Abrasion-resistant · Abrasion-resistant

ARMOFLEX/PU/FOOD

ARMOFLEX/PU/FOOD is a food-certified suction and pressure hose in PU construction with embedded steel spiral. Resistance to abrasive media (granulate, powder, pellets) combined with EU 10/2011 approval in five categories makes the hose well-suited to food and pharma production where both hygiene and wear resistance matter.

Download datasheet (PDF)

-25 to +85 C EU 10/2011 Food-grade Abrasion-resistant
  • -25 to +85 C
  • EU 10/2011 A-E
  • PU - wear-resistant
  • 5 bar pressure / 0.9 bar vacuum
  • Suction and pressure
  • Liquid and dry

Why this hose?

ARMOFLEX/PU/FOOD promises something that sounds like a contradiction: food hygiene AND wear resistance in the same hose. PU is the material that makes it possible - polyurethane is one of the few elastomers that both tolerates continuous food contact and is hard enough to withstand abrasive wear from granulate and powder.

EU 10/2011 approvals cover five food categories (A=aqueous, B=acidic, C=alcohol, D1=dairy, E=dry). This is broader than most competitor hoses that are typically certified for only one or two categories. It makes ARMOFLEX/PU/FOOD a standard solution for diversified food productions.

The embedded steel spiral is encased in PU - a detail that is critical for hygiene. An exposed metal spiral would be a corrosion and contamination risk under frequent CIP cleaning with hot water and bases. The casing ensures the hose can be cleaned per the same protocol as smooth-walled hygiene hoses.

Where it is used

Beverage factories, dairy and bakeries use the hose for internal raw material and final product transport. The PU construction is compatible with CIP cycles and can be cleaned regularly without losing food approval over its lifetime.

Pharma production uses the hose for bulk transport of powder and granulate raw materials. LFGB approval is typically required for hoses in contact with pharmaceutical raw materials - ARMOFLEX/PU/FOOD meets the requirement.

Animal feed production and grain processing use the hose for pellet and raw material handling where wear resistance is important alongside contamination avoidance. The PU lining's hardness plus the embedded spiral makes the hose well-suited to these mixed applications.

ARMOFLEX/PU/FOOD is colloquially known as a food hose or PU hose.

Technical specifications

The hose's key specifications are summarised briefly below. Food approvals cover the full operating temperature range and all five EU 10/2011 categories.

Outer wall/inner lining material PU (polyurethane)
Spiral Encased steel
Colour Transparent (both layers)
Temperature range -25 to +85 C
Working pressure 5 bar (all dimensions)
Vacuum 0.9 bar
Food approval EU 10/2011 Cat A, B, C, D1, E + EU 1935/2004 + LFGB
Construction Smooth outer and inner, encased steel spiral
Standard roll length 30 m
Manufacturer SKU 4483

Dimensions and ordering

The table shows the available standard dimensions. Pressure class is consistently 5 bar on all, with 0.9 bar vacuum resistance. Pressure values refer to 20 C.

Dimensions, pressure and vacuum data for ARMOFLEX/PU/FOOD
Inner Ø
[mm]
Outer Ø
[mm]
Wall thickness
[mm]
Working pressure
DIN 26057, 10 % elong. [bar]
Vacuum
axially fixed [bar]
Bend radius
[mm]
Max. length
[m]
Weight
[kg/m]
Roll
[m]
Article no.
38474.550.9270300.77304483038000
40494.550.9280300.82304483040000
5161550.9360301.2304483050000

Fields without a value (—) are not specified in the manufacturer's factsheet. Overpressure and underpressure values are recommended operating limits; the product can be subjected to higher loads on request. Bend radius is measured along the inside of the hose bend.

Standards and compliance

The hose is manufactured to European food standards and general quality systems. EU 10/2011 and EU 1935/2004 are the primary food approvals.

  • EU 10/2011. Food contact regulation - confirmed for categories A (aqueous), B (acidic), C (alcohol up to 20%), D1 (dairy) and E (dry) by 5-minute test at 40 C.
  • EU 1935/2004. General framework regulation for materials in contact with food. Manufacturer declaration on file.
  • (GMP) EU 2023/2006. Good Manufacturing Practice for food contact materials. Manufacturer declaration on file.
  • LFGB (German Food and Feed Code). German food and feed law - one of the strictest food approvals in Europe. Manufacturer declaration on file.
  • EN ISO 1307:2008. European standard for rubber and thermoplastic hoses for general use.
  • RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU). Restriction of hazardous substances. Manufacturer declaration on file.
  • REACH (EC 1907/2006). Registration of chemical substances. Manufacturer declaration on request.

Help with material selection

Although this hose isn't ATEX-relevant, these two articles provide useful background on electrical resistance and industrial safety — important if you later combine the hose with electrical equipment or work in mixed environments:

Industries that use it

ARMOFLEX/PU/FOOD is used where a food-certified hose must also handle abrasive media - a combination often unique to bakeries and grain-processing industries.

Food production (beverages, dairy, bakeries) is the main market. The PU lining is food-approved per EU 10/2011 in five categories, while being wear-resistant enough to handle abrasive raw materials like flour, sugar and grain. This reduces the need for separate hygiene and wear hoses.

Pharma production uses the hose for bulk transport of raw materials and excipients. EU 10/2011 and LFGB approvals are typically minimum requirements in pharma production - both are present on ARMOFLEX/PU/FOOD.

Animal feed production and general granulate handling are secondary markets. The hose is wear-resistant enough for grain pellets, feed pellets and raw material pellets. The encased steel spiral coating ensures the hose can be cleaned regularly without exposing the metal.

Custom lengths and assemblies

The hose can be delivered cut to desired lengths. The standard roll can be supplemented with shorter pieces or multiple rolls by arrangement.

At Particulair we advise on couplings and sizing. Send us a sketch of your application and we will assess the right variant and length.

See our custom hose assemblies

Frequently asked questions

Which foodstuffs can ARMOFLEX/PU/FOOD handle?

The hose is certified per EU 10/2011 in five categories (A, B, C, D1, E) covering most food groups - aqueous, acidic, alcoholic, dairy and dry foods. Confirmed by 5-minute test at 40 C per category. EU 1935/2004 and LFGB approval is also on file.

What do categories A, B, C, D1, E mean?

The EU 10/2011 categories classify foodstuffs by migration risk: A=aqueous (water, coffee, beer), B=acidic (wine, fruit juice), C=alcohol up to 20%, D1=dairy products (milk, cream), E=dry foods. The hose is tested and approved for all five - making it flexible for many different food processes.

Is the hose also suitable for abrasive media?

Yes - the PU lining is very wear-resistant, making the hose well-suited to transport of granulate, pellets and powder with abrasive effect (flour, sugar, coffee beans, grain). It retains food approval simultaneously - a large advantage in bakeries and grain industries where abrasive strength and hygiene are often combined requirements.

What temperature does the hose tolerate?

-25 to +85 C in normal operation. This covers most food processes incl. CIP cleaning with hot water and products at moderate heating. For hotter processes (above 90 C) we recommend a silicone-based or EPDM-lined hose.

Can the hose be used for CIP cleaning?

Yes - the PU lining is resistant to the bases and acids used in CIP (cleaning-in-place). Standard NaOH solution at 80 C the hose tolerates in brief contact (20-30 min at a time, which is typical CIP cycle). For more aggressive cleaning cycles we recommend specialised hygiene hose - contact us.

Which dimensions does ARMOFLEX/PU/FOOD come in?

Three standard dimensions: ID 38, 40 and 51 mm. The pressure class is 5 bar on all, and vacuum resistance is 0.9 bar. For smaller or larger dimensions we recommend alternative products in the same food portfolio - contact us.

What makes the embedded steel spiral necessary?

The steel spiral is encased in the PU wall so the metal does not come into contact with media. The function is twofold: it provides collapse resistance under vacuum (important when sucking from tank) AND it increases pressure resistance. The casing ensures the hose can be cleaned without exposing the metal.

Can the hose be delivered with specific couplings?

Yes - we offer hygiene couplings (DIN 11851, Tri-Clamp, RJT) pre-assembled. This is typical for food production where quick disassembly for cleaning is a daily procedure. Send us a configuration and we will assemble.