High-temperature · up to +210 °C
STEAMFLEX/EN/ISO
STEAMFLEX/EN/ISO is a standardised high-pressure steam hose per EN ISO 6134:2017 Type 2/A with double steel braid reinforcement and EPDM wall. The hose tolerates 18 bar saturated steam at 210 C and 55 bar hot water at 120 C. Burst pressure is 180 bar on all dimensions, and the hose is electrically conductive (below 10⁶ ohm) in both inner tube and outer coating - making it ATEX-suitable in zones where a conductive wall is required. The hose is typically used for steam cleaning, plant cleaning, hot-water systems and thermal processing in chemical industry, pharma, beverage production and shipbuilding.
- Up to +210 C steam
- 180 bar burst
- EN ISO 6134:2017
- Conductive
- Saturated Steam
- Plant cleaning
Why this hose?
STEAMFLEX/EN/ISO is a specialised high-pressure steam hose that meets the central European standard EN ISO 6134:2017 Type 2/A. Type 2 designates 18 bar working pressure steam - a pressure level at which most industrial steam systems in chemical industry, pharma and food production operate. The standard also defines construction requirements (EPDM wall, steel braid reinforcement, smooth bore) that ensure the hose can handle thermal cycling without layer separation or pressure loss.
Electrical conductivity below 10⁶ ohm in both core and cover is a particular advantage in process plant installations where the steam pipe crosses ATEX zones. A non-conductive steam hose would build up static electricity under particle flow in the steam and could trigger a spark - critical in zones with flammable solvents or dust. STEAMFLEX/EN/ISO discharges this charge naturally via the wall's own conductivity, eliminating the need for separate grounding systems except at connection points.
The construction with double steel braid reinforcement between inner and outer EPDM layers is the key to the high burst pressure (180 bar) at 210 C. Three layers work together: the inner EPDM tube holds the medium and provides smooth lining, the steel braid reinforcement carries the pressure load, and the outer EPDM coating protects the reinforcement from environment and UV. The perforated outer coating allows any steam bubbles from micro-leaks to escape without the coating ballooning - a safety property specific to steam hoses.
Where it is used
Chemical industry and pharma facilities use the hose for plant cleaning and thermal processing. A typical process plant has 5-10 steam stations used for weekly or monthly cleaning of reactors and storage tanks. STEAMFLEX/EN/ISO is the preferred hose for these stations due to EN ISO 6134:2017 qualification and the conductive wall that handles ATEX zone requirements in chemical production.
Beverage factories and breweries use the hose for CIP system steam distribution. CIP cycles require steam at 110-130 C for 30-60 minutes for sufficient microbial inactivation, and the hose's 18 bar steam rating with 180 bar burst pressure gives good margin for the pressure-temperature cycles that pass through the hose thousands of times annually.
Shipbuilding and industrial cleaning use the hose for mobile steam stations that handle ad-hoc cleaning on ships, construction sites and production facilities. The 40 m standard roll length and flexible EPDM wall make the hose practical for these mobile installations where it must be deployed, used and rolled back in a short time.
The hose is colloquially known as a steam hose, EN ISO steam hose or plant-cleaning hose.
Technical specifications
The hose's key specifications are briefly summarised below. Note the two different pressure ratings: 18 bar @ 210 C for saturated steam and 55 bar @ 120 C for hot water. The hose is qualified per EN ISO 6134:2017 Type 2/A and is electrically conductive in both inner and outer layers.
| Inner tube + outer coating material | EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer) |
|---|---|
| Reinforcement | Double steel braid |
| Colour inner + outer | Black + black |
| Temperature range | -40 to +210 C steam (peak +230 C) |
| Max. working pressure steam | 18 bar @ 210 C |
| Max. working pressure hot water | 55 bar @ 120 C |
| Burst pressure | 180 bar (all dimensions) |
| Electrical resistance | <106 Ω (both core and cover) - electrically conductive |
| Standard | EN ISO 6134:2017 Type 2/A (DS 1 ultra) |
| Manufacturer SKU | 3412 |
Dimensions and ordering
The table shows the hose's 6 standard dimensions. All dimensions have the same pressure rating: 180 bar burst, 18 bar steam, 55 bar hot water. Standard roll length varies 15-40 m depending on dimension.
| Inner Ø |
Outer Ø |
Wall thickness |
Burst pressure |
Bend radius |
Max. length |
Weight |
Roll |
Article no. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 25 | 6 | 180 | 65 | 40 | 0.55 | 40 | 3412013000 |
| 19 | 33 | 7 | 180 | 90 | 40 | 0.85 | 15, 20, 40 | 3412019000 |
| 25 | 40 | 7.5 | 180 | 145 | 40 | 1.1 | 20, 40 | 3412025000 |
| 32 | 48 | 8 | 180 | 200 | 40 | 1.55 | 40 | 3412032000 |
| 38 | 54 | 8 | 180 | 240 | 40 | 1.8 | 40 | 3412038000 |
| 51 | 69 | 9 | 180 | 340 | 40 | 2.65 | 40 | 3412050000 |
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 qualified per the central European standard for high-pressure steam hoses. EN ISO 6134:2017 is the defining reference.
- EN ISO 6134:2017 Type 2/A. European-international standard for rubber hoses for saturated steam. Type 2 = 18 bar working pressure steam; A = extra high pressure-temperature resistance (DS 1 ultra). The hose is printed with this imprint.
- EN 13501-1. European classification of building materials for fire properties. EPDM with steel braid reinforcement has generally good heat and fire resistance without specific EN 13501-1 classification.
- EN 12115. European standard for rubber and thermoplastic hoses for liquids and chemicals. General reference for hoses for liquid and steam transport.
- 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.
- ISO 9001:2015. Quality management system at the manufacturer. Ensures each batch follows the same specification.
- ATEX 2014/34/EU. EU directive for equipment in potentially explosive atmospheres. The hose is conductive (below 106 Ω), making it suitable for zones with explosion risk, but an explicit ATEX declaration is not in the factsheet - cross-check local zone assessment.
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
STEAMFLEX/EN/ISO is used where saturated steam or hot water under pressure must be transported - typically in industrial cleaning, thermal processing and facility maintenance.
Chemical industry and pharma are the main markets. Plant cleaning with saturated steam at 210 C is a standard procedure for sterilisation and cleaning of tanks, pipes and production facilities. The hose's 18 bar working pressure and EN ISO 6134:2017 qualification match the typical requirements from these industries' facility maintenance procedures. The conductive wall is an added advantage in zones where flammable solvents also occur.
Beverage industry and breweries use the hose for facility cleaning between product batches. Saturated steam at 110-130 C is the classic microbial inactivation method, and the hose's large ID range (13-51 mm) covers both local cleaning stations and larger central distribution pipes. Note however that the hose is not food-contact approved - it is intended for CIP systems that separately hygiene-validate the clean water that enters the product pipe.
Shipbuilding, construction sites and industrial cleaning are secondary markets. The hose's low temperature tolerance (-40 C) makes it well-suited to outdoor installations in cold climates. Combined with 40 m standard roll length and flexible EPDM wall, it is preferred for mobile steam stations that move between work sites.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What does EN/ISO 6134:2017 Type 2/A mean?
EN ISO 6134:2017 is the European-international standard for rubber hoses for saturated steam. Type 2 means the hose is qualified for 18 bar working pressure steam, and A is an internal classification that specifies extra high pressure and temperature resistance (DS 1 ultra). The hose is printed with this imprint on the outside, allowing standard compliance to be verified in the field.
What is the difference between steam and hot-water pressure?
The hose is qualified for 18 bar working pressure steam at 210 C and 55 bar working pressure hot water at 120 C. The difference is because hot water as liquid exerts lower thermal load on the rubber wall than steam at the same pressure. This is typical of steam hoses - liquid and vapour have different pressure-temperature profiles.
What construction is used in the hose?
The hose has a smooth inner EPDM tube and a perforated, wrapped outer EPDM coating. Between these two layers are two steel braid reinforcements (double steel braid reinforcement) that carry the pressure load. The construction is specific to high-pressure steam applications - the smooth lining minimises turbulence and condensate retention, and the steel reinforcement allows the hose to handle the high pressure-temperature combinations.
Is the hose electrically conductive?
Yes - both inner tube and outer coating have electrical resistance below 10⁶ ohm. This is a particularly ATEX-relevant property because the hose can be used in zones with explosive atmospheres where a conductive wall is mandatory. For zone 0 (continuously explosive) and zone 20 (continuously dust) a conductive wall is the minimum requirement. This significantly extends the hose's application area.
How many dimensions are in the range?
6 dimensions from 13 mm to 51 mm inner diameter. This is a specialised range - steam hoses typically have narrow ID ranges because large dimensions at high pressure require thicker reinforcement that makes the hose stiff and inflexible. All 6 dimensions have 180 bar burst pressure, 18 bar steam, 55 bar hot water and 40 m standard roll length.
Can the hose be used for CIP cleaning in food production?
The hose is intended for high-pressure steam and hot water, which is typical of plant cleaning - while actual CIP (cleaning-in-place) in food and pharma production requires food-contact approval per EU 1935/2004. STEAMFLEX/EN/ISO does NOT have explicit food approval on the factsheet. It is well-suited to general process cleaning with steam and hot water, but not to direct product-contact CIP cycles.
How low a temperature does the hose tolerate?
-40 C in normal operation. This is impressively low for a steam hose and means the hose can be stored outdoors in cold climates without becoming brittle. EPDM retains flexibility in a wide temperature range, making the hose well-suited to mobile steam installations at construction sites or ships in nordic waters.
Which couplings are recommended for the hose?
For 18 bar steam and 55 bar hot water the couplings require metal crimp clamps or steel break couplings with heat-resistant gasket. Standard worm-drive clamps are NOT sufficient - they cannot hold the pressure-temperature cycles. We typically fit fixed coupling solutions (DIN 2817 or similar chamber-tension) pre-assembled on the hose to the customer's specification.