FlexEJ Manufacturing People

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Design & Manufacturing
Full in-house design & manufacture to EN / ASME / PED.

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FlexEJ has an accredited Environmental Management System.

Metal Hose Assemblies

FlexEJ designs and manufactures fully-engineered flexible metal hose assemblies in diameters from DN6 to DN200. Hose core materials available include 321 stainless steel, 316 stainless steel and alloy 625:

How to specify a metal expansion joint

Rubber bellows Temperature & PressureWe design and manufacture flexible metal hose assemblies to meet your exact and sometimes quite demanding requirements.

Metal Hose Assemblies


A metal hose assembly typically consists of a convoluted metal hose core, external braiding if required and end fittings:

Hose Core
DN60 to DN200+

Metal Hose Core

HOSE CORE
Stainless Steels, Nickel Alloys

The hose core is manufactured from a strip of material that is formed and continuously welded into a thin tube which is simultaneously convoluted to form a hose. The core is robust but will extend on the application of internal pressure so an external braid is applied which restrains the pressure force and keeps the hose at a set length.

External Braids & Spirals
DN6 to DN200+

Metal Hose External Braids & Spirals

EXTERNAL BRAIDS AND SPIRALS
Eliminate Pressure Force

The external braid is not added to the hose for mechanical protection. It is a key component and considerably increases the pressure rating of the hose assembly by restraining the pressure force. Single braid is the most common but we can also supply with double and triple braids for higher pressures. If mechanical protection is required then we can add an external spiral which keeps the braid off the ground if being used for loading/unloading for example.

Movements
Loops, laterals

Metal Hose Movements

MOVEMENTS
LOOPS, LATERALS

Hose does not move in the same way as an expansion joint; there must be no axial movement and all movements should be the result of angulation. Apply a portion of the hose perpendicular to the expected movement and support it so that the minimum bend radius is always maintained. Sharp bends should be accomplished using elbows. FlexEJ will help you specify the hose, understanding the nature of the movement and suggesting a suitable solution.

Projects
Hose assembly solutions

Metal Hose assembly

PROJECTS
HOSE ASSEMBLY SOLUTIONS

FlexEJ specialises in engineering and manufacturing metal hose assemblies to order. Full documentation packages, NDT, material traceability and testing are all part of what we offer. Complex materials, jacketed hoses, very high pressures… – please get in touch and we will be pleased to help.

Metal Hose End Fitting Types


There is a great variety of possible end fittings and connections, typically the two end fittings are dissimilar; we can accommodate any requirement as long as the material and fitting are weldable. The most common fitting styles are:

Weld endFlanged – fixed
Flanged – loose, stub + swivelLever Lock Coupling – male
Lever Lock Coupling – femaleThreaded – male
Threaded – female, fixedThreaded – female, swivel nut flat seat
Threaded – female, swivel nut cone seatQuick Release

Metal Hose Materials


The end fitting material does not need to be the same as the hose – carbon steel fittings with stainless steel hose is a common choice. You may specify any weldable material for the end fitting or a screwed fitting welded to the hose and any threaded fitting coupled to it.

Metal hose is stocked in the following materials:

Stainless Steel 304/LStainless Steel 321
Stainless Steel 316/LHigh Nickel Alloy 625
Monel 400Hastelloy C276

Other grades are available to order. Hose braid is typically 304 stainless steel or 316 with higher alloy core.

Temperature Deration


When considering the hose material it is important to also consider the design temperature.

The allowable pressure rating of metal hose for a particular material will decrease with temperature being typically around 0.5 of rated pressure at 500C – the exact figure depending on the material.

Metal Hose Design & Application


The actual service conditions the hose will experience – such as pulsating or discontinuous demand, type and frequency of motion, working temperature – must be taken into account at the design stage.

Metal hose bending radius

Metal hose bending radius

The allowable bending radius for the hose depends on the type of motion the hose will experience, this is described as:
  • Single motion – infrequent or installation-only movement.
  • Repeated motion – low frequency / motion without major dynamic demand.
  • Dynamic motion – higher frequency / continuous motion with dynamic demand.

Metal Hose Movement


Metal hose must not be installed to accommodate axial movement or torsion. Movement ideally should be lateral, in a single plane, with the hose or piping incorporating elbows to achieve this as required. Please refer to our hose installation guidelines in the Technical Downloads section.

Metal Hose Projects


If required we can offer the same extensive NDT and manufacturing documentation as with our metal expansion joints and pressure vessels. This capability allows us to serve demanding end users in the petrochemical, refining and energy markets with unique custom designed metal hose assemblies.

Traceability


Material traceability and NDT are managed through a specially developed data base which integrates with our business system. The database allows for instant reporting of material and inspection status together with indexing / retrieval of certification for the manufacturing data book.

Can't see what you want? Need help?
Call us. Or use Live Chat.

For instant advice. We can custom-design and engineer almost any expansion joint you need for delivery in the UK or worldwide. Call our expert team on +44 (0) 1384 881188 Or email us sales@flexej.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

A. Yes, a strip wound hose can be used as a liner within a convoluted metal hose assembly. Flexibility is reduced to some extent. For technical assistance contact us or use our Live Chat facility.

A. A jacketed hose has a second outer hose over the inner which allows (typically) a cooling or heating medium to be introduced. An example is shown in the gallery : scroll to the bottom on the metal hose page. For technical assistance contact us or use our Live Chat facility.

A. The bend radius depends on the hose diameter and the type of motion. The static bend radius is the minimum radius the hose can bend to for a few movement cycles without fatigue failure. The dynamic bend radius is the minimum radius the hose can bend to for many movement cycles without fatigue failure. ISO10380 defines these parameters. For technical assistance please contact us or use our Live Chat facility.

A. Metal hose is manufactured in continuous lengths from metal strip which is welded and then formed. We offer U form convoluted metal hose which is mechanically or hydraulically formed, with standard or close pitch. Typically the hose conforms to ISO ISO10380. For technical assistance please contact us or use our Live Chat facility.

A. No, we only manufacture to order but lead times can be very short. For sales assistance please contact us or use our Live Chat facility.

A. Our Flange Finder contains details for many common flanges. Typically, to be able to make the identification you need to know the bore size or outside diameter and number of bolts. For technical assistance contact us or use our Live Chat facility.

Please visit our full FAQ page to see all our frequently asked questions.