Metal Flexible Hoses
Metal flexible hoses consist of an annular or helical corrugated stainless steel core hose with an outer stainless steel wire braid reinforcement. The corrugated core provides flexibility while the braid layer contains the pressure thrust and protects the core from mechanical damage. This construction allows for lateral offset, angular movement, and vibration absorption in compact installations where rigid pipe cannot accommodate movement.
Our metal hoses are manufactured per GB/T14525 with SS304 or SS316L core and single or double SS304 wire braid. Available in sizes from DN6 to DN800 with a variety of end connections including fixed flanges, swivel flanges, weld ends, threaded ends, and quick-connect couplings. Standard lengths range from 200mm to 6000mm, with custom lengths available on request.
GB/T14525
SS304/316L
DN6-DN800
Applications
- Pump and compressor vibration isolation
- Tank settlement compensation
- Equipment connection flexibility
- Steam and thermal oil hose assemblies
- Cryogenic transfer lines
Quality Assurance
All Metal Flexible Hoses products undergo NDT testing with MTC per EN 10204 3.1. Third-party inspection by SGS, BV, TUV available.
Metal Flexible Hoses Technical Specifications
Metal flexible hoses (corrugated metal hoses) provide flexibility and vibration absorption in piping systems. They consist of a corrugated stainless steel tube with braided outer cover for pressure containment and mechanical protection.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Standard | GB/T 14525 / EN ISO 10380 / BS 6501 |
| Core Material | SS304, SS316L, Inconel 625, Monel 400, Hastelloy |
| Braid | SS304 or SS316L multi-wire braid, single or double |
| Size Range | DN6 (1/4 inch) to DN800 (32 inch) |
| Pressure | Full vacuum to 40 bar (up to 210 bar for small bore) |
| Temperature | -200C to +600C (dependent on material) |
Construction & Manufacturing
Metal hose construction combines corrugated tube for flexibility with braid for pressure restraint:
- Corrugated Tube: Stainless strip longitudinally welded and corrugated (annular or helical corrugations) to provide flexibility.
- Braid Cover: Wire braid (multiple wires per carrier) woven over the corrugated tube, restraining axial movement and holding pressure.
- End Fittings: Welded to hose ends - flanged, threaded, camlock, or sanitary tri-clamp.
- Testing: Hydrotest at 1.5x working pressure, dye penetrant on welds, dimensional verification.
Annular corrugations (individual rings) allow more angular flexibility and are standard for most applications. Helical corrugations provide smoother flow and are used for high-flow or abrasive service.
Applications
Metal flexible hoses solve piping problems where rigid pipe cannot accommodate movement:
- Vibration Isolation: Connecting pumps, compressors, and engines to rigid piping, absorbing mechanical vibration.
- Movement Absorption: Compensating for thermal expansion in short runs where expansion joints are impractical.
- Misalignment Compensation: Connecting equipment with slight offset or angular misalignment.
- Loading Arm: Marine loading arms for ship-to-shore transfer of liquids and gases.
- Steam Service: High-temperature steam connections with SS316L annular corrugations and double braid.
- Cryogenic: Liquid nitrogen and oxygen lines requiring flexibility at -196C.
When specifying metal hose, consider minimum bend radius (typically 10x hose OD), cycle life for repetitive flexing, and braid configuration (single braid for low pressure, double braid for high pressure or safety).