Technical Foundation
What Is a Flexible Metal Hose?
A flexible metal hose consists of a corrugated stainless steel core tube — the annular or helical corrugations providing flexibility that a smooth metal tube couldn't achieve — overlaid with one or two layers of braided stainless wire that carry the actual pressure load and restrain the hose from elongating under internal pressure. This construction handles temperatures and chemical exposures far beyond rubber or thermoplastic hose, commonly rated from cryogenic temperatures up to 1000°F+ depending on braid and core material, making it the standard choice for steam, hot oil, and aggressive chemical transfer lines.
Braid configuration directly determines pressure rating: an unbraided corrugated core has very low pressure capacity (essentially for vacuum or very low-pressure flexible connections), a single braid layer provides moderate working pressure, and a double braid roughly doubles that capacity again, at added weight and reduced flexibility. End fittings — flanged, threaded, camlock or welded — must be selected for both the connecting equipment and the corrosion/temperature environment, and static/dynamic flexing service (constant motion vs. occasional vibration absorption) affects expected hose life and should be specified when ordering.
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| Spec | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Core Construction | Annular (ring) vs. helical corrugation | Annular gives tighter bend radius; helical often preferred for longer runs and higher flow |
| Braid Configuration | Unbraided, single braid, double braid | Braid layers carry the pressure load — more braid layers = higher pressure rating |
| Material Grade | 304 vs. 316/316L stainless steel | 316/316L offers superior chemical and chloride corrosion resistance over 304 |
| Temperature Rating | Cryogenic to 1000°F+ depending on construction | Far exceeds rubber/thermoplastic hose temperature limits |
| End Fitting Type | Flanged, threaded (NPT), camlock, welded | Must match the connecting equipment and be rated for the same pressure/temperature as the hose |
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Applications
Where Flexible Metal Hoses Get Used
Flexible metal hoses are specified anywhere temperature, chemical exposure or pressure exceeds what rubber or thermoplastic hose can reliably handle, or where vibration/expansion absorption is needed at a rigid piping connection.
Steam & High-Temperature Process Lines
Flexible connections absorbing thermal expansion and vibration in steam distribution and hot process fluid systems.
Chemical Processing & Transfer
Corrosion-resistant metal hose transferring aggressive chemicals incompatible with rubber or thermoplastic hose materials.
Cryogenic & Gas Handling
Metal hose rated for extreme low temperatures in cryogenic liquid and industrial gas transfer applications.
Pump & Compressor Connections
Absorbing vibration and minor misalignment between rotating equipment and fixed piping without transmitting stress.
Oil & Gas Loading/Unloading
Camlock and flanged metal hose assemblies for tank truck and railcar product transfer operations.
Exhaust & High-Temperature Ducting
Flexible metal hose connecting engine or process exhaust to rigid ducting where thermal expansion must be absorbed.
FAQ
Flexible Metal Hoses Questions, Answered
Why use a metal hose instead of rubber or thermoplastic hose?
Metal hose handles temperature and chemical exposure ranges that rubber and thermoplastic hose simply can't survive — commonly rated from cryogenic temperatures up through 1000°F or more depending on construction, versus a few hundred degrees for most rubber hose. It's the standard choice for steam lines, hot oil transfer, and aggressive chemical service where a rubber hose would degrade, crack, or fail.
What's the difference between single and double braid hose?
Braid layers are what carry the actual pressure load in a corrugated metal hose — a single braid layer gives moderate working pressure capacity, while a double braid roughly doubles that pressure rating at the cost of added weight, stiffness and cost. Choose based on your actual system operating pressure plus a reasonable safety margin, not just what's commonly stocked.
Should I choose 304 or 316 stainless steel hose?
316 (or 316L) stainless offers significantly better resistance to chlorides and a broader range of aggressive chemicals compared to 304, making it the standard choice for chemical processing, marine, or coastal environments. 304 is adequate and more economical for less aggressive service like steam or general process fluids without high chloride exposure.
How tight can a flexible metal hose bend?
Minimum bend radius depends on the hose diameter and construction (annular corrugation generally allows a tighter radius than helical), and manufacturers publish a specific minimum bend radius that should never be exceeded, since over-bending stresses the corrugations and braid, shortening hose life or causing failure. Always route the hose within its rated bend radius, especially in static installations that will hold that bend permanently.
Is flexible metal hose rated for constant flexing or just occasional movement?
This depends on the specific product — some are engineered for dynamic service with repeated flexing cycles (like connections to vibrating equipment), while others are intended for static installation to absorb thermal expansion or one-time routing flexibility, with a much lower flex-cycle life rating. Specify your actual service condition (static vs. dynamic) when ordering so the correct hose construction is selected.
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