Balflex^â Balflon
PTFE Hoses

PTFE hoses have a very good chemical resistance to most fluids, resist to high temperatures, have non-sticking and very low-friction characteristics, have almost no aging, and can be constructed to achieve very good flexibility and pressure resistance.

Balflex Balflon is the range of PTFE smooth or corrugated, simple or reinforced hoses for conveyance of steam and corrosive fluids and a wide variety of other applications. Balflex Balflon is produced according to Balflex specifications and to ISO, DIN and SAE standards and other relevant industrial specifications.

The Balflon range of PTFE hoses in this catalogue includes:

	- Balflex Balflon smooth reinforced hose
	- Balflex Balflon corrugated reinforced hose
	- Balflex Balflon smooth tube

General Characteristics:

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is a synthetic polymer of long molecules with a backbone of carbon atoms surrounded by fluorine atoms. PTFE is chemically inert due to the strong inter-atomic bonds between carbon and fluorine and has a high fusion point (327°C). It has a much higher density than common industrial plastics, as well as a much higher melting point and electrical resistance. PTFE hoses have the following properties:

Chemically resistant
PTFE hoses are extremely resistant to most conveyed fluids. The only reactants are extreme oxidizers and reducing agents (elementary sodium, fluorine, chlorine trifluoride and related compounds), and alkali metals (potassium and lithium). Contrary to other types of flexible assemblies, in PTFE hose assemblies its the fittings that are the chemically weak point.

Temperature resistant
PTFE has a very extensive working temperature range. PTFE hoses generally cover the range of -50°C to +200°C, which includes most industrial applications.

Non-sticking
PTFE offers no adherence to other substances. Even in alternate use of fluids, contamination risk of the fluid is very limited. PTFE hoses are therefore easily cleaned to the most demanding specifications. Build up of deposits is also extremely limited, which recommends the use of PTFE hoses for demanding food-quality applications.

Low-friction
Beyond non-sticking characteristics, PTFE hoses also assure optimum flow rates of all conveyed fluids and very limited pressure losses in the fluid lines.

Non-toxic
PTFE is odor-, taste- and color-less and transmits none of these to the conveyed fluids. PTFE is a FDA approved material for food contact and PTFE hoses are excellent for the food industry.

Un-inflammable
PTFE does not have any flame propagation.

Moisture resistant
Moisture absorption is less than 0,01%.

Dielectric
PTFE has very good dielectric characteristics, independent of temperature and frequency. PTFE hoses are good electric insulators. PTFE hoses should not be used where static electricity can build up with the flow. A conductive inner liner (PTFE with carbon) alternative should be used for those applications.

Durable
Due to its chemically inert characteristic, PTFE hoses are virtually ageless. PTFE hoses have limitless shelf life. Weather resistance is also virtually limitless.

Excellent physical properties
PTFE has an excellent resistance to traction, at low and very high temperature, good resistance to impact and to fatigue. With an adequate reinforcement of an outer metal braid, PTFE hoses can withstand high pressures and a high number of impulse cycles. PTFE hoses have very good flexibility and can withstand a very high number of flexure cycles. PTFE hoses have a poor resistance to very high energy radiation, which results in a sharp decrease of physical properties.

Applications:

Industrial uses
Due to its overall excellent chemical resistance, PTFE hoses are used in a very wide variety of industrial applications for conveyance of hot and cold gases, steam, water, synthetic and petroleum-base hydraulic fluids, as well as corrosive chemicals.
Due to its non-contaminant and non-contaminable characteristics, PTFE hoses are used in a wide variety of medical and laboratory apparatus, cosmetics, food industry, automotive and aeronautics industries.

Permeation
Permeation is a function of the relative porosity of the PTFE and not very influenced by wall thickness. The rate of permeation (migration of a substance through the hose wall) in PTFE hoses is dependant of the substance and its concentration, the temperature, the pressure and the flow regime (laminar or turbulent). The same fluid at different temperatures has different effusion rates through the PTFE hose wall. However, as permeation is also determined by the activation energy of PTFE, the same permeation increase cannot be assumed for another fluid or for other flow conditions. The permeation rate through PTFE of hazardous fluids and derived gases should always be verified before application.

Special applications
Special applications may require alternative braid materials of synthetic fibers or double stainless steel wire braids, or covers extruded form other plastics.
Fluid flows in which static electricity may build up need carbon-"charged" PTFE linings in order to assure static dissipation. Static electricity generally builds up at high velocity flow of poor electrically conductive liquids or gases. If not dissipated through a carbon-"charged" liner, static charges will grow along the hose until the dielectric strength of PTFE is exceeded and sudden discharge occurs through the tube wall, leaving holes that result in hose failure and may lead to irreversible damage of persons and property.