PTFE hose costs more than rubber — and earns it back wherever chemistry, temperature, or purity push rubber past its limits. One hose that handles acids, solvents, steam, and CIP cleaning cycles means fewer hose types in the crib and fewer compatibility mistakes on the floor.

Where PTFE Wins

Media above 300°F, aggressive solvents and acids that attack elastomers, pharmaceutical and food service needing a non-contaminating, fully cleanable tube, steam transfer at small diameters, hot oils, and paint/resin lines where nothing sticks to the tube wall. Temperature range runs roughly -65°F to 450°F continuous.

Smoothbore vs Convoluted

Smoothbore gives maximum flow and full drainability — the pick for sanitary service and precise fluid transfer — but kinks if the bend radius is pushed, especially above 1/2" ID. Convoluted (helically corrugated) tube trades a little flow for dramatically better flexibility and kink resistance, making it the standard for larger IDs and tight routing. For pharma, specify convoluted hose with a smooth interior weld profile or opt for silicone-jacketed sanitary PTFE assemblies.

Braid & Cover Options

304 stainless braid is the standard pressure carrier; 316 braid for corrosive atmospheres; polypropylene braid where washdown chemicals attack stainless. Silicone or EPDM covers add abrasion protection and a clean, grippable exterior for manual handling.

The Static Electricity Rule

PTFE is an insulator. Flowing non-conductive media — fuels, solvents, steam condensate — builds static charge that can pinhole the tube from the inside out. For those services, always specify conductive (carbon black lined) PTFE with metal end fittings, and bond the assembly to ground. This is the single most missed spec item on PTFE hose orders.

Fittings & Assembly

PTFE assemblies use crimped or swaged ends — JIC, NPT, sanitary tri-clamp, cam and groove — and should be factory-assembled and tested, not field-fitted. We build and hydrostatically test PTFE assemblies in-house with tags and test documentation.

Spec Yours in Two Minutes

Put media, temperature, ID, length, ends, and whether the media is non-conductive into the quote form at the top of this page — our team returns pricing and lead time in 1–2 business hours.