Flexible Air Duct

A flexible air duct is a type of flexible air transmission duct with an aluminum layer laminated with polyester on the inside. This product is manufactured in diameters ranging from 3 to 120 centimeters and standard branch lengths of 6 to 10 meters. It’s known by various names including flexible air duct, flexible pipe, flex hose, and flexible hose.

The diversity of this product lies in its various outer layers, which fall into two categories: simple flexible air ducts (comb and foil flexible air ducts) and insulated flexible air ducts. The temperature resistance of the flexible air duct ranges from -30 to 120+ degrees Celsius.

This product is used in all air conditioning systems, cooling and heating systems, ducted split systems, and ducted cooler systems, as well as in all building projects including residential, commercial, office, hospital, laboratory, and industrial projects.

What is a Flexible Air Duct?

Flexible air duct is one of the most commonly used items for air or material transmission in various industries, especially in the construction industry. This flexible pipe for air transmission is so widely used and important that carrying out air circulation and directing air and materials practically becomes impossible without it.

Various types of pipes and ducts available in the market are used for air distribution, but the use of flexible air ducts always comes with numerous advantages, making it twice as popular as other similar products. This is why the use of this type of air pipe has increased day by day.

The most important factor that has led to the extensive use of flexible air ducts in many cases is its unique and special structure, which, in addition to providing high strength, also offers significant flexibility.

Structure of Flexible Air Ducts

All types of flexible air ducts have a circular cross-section and a tubular structure. It should be noted that they are often made of PVC with different thicknesses and shapes, all of which are reinforced with a steel spring wire.

This means that a steel spring wire is spirally embedded between the layers forming the structure of flexible air ducts. The use of this spring wire in the structure of flexible air ducts not only significantly increases their resistance and strength but also provides them with high flexibility.

This way, various types of flexible air ducts can be easily used in different applications and models. Because these types of air pipes can easily pass through the toughest routes with many obstacles, low and high points.

Different types of flexible air ducts have a rigid, cohesive, and integrated structure. When installed in difficult-to-pass and confined routes such as false ceilings, they easily pass through while maintaining their round and cohesive structure. This allows them to handle operations such as air circulation, dust, pollutants, etc., with ease.

Advantages of Flexible Air Ducts

As mentioned before, flexible air ducts have numerous advantages mainly due to their unique structure. The resilient, soft, and highly flexible nature of these air ducts makes them easier to use compared to other simple products.

The lightweight of air duct hoses is one of the advantages, making both their usage and installation convenient. Moreover, this feature allows for easy maintenance and transportation in the shortest possible time.

For instance, nowadays, flexible cooler air ducts have become an acceptable and suitable replacement for various types of four-sided metal ducts that were traditionally made and used in the past.

Many other examples of old-style air and material transmission pipes have given way to various types of flexible air ducts in different industries, indicating the countless capabilities of flexible air ducts.

The flexibility of different types of hose pipes is such that a considerable length of them can be accommodated in a small space. For example, different lengths of hose pipes can be packaged in relatively small boxes. This not only makes storage and warehousing much simpler but also facilitates transportation in the shortest time.

Despite their flexibility and light weight, all types of flexible air ducts also possess significant resistance. The primary reason for this is the steel spring wire used in their structure. This steel spring wire not only enhances their strength but also provides the ability for the air duct to expand or contract in size.

Minimal vibration, easy production with advanced machinery and equipment, reasonable fire resistance, resistance against ultraviolet (UV) rays, excellent airtightness, and no leakage due to the absence of seams along the length of the air duct are just a few of the countless and unique advantages of flexible air ducts that contribute to their popularity.

Comparison between Flexible Air Ducts and Spiral Ducts

The most important and fundamental difference between these two ducts is their structure. Flexible hose air ducts have a flexible and cohesive structure, easily adaptable to different orientations. On the other hand, due to the metallic nature of spiral ducts, they cannot be directed in different necessary orientations without the use of additional fittings and equipment.

Spiral ducts are pipes for air or material transmission made of metal. Spiral ducts made of aluminum, steel, copper, and galvanized steel are among the most commonly used types of spiral ducts.

Due to its high resistance, spiral ducts are often used in larger-scale industries. For example, galvanized spiral ducts are used for water and sewage, gas, etc. They are also employed in road construction, dam building, and large-scale civil engineering operations.

On the other hand, flexible air ducts have their own specific advantages. Their resilient nature makes installation, assembly, transportation, storage, and usage much simpler than any other type of air and material transmission pipes.

What are the Types of Flexible Air Ducts?

Considering the various materials used for producing different types of hose pipes, various models of this product are available in the market. Each type of flexible air duct serves a specific purpose. For example, some of these hoses are widely used in the automotive industry, while others are extensively used in laboratories and clean rooms for the transfer of fluids.

Thanks to the unique and distinctive features of each of these ducts, they can be used in specific applications. For instance, there is a specific type of flexible air duct that has a completely transparent body, allowing the passage of materials inside the duct to be completely visible. This is crucial because, in the event of a problem or blockage along the length of the duct, the location of the issue can be quickly identified and rectified.

There are other models of flexible air ducts, and we will now focus on some of the most important and commonly used ones.

Flexible Foil Air Ducts

Foil air ducts are among the most widely used models of flexible air ducts. This product is entirely flexible and has a springy nature. Consequently, its installation and setup are straightforward. It can be easily rotated in any direction desired by the operator. Despite the high flexibility of aluminum flexible foil air ducts, they also possess substantial resistance and strength. In other words, these hose-like air ducts are never prone to tearing, thanks to their integrated and cohesive structure.

Flexible Foil Air Ducts are produced in various sizes, ranging from 10 to 45 centimeters in diameter, and in 10-meter sections, then supplied to the market. Due to the wide variety of sizes available in flexible tubes, they can be conveniently used in any space, even confined ones.

These ducts are primarily used for air transmission and distribution among different parts of a building, as well as guiding air to the external environment. Therefore, it can be concluded that the main application of this product is in air conditioning systems and air handling and cooling systems.

Furthermore, these flexible foil air ducts play a crucial role in dust and lightweight particle discharge and transfer. Connected to a powerful blower, these ducts serve as effective air discharge conduits, performing their role efficiently.

The flexibility of the Flexible Ventilation Foil Air Ducts, like other flexible duct models, allows for easy installation and usage, even in locations where traditional ductwork installation might be challenging.

Comb Flexible Air Ducts

This hose-like duct has a structure similar to that of foil air ducts, with the difference being that Comb Flexible Air Ducts feature a PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) coating, which enhances its resistance to impact, stretching, and tearing. Despite its multi-layered structure and high resistance, this product is reasonably priced, making it popular and increasingly utilized. Comb Flexible Air Ducts are employed for exhaust fans, air conditioning systems, ductwork installation, fan coils, and more.

Insulated Flexible Air Ducts

In some cases, for energy efficiency and prevention of energy loss, insulation can be used for various types of flexible air ducts. Insulating these hose ducts can reduce energy waste and prevent moisture infiltration, effectively avoiding issues caused by moisture, such as mold growth and bacterial accumulation.

Different variations of insulated hose ducts exist, such as those insulated with polyester materials, each serving specific purposes and environments.

Applications of Flexible Air Ducts

Each type of flexible air duct has its specific applications. For example, the resistance of these hoses to reactions and chemicals makes them suitable for passing chemical substances like acids and bases without corroding. Therefore, they are used in industrial laboratories and more. Furthermore, Flexible Air Ducts are commonly used as air ducts in HVAC systems, for exhaust fans, split duct installations, fan coils, cooling ducts, and more. There are also other types of flexible air ducts used for the transfer of water and other fluids, such as agricultural drip irrigation ducts, used to transport water and other materials to agricultural fields. These hoses are also used for pumping out well water.

Many models of flexible air ducts are employed in various industries, such as automotive manufacturing, stone and tile factories, carpentry workshops, and more, serving as air discharge conduits and blowers.

Flexible Air Duct Installation Guide

In many cases, it is necessary to employ specialized professionals for the installation of ducts, as the calculations for duct dimensions and installation pathways can be complex and require specific knowledge and skills. However, for installations such as range hood ducts in home kitchens and similar scenarios, individuals themselves can easily perform the installation of flexible air ducts using online tutorials or guides.