GP - General Purpose Liner

Purpose  - Bioflex GP is the 'General Purpose' grade, for use in all applications where fluids or gases are being conveyed which do not generate a risk of static charge development (see 'AS')

Design & Approvals

A full list of Approvals is given in the Quality Assurance Section

Bioflex GP is a virgin PTFE liner, manufactured from hose grade PTFE which conforms to the requirements of:

FDA 21 CFR 177.1550

Bioflex GP hose liner tube has also been tested and complies with USP Class VI, at 37°C (99°F), 70°C (158°F) and at 121°C (250°F)

Bioflex GP and AS PTFE Liner Tubes have also been tested for Leachables and Extractables in accordance with BPSA recommendations, and were found to be satisfactory.

EC - Electrical Continuity
(Also known as 'Electrically Bonded')

All Bioflex hose assemblies are electrically continuous, except Grade TO. Electrical Continuity requires that the hose assembly supplied is electrically continuous, or conductive, between metal end fittings at each end of the hose (whether GP or AS grade).

The requirements for this are specified in the German Document BRG 132 and EN ISO 8031:2009 Annex A, when tested in accordance with EN ISO 8031:2009 Clause 5, which requires that the resistance between end fittings shall be less than 10² ohms per assembly. For hose assemblies which meet this requirement a Grade "M" marking can be applied in accordance with EN ISO 8031:2009 Annex A if requested.

The only exception is for assemblies without braid.  Grade AS,TO (Antistatic, Tube Only) meets the requirements of "Ω", 10³ - 10⁸ ohms per assembly, but Grade GP,TO (Natural Tube Only) does not meet either "M" or "Ω"

AS - Antistatic PTFE Liner

Purpose - Bioflex AS is an essential requirement in applications where there is the risk of an electrostatic charge build-up on the inside surface of the PTFE tube which may then discharge through the tube wall. Media passing through which create such a risk are fluids, which have a Conductance of less than 10^-8 S/m (Siemens per Metre), or 10⁴ pS/m such as fuels, solvents, freons, some WFI (ultra-pure "Water for Injection") and non-polar organics which are being transferred at a medium to high flow velocity.

All twin or multi phase media and any non-mixing media, such as powder in air, or water droplets in steam, in gases or in oil, also colloidal fluids constitute a particular hazard for static charge generation, and always require grade AS.

A typical example involves cleaning systems which create a twin phase mixture passing through the hose at high velocity, such as WFI water purged with air or nitrogen.

If in any doubt, please contact Aflex Hose.

Design & Approvals  - Bioflex AS is an anti-static PTFE liner manufactured from FDA 21 CFR 177.1550 approved PTFE, and less than 2.5% of "high purity" Carbon Black material to FDA requirement 21 CFR 178.3297.  The carbon is encapsulated by the PTFE, and in normal, non-abrasive applications will not come loose to contaminate any fluid passing through. Leachables and Extractables testing confirmed that no carbon was found.

A typical example involves cleaning systems which create a twin phase mixture passing through the hose a high velocity, such as WFI water purged out with air or nitrogen.

Antistatic Hose Assemblies

When "AS" (Antistatic) grade hose is specified, then the hose or hose assembly supplied will be tested in accordance with EN ISO 8031:2009 Clause 7 using electrodes specified in EN ISO 8031:2009 Clause 4.2.2.2 d) (and Clause 4.2.2.2 e if the hose has an antistatic cover) and meet the Antistatic requirements of EN ISO 8031:2009 Annex A. This requires, for an antistatic liner or antistatic cover, that the resistance between an appropriately placed foam electrode and a metallic end fitting will be between 10³ to 10⁸ ohms per assembly. For hose assemblies which meet these requirements an appropriate Grade "Ω" marking can be applied in accordance with EN ISO 8031:2009 Annex A if requested.

NOTE  When in service, at least one end fitting must be connected to earth, to permit dissipation of the static charge from the end fitting.