PROTAPE® MEMORY
PROTAPE® MEMORY is the crush-resistant film hose construction from NORRES BAGGERMAN. It builds on the same spiral-welded film tape as standard PROTAPE, but adds a special outer reinforcement and a folding geometry that deliver high vacuum capacity and semi- or fully crush-resistant performance — without losing the low weight and flexibility that define PROTAPE.
Construction description
PROTAPE MEMORY starts from the classic PROTAPE construction: a thin extruded film tape spiral-welded around a bare spring steel wire, with a coherent gas- and liquid-tight weld seam. What makes the MEMORY variant distinct are two construction features added on top of that base.
The first is a special outer reinforcement. It is what gives the construction its crush resistance — depending on the type, the reinforcement is either limited (semi-crush-resistant: the hose recovers after temporary pressure) or full (crush-resistant: the hose withstands sustained pressure without losing its shape). The reinforcement also acts as external abrasion protection when the hose is dragged across floor, chain or machine surface.
The second is a special outer folding geometry. It functions as a mechanical barrier against collapse under negative pressure: when the hose is placed under vacuum, the folding pattern redistributes the pressure so the wall does not collapse. That geometry is what gives MEMORY its high vacuum capacity — without needing greater wall thickness or an embedded stiff spiral as in AIRDUC or NORPLAST.
Properties
MEMORY is the construction to choose when you need vacuum capacity and crush resistance, but do not want to give up PROTAPE's lightweight and flexible character:
- High vacuum capacityThe special outer folding geometry prevents collapse under negative pressure — without using a stiff spiral or thick wall.
- Crush resistanceWithstands lateral pressure — semi-crush or fully crush-resistant depending on type.
- External abrasion protectionThe outer reinforcement resists wear when the hose is dragged across floor or chain.
- Extremely lightRetains PROTAPE's low weight — markedly lower than rubber or full-plastic hoses with comparable crush properties.
- Extreme flexibilityFollows tight bends without sharp kinks — and can be rolled up for storage.
- Gas- and liquid-tight weld seamCoherent welding of the film tape provides high reliability against leakage.
- Bare spring steel (no PVC coating)Retains strength at higher temperatures and provides full electrical conductivity.
- Customisable colourOptional partial colouring on the reinforcement profile — useful for zone marking.
Applications
PROTAPE MEMORY is typically used wherever a hose must combine strong vacuum or suction with flexibility and low weight — mobile suction units, transportable dust and chip extraction, and applications where the hose often sits on the floor or has to withstand external pressure from being driven or stepped over. The crush-resistant variant is the right choice when the consequence of a one-time collapse is too high — for example in critical transport lines or where a mobile unit must be able to be driven over.
In the woodworking industry, MEMORY handles the same media as the TIMBERDUC variants of PROTAPE and AIRDUC, but with a vacuum advantage and crush resistance. In the plastics and granulate industry, MEMORY is used on the suction line where flow is critical and the hose mobile. In ATEX areas, the AS variant is used with antistatic formulation combined with grounding via the steel spiral.
Manufacturer and distribution
PROTAPE® MEMORY is developed and manufactured by NORRES BAGGERMAN in Gelsenkirchen, Germany — one of the world's leading producers of technical hose systems for industrial and process applications, ISO 9001:2015 certified by TÜV Rheinland. Particulair is the distributor for NORRES BAGGERMAN in Scandinavia and provides the local advisory work, customisation and installation support that makes the construction practical in your specific process.
Related constructions and documentation
Frequently asked questions about PROTAPE MEMORY
What do semi-crush-resistant and crush-resistant mean?
Semi-crush-resistant means the hose withstands limited lateral pressure — it can be compressed temporarily but recovers its shape. Crush-resistant means the hose withstands sustained pressure without losing its shape. Which variant to choose depends on whether the hose may be stepped on, run over, or placed under load in service. NORRES BAGGERMAN offers both PROTAPE MEMORY variants depending on the requirement.
How does the folding geometry deliver high vacuum capacity?
The special outer folding geometry on PROTAPE MEMORY acts as a mechanical barrier against collapse — when the hose is placed under negative pressure, the folding pattern redistributes the pressure and prevents the hose from collapsing. That is what gives the MEMORY construction its high vacuum capacity without needing greater wall thickness or an embedded stiff spiral.
When should I choose PROTAPE MEMORY over AIRDUC?
Both constructions provide good vacuum capacity, but they achieve it differently. AIRDUC uses a stiff profile strip with spring steel — robust, wear-resistant, high axial stiffness. PROTAPE MEMORY uses thin film tape with outer reinforcement and folding geometry — lighter, more flexible, lower axial stiffness. Choose AIRDUC when wear and axial stiffness are critical; choose MEMORY when weight, flexibility and crush resistance matter more — and when the hose is often laid on the floor, stepped on or packed away.
Does the outer reinforcement also protect against abrasion?
Yes. The outer reinforcement on PROTAPE MEMORY also protects against external abrasion — the hose can be dragged across floors or chains without wearing through the film. That is a benefit in field applications where the hose is mobile and exposed to external contact. Internal abrasion (from the medium running through the hose) depends on the material choice in the film itself.
Can PROTAPE MEMORY be grounded against electrostatic charge?
Yes. The construction builds on the same spiral-welded spring steel spiral as standard PROTAPE — without PVC coating on the steel. That gives full electrical conductivity for grounding. ATEX zone suitability requires a documented test report under ATEX 2014/34/EU and TRGS 727 — all approved variants are listed in the ATEX & TRGS zones documentation.
Where do I find the specific MEMORY models?
This construction page describes the construction principle. The actual PROTAPE MEMORY variants (with material and certification details, dimension tables and lead times) are listed under the product overview. If you need help finding the right match for your application, contact us.