How hoses are designed for various applications in UAE.

(Updated in February 2019)

For several mobile machines and industrial uses, flexible hydraulic hoses need to resist extreme conditions such as freezing to scorching temperatures, aggressive fluids and very high pressures.  Makes you wonder if you have the right hose for your specific hose requirement parameters.

From the remotest and unfriendly parts of the earth to right inside a car engine, hydraulic hoses have to counter diverse extreme conditions to keep the system going.

Here is a closer look at how hoses are designed for extreme environments.

Aggressive fluids include motor oils, transmission fluids, brake oil, heavy duty coolants and specially formulated fluids like anti-freeze and other glycol based coolants.  The chemical make-up  of a fluid decides how aggressive it is  with the polymer (hose material).  The fluid may absorb a hose’s rubber compound or extract the oils out of the rubber thus changing the physical properties of the hose.  This may lead to swelling or contraction of the hose and result in leaks at elevated temperatures or cause cracking in the hose when stressed or flexed.

Hose UAE.

So hose materials for a particular type of hose is based on the fluid it is designed to carry and operating environment.

Beat the heat

When considering design of a hydraulic hose there are three variables to deal with, the fluid temperature inside a hose, the ambient temperatures surrounding the hose and operations in the close vicinity that could affect the hose negatively.

If the fluid temperature exceeds the hose material’s threshold temperature, it can bake the inner tube and cause it to harden and crack.  The temperature of the transfer fluid in a system needs to be closely monitored during operations, based on which the right inner tube material can be ascertained to safely handle the requirements.

Ambient heat will also affect the life of a hose.  The hoses inside a closed environment like in the engine compartment of a truck will have to contend with much higher ambient temperature than those in an open area, where the heat has an avenue of escape.

Other operations taking place in the vicinity of a hose may also expose hoses to extreme high temperatures and damage them increasing the chances of failure.

To counter this the outer tubing material comes into play.  Also a variety of sleeves and covers made from a wide range of materials including stainless steel help to protect the hoses.

Surviving the cold

It is not only high temperatures that are a cause for concern, but in some cases, hydraulic hoses have to deal with temperatures that are lower than minus 55°C.

Such extreme low temperatures can make the rubber hoses to stiffen and crack and also affect the liquid inside the hose, which may thicken and flow at a slower rate.  Luckily, there are hoses that are designed specifically to fight extreme cold by using materials that are compatible with the liquid, and with external layers designed to withstand and resist the extreme cold.

Whatever the end applications, do  consult with hose specialists at Inflex Hydraulics when choosing a hose whether to combat hot temperatures or cold.

Hose UAE.

For more on hydraulic hoses, please go here…