How to choose the right hydraulic hose for your processes:
Hydraulic hoses are essential for many industrial and commercial processes, supporting safe and efficient operations.
A wide range are available to suit all applications – from chemical-resistant and high- pressure hoses to sturdy hoses best for use in congested or hazardous environments.
To choose and install the correct hose, it is important to understand both the basics of hydraulic hoses and the specifics of your required application:
What is a hydraulic hose?
A hydraulic hose is a specialist hose used in industrial and commercial settings. Working in conjunction with hydraulic machinery, they connect valves, tools and actuators allowing fluids or gases to flow from one component to another.
Hydraulic hose composition:
Hydraulic hoses comprise an inner tube within a reinforced layer and protective outer layers. The inner tube material is chosen to be compatible with the fluids, temperatures, pressures, and impulses required of the hose. The outer layers are built up to suit the strength and durability required of the hose in its operating environment. A hydraulic hose’s composition must be robust enough to withstand both internal and external pressures.
The inner tube can be formed from synthetic rubber, P.T.F.E , or thermoplastics, depending on the properties and pressures of the fluids or gases within. The reinforcement can be made from single, multiple layers of braided wire, textile yarn or spiral-wound wire. The protective layer can be made of a range of resistant, repellent, and flexible materials, depending on forces in the external environment.
What are hydraulic hoses used for?
Hydraulic hoses are essential in many industries, including waste management, manufacturing, agricultural and pharmaceutical businesses. They can be found on everything from vehicles and plant to specialist machinery or production lines, facilitating a range of processes including high pressure washing, gas lines, and spray paint applications.
Hydraulic hose safety:
As hydraulic hoses are used in essential industries or hazardous environments it is vital that proper product selection, hose assembly and maintenance is undertaken. This reduces the risk of physical, operational, or environmental hazards or costly downtime.
What are the different types of hydraulic hose?
There are a wide variety of hydraulic hoses available, suitable for a range of pressures, impulses, and temperatures during application.
Hoses can be differentiated by their external layers, to be selected for the durability against working pressures and external environment. These include:
Braided hose – A versatile high-pressure hose used in general industrial applications and suitable for almost all types of hydraulic applications with petroleum and water-based fluids.
Spiral hose – A flexible high-pressure hose suitable for use with high impulses and working pressures up to 50.0MPa, such as hammer hydraulics.
Thermoplastic hose – A highly flexible hose with low volumetric expansion, giving excellent hydraulic response times and able to tolerate pressures up to 80.0MPa.
P.T.F.E – A highly resistant hose, able to withstand a wide range of chemicals thanks to superior non-stick properties and being non-flammable, making it ideal for aggressive applications.
Low-pressure hose – A textile braided hose, offering flexibility for lighter applications but unable to withstand high pressures.
Stainless steel wire-braided hose – A heavy duty hose durable enough for aggressive applications and able to tolerate extreme external conditions.
There are also different types of inner tubes, including:
Synthetic oil resistant rubber – Suitable for naturally occurring and synthetic fluids.
Polyester – Suitable for both fluids and industrial gases.
Polyamide – Highly resistant to fluids such as paints, chlorinated solvents, and other chemicals.
P.T.F.E – Highly resistant for use with chemicals and solvents.
What is MPa? A megapascal (MPa) is a metric to measure pressure. It is used to indicate pressure ranges and ratings for hydraulic systems, since it measures larger values – 1 megapascal = 1,000,000 pascals or 10 Bar.
Hydraulic hose standardisation:
Hydraulic hoses are governed by both industry and international standards – SAE Standards (set by Society of Automotive Engineers), and EN Standards – to ensure they comply with safety and performance standards.
How do I select the right hose?
Proper product selection and hose assembly is critical to the safe, efficient running of machinery and processes. The following factors of usage and application should be taken into consideration when selecting a hydraulic hose:
Fluid/Gas types – Primarily, the fluids or gases which will flow through the hose, and the concentration of these, must be known and understood to determine the strength required of the inner tube. For example, aggressive solvents require highly resistant inner tubes. Gases may require pin pricking of the cover
Temperature - Next the operating temperature of the fluids or gases must be known. This ensures high temperatures will not degrade the inner tube, or low temperatures will not impede its functionality as a conduit. Additionally, the external temperatures surrounding the hose must be known, ensuring the hose can function adequately within extreme temperatures or tolerate any temperature variations.
Pressure – The pressures at which fluids or gases will flow through the hose will determine the strength required of all layers of the hose’s assembly, including the potential for pressure spikes. These operating conditions will dictate both the internal and external resistance required.
Size – The size of your hose needs to account for adequate diameter and appropriate length. Internal diameter will be dictated by internal pressures while external diameter is dictated by the level of protection required or space available as well as the bend radius required. Overall length will depend on the distance between components and the flexibility required of the hose during use. Flow rate required will also determine the length and diameter of the hose
Ends & Couplings – Thorough hose selection includes correct hose assembly to ends and couplings, ensuring durability and flexibility. The correct mating thread for ends will prevent leaks when sealed. These are essential in reducing the risk of potentially hazardous bursts or disconnections. Making sure all end connections have been fully tested and approved to use with your hose selection
Availability & Costing – The final hydraulic hose must suit your budget, operational capabilities, and maintenance schedule to ensure efficiency and sustainability of the process. For example, if appropriate or necessary can elements of a hose’s application be adapted to accommodate a standard hose assembly that is more readily available or cost-effective.
Armed with all the above information, the right hydraulic hose can be chosen for your processes.
Post time: Sep-14-2023