An Overview of Static and Dynamic Bend Radii

When it comes to flexible hose safety, minimum bend radius (MBR) is a vital specification that must be considered regardless of the media being processed or the environment the hose will be used in. The MBR is the radius of a bent section of hose, measured to the innermost surface of the curved position. While most hoses feature a single MBR measurement, flexible metal hoses list two: static bend radius and dynamic bend radius. As a leading manufacturer of high-quality flexible hoses, the team at Flextech Industries knows how important it is to understand the differences between these measurements. That is why we have provided an overview of static and dynamic bend radii to provide you with the information you need to choose the right hose.

Learn about the different types of flexible hoses available.

Static Bend Radius

Static bend radius is best defined as the smallest fixed radius to which a hose can be subjected to without sustaining damage. To phrase it another way, static bend radius is used to measure the radius of flexible hoses that will be bent into a fixed position. Static bend radius is typically an advisory value that is intended to help users prevent lasting damage to their hose.

When should you use flexible metal hoses?

While this value is useful for avoiding accidents and lasting equipment damage, it is not typically used for flexible metal hoses as these units will often need to move or flex in some way during their usable life. It is only advised to reference static bend radius if the hose will be installed in place of a hard pipe or in an instance where it will not be subjected to changes in pressure, vibrations, or flexing.

What is residual torsional stress and why does it matter?

Dynamic Bend Radius

Dynamic bend radius is the radius at which a hose can be used without kinking while constant or continuous flexing occurs. This measurement refers to the bend radius of the hose while materials pass through it and cause it to flex or vibrate, making it a crucial statistic to consider for most applications. “Dynamics” refer to the hose flexing, bending, vibrating, or experiencing large pressure swings, all of which can occur when handling various forms of media.

Since most hose applications include some form of dynamics, the dynamic bend radius measurement is referenced far more frequently than the static bend radius. In addition to dynamic bend radius, it is worth considering the amount of force that is required to induce bending around a specific radius, as this will help you choose the ideal hose for your needs.

Find out how to choose the best flexible hose manufacturer.

To learn more about our selection of flexible hoses or to inquire about our other products, get in touch with the team at Flextech Industries. We can be reached through our online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our products.