Flexible duct connector is a tight joint consisting of fibreglass cloth with coating and two strips of sheet metal (galvanised or stainless steel) - METAL-FABRIC-METAL - on both sides. Most common coatings are PVC, Silicone, Polyurethane and Neoprene. Flexible duct connectors eliminate the noise and vibrations from transmitting through the ducting system. Widely used between the outlet of mechanical equipment generating noise and vibrations, such as air handling units, fans, and the duct.
Flexible duct connectors are used to connect ducted fans to ductwork - available options for round duct connection: male (ILA) or flange (ILA-K) type. These are made of vibration dampening tape AMT. Considering rectangular duct connectors, these are an important element in the production of air handling units, bidirectional AHUs with heat recovery system or rectangular ducted and roof fans.
Material which is responsible for deadens the vibration is fibreglass fabric finished with different coatings. The most popular coatings are PVC, silicon, polyurethane and neoprene. The fabric layer is fixed to two strips of metal sheets (galvanised or stainless steel) with tight seams (METAL SHEET-FABRIC-METAL SHEET. A commonly used name for the fabric layer is the name of the coating, e.g. PVC tape. The quality of the production and seaming technology guarantees air tightness and water resistance.
Available materials width configurations (length in roll 25m or 50m):
| Metal [mm] | Fabric [mm] | Metal [mm] |
| 35 | 60 | 35 |
| 45 | 75 | 45 |
| 60 | 100 | 60 |
| 70 | 100 | 70 |
| 45 | 150 | 45 |
| 70 | 150 | 70 |
PVC
Fabric coated with PVC is the most popular and cost-effective choice. It is designed to use in comfort ventilation systems and maintain its properties in the temperature range -30°C/+80°C.
Silicone
The silicone coating is characterized by greater resistance on temperature, mechanical damage as well as chemicals. Operating temperature limit is -30°C / 260°C. It also has periodic resistance on high temperature up to 400°C for 2h. The AMT-HI-T tape can be applied to smoke extraction systems. What is more, the fabric with silicone coating has greater resistance on aging, weather conditions and chemical substances.
Polyurethane (PU)
The fabric coated with PU, like silicone, can be used in smoke extraction systems (temperature resistant up to 400°C / 2h). The AMT-PU and AMT-K-PU (K – stainless steal) tapes are characterized by greater abrasion resistance.
Neoprene
The neoprene, the synthetic rubber, is suitable to use in outdoor applications. It has great resistance to alkaline substances and gasoline, nevertheless, the temperature range is from -30°C do 180°C.
Coating characteristic table
| PVC | Silicone | Polyurethane (PU) | Neoprene | |
| Temperature range | -30°C / +80°C | -30°C / +260°C | -30°C / + 180°C | -30°C / +180°C |
| Temp. resistance for 2h | - | 400 °C | 400 °C | - |
| Material properties | General use, economical choice | Resistant to high temperatures, aging, weather conditions and chemical substances. | Great abrasion resistance | Synthetic rubber, suitable for outdoor application, great resistant to chemical substances and gasoline. |
HVAC equipment like air handling units, fans or chillers generate noise and vibrations that impact the ventilation system. Properly installed air duct system should have build-in elements which secure from or significantly decrease transition of vibrations. We offer several available solutions:
1. Vibration-damping HVAC roof feet, e.g. ST-ROF-AWL
Figure 1
ST-ROF-AWL
2. Rectangular duct suspension brackets with vibration dampers, e.g. EQLS. EQZS
Figure 2
EQLS, EQZS
3. GPK vibration damper for mounting channel LDB
Figure 3
GPK
4. Suspension rings for round ducts, e.g. CLRL
Figure 4
CLRL
5. Flexible duct connectors, e.g. ILA or ILA-K
Figure 5
ILA-K
6. Flexible male couplings with gaskets, e.g. ILA-NSL
Figure 6
ILA-NSL
Balancing tape applications:
• fabrication of round flexible connectors or to use in comfort ventilation and smoke extraction systems.
• fabrication of rectangular flexible connectors for air handling units to be used inside or outside the building
• fabrication of flexible couplings (compensator) for duct works.
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