Types of flexible sub-bases and selection criteria

click fraud protection

Contents

  • 1 Materials from which flexible linings are made
  • 2 How to choose a flexible liner
  • 3 Choosing between the gas and water supply

Flexible hose is a hose made of elastic material protected by a metal braid with fastening elements at the ends. It is used to connect communications in hard-to-reach places( mixers, shower cabins, toilets), where it is difficult to do this with the help of rigid pipes. The supply or flexible hose for water or gas can be made from a variety of materials. Hence, there is a difference in the quality and location of the sub-assemblies.

Materials from which flexible linings are made

The flexible hose design is a rubber hose, which provides the necessary softness and elasticity.

High-quality flexible water supply must be made with a hose made of non-toxic rubber. Cheap copies consist of technical rubber.

The flexible hose is covered with a braid from above. It can be made of aluminum, stainless steel or nylon.

  • Flexible connectors for water or gas reinforced with aluminum serve up to 3 years. These devices can work properly at pressures up to 5 atmospheres and temperatures up to 80 degrees.

The main disadvantage of aluminum is that it is corroded when stored for a long time in a high humidity environment( for example, a bath or a bath).As a result, a metal flexible water hose collapses and causes destruction of the rubber hose and leaks.

  • Stainless steel liner lives much longer - up to 10 years, and can withstand pressures of up to 10 atmospheres at temperatures up to 95 degrees. Conditions in which this device can work are found almost everywhere, so stainless steel is the most common flexible liner.
Flexible hose with braid

Flexible hose with metal braid

  • The reinforced flexible lead for water is made with a nylon braid. The service life is up to 15 years, the maximum pressure is 20 atmospheres, the maximum temperature is 110 degrees. Such podvodki though are more qualitative, but are used seldom as usually conditions for which they are adapted, meet seldom.
  • The bellows-type liner is particularly stable and has a long service life. If the outer shell is made of metal braiding in the above types, then the sheath is a one-piece corrugated hose that is more durable, but does not lose its flexibility.
Bellows flexible feeder

Flexible bellows with corrugated hose made of metal

How to choose a flexible liner

In order for flexible liner to last a long time, it is necessary to choose it correctly.

Instruments
Widget from SocialMart
  • Before choosing a flexible line, you should find out the water temperature and pressure in your system, and you should buy a product corresponding to these parameters;
  • Regarding these parameters, as well as the environment in which flexible piping will work, it is necessary to choose the material from which it is made. In order not to buy an aluminum hose at the price of stainless steel, you need to weigh it in your hands. Aluminum should be much lighter;
  • Reliable flexible water supply must be soft. If it is not endowed with such a property, it threatens with a broken flexible hose. Check the elasticity and softness easily. It is necessary to take the padding at one end: if it takes a vertical( hanging) position, then it is sufficiently elastic, if its position is almost horizontal, it is too rigid;
  • Fittings, which are located at the ends of the flexible connection, must be free of cracks, and their sleeves must be pressed completely around their circumference, capturing the braid material.
Flexible connectors

Fittings for flexible connections. The figure also shows the color interlacing.

Flexible hose fittings must be made of brass - a metal that will not rust. There are instances of submarines in which these elements are made of aluminum or plastic. In the case of aluminum fittings, they will rust and become unusable in a humid environment, and plastic ones will simply break down by themselves in any environment. So it's pointless to pay for stainless steel in this case.

  • If a characteristic chemical odor comes from the flexible hose, then it is made of their technical rubber. The smell can stay for a long time, and also such material is characterized by fragility and low elasticity. Therefore, it is better to avoid these specimens.
  • Flexible connectors for water differ in temperature characteristics - there is for cold and for hot water. Hoses for cold water are marked with a blue ribbon, woven into a metal braid, for hot - red, universal - both.
  • The flexible metal hose must be equipped with a secure union nut. In poor-quality specimens, this nut can be too thin, which can crack and break during screwing or operation.

If the piping is not selected correctly( or too cheap), then you can get the result in the form of an early leak, which can happen suddenly. Especially dangerous will be a gas leak. When buying hoses, pay attention to working pressure and service life.

Selection between gas and water supply

Sometimes a flexible gas lead is installed on the water pipe. This is for the sake of economy( somehow gas is lodged somewhere, but I do not want to buy a water one), ignorance or incompetence of sellers( they gave bad advice).In fact, it is not possible to do this, and the gas feeder should only carry gas. And there are two reasons for this.

Gas feeds are usually equipped with aluminum fittings, even if the rubber hose is made of stainless steel. This means that they will rust in damp conditions, and soon become unfit for use, will begin to leak.

Flexible water connections pass special certifications and are environmentally safe for humans. This is necessary, as they let through the drinking water. Gas pipelines do not pass such certification, accordingly, they can be dangerous to health, poisonous.

Therefore, only bellows types of flexible sub-assemblies can be used in gas pipelines.

instagram viewer