Posted: October 28, |Category: Flexible Hoses
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Flexible hoses are commonly used in a variety of industries to transport materials such as fuel, chemicals, water, and steam. Though most flexible hoses have a similar appearance, there are many different options in terms of size, thickness, and the dimensions of each component that comprises the hose. As leading providers of quality flexible hoses for all types of industries and materials, the team at Flextech Industries understands the complexities of hose assemblies. That is why our team has put together a list of 4 important components of a flexible hose to help you understand what each component does and determine which hose is right for your operation.
Learn how to determine if it is time to replace your flexible hose.
Most flexible hoses contain the following components:
The corrugated tubing is the core component of a flexible metal hose. It comprises the bulk of each assembly while determining attributes such as corrosion resistance, pressure rating, and flexibility. Certain corrugated tubing products feature higher attributes than others, so it is important to determine which specifications are required for your needs. For example, you may only need a hose with a high pressure rating instead of a hose with added corrosion resistance. By determining what you need for your operation, you can potentially reduce costs without compromising the safety or longevity of your transfer system.
Learn all about residual torsional stress and why it matters.
The braid covers the corrugated tubing, directly influencing pressure rating. Many factors affect the durability and flexibility of each braid including the wire diameter, the number of wires per carrier, and the percentage of braid coverage. Choosing the right braid configuration is crucial for protecting the hose from deformation and ensuring a long usable life.
Learn all about the different type of industrial hoses and fittings.
Though they only account for a small portion of the hose assembly, braid collars play a vital role. All braid collars are designed to join the inner corrugated hose and the braid together into one seamless unit. Each collar also works to ensure that any bending stress is properly distributed over the right corrugations, optimizing the functionality and durability of each assembly.
The final component added to an assembly is the fittings. These components allow the flexible hose assembly to fit into a certain connector, spigot, or other receptacle. To ensure the best possible fit, all end fittings should be thoroughly examined to verify that the size, alloy, and pressure ratings match the requirements of the application.
Learn more about what is inside a flexible hose.
To learn more about our selection of flexible hoses and other specialty products, get in touch with the team at Flextech Industries. We can be reached through our online contact form and will work with you to provide the perfect solution for your needs.
This article and accompanying video are excerpts from the Swagelok® Hose Selection Webinar presented by Swagelok Senior Product Manager, Doug Nordstrom.
Let's get started by discussing some background on different hose types. Obviously, hose is made differently than tubing. Hose is multi-layered. Whenever we talk about tubing, it's one layer of material, whether it's stainless steel tubing or PFA tubing. A hose, however, has multiple layers.
The core material is the material that obviously sees the media that's flowing through the hose. Everything else is there for either protection or pressure containment (things like braids, reinforcements, and possibly covers).
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In the picture above, it's a silicone cover that we put on the hose to possibly add abrasion resistance and also make the hose outside more cleanable. Then we put in connections. For softer core materials, like PTFE or Teflon, we can squeeze or crimp the hose. On metal hoses, of course, we have to weld the hose on. These can change the way a hose performs.
Different Hose Core Materials
It's key to understand every layer of the hose in order to apply the right hose to the right application. Some common materials, we list here. The top one is a metal core. The actual core material is metal, and it's convoluted so that the actual core can bend. If it was just a straight core like a piece of tube, it obviously wouldn't bend and it would break quickly. So we convolute the core and weld it to the end to make a very flexible metal hose.
A fluoropolymer or PTFE core is the second one on the list here. And that's a crimp tank connection that we put on and the actual core material doesn't withstand much pressure. So we need to braid this one (and the metal hose) to give it pressure containment.
Thermoplastic hose is really designed for hydraulic pressure impulses and the like. It can withstand a lot of abuse and pressure spikes.
The last one on the list here is more of a down and dirty type. It's a rubber hose. These are relatively low cost, and they can withstand the most amount of abuse, but they're not really suited for higher technical applications.
If you apply the wrong hose to an application, the life of the hose will be dramatically impacted. And this is something that many people don't understand. The right hose for the right application can deliver a significantly longer life.
Each hose type has its strengths and weaknesses. As you see in the above graph, the metal core is good for temperature pressure because it withstands or limits permeation, but it can bend like a paperclip and will break faster than other types of hoses. So it's always important to apply the right hose for the right application.
To learn more about industrial hoses, watch the Swagelok® Hose Selection Webinar, visit our Swagelok hose product page, or contact us at 412.761..
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