ATEX/ESD · Antistatic
NORPLAST® PUR-C 385 AIRFLEX®/AS
Antistatic polyurethane hose with integrated grounding wire for dissipating electrostatic charging. Abrasion-resistant PUR wall, permanently antistatic per ISO 8031 (resistance <10⁹ Ω). Designed for use in explosion-relevant areas, construction industry and surface treatment. The grounding wire is an active electrical component — the hose must be correctly connected to ground for the antistatic property to work.
- Antistatic <10⁹ Ω
- Grounding wire
- Abrasion-resistant PUR
- −40 to +90 °C
- ISO 8031
- Cut to length
Why this hose?
NORPLAST® PUR-C 385 AIRFLEX®/AS differs from other antistatic hoses with its integrated grounding wire. The wire is an active electrical conductor running along the hose's outer surface — visible as a metallic stripe. This dual system (antistatic PUR + grounding wire) provides faster dissipation of built-up static charge than a standard antistatic hose without wire.
The PUR wall is abrasion-resistant and tolerates both abrasive media (granulates, powders) and flexible use over time. The wide temperature range (−40 to +90 °C) makes it usable from cool environments to moderate process temperatures.
Where it is used
In surface treatment the hose typically sits on powder coating systems, where powder is pneumatically transported to the spray gun. Powder flows build static charge quickly — the hose's combination of antistatic PUR and grounding wire is specifically designed for that application.
In sandblasting it's a natural choice: wear on the inner lining is harsh, and static handling is critical because the blasting medium (sand, glass, grain) builds charge throughout the hose length.
In everyday talk we call it an "AS hose with ground wire" or "AIRFLEX AS" — the visible grounding wire is the first thing you recognise.
Technical specifications
Technical specifications for NORPLAST® PUR-C 385 AIRFLEX®/AS.
| Material | PUR wall, grounding wire, white PVC spiral |
|---|---|
| Colour | Black with visible grounding wire |
| Resistance (volume + surface) | <109 Ω (ISO 8031) |
| Temperature | −40 to +90 °C |
| Abrasion resistance | PUR-level (high) |
| Conformity | ISO 8031, REACH, RoHS |
| Cut to length | Yes |
| Manufacturer SKU group | 4608 |
Dimensions and ordering
Standard dimensions for NORPLAST® PUR-C 385 AIRFLEX®/AS.
| Inner Ø |
Outer Ø |
Wall thickness |
Working pressure |
Vacuum |
Bend radius |
Max. length |
Weight |
Roll |
Article no. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 31.4 | 0.5 | 1 | 0.25 | 17.5 | 20 | 0.2 | 20 | 4608025000 |
| 32 | 38.8 | 0.5 | 0.85 | 0.2 | 19 | 20 | 0.28 | 20 | 4608032000 |
| 38 | 45 | 0.5 | 0.75 | 0.2 | 31 | 20 | 0.375 | 20 | 4608038000 |
| 40 | 47 | 0.5 | 0.75 | 0.2 | 40 | 20 | 0.35 | 20 | 4608040000 |
| 45 | 52.6 | 0.5 | 0.65 | 0.2 | 42.5 | 20 | 0.4 | 20 | 4608045000 |
| 51 | 58.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 45 | 20 | 0.45 | 10, 20 | 4608050000 |
| 60 | 68 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.16 | 50 | 20 | 0.53 | 20 | 4608060000 |
| 63 | 71.4 | 0.7 | 0.45 | 0.16 | 48.5 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 4608063000 |
| 70 | 79.2 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.16 | 60 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 4608070000 |
| 76 | 85.4 | 0.7 | 0.375 | 0.16 | 66 | 20 | 0.75 | 20 | 4608075000 |
| 80 | 89.4 | 0.7 | 0.35 | 0.16 | 70 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 4608080000 |
| 90 | 100 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.14 | 80 | 20 | 0.9 | 20 | 4608090000 |
| 102 | 112.2 | 0.7 | 0.28 | 0.13 | 90 | 20 | 1.1 | 20 | 4608100000 |
| 127 | 139 | 0.8 | 0.25 | 0.1 | 107.5 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 4608125000 |
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
NORPLAST® PUR-C 385 AIRFLEX®/AS conforms to:
- ISO 8031. Test standard for electrical resistance in hoses.
- REACH and RoHS. EU directives for chemicals and hazardous substances.
Documentation and downloads
Additional documents about this hose, its compliance and installation. Click to download as PDF in a new tab.
Help with material selection
If you're choosing a hose and are unsure about the right resistance level or zone classification, these two articles are a good place to start:
The invisible weakest link
Why a conductive or antistatic hose isn't sufficient on its own — and what grounding means for the complete system.
Know your ohm
The difference between antistatic and conductive, which resistance limits apply where, and how to measure them correctly.
Industries that use it
NORPLAST® PUR-C 385 AIRFLEX®/AS is a first choice in industries where the antistatic property combined with grounding wire is valued:
In surface treatment and powder coating it's standard on pneumatic transport lines for powder. The dual antistatic solution (PUR + grounding wire) provides the best possible safety against static accumulation during continuous powder flow.
In sandblasting and abrasive medium handling it's a natural choice because wear and static handling are both critical parameters. Abrasion-resistant PUR + active grounding means the hose can be installed as a permanent component without frequent replacement.
Custom lengths and assemblies
The hose is delivered on 50 m rolls. We cut to length and fit couplings that include correct grounding — important for the antistatic property to work in the installation.
For serial solutions we can establish consistent assembly with standard grounding across the delivery.
Frequently asked questions
What is the grounding wire?
A metallic conductor running along the hose's outer surface — visible as a stripe. It functions as an active electrical dissipation path for static charge built up on the hose's surface. It must be correctly connected at both ends to function.
What's the difference between AIRFLEX/AS and standard antistatic hose?
Standard antistatic hose dissipates charge slowly through the wall's own resistance. AIRFLEX/AS additionally has an active grounding wire providing faster dissipation. Choose AIRFLEX/AS when static handling is critical and you need redundancy.
How do I correctly connect the grounding wire?
The wire must be connected to ground at both ends of the hose. Typically done via a ground clamp on the coupling or directly on the hose's metallic fitting. We fit the hose as a finished assembly with correct grounding — contact us for guidance if you're installing yourself.
Is it ATEX-approved?
It's antistatic-marked but not formally ATEX-marked as a product. For ATEX zones you should cross-check that the antistatic + grounding wire solution is sufficient for your specific zone. For formally ATEX-marked hoses choose metal-hose-inox-376.
Does it tolerate powder coating media?
Yes. The PUR wall is abrasion-resistant to coating powder, and the combination of antistatic + grounding wire is specifically suited for powder flow where static accumulation is a continuous challenge.
Does it tolerate sandblasting?
Yes, it's a standard application. The abrasion resistance is adapted to abrasive media like sand, glass beads and similar. The PUR lining can handle many thousand kilos of blasting medium before significant wear is seen.