Specifications for the Flexing of Steel Tubing
Flexible steel tubing is used in a number of different applications, ranging from the engines of big rig trucks to the interiors of boilers and home heating appliances. However, flexible steel tubing comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, and it's important for you to know the specifications of the tubing that you need. Otherwise you might have flexible tubing that just won't do for your project.
Other People Are Reading
-
Tube Length
-
The most basic measurement for a tube or pipe is how long it is. This specification is the length of the flexible tubing from one end to the other. This measurement is also taken when the tube is laid out straight, as it will get shorter when bent due to the flexing. The lengths you can get vary depending on the company and other hose specifications. For instance, Vermont Flex offers the flexible hoses in 3-inch segments from 21 to 30 feet in length. Not a hose meant for a smaller, do-it-yourself job that only needs about a foot of hose.
Diameter
-
The diameter of flexible steel tubing is how big around the pipe is. The measurement should be taken from one end of the tube's mouth to the other, ignoring the thickness of the pipe. The diameter is only the hollow inside where the fluid will be traveling through the pipe once it's been installed.
-
Thickness
-
The thickness of the flexible steel tubing refers to how thick the actual walls of the tube are. For instance, tubes come in grades of light weight (which is only .01 to .012 inches thick) all the way up to extra heavy weight (which comes in .028 to .032 inches thick, more than double the thickness of the light weight material). The heavier the thickness of the hose gets the stronger it will be and the more pressure it can withstand.
Metal
-
While all steel tubing is, of course, made out of steel, there are still grades and options within that field. For instance, regular steel tubing is the cheapest because it is untreated. Stainless steel is the most expensive because the metal itself is corrosion resistant. Other options, such as galvanized steel tubing are also available. The question is how much protection from oxidation and the elements your steel tubing requires.
-
