01606 836024 Mon - Thu 08:45 - 17:00 / Fri 08:45 - 15:45 King Street Trading Estate, Middlewich, Cheshire CW10 9LF
Providing custom solutions that work for you since 1985
The UK's No.1 provider of specialised flexible connectors
CONTACT

Polyurethane Flexible Connectors

Bespoke design and manufactured FDA and ATEX rated polyurethane flexible connectors.
Polyurethane Flanged Connector

Polyurethane Flexible Connectors

Polyurethane is a versatile polymer renowned for its durability, flexibility, and resistance to abrasion and weathering. At Flexible Connections Ltd, we leverage these properties to manufacture various products, including polyurethane connectors, sleeves, chutes, flanged connections, and convoluted bellows. Our extensive expertise and in-house manufacturing capabilities ensure that each product meets the highest quality and performance standards.

Versatility and Flexibility of Polyurethane

One of the standout features of polyurethane (PU) is its inherent flexibility. PU is particularly suitable for applications that require movement, vibration absorption, or connection flexibility. Flexible connections made from PU can significantly help prevent damage to both the connectors and the surrounding components, thereby extending the lifespan of the entire system.

Custom Manufacturing to Meet Specific Requirements

At Flexible Connections Ltd, we pride ourselves on customising products to meet specific customer requirements. Every item is manufactured in-house to the unique needs of our clients, ensuring strict quality control and the ability to tailor each product. Given the versatile nature of polyurethane, we can manufacture products to almost any specification. All our PU products are FDA-approved and UK-manufactured, guaranteeing compliance with stringent health and safety standards.

Benefits of Polyurethane in Flexible Connections

Polyurethane’s properties offer several advantages in flexible connections:

  1. Durability and Wear Resistance: PU is a highly durable material with excellent wear resistance, making it well-suited for applications involving frequent movement, abrasion, or exposure to harsh conditions, whether it’s polyurethane sleeves or PU connectors.
  2. Noise Reduction: Polyurethane can absorb vibrations and impacts, reducing noise in specific applications and making it an ideal material for use in environments where noise minimisation is crucial.
  3. Lightweight: Polyurethane is lightweight, which can be particularly advantageous in load cell applications where minimising weight is essential. This property makes it easier to handle and install, reducing labour costs and improving efficiency.

Bespoke Designs for Unique Applications

Our bespoke polyurethane flexible connections include a variety of designs to meet different application needs. Some of our customised products include:

  • Flanged Ends: To mate directly with existing piping systems.
  • Square-to-Round Transition Pieces: These are ideal for connecting different-shaped pipes or ducts, ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining flow efficiency.
  • Conical Flanged Chutes: For applications requiring a tapered connection.

We also stock heavier-wall 1.5mm blue, black, and clear polyurethane and a 1.5mm nylon-reinforced black polyurethane for added durability. These materials provide additional strength and resistance, making them suitable for more demanding applications.

Polyurethane in Weighing Applications

Polyurethane’s lightweight nature is a significant advantage in weighing applications, particularly in load cells. We manufacture convoluted bellows from transparent polyurethane, allowing for visual product flow monitoring. This transparency is crucial in ensuring that the system operates correctly and that any issues can be quickly identified and addressed.

For more information about polyurethane bellows for weighing application, click here.

Polyurethane for ATEX Environments

For ATEX environments, where safety is a critical concern, we stock clear ATEX-rated polyurethane in 0.35mm and 1mm thicknesses. Our anti-static polyurethane material has been tested in accordance with EN 60079-0:2017 clause 26:13, ensuring it is dissipative and suitable for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. However, we always advise seeking independent expert advice to confirm the suitability of our materials for your specific application, given the varying conditions and requirements of different environments.

Solutions for Pressure or Vacuum Applications

We offer bespoke conical and offset branch pieces with stainless steel rings in pressure or vacuum applications. These products handle the stresses associated with pressure or vacuum environments, maintaining their integrity and performance. We also provide foam or rubber-encapsulated hems for damaged mating spigots and vacuum support rings for added reliability. These support rings prevent flexible collapse under negative pressures, ensuring consistent and efficient flow.

Comprehensive Range of Accessories

To complement our main product offerings, we also provide a range of accessories, including clips for added convenience. These clips facilitate the secure installation and maintenance of our polyurethane products, ensuring they remain firmly in place and function optimally.

Metal Detectable Polyurethane

In industries where contamination control is critical, metal-detectable polyurethane offers an added layer of safety. At Flexible Connections Ltd, we integrate metal-detectable polyurethane into our product line, ensuring that any fragments of material can be easily detected by standard metal detection systems used in food and pharmaceutical processing plants.

Benefits of Metal Detectable Polyurethane

  1. Contamination Prevention:
    • Enhanced Safety: Metal-detectable polyurethane helps prevent contamination by identifying and removing any fragments before they reach the end product.
    • Quality Assurance: This feature is essential in the food and pharmaceutical industries, where contamination can lead to severe health risks and product recalls.
  2. Easy Detection:
    • Efficiency: Using metal-detectable polyurethane allows for the quick identification and removal of contaminants, streamlining the quality control process.
    • Reliability: Ensures that even small polyurethane pieces are detected, providing higher product safety.
  3. Durability:
    • Robust Performance: Metal-detectable polyurethane retains standard polyurethane’s durability and abrasion resistance, ensuring long-lasting performance in demanding environments.
    • Longevity: This material withstands harsh conditions while maintaining its metal-detectable properties.
  4. Versatility:
    • Multiple Applications: Metal-detectable polyurethane can be used in various applications, from flexible connectors to gaskets and seals, enhancing safety across numerous sectors.
    • Customization: Available in bespoke designs to meet specific application needs, ensuring optimal performance and safety.
  5. Compliance:
    • Regulatory Standards: Our metal-detectable polyurethane meets industry standards for safety and quality, providing peace of mind for our clients.

Applications of Custom Polyurethane Bellows

Our custom polyurethane bellows are used across various industries, each with unique requirements and challenges. Some of the standard applications include:

  • Food and Beverage Industry: Our PU bellows’ FDA-approved nature and metal-detectable polyurethane make them ideal for food processing and packaging systems. Their transparency and easy-to-clean properties ensure that hygiene standards are maintained.
  • Pharmaceutical Industry: In environments where cleanliness and contamination control are critical, our bespoke bellows provide a reliable solution for handling sensitive materials. The addition of metal-detectable polyurethane further enhances safety and quality control.
  • Chemical Industry: Polyurethane’s durability and chemical resistance make our bellows suitable for handling corrosive substances and ensuring safe operation.
  • Manufacturing and Processing Plants: Our flexible PU connectors offer the flexibility and resilience to maintain system integrity in high-vibration and movement applications.

Custom Solutions for Unique Challenges

Every industry and application has its own set of challenges. At Flexible Connections Ltd, we take pride in our ability to create custom solutions that effectively address these challenges. Our team of experts works closely with you to understand your specific needs and develop a product that meets those needs precisely. Whether you require a bespoke bellow for a new system or a replacement part for an existing one, we have the expertise and capabilities to deliver.

Fast Turnaround and Reliable Service

We understand that downtime can be costly. That’s why we prioritise fast turnaround times without compromising on quality. Our UK-based manufacturing facility handles urgent orders, ensuring that you receive the products you need when you need them. From one-off items to large-scale projects, we are committed to providing reliable service and support throughout the process.

Contact Us Today

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance with your flexible connection needs. Our team is here to help you find the perfect solution for your application. Call or email us, and we’ll gladly discuss your requirements and provide expert advice. You can also explore our range of editable drawings available for download, which can help streamline the design and ordering process.

Conclusion

At Flexible Connections Ltd, we understand that each application has unique challenges and requirements. Our expertise in manufacturing bespoke polyurethane connectors, sleeves, chutes, flanged connections, and convoluted bellows allows us to deliver customised solutions that meet your needs. With nearly 40 years of experience, we have built a reputation for quality, reliability, and exceptional customer service.

Whether you need durable, FDA-approved flexible connections for food-grade applications, robust connectors for high-abrasion environments, or lightweight, transparent bellows for load cell applications, we have the products and expertise to meet your needs. Our commitment to using high-quality materials and adhering to strict manufacturing standards ensures that every product we deliver provides outstanding performance and longevity.

Explore our polyurethane products and discover how we can help you achieve optimal performance and reliability in your systems. Contact us today to discuss your requirements, and let us provide you with the best flexible connection solutions tailored to your application.

Standard Materials

0.35mm and 1mm clear FDA and ATEX polyurethane
0.35mm, 0.6mm, 1mm and 1.5mm standard clear polyurethane
1.5mm blue and black polyurethane
1.5mm black reinfoirced polyurethane
1mm and 1.5mm clear PVC film
1mm blue metal detectable FDA polyurethane

Applications

Powder and granule gravity fed systems
Load cell flexibles
Pipe misalignment
Viewing and inspection for flow monitoring

Ask the experts

With over 50 years experience manufacturing bespoke flexible connectors, we can help with the design process and material selection. Why not give us a call to see how we can help you find the right solution.

Call us on 01606 836024 or email: sales@flexibleconnections.co.uk

Polyurethe Flexible Chute flexible
polyurethane sleeves
PU Flexible

Get in touch today for a quote

Feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions or bespoke requirements

Related products

Stainless Steel Clips

Clips

An extensive range of stainless steel fixing clips are available from stock.
PU Bellows

Polyurethane FDA & ATEX Bellows

Bespoke design and manufactured FDA and ATEX rated polyurethane bellows.
FlexAtex™ PU connector

FlexAtex

Quick to connect clear Atex rated polyurethane film flexible sleeves and bellows.