High-temperature · up to +164 °C
VAPORCORD
VAPORCORD is a flexible steam and hot-water hose in EPDM construction with textile plies. The hose tolerates saturated steam up to 164 C at 7 bar and hot water up to 95 C at 20 bar. The wall is electrically conductive (<10^6 Ohm) for static dissipation. Typically used in chemical, food and pharma industries for steam cleaning and sterilisation cycles.
- Up to 164 C steam
- EPDM steam-resistant
- 7 bar steam / 20 bar water
- Conductive <10^6 Ohm
- High temperature
- Steam/water
Why this hose?
VAPORCORD is built on a specific EPDM formulation optimised for steam resistance. Many standard EPDM compounds degrade faster under continuous steam exposure due to hydrolysis - the VAPORCORD formulation contains additives that significantly extend this service life.
The perforated wrap outer wall is not a design flaw, but a deliberate feature: steam vapour that diffuses through the inner EPDM wall during operation can escape without accumulating between lining and reinforcement. A tight-walled alternative would balloon and delaminate over time.
The electrically conductive wall (<10^6 Ohm) is a safety feature: steam flow can generate static electricity, which can accumulate on an insulating hose and discharge as a spark at contact release. A conductive wall ensures the static continuously drains to ground via metal couplings.
Where it is used
Food and pharma industries use VAPORCORD for steam cleaning after production cycles. SIP (sterilisation-in-place) cycles typically at 121-134 C for 15-30 min - well within the hose's comfort zone. A conductive wall is not a requirement in all scenarios but reduces risk in mixed media handling.
Chemical industry and industrial cleaning use the hose for high-pressure steam and cold-vapor processes. The high temperature capacity is decisive for removing stuck residue that is not removed by general wash solutions - steam is often the only effective cleaning method for resin, melt residue and fat coatings.
Breweries and dairies use the hose in CIP installations and steam supply. A typical production facility cycles daily between product handling, liquid cleaning and steam sterilisation. VAPORCORD is a universal solution that covers all three phases without hose switching.
VAPORCORD is colloquially known as a steam hose or sterilisation hose.
Technical specifications
The hose's key specifications are summarised briefly below. Pressure values depend on whether the medium is steam or hot water - see the dimensions table for precise values per ID.
| Outer wall/lining material | EPDM |
|---|---|
| Outer wall construction | Perforated wrap |
| Reinforcement | Textile plies |
| Colour | Black (both layers) |
| Temperature range | -35 to +164 C (steam), max 95 C (hot water) |
| Working pressure steam | 7 bar at 164 C |
| Working pressure hot water | 20 bar at 95 C |
| Burst pressure | 70 bar |
| Electrical resistance | <106 Ω (conductive wall) |
| Manufacturer SKU | 3400 |
Dimensions and ordering
The table shows the available standard dimensions. Pressure values are specified separately for steam and hot water operation. Saturated steam at 164 C maxes at 7 bar; hot water at 95 C allows 20 bar.
| Inner Ø |
Outer Ø |
Wall thickness |
Burst pressure |
Bend radius |
Max. length |
Weight |
Roll |
Article no. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 21 | 5.5 | 70 | 70 | 40 | 0.36 | 40 | 3400010000 |
| 13 | 24 | 5.5 | 70 | 80 | 40 | 0.43 | 40 | 3400013000 |
| 19 | 33 | 7 | 70 | 115 | 40 | 0.73 | 40 | 3400019000 |
| 25 | 39 | 7 | 70 | 150 | 40 | 0.9 | 40 | 3400025000 |
| 32 | 47 | 7.5 | 70 | 195 | 40 | 1.18 | 40 | 3400032000 |
| 38 | 56 | 9 | 70 | 250 | 40 | 1.7 | 40 | 3400038000 |
| 51 | 69 | 9 | 70 | 300 | 40 | 2.1 | 40 | 3400050000 |
| 63.5 | 83.5 | 10 | 70 | 450 | 40 | 2.8 | 40 | 3400063000 |
| 76 | 98 | 11 | 70 | 550 | 40 | 3.7 | 40 | 3400075000 |
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 standards for industrial rubber hoses. EN ISO 1307:2008 is the primary construction standard.
- EN ISO 1307:2008. European standard for rubber and thermoplastic hoses for general use.
- EN ISO 8031:2020. Determination of electrical resistance in rubber and thermoplastic hoses. Confirms the hose's conductive properties (loop resistance <106 Ω).
- EN 853 / EN 856. Hydraulic and steam hose standards. Relevant for pressure resistance testing under cyclic thermal loads.
- BS 5118. British standard for rubber hoses for steam and hot water. Used as a reference point for industrial steam applications.
- RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU). Restriction of hazardous substances. Manufacturer declaration on file.
- REACH (EC 1907/2006). Registration of chemical substances.
- ISO 9001:2015. Quality management system at the manufacturer.
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
VAPORCORD is used in industries where steam and hot-water handling is a daily procedure - main applications are cleaning, sterilisation and high-temperature process water.
Food and pharma industries use the hose for CIP cleaning and steam sterilisation. The high temperature capacity (164 C with steam) meets typical SIP (sterilisation-in-place) requirements without needing separate steam solutions. EPDM resistance to CIP chemicals is a major advantage.
Chemical industry and industrial cleaning use the hose for high-pressure steam cleaning and cold-vapor processes. The hose's wall conductivity (<10^6 Ohm) reduces the risk of static-electric spark ignition in potentially explosive environments.
Breweries, dairies and industrial laundries use the hose for steam supply and product cleaning. EPDM is one of the few elastomers that tolerates prolonged steam exposure without hydrolysis degradation - a typical weakness mode of other rubber types.
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
Which temperatures does VAPORCORD tolerate?
-35 to +95 C with hot water (up to 20 bar pressure), and up to +164 C with saturated steam (up to 7 bar pressure). The EPDM construction is one of the few elastomers that tolerates prolonged steam exposure without hydrolysis damage.
What does electrically conductive <10^6 Ohm mean?
The hose wall has a total electrical resistance below 1 mega-Ohm. This means static electricity, which can build up under steam flow, can drain through metal couplings to ground. It is a safety feature that reduces the risk of spark ignition in potentially explosive environments.
Is VAPORCORD ATEX-approved?
The hose has conductive properties (<10^6 Ohm), but there is NO explicit ATEX marking on the factsheet. For officially ATEX-suitable zone-1 or zone-2 applications we recommend a variant with explicit ATEX 2014/34/EU approval - contact us for advice.
Can the hose handle CIP cleaning?
Yes - the EPDM lining is resistant to all standard CIP chemicals (NaOH, nitric acid, oxalic acid, phosphoric bases) at typical CIP temperatures (60-90 C). The hose's high temperature capacity (up to 164 C with steam) makes it ideal for subsequent sterilisation cycles with steam.
How much pressure does the hose tolerate?
70 bar burst pressure and 20 bar working pressure with hot water. With steam at 164 C the working pressure is reduced to 7 bar - a consequence of the material's tensile strength falling at high temperatures. Large safety margin (3-10x) at all scenarios protects against unexpected pressure spikes.
What is the difference between steam and hot water in the hose service?
Steam and hot water load the hose differently. Hot water gives higher working pressure and is less corrosive. Steam is higher temperature but lower operating pressure - and can condense internally if the hose is cooled. The EPDM construction is chosen because it tolerates both load modes without damage.
Which couplings are recommended?
For steam applications metal crimp clamps or flange couplings are necessary - standard worm-drive clamps are not designed for the cyclic thermal shifts between 20 and 164 C. We offer pre-assembled configurations with steam-suitable couplings - contact us.
How long does VAPORCORD last?
Service life depends on operating temperature and number of steam/water cycles. Daily industrial use typically gives 2-4 years - shorter than many standard hoses due to the high thermal load. Annual leak test with compressed air is recommended. Visual inspection for cracks or discolouration should be performed monthly.