PTFE Hose Offers Unmatched Flexibility In Tight Spaces

Written by Jeff Hopkins | 2/28/19 4:45 PM

But even PTFE has its limits, so keep the minimum bend radius in mind

"Unlike the rigidity of tubing and pipe, it can be bent without the need of tube benders or additional fittings."

- From Swagelok Tech Clip - PTFE Hose (Video)

Hose has great advantages over tubing and pipe, but it also has its limits. Fortunately, Swagelok is setting new standards in hose flexibility with its newer line of PTFE hoses. For a quick overview we've produced a three-minute video (below) to cover the basics. You can watch it all at once, or click on the time stamps in this blog post to go straight to that section of the video.

One of the advantages of hose over tubing and pipe is its flexibility. (0:13) Hose can be bent without the need of tube benders or additional fittings. Its flexibility makes installation easier too, as you can bend or loop a hose to compensate if it is too long.

However, even hose has its limits. Over bending it will put extra pressure on the connecting points, and it may even collapse and kink. This is especially the case with ordinary PTFE hose or other plastic core hose constructions. Swagelok PTFE hose is another matter entirely. (0:47)

Superior performance

Swagelok's unique non-metallic fiber braiding technology (0:50) gives the PTFE core greater resistance to collapsing and kinking when being bent. When the braiding technology is combined with a 304 Stainless Steel braid, you get a hose with flexibility and kink resistance beyond ordinary PTFE hose.

This added flexibility also decreases the force needed to bend the hose (1:22), which makes it easier to install and route in tight situations.

And of course, PTFE (1:31) is known worldwide as a very versatile material that works well in a variety of applications because of its chemical compatibility, wide temperature range, inertness and clean-ability.

But even Swagelok PTFE hoses will eventually kink when bent beyond their minimum bend radius (1:02). So it is important to design your system with a hose’s minimum bend radius in mind.

Learn more about local Swagelok hose assembly

Four series

Swagelok has four series of PTFE hoses manufactured with our unique fiber braiding technology. (1:43)

Depending on needs of your application, choose from PTFE core hoses with two, three, four or five layers:

The F Series (1:47) is a two-layer nonmetallic PTFE hose that bonds a nonconductive fiber braid to the smooth-bore PTFE core to support the core and resist kinking. It is commonly used where flexibility, chemical compatibility, and a non-metallic and nonconductive braid are desired.

The three-layer X Series (2:09) adds a 304 stainless steel over-braid on top of the fiber braid bonded PTFE core. It protects the core from abrasion and enhances the hose's pressure rating and flexibility.

The four-layer S Series (2:27) adds a silicone cover on top of the 304 stainless steel over-braid. It provides a smooth, non-contaminating, easy-to-clean surface and insulation from internal system fluid temperature extremes.

The five-layer W Series (2:40) adds an internal insulating wrap between the 304 stainless steel over-braid and the fiber braid bonded PTFE core. It eliminates the need for external insulation in many applications. The W Series hose also comes standard with a smooth-bore, carbon black-filled PTFE core for applications that require static dissipation.

For a quick overview we've produced this three-minute video to cover the basics of PTFE hose (below). And Our hose selection catalog has even more information. As always, Swagelok Northern California has people standing by to provide additional information or for help selecting the right Swagelok PTFE hose for your application.