Six criteria for metal hose selection
Flexible metal hose with one braid fails for loading a higher pressure than designed by the manufacturer
Stainless steel flex metal hose fabricates diverse flexible metal hoses covering medium to high pressure, flexible to super flexible, stainless steel 321, 316L to bronze and monel. All these hoses are manufactured to the specified parameters listed in the tables of a certain product, including working pressure and temperature, min bend radius, nominal hose size and other related data.
To make your selection easy and simple, there are six criteria (STAPED) of selecting the most suitable hose for practical purposes.
- Size
The inside diameters of our metal flexible hoses ranges from 1/4" to 12". This poses significant impact on the velocity of flow and the pressure loss.
- Temperature
The maximum working pressure listed refers to the pressure at 70°F. The temperature increases while the working pressure decreases. And the working temperature is always far higher than 70°F, so you should consult the Temperature Correction Table for practical applications.
- Application
Stainless steel flexible hoses are used in harsh environments where PTFE, plastic, rubber or silicone hoses fails. Corrosive fluids and gases, abrasion, crushing, extremely high pressure all impact performances of the metal hose. For example, if the ambient temperature is higher than 400°F, the braided bronze can't be used for its maximum working temperature is up to 400°F.
- Media
Metal hoses are made of stainless steel 305, 321, 316L, bronze and Monel, all of which have its own character when contacting with different liquids. For example, 321 or 304 is not suitable for transferring sea water which contains chlorine.
- Pressure
- Metal hoses are braided to withstand high pressure. According to braid constructions, metal hoses can be separated into three types: unbraided, single braided and double braided. Unbraided hose is not used in applications where need internal pressures. Single or double braided are designed for high pressures. However, the working pressure will be decreasing as a result of elevated temperatures.
- End fittings
- End fittings can be tin solder, copper brazed, hydroform, each of which has unique impact on the hoses properties.
- Dynamics
- High media velocity, especially abrasive materials can cause resonant vibration which aids in accelerating premature hose failure.