Method for curing a flexible hose

A method for heat curing a flexible hose using a curved metallic mandrel comprising the steps of:

• extruding an elastomeric tube that is heat curable at temperatures from about 200.degree. F. to about 400.degree. F. while simultaneously:
• heating a remeltable material characterized as pliant while in solid form and lubricious while in melted form;
• melting the material starting at a temperature below about 210.degree. F.;
• and
• coating at least a portion of an inside of the tube and forming a layer of melted material;
• cooling the tube while simultaneously solidifying the material and forming a layer of solidified material;
• heating a curved mandrel to a temperature that is above the material melting temperature, the mandrel of appropriate size to fit inside the tube;
• pushing and sliding a length of tube over the mandrel while simultaneously remelting the layer of solidified material with the heated mandrel and thereby lubricating the mandrel with the remelted material for easily receiving the length of tube;
• curing the length of tube on the heated mandrel;
• pulling and sliding the cured length of tube from the mandrel while the mandrel and tube are hot and the layer of material is still melted and in lubricious form;
• and
• cooling the cured length of tube.