Cryogenic duty is the one where austenitic stainless has no real competitor. It keeps its toughness all the way down; carbon and ferritic steels do not. The engineering moves from the hose to everything around it — insulation, supports, and what happens to the fittings at temperature.
Applications and the products that suit them
| Application | Product |
|---|---|
| Liquid nitrogen, oxygen and argon transfer | Braided corrugated hose in 316L, rated to −196 °C |
| Vacuum-jacketed transfer lines | Jacketed assembly with an evacuated annulus |
| Cold box connections | Braided corrugated hose in 316L |
| Storage tank fill and withdrawal | Braided corrugated hose with rope lagging |
| Vaporiser connections | Axial expansion joint in 321 |
| Pump and expander connections | Braided corrugated hose unlined |
| Vent and relief lines | Braided corrugated hose in 316L |
Specification notes for this sector
- 316L to −196 °C; the fittings and any gasket usually govern, not the hose
- Rope lagging on exposed cold lines — condensation and ice loading are real
- State whether vacuum jacketing is required at enquiry; it changes the whole assembly
What to send with an enquiry
Bore, medium, pressure, temperature, movement and both end connections. The reasoning for each is on how to specify an assembly.
Related technical reading
Media compatibility · Temperature derating · Failure modes · Installation guide