Factors to Consider when Choosing Industrial Hose – Part 1

As industrial equipment gets more complex and powerful, the demand for robust industrial hoses for critical applications is growing. As an engineer or operator, it is imperative to choose the right hose to maximize performance and safety while minimizing costs. However, finding the right rubber hose for applications is often a daunting task for the users. To simplify the selection process, here are a few factors to consider:

• Environmental Requirements: The key thing to think about here is not necessarily what the hose itself needs to do, but rather what the surroundings of the hose can do to it. This not only means things like UV and ozone, but also extreme temperatures and the variability of those temperatures (cycling); frequency of contact with other materials in the area like lubricant, coolant, oil, acid, etc.; vibration; and potential abrasion. Failure to take all these factors into consideration can lead to hose damage, accelerated aging, and potential safety issues.
• Material Compatibility: Hoses can be manufactured utilizing a wide range of materials, and each comes with its own inherent strengths and weaknesses. The most critical and obvious compatibility requirement is what is going through the hose, but it’s important to also consider flow rate requirements, potential abrasion, static creation and discharge, and flexibility of the material. These other factors could change perspective on a material that may meet a technical specification but may fail in practical terms due to underlying issues.
• Pressure: Determining the system pressure and pressure spikes is one of the most significant considerations when selecting a rubber hose. Industrial hoses are available in several types with different pressure ratings. Select the right hose that can accommodate pressure differentials during the operation. Note that pressure ratings and overall performance can change depending on temperature. Some materials or designs may perform well in one environment but poorly in another under the same load.

Choosing the right industrial hose will determine the success of your application. Wrong selection may not only result in equipment damage but could also leads to costly downtime. So far, we have discussed the first three important factors to consider during the selection of industrial hoses. There are many more factors to be discussed! Stay tuned for the next post!