Food manufacturing and processing environments often require flexible hose to transfer ingredients between machinery, storage and processing equipment. Flour, sugar, grain, cereals and other dry ingredients can present very different challenges from air or water, making it important to select a hose designed for the application.

A suitable food grade hose needs to provide the required food contact compliance while also offering the flexibility, abrasion resistance and flow characteristics needed for regular material transfer.

What Is a Food Grade Hose?

A food grade hose is designed for applications where the hose may come into contact with food products or ingredients.

The construction and materials used need to be appropriate for the intended food contact application. Requirements can vary according to the food being transferred, operating temperature and conditions of use, so the relevant food contact documentation should always be checked before specifying a hose.

Food grade hoses are available for both liquid and dry food applications, including the transfer of powders, flour, sugar and grain.

Choosing a Hose for Flour and Powder Transfer

Flour and other powdered ingredients require careful consideration when selecting flexible hose.

Regular movement of dry materials can cause abrasion to the inside of a hose. A hose used for flour or powder transfer therefore needs to provide suitable abrasion resistance while remaining flexible enough for the equipment and installation.

A smooth internal surface can also help promote efficient material flow and reduce areas where material can collect.

Polyurethane is consequently used in many flexible hoses intended for dry food transfer because it can provide a useful combination of flexibility and abrasion resistance.

Food Grade Hose for Grain and Cereals

Grain, cereals and similar materials can also place significant demands on a hose.

The movement of solid particles through the hose makes abrasion resistance an important consideration, particularly in applications involving frequent or continuous transfer.

When choosing a food grade suction hose for grain, factors to consider include:

• The type of food being transferred
• Internal hose diameter
• Required flexibility
• Abrasion resistance
• Suction or vacuum requirements
• Operating temperature
• Food contact requirements
• Frequency of use

Choosing a hose based purely on its diameter may therefore result in a product that isn’t ideally suited to the complete application.

Why Use Polyurethane Food Grade Hose?

Polyurethane, often abbreviated to PU, is widely used for flexible industrial hose because it can combine flexibility with good resistance to abrasion.

For food handling applications, a polyurethane food grade hose manufactured from suitable materials can be used for transferring a variety of dry food ingredients while retaining the flexibility required for connection to processing and handling equipment.

Whitehouse Flexible Tubing’s Eolo PU Food is manufactured using an ether-based polyurethane wall with a rigid PVC spiral. Its smooth internal surface helps material flow, while the corrugated exterior provides flexibility.

Can the Same Food Grade Hose Transfer Liquids?

Some food grade hoses are suitable for both dry ingredients and liquids, although this should never be assumed.

The intended food product and the manufacturer’s food contact information need to be checked before use.

Eolo PU Food is designed for the suction and transfer of both dry food products and suitable liquids. Typical applications include flour, sugar, grains and animal feed as well as appropriate food liquids.

It is suitable for applicable aqueous and fatty food applications within the conditions stated in its food contact documentation, but it is not recommended for milk or dairy products.

Food Contact Compliance

Food contact compliance should be one of the key considerations when specifying hose for food processing.

Eolo PU Food complies with FDA Regulation CFR 21 Item 177.2600 and EU Regulation 10/2011 for the applicable food classes and stated conditions of use.

Always consult the relevant Food Contact Declaration when assessing a hose for a particular food product or processing environment.

Temperature and Working Conditions

Temperature can affect both the performance of the hose and its suitability for a particular food contact application.

Eolo PU Food has an operating temperature range from -40°C to +80°C, providing a broad working range for food handling and processing applications.

Other factors such as pressure, vacuum, bend radius and the material being transferred should also be considered when choosing a hose.

Choosing the Correct Food Grade Hose

There isn’t a single flexible hose suitable for every food processing application.

For dry ingredients such as flour, sugar and grain, abrasion resistance and material flow may be particularly important. Liquid applications can introduce different requirements, while some installations may require additional properties such as antistatic performance.

Whitehouse Flexible Tubing supplies a range of food grade hoses for different food processing and transfer applications.

For the suction and transfer of flour, sugar, grain, animal feed, dry food products and suitable liquids, explore our Eolo PU Food polyurethane food grade hose or contact our team for assistance selecting the correct hose for your application.

Why not consider Stainless Steel Griplock hose?

Flexible metal hose and tubing is used across a wide range of industrial applications where strength, temperature resistance and flexibility are important. From exhaust and extraction systems to material handling and industrial ducting, selecting the correct type of flexible metal hose can have a significant impact on the performance and reliability of an installation.

For demanding environments, stainless steel stripwound hose provides a robust solution capable of combining flexibility with excellent mechanical strength.

What Is a Stripwound Metal Hose?

Stripwound metal hose is manufactured by forming a continuous metal strip into a flexible tubular section. Depending on the construction, the metal strip can be interlocked to produce a strong yet flexible hose capable of accommodating movement and vibration.

Unlike many polymer hoses, a stainless steel flexible hose can be particularly useful where an application involves elevated temperatures, mechanical stresses or the risk of crushing.

Whitehouse Flexible Tubing’s Stainless Steel Griplock uses a fully interlocked stripwound construction to provide flexibility, high mechanical strength and good flow characteristics.

Where Is Flexible Stainless Steel Hose Used?

The versatility of stripwound construction means flexible stainless steel tubing can be found in a variety of industrial environments.

Typical applications include:

• Industrial air ducting
• Smoke and fume extraction
• Exhaust systems
• Dust extraction
• Dry bulk material handling
• Grain handling
• Plastic pellet transfer
• Paper trim extraction
• Protective casing for cables and wires
• Applications involving vibration or movement

The correct hose should always be selected according to the operating conditions and material being conveyed.

Flexible Metal Hose for Exhaust Applications

Temperature is an important consideration when selecting an exhaust or extraction hose.

Many conventional flexible hose materials have limitations when exposed to high operating temperatures. A stainless steel stripwound hose can provide an alternative for applications requiring both flexibility and increased temperature resistance.

Whitehouse Stainless Steel Griplock has a maximum operating temperature of +650°C, making it suitable for many high-temperature ducting, extraction and exhaust applications.

As with any exhaust installation, the complete operating conditions should be considered before selecting a hose, including temperature, diameter, movement and the media passing through it.

Handling Dust and Dry Materials

Flexible metal hose is also widely used for handling dry materials.

Griplock can be used for applications involving materials including ash, dust, grain, paper trim and plastic pellets. Its fully interlocked construction provides good mechanical strength while maintaining the flexibility required by many industrial installations.

Flow direction can be particularly important when conveying abrasive materials. The internal construction of Griplock provides a smoother surface in one direction, so installing the tubing according to the recommended flow direction can help optimise flow and reduce potential damage to both the hose and the material being conveyed.

Managing Vibration and Movement

Not every application involves simply connecting two stationary points.

Industrial machinery can produce vibration, while equipment and ducting systems can experience movement and thermal expansion during operation. Flexible metal tubing can help accommodate this movement while maintaining a connection between components.

Stainless Steel Griplock is particularly suited to applications involving vibration and thermal expansion and can also assist with noise attenuation in suitable installations.

Choosing the Correct Flexibility

The required flexibility can vary considerably between applications.

Stainless Steel Griplock is available with different flexibility characteristics, including Stiff/Stayput, Midflex and Loose/Floppy options on applicable sizes.

Midflex is the standard construction and is suitable for many general applications, while other options can be specified where increased rigidity or greater freedom of movement is required.

What Sizes of Flexible Metal Hose Are Available?

Industrial applications can require anything from small-bore flexible tubing to large-diameter ducting.

Stainless Steel Griplock is available in a comprehensive range of inside diameters, with sizes from 6mm through to 457mm listed as standard. Intermediate diameters and non-standard lengths may also be available for applications requiring a more specific solution.

Finding the Right Flexible Metal Hose

Choosing a flexible metal hose should involve more than simply matching the diameter. Temperature, flexibility, bend radius, media, movement and the operating environment should all be considered.

Whitehouse Flexible Tubing manufactures and supplies flexible metallic tubing for a wide range of industrial applications and can assist with non-standard sizes, lengths and made-to-order assemblies.

For applications requiring a robust stainless steel flexible hose, view our Stainless Steel Griplock range or contact our team to discuss your application.

Choosing the correct conduit is one of the most important decisions when designing or maintaining an electrical installation. Whether you’re protecting power cables, control wiring or data cables, selecting the right conduit can improve reliability, reduce maintenance costs and extend the lifespan of your installation.

Both flexible conduit and rigid conduit have their place, but understanding the differences will help ensure you choose the most suitable solution for your environment.

What Is Flexible Conduit?

Flexible conduit is designed to protect electrical cables while allowing movement, vibration and easy installation around obstacles. It is widely used in industrial environments where equipment may move or where complex cable routing is required.

Typical applications include:

• Manufacturing machinery
• Robotics
• CNC machines
• HVAC equipment
• Railway systems
• Marine installations
• Automotive production
• Food processing plants

Flexible conduit is available in a variety of materials including galvanised steel, stainless steel and PVC-covered options, allowing it to be selected for different environments and operating conditions.

What Is Rigid Conduit?

Rigid conduit provides maximum mechanical protection and is generally installed in straight runs. It offers excellent impact resistance but requires fittings and bending equipment during installation.

It is commonly used in:

• Commercial buildings
• Fixed electrical installations
• External wall installations
• Heavy-duty infrastructure
• Large industrial buildings

Installation Comparison

One of the biggest advantages of flexible conduit is the speed of installation.

Because it bends naturally around corners, machinery and structural obstacles, installers can often complete projects much faster with fewer fittings.

Rigid conduit normally requires:

• Measuring
• Cutting
• Threading
• Mechanical bending
• Additional couplers and elbows

This increases both installation time and labour costs.

Performance in Moving Equipment

Flexible conduit is specifically designed for environments where vibration or movement is present.

Examples include:

• Conveyor systems
• Packaging machinery
• Production lines
• Industrial robots
• Mobile equipment

Rigid conduit can suffer from fatigue where constant movement occurs, whereas flexible conduit absorbs vibration without placing excessive stress on cables.

Protection Levels

Both conduit types provide excellent cable protection, although they are suited to different situations.

Flexible conduit provides:

• Excellent abrasion resistance
• Protection from vibration
• Easier maintenance access
• Improved cable life in moving applications

Rigid conduit provides:

• Maximum impact resistance
• Excellent structural protection
• High security for permanent installations

Corrosion Resistance

Material selection is important.

Galvanised steel conduit performs well in most industrial environments.

For more aggressive environments such as chemical plants, offshore installations or food processing facilities, stainless steel conduit offers significantly improved corrosion resistance.

PVC-covered flexible conduit also provides additional protection where moisture, oils or chemicals are present.

Maintenance Considerations

Flexible conduit simplifies maintenance because cables can often be accessed more easily without dismantling large sections of the installation.

In facilities where machinery is regularly upgraded or modified, flexible conduit can significantly reduce downtime.

Which Option Should You Choose?

Choose flexible conduit if your installation involves:

• Machinery
• Equipment vibration
• Frequent maintenance
• Complex cable routing
• Moving components
• Industrial automation

Why Choose Whitehouse Flexible Tubing?

At Whitehouse Flexible Tubing, we supply a wide range of high-quality flexible conduit solutions for industrial, commercial and specialist applications.

Our range includes galvanised steel conduit, stainless steel conduit, PVC-covered conduit and specialist products designed to withstand demanding operating environments.

If you’re unsure which conduit is best suited to your application, our experienced team can help you select the most appropriate solution. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is flexible conduit suitable for outdoor use?

Yes. Many flexible conduit products are designed for outdoor installations, particularly PVC-covered and stainless steel options.

Can flexible conduit replace rigid conduit?

In many industrial applications it can, particularly where movement or vibration is present.

Which conduit is best for machinery?

Flexible conduit is generally the preferred choice because it accommodates vibration and movement.

Is stainless steel conduit worth the extra cost?

Where corrosion is a concern, stainless steel often provides a significantly longer service life.

Can flexible conduit be used in food manufacturing?

Yes. Stainless steel flexible conduit is widely used within hygienic and washdown environments.

Bend radius is one of the most overlooked specifications when selecting flexible conduit, yet it has a major impact on cable protection, installation quality and long-term reliability.

Selecting a conduit with an appropriate bend radius helps prevent cable damage, reduces installation time and ensures your electrical system performs as intended.

What Is Bend Radius?

The bend radius is the smallest radius that a conduit can safely bend without causing damage to either the conduit or the cables inside it.

A smaller bend radius allows installers to route conduit through tighter spaces while maintaining proper cable protection.

Why Is Bend Radius Important?

When conduit is bent too tightly, several problems can occur:

• Damage to cable insulation
• Reduced cable performance
• Increased pulling tension
• Premature conduit wear
• Difficult cable replacement
• Higher maintenance costs

Choosing the correct bend radius helps avoid these issues.

Applications Where Bend Radius Is Critical

Certain industries depend on flexible conduit with excellent bend characteristics.

Robotics

Robotic equipment moves continuously throughout the day.

Flexible conduit with a tight bend radius allows the conduit to move naturally without stressing internal cables.

Manufacturing

Production machinery often contains limited installation space.

Good bend performance allows installers to route conduit neatly around motors, sensors and control panels.

Automotive Manufacturing

Vehicle production lines contain thousands of moving electrical connections.

Flexible conduit helps protect wiring while accommodating constant movement.

Railway Systems

Rolling stock experiences continual vibration.

Flexible conduit with suitable bend characteristics reduces stress on electrical installations throughout the life of the vehicle.

Factors That Affect Bend Radius

Several factors influence how tightly conduit can bend:

• Material construction
• Wall thickness
• Internal locking profile
• Overall conduit diameter
• Packing materials
• Protective outer coverings

Different conduit designs are engineered for different applications.

Choosing the Correct Flexible Conduit

When selecting conduit, consider:

• Available installation space
• Cable size
• Number of cables
• Movement during operation
• Environmental conditions
• Temperature range
• Chemical exposure

A product with a tighter bend radius may simplify installation and improve long-term reliability.

Why Product Quality Matters

Poor-quality conduit may appear similar visually but often has inconsistent flexibility, lower fatigue resistance and reduced service life.

High-quality industrial conduit is manufactured to maintain its flexibility while continuing to provide excellent mechanical protection.

Working with Flexible Tubing

Flexible Tubing supplies a wide range of conduit solutions designed for demanding industrial applications.

Whether you require conduit for automation, machinery, transport, manufacturing or specialist engineering projects, our experienced team can recommend the most suitable product for your application.

If your installation has limited space or requires frequent movement, we can help identify products with excellent bend performance and long-term durability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good bend radius?

The required bend radius depends on the conduit type, size and application. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Does a tighter bend radius mean better conduit?

Not necessarily. The correct choice depends on balancing flexibility, mechanical protection and the operating environment.

Can bending conduit too tightly damage cables?

Yes. Excessive bending can place stress on cable insulation and conductors, potentially reducing service life.

Which industries need flexible conduit with a tight bend radius?

Robotics, manufacturing, automotive, rail, aerospace and packaging machinery commonly require high-flexibility conduit.

How can Flexible Tubing help?

Our technical team can recommend the most appropriate conduit based on your application’s bend radius, environmental conditions and mechanical protection requirements. Contact our team today

Choosing Flexible Tubing for Industrial Machinery Applications

Industrial machinery operates in demanding environments where components are exposed to constant movement, vibration and wear.

Flexible tubing provides essential protection for electrical cables, hydraulic systems and moving machine parts. By allowing controlled movement while maintaining protection, flexible tubing helps extend equipment life and reduce maintenance costs.

Manufacturers often select tubing products based on factors such as abrasion resistance, flexibility, temperature performance and mechanical strength.

Properly specified tubing can prevent cable failures, improve machine reliability and support safer working environments.

For businesses seeking to maximise productivity, investing in high-quality tubing solutions is a simple but highly effective step.

Contact us for more information as to how we can help the Industrial Machinery

Flexible Tubing Solutions for the Rail Industry

Rail infrastructure projects place significant demands on electrical and mechanical systems. Flexible conduit and tubing products are commonly used throughout rail networks to protect cables, manage vibration and support critical systems. These applications often require products capable of performing in extreme temperatures and challenging operating conditions.

Rail operators need solutions that can withstand continuous vibration while maintaining long-term reliability. Flexible metallic conduit provides excellent mechanical protection while allowing movement where required. In stations, tunnels and trackside installations, flexible tubing helps safeguard electrical systems and minimise maintenance requirements.

As rail networks continue to expand and modernise, durable cable protection solutions remain a key part of infrastructure development.

Contact us for more information and how we can help.

Modern construction projects require reliable cable protection solutions that can withstand challenging environments.
Flexible conduit systems provide a practical solution for protecting electrical cables in commercial buildings, infrastructure projects and industrial facilities. Unlike rigid alternatives, flexible conduit can easily navigate around obstacles and fit into confined spaces.

This flexibility helps reduce installation times while providing excellent protection against impact, moisture and environmental conditions.

Contractors often choose metallic conduit systems where additional mechanical strength is required. These products offer long-term durability and help ensure compliance with electrical safety standards.

As construction projects become increasingly complex, flexible conduit continues to provide an effective and dependable cable management solution.

Contact us to find out how we can help you.

How Flexible Tubing Supports Agricultural Operations

Agriculture relies on robust equipment capable of operating in demanding environments. Flexible tubing plays a critical role in helping farms and agricultural businesses maintain efficient operations.

One of the most common uses is grain transfer. Flexible hoses are regularly used to move grain between storage facilities, transport vehicles and processing equipment.

Agricultural machinery also relies on flexible tubing for cable protection, dust extraction and material handling applications. Products must withstand abrasion, weather exposure and frequent movement.

The ability to customise tubing lengths and specifications allows agricultural operators to find solutions tailored to their exact requirements.

With increasing automation across the farming sector, reliable flexible tubing solutions are becoming more important than ever.

Contact us to see if we can help you.

Read this blog about Bend Radius,  Conduits and Whitehouse Flexible Tubing

Why Flexible Tubing is Essential for Modern Food Processing Facilities

Food manufacturers face constant pressure to improve efficiency while maintaining the highest hygiene standards. One component that often goes unnoticed but plays a vital role in production is flexible tubing.

Flexible tubing is used throughout food processing facilities for transporting ingredients, liquids, powders and grains. The right hose or tubing solution helps prevent contamination, reduces downtime and improves operational efficiency.

Stainless steel hose assemblies are commonly used for liquid transfer applications where cleanliness and durability are essential. For dry products such as grain, flour and animal feed, flexible transfer hoses provide reliable movement while minimising product loss.

Food-grade tubing also offers excellent resistance to cleaning chemicals and repeated washdown procedures. This helps manufacturers maintain compliance with food safety regulations while extending the lifespan of their equipment.

As production demands increase, selecting the correct flexible tubing solution can significantly improve reliability, hygiene and productivity across the entire operation.

Contact us to find out how we can help you.

Why Would You Use Copper Packed Metal Tube?

Copper packed metal tubing is designed for applications where standard flexible tubing simply isn’t strong or sealed enough.

By combining an interlocked metal structure with copper wire packing, this type of tubing offers enhanced strength, improved sealing, and greater durability – making it ideal for demanding industrial environments.

What is Copper Packed Metal Tube?

Copper packed tubing is a type of interlocked flexible metal tube made from a wound metal strip with a copper wire inserted into the interlock.

This construction creates a tube that is:

• Highly flexible
• Extremely strong
• More “gas tight” than standard interlock tubing

The copper packing fills the gaps within the interlock, improving sealing and stiffness.

Key Benefits of Copper Packed Tubing

1. Improved Gas Tightness

One of the main reasons to use copper packed tubing is its ability to reduce leakage.

The copper wire packing helps create a tighter seal within the tube, making it suitable for:

• Exhaust systems
• Fume extraction
• Air and gas transfer

This makes it a go-to solution where containment is important.

2. Greater Mechanical Strength

The interlocked design already provides strong structural integrity, but the addition of copper packing increases resistance to crushing and deformation.

This makes it ideal for:

• Harsh industrial environments
• Heavy-duty machinery
• Areas with physical stress or movement

3. Flexibility with Stability

Unlike some flexible hoses that are too soft, copper packed tubing offers a balance between flexibility and rigidity.

It can:

• Hold its shape (stay-put characteristics)
• Be routed around obstacles
• Maintain structural integrity under load

This is particularly useful in fixed installations.

4. High Temperature Performance

Copper packed interlock tubing can operate in high-temperature environments, with some variants capable of handling temperatures up to around 650°C.

This makes it suitable for:

• Engine exhaust systems
• Industrial heat processes
• Ventilation of hot gases

5. Vibration & Movement Absorption

Like other interlock tubing, copper packed versions are effective at absorbing:

• Vibration
• Thermal expansion
• Mechanical movement

This helps protect connected systems and extend equipment lifespan.

Typical Applications

Copper packed metal tubing is commonly used in:

• Exhaust systems (vehicles, generators, machinery)
• Ducting & extraction systems
• Material handling (dry powders, granules)
• Protective casings for cables or components

Its versatility makes it suitable across industries including manufacturing, automotive, and heavy engineering.

When Should You Choose Copper Packed Over Standard Tubing?

Copper packed tubing is the better choice when you need:

• A more gas-tight solution
• Increased strength and durability
• A tube that can hold its shape
• Performance in high-temperature environments

For lighter-duty or purely flexible applications, standard interlock tubing may be sufficient. But for more demanding conditions, copper packed tubing offers a clear performance advantage.

A Reliable Solution for Demanding Environments

Copper packed metal tubing is engineered for reliability where failure isn’t an option.

By combining flexibility, strength and improved sealing, it delivers a dependable solution for some of the toughest industrial applications.

Need Help Choosing the Right Tubing?

If you’re unsure whether copper packed tubing is right for your application, speak to Whitehouse Flexible Tubing for expert advice and bespoke solutions tailored to your requirements.