Product Overview

Metal hoses are critical components in modern industrial equipment piping systems. They serve as protective conduits for wires, cables, and instrument signal lines, as well as residential shower hoses, with diameters ranging from 3mm to 150mm. Small-diameter hoses (ID 3mm–25mm) are primarily used for protecting sensor circuits in precision optical scales and industrial sensors.

Structure：

Metal hoses are high-quality flexible pipes in industrial pipelines. They consist of three core components:

• Bellows: Thin-walled stainless steel corrugated tube (spiral/annular) providing flexibility.
• Braided Sleeve: Stainless steel wires/straps woven over the bellows for reinforcement and shielding.
• Connectors: Ensure secure pipeline integration.

Connection Methods:

• Welded Type: Bellows, sleeve, and connectors fused by welding.
• Mechanical Clamped Type: Components joined via mechanical clamps.
• Hybrid Type: Combination of welding and clamping.

Pressure Range

Standard working pressure: PN 0.6–32.0 MPa (max 42.0 MPa). The braided sleeve (single/multi-layer stainless steel) bears primary pressure while shielding the bellows.

Product Features

Due to the primary components being manufactured from austenitic stainless steel, the hoses exhibit excellent temperature resistance and corrosion resistance. With an extremely wide operating temperature range of -196°C to 600°C, selecting the appropriate stainless steel grade based on the corrosiveness of the conveyed medium ensures optimal corrosion resistance.

1、Superior Corrosion Resistance:
Constructed entirely from Grade 1Cr18Ni9Ti stainless steel (equivalent to AISI 321), providing robust corrosion resistance.

2、High-Performance Structure:

• Flexible Core: Features a thin-walled stainless steel tube formed by hydraulic pressure, delivering exceptional flexibility, elasticity, and bending capability.
• Vibration Resistance: Engineered for high resilience against vibration.
• Reinforced Design: Incorporates braided wire mesh reinforcement for significantly enhanced pressure-bearing capacity.

3、Versatile Connection Options:
End connections can be customized beyond standard threaded or flanged types to accommodate specific application requirements and simplify installation.

4、Broad Application Scope:
Ideal for integration with rotary joints and extensively used for flexible connections in diverse fluid transfer systems.

Advantages

Resists corrosion, extreme temperatures (-196°C to 420°C), lightweight, compact, and flexible. Widely used in aerospace, petrochemicals, power generation, textiles, and more.

1. Small bending radius, flexible between pitches.
2. Excellent elasticity without clogging/stiffness.
3. Lightweight, consistent diameter.
4. Superior flexibility and bend tolerance.
5. Exceptional corrosion/heat resistance.
6. Rodent-proof, abrasion-resistant (protects internal wires).
7. High tensile/compressive strength.
8. Smooth surface for easy wire routing.
9. Multiple connector options for equipment compatibility.

Product Classification

1、Threaded Type:
For metal hoses with a nominal bore below 50 mm operating under high working pressure, threaded connectors are predominantly used. Tightening the threads forces the mating male and female conical tapers into intimate contact, achieving a seal. The taper angle is typically 60 degrees, though 74 degrees is also used. This structure offers excellent sealing but requires precise coaxial alignment during installation. To address issues like repeated assembly/disassembly and alignment difficulties common in practical applications, the connector can be designed with a spherical head mating with the conical taper.

2、Flanged Type:
For metal hoses with a nominal bore of 25 mm and above under general working pressure, flanged connectors are the primary choice. Sealing is achieved through a tongue-and-groove joint. A loose flange, capable of radial rotation and axial sliding, connects the two bodies under the clamping force of bolts. This structure provides good sealing performance but is complex to manufacture, and the sealing faces are highly susceptible to damage. For applications requiring quick disconnection, the bolt holes can be slotted to create a quick-release flange.

3、Quick-Connect Type:
For various metal hoses with a nominal bore up to 100 mm requiring rapid connection and disconnection, quick-connect fittings are generally employed. Sealing is typically provided by an O-ring made of fluoroplastic or special rubber. Rotating the handle through a specific angle locks the multi-start threaded fingers and compresses the O-ring; tighter compression enhances the seal. This design is particularly suitable for firefighting, battlefield operations, and other scenarios demanding fast connection/disconnection. A set of connectors can be joined or separated within seconds without requiring any specialized tools.

 

Installation Guidelines

Although metal hoses can be compressed or extended, improper positioning during installation will cause rapid failure and reduced service life. They may be installed horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, with vertical installation being the ideal configuration. Avoid installation near wheels; install protective baffles if necessary.

Metal hoses typically have three defined lengths:

1、Compressed Length – Length when fully compressed to its limit

2、Installed Length – Length at midpoint of maximum displacement range

3、Extended Length – Length when fully stretched to its maximum limit

Install hoses at the Installed Length (mid-position). This allows bidirectional axial movement under load. Restricting movement to one direction compromises hose integrity and significantly shortens service life.

Field measurements during installation may reduce efficiency. Some manufacturers integrate measurement scales directly on hoses for precise positioning – simply cut off the scale after installation.

1、Prefer hoses with at least one loose-flange end for easier installation

2、Protect hoses from welding spatter and arc strikes during onsite welding

3、Never install under torsion (twisting prohibited)

4、Avoid sharp bends at connection roots – no kinks or dead bends permitted

5、Media must not corrode bellows material (max. 25 ppm chloride ions)

6、Strictly follow illustrated installation methods (refer to Installation Guide)

7、Mechanical damage to flange sealing surfaces is strictly forbidden

Applications

Used for protective sheathing of signal cables, electrical wires, power cables, fiber optic cables, and related conduits across various equipment systems.

1、Critical Instrument Protection:
Armored fiber optic cables, precision optical rulers, optical measuring instruments, medical devices, and machinery wiring harnesses.

2、Secure Connectivity Solutions:
Public telephones, remote water meters, door contact sensors, and other security/utility devices requiring tamper-resistant cable protection.

3、Miniature Wiring Safeguards:
Protective conduit for delicate or small-gauge electrical wiring assemblies.

4、Data Infrastructure Shielding:
Network cable protection for computer systems, robotics, and intelligent equipment.

5、Solar Infrastructure Defense:
External PVC protective jacket layer for solar energy installations.

 

Metal hoses are critical components in modern industrial equipment piping systems. They serve as protective conduits for wires, cables, and instrument signal lines, as well as residential shower hoses, with diameters ranging from 3mm to 150mm.