The Five Most Common Types of Hydraulic Hoses
Designing a hydraulic system for your business? Choosing the right components is essential to building a system that can handle the pressure levels, loads and flexibility demanded of it. Hoses are some of the most important pieces of every hydraulic system, but how do you determine which one works best for your system?
Here’s a brief guide to the types of hydraulic hoses you’ll typically encounter and the hydraulic fitting types that can go with them.
SAE standard hose
When you’re using a system with petroleum or water-based fluids to power general industrial applications, you can use an SAE standard hose (SAE 100R1). It features steel, wire-braided tubing that can operate in extreme temperatures as low as 40°C and as high as 100°C.
Standard high-pressure hose
Featuring a flexible design, a standard high-pressure hose can transport mineral and hydraulic oils as well as water-oil emulsions. They’re commonly used in the oil, mining, construction and agriculture industries.
Low-pressure hose
This highly-flexible hose is textile-braided and typically used in lighter applications like return lines, anti-static delivery lines, air lines or lube lines. Keep in mind that low-pressure lines aren’t suitable for safety-related applications including braking.
Steel, wire-braided hose
Known for their durability, steel, wire-braided hoses can come with either single or double braids. They’re used to transport fluids under extreme temperatures and pressures and even in situations where there’s a vacuum. They’re most commonly seen in oil, mining and heavy industries.
Thermoplastic hydraulic hose
Thermoplastic hoses are commonly used in heavy construction, hydraulic lift equipment and lubrication lines. They’re resistant to abrasion and can operate at extremely low temperatures. Featuring a fiber mesh reinforcing layer, they’re also very durable.
Hydraulic fittings
The hose you choose for your system needs to be compatible with the fittings. While there are several hydraulic fitting types on the market, you should never mix hoses and hose end fittings from different manufacturers—it could cause a failure or rupture at the crimp.
Once you’ve picked your hose, choose fittings by the outside diameter of the hose. Choose your end connections, whether you need an adaptor, connector or coupling. Check the pressure rating of your hose, and make sure to choose a fitting to match.
You also need to consider the media and material simultaneously. Determine what fluid you’ll be running through the fittings and what material fitting is compatible with it. Generally, carbon steel and all alloy steels are good all-purpose fittings, but stainless steel and brass are usually acceptable. When in doubt, reach out to your hydraulic equipment supplier for expert insight.
If you’re designing a hydraulic system, finding the right hose and couplings are essential to the success of your efforts. Learn more about the various types of hydraulic hoses, as well as what works best for your applications, by contacting Royal Brass Incorporated today. We’re ready to put over a half century of hydraulic systems experience and knowledge to work for you to support your business—get in touch with us to arrange a consultation!
Categorised in: Hydraulic Hose