Insulon vacuum jacketed hoses are available in four variants defined by two independent choices: pressure rating (Low Pressure or High Pressure) and insulation level (Standard or MLI). Standard vacuum insulation eliminates convection and conduction heat transfer, delivering exceptional thermal performance in a compact, low-profile form factor. MLI maximizes thermal insulation performance by blocking all three modes of heat transfer; it increases outer diameter and minimum bend radius but does not affect pressure ratings or the rated temperature range.
All variants share the same inner bore material (316/316L stainless steel, fully annealed), the same available bore sizes, the same length range, and the same lead time. All are made-to-order in the USA.
1 – Overview
| Specification | LP STD | HP STD | LP MLI | HP MLI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insulation | ||||
| Insulation type | Insulon® vacuum insulationBlocks convection + conduction | Insulon® vacuum insulationBlocks convection + conduction | Insulon® vacuum insulation + MLIBlocks convection, conduction, and radiation | Insulon® vacuum insulation + MLIBlocks convection, conduction, and radiation |
| MLI | N/A | N/A | Proprietary high-density MLI | Proprietary high-density MLI |
| Temperature | ||||
| Rated operating temperature range | -270°C to 815°C-454°F to 1,500°F | -270°C to 815°C-454°F to 1,500°F | -270°C to 815°C-454°F to 1,500°F | -270°C to 815°C-454°F to 1,500°F |
| Note on ultra-high temperature applications | Contact Concept Group for custom higher-temperature applications using Inconel or other alloys. | |||
| Construction & material | ||||
| Inner bore material | 316/316L stainless steel | 316/316L stainless steel | 316/316L stainless steel | 316/316L stainless steel |
| Fluoropolymer liner option | Optional PTFE, PFA, or FEP liner availableWetted surface becomes fluoropolymer; for corrosive media compatibility or smooth internal bore requirements | Optional PTFE, PFA, or FEP liner availableWetted surface becomes fluoropolymer; for corrosive media compatibility or smooth internal bore requirements | Optional PTFE, PFA, or FEP liner availableWetted surface becomes fluoropolymer; for corrosive media compatibility or smooth internal bore requirements | Optional PTFE, PFA, or FEP liner availableWetted surface becomes fluoropolymer; for corrosive media compatibility or smooth internal bore requirements |
| Anneal condition | Fully annealed | Fully annealed | Fully annealed | Fully annealed |
| Outer braid option | Optional outer braid availableRecommended for rugged applications requiring extra abrasion protection | Optional outer braid availableRecommended for rugged applications requiring extra abrasion protection | Optional outer braid availableRecommended for rugged applications requiring extra abrasion protection | Optional outer braid availableRecommended for rugged applications requiring extra abrasion protection |
| Available bore sizes & hose dimensions | ||||
| Available inner bore sizes | ¼″, ⅜″, ½″, ¾″, 1″ ID1¼″ and 1½″ ID in development; submit RFQ | ¼″, ⅜″, ½″, ¾″, 1″ ID1¼″ and 1½″ ID in development; submit RFQ | ¼″, ⅜″, ½″, ¾″, 1″ ID1¼″ and 1½″ ID in development; submit RFQ | ¼″, ⅜″, ½″, ¾″, 1″ ID1¼″ and 1½″ ID in development; submit RFQ |
| Hose length range | 1.5 ft – 65 ft18″ – 780″. Overall length including end fittings. | 1.5 ft – 65 ft18″ – 780″. Overall length including end fittings. | 1.5 ft – 65 ft18″ – 780″. Overall length including end fittings. | 1.5 ft – 65 ft18″ – 780″. Overall length including end fittings. |
| Overall length tolerance | +/- 1.5″ for lengths up to 48″; +/- 3% for lengths over 48″ | +/- 1.5″ for lengths up to 48″; +/- 3% for lengths over 48″ | +/- 1.5″ for lengths up to 48″; +/- 3% for lengths over 48″ | +/- 1.5″ for lengths up to 48″; +/- 3% for lengths over 48″ |
| Ordering & compliance | ||||
| Lead time | ~3 weeks ARO | ~3 weeks ARO | ~3 weeks ARO | ~3 weeks ARO |
| Lead time note | All hoses are made-to-order. Lead times are currently approximately 3 weeks ARO (after receipt of order) but are subject to change based on manufacturing queue at time of order. | |||
| Quality management | ISO 9001:2015 | ISO 9001:2015 | ISO 9001:2015 | ISO 9001:2015 |
| Oxygen cleanliness | ASTM G93 Level A available upon request (additional fee) | ASTM G93 Level A available upon request (additional fee) | ASTM G93 Level A available upon request (additional fee) | ASTM G93 Level A available upon request (additional fee) |
| Pressure test certificate | Available upon request (additional fee) | Available upon request (additional fee) | Available upon request (additional fee) | Available upon request (additional fee) |
| 100% functional testing | Yes, all units | Yes, all units | Yes, all units | Yes, all units |
2 – Maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) at room temperature, by bore size
MAWP is constant at cryogenic, cold, and room temperature (below 38°C / 100°F). For fluid temperatures above 38°C, MAWP decreases as temperature increases. See the MAWP derating by temperature page for derating factors, or contact Concept Group engineering for your specific application. All assemblies are pressure tested at 1.5× MAWP per NAHAD Corrugated Metal Hose Assembly Specification Guidelines (p. 33, 2005).
| Inner bore (ID) | LP STD MAWP @ RT |
HP STD MAWP @ RT |
LP MLI MAWP @ RT |
HP MLI MAWP @ RT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¼″ ID | 72 psi4.96 bar | 750 psi51.7 bar | 72 psi4.96 bar | 750 psi51.7 bar |
| ⅜″ ID | 72 psi4.96 bar | 750 psi51.7 bar | 72 psi4.96 bar | 750 psi51.7 bar |
| ½″ ID | 72 psi4.96 bar | 750 psi51.7 bar | 72 psi4.96 bar | 750 psi51.7 bar |
| ¾″ ID | 43 psi2.96 bar | 600 psi41.4 bar | 43 psi2.96 bar | 600 psi41.4 bar |
| 1″ ID | 43 psi2.96 bar | 500 psi34.5 bar | 43 psi2.96 bar | 500 psi34.5 bar |
3 – Outer jacket diameter (OD) by bore size
MLI variants have a larger outer diameter than Standard variants due to the additional insulation layer. Standard (LP and HP) share identical OD dimensions. MLI (LP MLI and HP MLI) share identical OD dimensions. Note: adding the optional outer braid will increase OD.
| Inner bore (ID) | LP STD OD | HP STD OD | LP MLI OD | HP MLI OD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¼″ ID | 1.05″ OD | 1.05″ OD | 1.27″ OD | 1.27″ OD |
| ⅜″ ID | 1.05″ OD | 1.05″ OD | 1.62″ OD | 1.62″ OD |
| ½″ ID | 1.27″ OD | 1.27″ OD | 1.62″ OD | 1.62″ OD |
| ¾″ ID | 1.62″ OD | 1.62″ OD | 2.38″ OD | 2.38″ OD |
| 1″ ID | 1.95″ OD | 1.95″ OD | 2.38″ OD | 2.38″ OD |
4 – Minimum static bend radius by bore size
Static bend radius applies to fixed installations. Contact Concept Group engineering for minimum dynamic bend radius for flexing/moving applications. MLI variants have larger minimum bend radii than STD variants.
| Inner bore (ID) | LP STD | HP STD | LP MLI | HP MLI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¼″ ID | 3.98″ | 3.98″ | 5.00″ | 5.00″ |
| ⅜″ ID | 3.98″ | 3.98″ | 6.15″ | 6.15″ |
| ½″ ID | 5.00″ | 5.00″ | 6.15″ | 6.15″ |
| ¾″ ID | 6.15″ | 6.15″ | 9.41″ | 9.41″ |
| 1″ ID | 7.62″ | 7.62″ | 9.41″ | 9.41″ |
5 – How to select the right variant
For systems operating at or below 72 psi (¼″-½″ ID) or 43 psi (¾″-1″ ID). Recommended for chiller fluids down to -80°C; below -80°C, consider MLI. Recommended for LN₂ or other cryogenic transfer lines with transient flow (seconds/minutes). Suitable for liquid CO₂. Most compact outer diameter. Lowest cost option.
For systems requiring higher pressure: up to 750 psi (¼″-½″), 600 psi (¾″), or 500 psi (1″). Typical for: high-pressure cryogenic transfer, propulsion test stands, industrial process lines, hydrogen service at elevated pressures. Same OD and bend radius as LP STD.
For systems with chiller fluids below -80°C, or cryogens at the lowest temperatures (LHe, LH₂), or continuous cryogenic flow (hours/days) where radiation heat gain is significant, and system pressure is low. MLI adds radiation shielding on top of vacuum insulation for maximum thermal performance. Larger OD and bend radius than LP STD.
Maximum thermal performance is required and system pressure is high. Ideal for cryogens at the lowest temperatures (LHe, LH₂) with continuous flow and high-pressure service. The highest-performing variant in the Insulon hose product line. Typical for: liquid hydrogen aerospace propellant lines, high-pressure cryogenic detector cooling, demanding research and space applications.
6 – Compatible fluids (all variants)
| Fluid category | Examples | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cryogenic liquids | Liquid nitrogen (LN₂), liquid helium (LHe), liquid argon (LAr), liquid oxygen (LOX), liquid natural gas / liquid methane (LNG / LCH₄), liquid CO₂ | |||
| Hydrogen (liquid and gas) | Liquid hydrogen (LH₂), gaseous hydrogen (GH₂). All variants use fully annealed 316/316L stainless steel, which resists hydrogen embrittlement.Not compatible with cryo-compressed hydrogen (CcH₂); see note below. | |||
| Thermal fluids and coolants | Glycol/water mixtures, Syltherm 800, Syltherm XLT, Dowtherm Q, Dowtherm J, other synthetic heat transfer fluids, cryo-chiller fluids | |||
| High-temperature fluids | Steam, hot air, exhaust gases, process heating oils | |||
| Specialty and process gases | Gaseous nitrogen (GN₂), gaseous helium (GHe), gaseous argon (GAr); precursor gases (e.g. silane, ammonia, TEOS), carrier gases (e.g. N₂, Ar, H₂ in semiconductor and research processes), deposition gases (e.g. WF₆, TiCl₄); other specialty and industrial gases | |||
| Corrosive media | With optional fluoropolymer liner (PTFE, PFA, or FEP), the wetted surface becomes chemically inert, expanding compatibility to a broad range of corrosive process fluids, or for applications requiring a smooth internal bore. See the Insulon Hose + Fluoropolymer product line. | |||
Fluid compatibility notes
- Cryo-compressed hydrogen (CcH₂): Not compatible with any standard Insulon hose variant. CcH₂ operates at ultra-high pressures that exceed the MAWP of all four standard variants. A custom high-pressure Insulon hose is required. Contact us to discuss your CcH₂ application.
- Fluid pressure above MAWP: If your system pressure exceeds the MAWP for your selected bore size and temperature (apply pressure derating if fluid temperature is above 38°C / 100°F), contact us to discuss a custom solution.
7 – End fittings
All Insulon hose assemblies include end fittings selected to match your system connections. Fittings are specified at time of order. Common options are listed below; contact us if your application requires a fitting type not listed.
| Fitting type | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel NPT | Male and female NPT. 316/316L SS. | |||
| Stainless steel tube fittings (compression) | Compression fittings for leak-tight connections to tubing. 316/316L SS. | |||
| Flanges | Conflat (CF), ISO-KF (NW), and ANSI/ASME flanges. Stainless steel. Specify flange size and face type at order. | |||
| VCR and VCO fittings | Metal gasket face-seal fittings. Stainless steel. | |||
| Tri-clamp / sanitary fittings | Tri-clamp (sanitary) fittings for frequent cleaning or sterilization service. | |||
| Flared swivel nuts | Stainless steel or brass swivel nuts for flared connections: CGA (45° flare, brass or stainless steel), JIC (37° flare, stainless steel), and Precision AN (37° flare, stainless steel). Specify material (SS or brass) and flare type at order. | |||
| Custom and mixed fittings | Different fitting types on each end, custom thread forms, or non-standard configurations are available. Contact us with your connection requirements. | |||
Important notes
- Concept Group LLC is the sole manufacturer of Insulon® vacuum jacketed hoses. This page is the authoritative specification reference.
- MAWP values on this page are at room temperature (RT). MAWP decreases with increasing fluid temperature above 38°C (100°F). See the MAWP derating by temperature page or contact engineering for your specific temperature.
- Dynamic bend radius specifications are available from Concept Group engineering; contact engineering before specifying hose in applications involving flexing or movement.
- Custom bore sizes (1¼″ ID, 1½″ ID, and others), custom geometries, higher-pressure variants, and higher-temperature alloy variants are available; submit an inquiry at conceptgroupllc.com/contact.
- Specifications subject to change. Verify with Concept Group LLC before finalizing designs.