – As its name suggest this duct can handle temperatures up to 400F. This flexible hose product is in stock in 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12 ID’s and in 5ft. lengths. This hose is the premier variety of aluminum ducting available with an ample wall gauge (i.e., thickness: 0.008 inch) and yet the flex duct remains lightweight and hand bendable. The flexibility of this duct allows for elbows and turns to be formed easily during installation.

2- Aluminum Flex 280 – Compressible – This flexible duct is manufactured to handle up to 284 degrees Fahrenheit. It is available in inside diameter sizes of 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 12-inches. A fully stretched length of the hose is three meters or 118.1 Inches while its shipping or compressed length is 0.8 meters or 32 inches – The product ships in a fully compressed state. This aluminum high temperature hose resists metal fatigue, weathering, and most corrosive fumes and chemicals.

Stainless-Steel Flexible High Temperature Hose

SS-Flex 800 Flex Ducts – – Temp Range – 400°F to + 800°F
SSti-Flex 1650 Flex Ducting – – Temp maximum 1650°F

Stainless-steel ducting is a highly sought after metallic flexible hose for large number of reasons. Firstly, it is ultra-durable. Most OEMs rely on stainless steel for the production of their equipment and its parts because of its durability. Stainless steel is used in both outdoor and indoor equipment because of its excellent resistance to corrosion. A stainless-steel duct’s corrosion resistance is made possible by the chromium content of material which oxidizes in air or water to create a protective layer. This layer reduces damage from scratches and surface wear, acting as armor against further deterioration. Given that stainless steel is corrosion-resistant, it is easy to clean using water and common cleaning detergents. Stainless steel high temperature ducting offers some of the highest operating temperatures available for the movement of heated air or exhaust fumes.

1- SS-Flex 800 – This hose has an operating temperature range of – 400°F to + 800°F. This flexible duct is in stock for shipment within 24hours and available in 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12-inch IDs and in five-foot lengths. This is a self-supporting duct construction which allows for a bent hose to stay in place. This high temperature duct resists metal fatigue and weathering while operating at up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit.

2- SSti-Flex 1650 – This ultra-high temperature ducting product is manufactured using 316Ti stainless steel which is a Titanium stabilized 316 stainless alloy for superior high temperature corrosion resistance. This flexible duct has a maximum operating temperature of 1,650 degrees Fahrenheit.

Neoprene Coated Fabric High Temp Hoses

Neoprene Coated Polyester Hoses – Temp Range – 40°F to + 250°F
Neoprene Coated Fiberglass Hoses – Temp Range – 40°F to + 300°F

Neoprene ducts are durable and abrasion resistant. These are ideal for use when a tough and reliable hose is needed to move elevated temperatures in a rough conditions and environments. Although Neoprene does have temperature limitations, it does operate above ambient air and can be an affordable option when the use does not require temperatures above 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Neoprene hoses exhibit good crush resistance and tensile strength
Tensile strength is the maximum pressure and weight that a material can support before failing when stretched. Since Neoprene has high tensile strength, ducting made of this material has excellent crush resistance and flex fatigue. Flexible ducts made from this rubber are less prone to wear when continuously flexed and compressed. Since Neoprene is ductile, flexible, and stretchy it can withstand a large amount of deformation before breaking.

Neoprene ducts excellent chemical resistance
Neoprene rubber is made from a polymeric chain, with extra sulfur bonding. This allows Neoprene to slow down environmental degradation processes like oxidation, giving Neoprene products excellent lifespan. Neoprene flex ducts have good resistance to organic acid solutions and salts, oils, and greases.

Options Listed as UL 94 V-0 Flame Retardant Available
Testing to this guideline ensures that only when a flame is actively applied to the hose it will burn. Once the heat source is put out or it burns out flexible ducting conforming to UL 94 V-0 will stop burning. Flex hoses made of flame retardant materials are ideal for use in and around machinery that can trigger sparks or is exposed to open flames.

Neoprene ducting can be purchased in almost any size
The vast size options make this group of ducting a great resource to OEMs and end users. Since customization is also available, flex ducts can be produced in almost any size required. Products are available from one-inch diameter (i.e., 25mm) to 48-inch ID (1,292mm) and everything in between. Varieties of Neoprene flexible hoses that are available in metric sizes.

High Temp Silicone Ducting

Silicone Coated Fiberglass Ducts – Temp Range – 65°F to + 550°F

Ducting made of silicone rubber have high tear and tensile strengths, as well as excellent thermal properties, including resistance to high and low temperatures. In addition, silicone hoses have excellent moisture-repellent surface qualities and exhibit good very good chemical resistance.

Silicone hoses stay flexible in high temps
Silicone flex ducts maintain their flexibility over a wide temperature range. This allow ducting made of silicone to be used where movement of the hose is imperative or when the flexible duct needs to be installed in tight spaces and the use of a flexible hose will avert the need for elbows or other connectors.

Silicone duct walls offer elasticity
Since silicone rubber is elastic, silicone coated fiberglass ducts offer very good elasticity. This means the duct walls have very good puncture resistance. The elasticity of the wall is due to the high tensile strength of silicone rubber and the ability of the material to return to its normal shape after being stretched or compressed. Durability under stressful conditions and high temperatures is a hallmark of high temperature ducting made of silicone.

Silicone ductwork offer broad chemical and environmental resistance
Silicone resists weak acids, bases and alkalis, common solvents like ketones, esters, and hydrocarbons. Notably, silicone duct walls do not degrade or swell in the presence of light or moisture. Silicone flex ducts are inherently hydrophobic and withstand weathering, ozone, and ultraviolet light (UV).