How Does Temperature Affect Hose Performance?
Temperature is a fundamental factor that influences the safety, efficiency, and lifespan of industrial hose assemblies. Whether you are specifying hoses for food and beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, or manufacturing applications, understanding how temperature impacts hose performance is essential for reliable and safe operations.
This overview explores the effects of temperature on hose selection, durability, pressure ratings, chemical compatibility, and compliance.
For further technical resources and support, visit our hose temperature performance guide.
The Importance of Temperature in Hose Performance
Temperature affects every aspect of hose performance, from flexibility and pressure rating to chemical resistance and service life. Both the temperature of the conveyed media and the ambient environment must be considered.
Exceeding a hose’s temperature range can lead to hardening, softening, cracking, or even catastrophic failure.
For every application, always check the minimum and maximum temperature ratings provided in the hose temperature performance guide.
High Temperatures: Impact on Hose Materials and Lifespan
Exposure to high temperatures can degrade hose materials, reduce pressure ratings, and accelerate wear. For example, rubber hoses may become brittle or lose elasticity, while PTFE and stainless steel hoses are engineered to withstand much higher operating temperatures.
Food-grade hoses such as Pharmaflex™ and Brewflex™ can operate up to +200°C, and PTFE hoses can tolerate up to +260°C, while metallic hoses may reach +600°C or more.
Flextech’s T5400F high temperature steam hose is designed for environments up to 530°C, making it suitable for steel works and glass industry applications.
It is important to always select a hose material designed for your system’s highest operating temperature.
For more, refer to our hose temperature performance guide.
Low Temperatures: Effects on Hose Flexibility and Safety
Low temperatures can cause hoses to stiffen, lose flexibility, or even crack. Silicone and PTFE hoses remain flexible at sub-zero temperatures, while some rubbers and plastics may become rigid or brittle. For example, Flextech’s Pharmaflex™ silicone hoses can operate down to -60°C, and metallic hoses as low as -200°C.
The right hose ensures safe operation in cold storage, cryogenic, or winter environments.
For detailed temperature ranges, see our hose temperature performance guide.
Pressure Ratings and Temperature Derating
As temperature increases, a hose’s pressure rating typically decreases—a phenomenon known as temperature derating. For example, a hose rated for 100 bar at 20°C may only be safe at 50 bar at 100°C.
Manufacturers provide derating charts to help you calculate safe working pressures at elevated or reduced temperatures.
Always consult the hose temperature performance guide and manufacturer data sheets before specifying or installing hoses in high-temperature applications.
Chemical Compatibility and Temperature Effects
Temperature can significantly alter a hose’s chemical resistance. Some chemicals become more aggressive or volatile at higher temperatures, increasing the risk of corrosion or degradation.
PTFE and stainless steel hoses offer excellent chemical resistance across a broad temperature range, making them ideal for aggressive media. Flextech’s T6431 PTFE vacuum hose, for example, is inert to virtually all chemicals and operates from -60°C to +260°C, making it suitable for high-temperature chemical transfer.
Always cross-check both chemical and temperature compatibility using Flextech’s chemical compatibility guide.
Hose Selection by Industry and Temperature Requirements
Different industries have unique temperature demands, for example:
Food and beverage hoses must withstand sterilisation, cleaning-in-place (CIP), and steam cycles, often up to 130°C or higher.
PTFE hoses like T6420 are commonly used for their wide temperature range and hygiene benefits.
Chemical processing requires hoses that resist both high temperatures and aggressive chemicals; PTFE and composite hoses are often the best choice.
Pharmaceutical processes demand hoses that tolerate repeated autoclaving and sanitisation, such as PTFE and silicone hoses.
Manufacturing and steel works may require hoses like the T5400F, engineered for cooling water and steam transfer at temperatures up to 530°C.
For industry-specific hose solutions, see food grade hoses, metallic hoses, and PTFE hoses.
Temperature Ranges for Common Hose Materials
Below is a snapshot of common hose materials and the temperature ranges for them. These comprise:
Silicone hoses: -60°C to +200°C, ideal for high-purity and food applications
EPDM rubber hoses: -40°C to +120°C, suitable for water, steam, and food transfer
Nitrile rubber hoses: -40°C to +100°C, good for oils and fats
PTFE hoses: -60°C to +260°C, excellent for chemicals and high temperatures
Stainless steel hoses: -200°C to +600°C, suitable for extreme heat and cryogenics
PVC hoses: -20°C to +65°C, best for general use at moderate temperatures
Composite hoses: -30°C to +80°C, used for oil, fuel, and chemical transfer
For a full breakdown, visit our hose temperature performance guide.
Hose Failure Risks Due to Incorrect Temperature Selection
Using a hose outside its temperature limits can lead to hardening, softening, or cracking of the hose wall, delamination or blistering of liners, loss of flexibility and kinking, burst or catastrophic failure under pressure, and leaks or contamination.
Pressure testing and routine inspection are essential to catch early signs of temperature-related damage and to avoid disruption.
Learn more about hose inspection and testing.
Temperature Effects on Hose Flexibility and Installation
Temperature can also affect hose installation and handling. Cold hoses may be difficult to route or bend, while hot hoses may become too soft and prone to collapse under vacuum.
Always install hoses at room temperature when possible, and allow for expansion, contraction, and movement due to thermal cycling.
For installation best practices, see our hose temperature performance guide.
Selecting the Right Hose for Extreme Temperature Environments
For extreme temperature applications, choose hoses engineered for the full range of expected conditions. PTFE and metallic hoses are ideal for high-temperature steam, hot oils, or cryogenic fluids.
Flextech’s T6100 and T6160 PTFE hose assemblies are designed for temperatures from -60°C to +260°C and are suitable for food, pharmaceutical, and chemical transfer, as well as high-pressure gas and steam applications.
We also offer bespoke custom solutions, explore our information further about custom hose assemblies.
Maintenance and Inspection for Temperature-Exposed Hoses
Regular inspection is critical for hoses exposed to temperature extremes. Check for surface cracks, hardening, or softening, discolouration or blistering, loss of flexibility or changes in shape, and leaks at fittings or along the hose body. Document all inspections and replace hoses showing signs of temperature-related wear.
Flextech’s hose asset management can help you schedule inspections and manage replacements.
Case Study: Solving Temperature Failures in Food and Beverage Hose
A beverage manufacturer experienced repeated hose failures during steam sterilisation. Investigation revealed that the hoses in use were not rated for the 130°C cleaning cycle. Switching to Flextech’s PTFEflex™ hoses, rated to +260°C, eliminated failures and improved uptime.
This highlights the importance of matching hose temperature ratings to real-world cleaning and process conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions: Hose Temperature Performance
How do I know if my hose is suitable for high temperatures?
Check the hose’s manufacturer datasheet and ensure the maximum continuous operating temperature meets your application’s needs. For guidance, see our hose temperature performance guide.
What happens if a hose is used above its rated temperature?
Exceeding temperature limits can cause rapid degradation, loss of pressure rating, leaks, or catastrophic failure.
Are PTFE hoses good for both hot and cold applications?
Yes, PTFE hoses offer excellent flexibility and chemical resistance from -60°C to +260°C, making them suitable for a wide range of temperature extremes.
How often should temperature-exposed hoses be inspected?
Inspect hoses regularly, especially after thermal cycling or cleaning processes. Flextech’s hose asset management can help you manage inspection intervals.
Where can I find more technical information?
Visit our hose temperature performance guide for detailed resources.
Conclusion: Trust Flextech for Hose Temperature Performance
Temperature is a critical factor in hose selection and performance. Flextech’s hose temperature performance guide provides detailed advice, technical support, and a full range of compliant hoses for every industry.
For custom solutions, technical support, or to discuss your requirements, trust Flextech as your partner in hose performance and safety.