Flexible silicone hose with stainless steel spiral
The QSP Products flexible silicone hose is designed for pipe runs where a conventional straight silicone hose does not provide sufficient routing flexibility. Our flexible hose incorporates a stainless steel spiral that supports the hose as it is formed into a curved route and helps prevent unwanted kinking.
The hose is intended for air or suitable coolant water and has an overall length of 100 cm. This makes it particularly useful for custom pipework in race cars, rally cars, tuned vehicles, kit cars, machinery and other technical installations where connections cannot be joined by a completely straight hose.
Why use a flexible silicone hose?
In a custom installation, two connection points are not always perfectly aligned. A conventional straight hose may be placed under unnecessary stress, while constructing the route from several fixed elbows and connectors can make the system more complicated than necessary.
The QSP flexible silicone hose offers an alternative solution. Its internal stainless steel spiral supports the hose while the route is being formed, reducing the tendency of the hose to collapse into a sharp kink.
This allows a single hose section to follow a curved or slightly offset route without requiring a separate moulded elbow for every change in direction.
Stainless steel spiral supports the hose when bending
The stainless steel spiral is the main construction feature that separates this product from a conventional straight silicone hose.
When a conventional hose is bent too sharply, the inside wall of the bend can pull inwards and reduce the available flow area. The stainless steel spiral in our flexible hose supports the cross-section as the hose is shaped, helping to prevent unwanted kinking.
This is particularly relevant in air and coolant pipework, where a severely restricted hose can reduce the available flow path.
The internal diameter cannot be stretched or reduced
An important technical characteristic of this hose is that its diameter cannot be stretched larger or compressed smaller. The integrated stainless steel spiral supports and defines the hose diameter.
It is therefore essential to select the correct internal diameter for the connection before ordering. Do not attempt to force an undersized spiral-reinforced hose over a larger pipe or outlet.
QSP Products specifies the hose size by internal diameter (I.D.).
How do I choose the correct flexible silicone hose size?
Measure the outside diameter of the pipe, outlet or connector onto which the hose will be fitted. Select a silicone hose with a corresponding internal diameter.
For example, a 25 mm outside-diameter aluminium connection would normally require a 25 mm internal-diameter silicone hose.
Correct sizing is particularly important with this spiral-reinforced construction because its diameter cannot simply be stretched to compensate for an incorrectly sized connection.
100 cm length for custom pipe routing
The QSP flexible silicone hose has an overall length of 100 cm, providing substantial freedom when designing a custom route.
Before final installation, determine the complete hose path and check the position of all connections. Allow for component movement and make sure the hose remains clear of sharp edges and excessively hot components.
Where the entire length is not required, design the installation around the necessary hose run while retaining sufficient straight engagement at each connection for secure clamping.
Flexible hose or moulded silicone elbow?
A flexible silicone hose and a moulded elbow serve different purposes. Selecting the correct type of hose for each part of the installation results in a cleaner and more mechanically appropriate system.
Choose a moulded silicone elbow when:
- the required angle is known in advance;
- a fixed 45-degree, 90-degree, 135-degree or other available bend matches the route;
- a compact and predictable geometry is required;
- the system consists mainly of rigid aluminium pipework.
Choose a flexible silicone hose when:
- the final routing needs to be adjusted during installation;
- the hose needs to follow several gradual directional changes;
- a standard fixed elbow does not match the required geometry;
- a longer curved connection is preferable to several individual components.
Both types can also be combined within the same installation. A rigid aluminium pipe section can, for example, be connected to a flexible silicone section where additional freedom in the route is required.
Flexible silicone hose for race, rally and tuning applications
Race, rally and tuned vehicles frequently use non-standard component positions. A different radiator, intercooler, engine layout, intake system or custom cooling system can result in connections that no longer match the original hose routing.
In these applications, a flexible silicone hose can help create a custom connection without requiring a separate moulded elbow for every minor change in direction.
Typical applications can include:
- custom coolant pipework;
- suitable air ducting;
- race and rally cars;
- track and tuning projects;
- kit cars and custom builds;
- machinery and technical installations.
Using flexible silicone hose for coolant
The current QSP Products specification describes this hose for air or suitable coolant water. When installing it in a cooling circuit, the actual coolant and operating conditions of the system must also be considered.
The route should be designed so the hose is not mechanically crushed, allowed to rub against sharp components or positioned unnecessarily close to an extreme heat source.
Using the hose for air
The hose is also intended for suitable air applications. In this type of installation, the stainless steel spiral is useful because it supports the hose cross-section when the route is curved.
Maintaining an open internal flow path is especially important in air systems where unrestricted airflow is desirable.
For pressure or vacuum applications, always verify suitability for the actual operating conditions. The current QSP Products page does not publish a separate maximum working-pressure figure for this specific flexible spiral hose, so pressure ratings from different QSP silicone hose constructions should not automatically be applied to it.
Installing flexible silicone hose correctly
Correct installation begins with the right internal diameter and a compatible connection. The hose should slide sufficiently over the pipe or outlet without requiring the diameter to be forced open.
During installation:
- select the correct internal diameter before ordering;
- do not force the hose over an oversized connection;
- form the route gradually;
- avoid unnecessarily sharp bends;
- prevent contact with sharp bodywork or machinery;
- allow for engine and pipework movement;
- keep the hose away from excessive direct heat;
- use suitable hose clamps at the connections;
- inspect the finished route for any visible restriction or kinking.
Why should the hose not be bent excessively?
The stainless steel spiral makes the hose more suitable for curved routing and supports its cross-section, but this does not mean that an arbitrarily tight bend is good engineering practice.
The pipe run should follow as natural a path as possible. Where a very sharp change in direction is required, a moulded QSP silicone elbow can be a more appropriate solution than forcing the flexible hose into an extreme bend.
Choosing the correct hose type for each section reduces unnecessary mechanical stress on both the hose and its connections.
Movement, vibration and mechanical loading
Engines, radiators and associated pipework can move relative to one another during operation. This movement should be considered when determining the hose route.
The flexible construction can accommodate a non-straight route, but it should not be used to compensate for severely misaligned components by installing the hose under permanent tension.
Where possible, connections should be aligned logically and the flexibility of the hose should be used for its intended purpose: creating a practical curved route between compatible components.
Combine with other QSP Products components
QSP Products supplies a range of parts that can be used to construct complete custom air and suitable coolant systems. Depending on the installation, our flexible silicone hose can be combined with:
- aluminium pipes;
- aluminium bends;
- aluminium connectors;
- straight silicone hoses;
- moulded silicone elbows;
- silicone reducers;
- silicone T-pieces;
- suitable hose clamps.
Combining rigid pipework with flexible connections allows each component to perform a specific function within the complete pipe system.
Common mistakes with flexible silicone hose
- Selecting an undersized hose and attempting to stretch it over the connection.
- Using an oversized hose and relying solely on the clamp to compensate.
- Forcing the hose into an extremely sharp bend when a moulded elbow would be more appropriate.
- Allowing the hose to rub against sharp bodywork or machinery.
- Failing to allow for engine movement and vibration.
- Using the hose with a fluid without first considering material compatibility.
- Applying pressure ratings from a different silicone hose construction to this product without verification.
- Using permanent hose tension to compensate for badly aligned pipework.
Frequently asked questions about flexible silicone hose
What is a flexible silicone hose?
The QSP flexible silicone hose is a straight silicone hose incorporating a stainless steel spiral. The spiral supports the hose while it is bent and helps prevent the internal passage from being severely restricted by kinking.
What is QSP flexible silicone hose used for?
The current QSP product is intended for air or suitable coolant water and can be used in custom automotive, motorsport, tuning, machinery and technical pipework applications.
How long is the QSP flexible silicone hose?
The current QSP flexible silicone hose has an overall length of 100 cm.
Why does the hose contain a stainless steel spiral?
The stainless steel spiral supports the hose construction while it is bent. This helps reduce unwanted kinking and the associated reduction in the available internal flow area.
Can I stretch the internal diameter of the flexible silicone hose?
No. According to the current QSP Products information, the integrated stainless steel spiral means the hose diameter cannot be stretched larger or reduced smaller. The correct I.D. must therefore be selected from the start.
Is the stated hose size the internal diameter?
Yes. QSP Products specifies the size of this hose by its internal diameter.
What size silicone hose fits an aluminium pipe?
Measure the outside diameter of the aluminium pipe and normally select the same nominal dimension as the silicone hose I.D. A 25 mm O.D. pipe, for example, will generally require a 25 mm I.D. hose, provided the actual connection is suitable.
Can I use this hose for coolant?
Yes. The current QSP Products description specifies the hose for air or suitable coolant water. Always verify the actual coolant and operating conditions of the system.
Can I use this flexible hose for turbo or pressurised air?
The actual system pressure and hose specification must be verified first. The current QSP product page does not state a separate maximum working pressure for this specific spiral-reinforced flexible hose, so figures from other hose constructions should not automatically be used.
Can flexible silicone hose replace every moulded elbow?
No. A moulded 45-degree or 90-degree elbow can be more appropriate for a sharp, predefined directional change. Flexible hose is particularly useful where the final route needs to be shaped during installation.
What is the difference between flexible and ordinary straight silicone hose?
A conventional straight silicone hose is primarily intended to connect components in a straight line. The flexible QSP version incorporates a stainless steel spiral and is specifically designed to follow a curved route more effectively.
Why should I not force the hose over a larger connection?
The stainless steel spiral prevents the diameter from simply stretching larger. An incorrectly sized hose therefore cannot reliably be corrected by forcing it over an oversized pipe or fitting.
Can flexible silicone hose be combined with aluminium pipework?
Yes. Flexible silicone hose can form part of a custom system using QSP aluminium pipes, bends and connectors. Always match the hose I.D. to the relevant connection diameter and use suitable clamps.
Buy flexible silicone hose from QSP Products
QSP Products flexible silicone hose provides additional routing freedom for custom air and suitable coolant systems where a conventional straight hose is not practical. Its integrated stainless steel spiral supports the hose while bending and helps prevent unwanted kinking. Always select the correct internal diameter, as the spiral-reinforced construction cannot be stretched larger or reduced smaller.
