PTFE hoses

What are the properties of PTFE hose?

The key properties of PTFE hose are its high chemical resistance and a wide range of operating temperatures. PTFE hose has several important properties that make it an extremely versatile and attractive technical hose for industry. We list each of them below:

• very high chemical resistance - it can withstand contact with concentrated (very aggressive) acids and bases, as well as all known solvents without losing its properties; 
• wide range of permissible operating temperatures - PTFE hoses are suitable for use in temperatures from -70 to 260 degrees Celsius (however, from 130 degrees Celsius there is a gradual decrease in pressure and mechanical properties); 
• resistance to ageing and weathering - as Teflon does not absorb water, and remains insensitive to ozone, oxygen and UV radiation, PTFE hoses are suitable for use in various conditions, even several decades of regular atmospheric changes will not change the properties of this material; 
• low coefficient of friction and surface energy - this feature means that substances do not adhere to the walls of the hoses, so the latter have self-cleaning properties and guarantee a high degree of hygiene; 
• high electrical resistance - this is a property that can be dangerous when transporting a substance that is a poor conductor (in which case an antistatic PTFE blend with graphite is used); 
• self-extinguishing properties - PTFE hose self-extinguishes when the source of fire is cut off and does not spread fire; 
• moderate abrasion resistance - this makes it possible to transport moderately abrasive substances.

How are PTFE hoses constructed?

PTFE hoses are constructed in different ways, depending on the type and purpose of the hose. There are four basic varieties:

• corrugated and smooth-walled PTFE hoses without a braid (not reinforced) - are used for low-pressure operation, in addition (as they have a semi-transparent wall) they allow visual control of the flow of the medium; 
• smooth-walled braided PTFE hoses (usually made of stainless steel) - have one or two layers of reinforcement and are suitable for use with virtually all media in any industry, which is due to the fact that they combine the versatility of Teflon with the ability to withstand operating pressures of up to 400 bar; 
• corrugated braided PTFE hoses (made of stainless steel or other materials) - similar to the smooth-walled variety with reinforcement, the only difference is that they are less resistant to pressure, but more flexible; 
• three-layer hoses (smooth inner PTFE layer, textile braid and/or steel spiral reinforcement, rubber outer layer) - all layers of this type of hose have been permanently connected to the inner Teflon covering, so the product most resembles a standard hose but is mainly used in the chemical industry.

What material versions of PTFE hoses are there?

Among the most popular material versions of PTFE hoses are:

• Teflon FEP, 
• PFA/MFA Teflon, 
• Tefzel (ETFE), 
• Halar (ECTFE).

Admittedly, the name itself reveals what material PTFE hoses are made of, but, contrary to appearances, there may also be some differences in this respect. This is due to the fact that Teflon copolymers are also used in the production of hoses.

This gives the hoses slightly different properties (for example, better mechanical strength or higher temperature resistance).