How to choose the right hose for your industry: Key factors to consider

The benefits of choosing the right hose

Hose installation offers a flexible solution compared to pipe installations. It does not require the same precision in placement, and you can adapt it to different environments. For example, you can place the hose on the floor or hang it in the air. To achieve the best possible results, it is important that you carefully analyze the needs and specifications of your business.

What types of hoses are there?

There are a large number of hose variants designed to meet the different needs of industry. You can divide the hoses by function into the following types:

• Pressure hose
• Suction hose
• Transport hose

In addition, hoses can be categorized according to the media they carry, such as food, chemicals or gases. A medium is thus the material to be transported in the hose.

7 questions to ask before choosing a hose

1. What will you transport through the hose?

When selecting a hose, the choice of hose is influenced by the material you will be transporting inside the hose. Therefore, it is important that you choose the right hose based on the media you are transporting. Examples of media that you can transport through hose solutions are:

• Food products (e.g. milk, juice)
• Chemicals (e.g. acids, solvents)
• Gas (e.g. oxygen, nitrogen)
• Solids (e.g. wood chips, granules)
• Fuel and oil
• Water and concrete

2. What material should you choose for the hose? 

The material of the hose is governed by both the internal and external factors. Some materials work well for cold and heat, while others are more suitable for chemicals or gases. The choice of material is crucial for both safety and durability.

3. will you pressurize the hose?

If the hose is to transport media under pressure, it is important to choose a hose with the right reinforcement. The hoses have two pressure markings:

• Working pressure: The pressure to which the hose is subjected in normal use.
• Burst pressure: The maximum pressure a hose can withstand before it breaks.

Remember that working pressure decreases as the hose ages, so it is important to keep track of the condition of the hose over time.

4. Will the temperature inside the hose affect its properties?

Each hose has different characteristics, and one of these is temperature resistance. The design temperature of the hose indicates the temperature range within which you can use the hose. Some hoses are designed for a temperature range of -273°C to +1000°C, so they can withstand everything from hot oil to chemicals.

5. How does the environment affect the use of the hose?

Whether you use the hose indoors in small spaces or outdoors where the impact of nature is high, the physical environment will affect the hose. Heat, abrasion, vibration, ozone, temperature and sunlight all take their toll on the hose material.

6. Which inner diameter of hose should you choose?

When determining the dimension of the hose, it is the inner diameter of the hose that is mainly of interest. The inner diameter determines the type of coupling you can equip the hose with. Large flow requires a large inner diameter to minimize hose friction losses and pressure restrictions. The goal when sizing is to choose a hose that can deliver the required flow at the lowest possible pressure.

7. do you need the hose to be flexible?

Depending on where you are going to use your hose, the need for flexibility can be high. The construction of a hose affects its flexibility, also called bending radius. Depending on factors such as material thickness, reinforcement, the material the hose is made of and how the hose is constructed, it can be more or less flexible. Some hoses can withstand being folded and unfolded again, while others will lose considerable life if you repeatedly roll and unfold them. The larger the bending radius, the less bending the hose can withstand before unfolding. If you intend to roll up the hose, it is extra important that you keep the bending radius in mind.

Construction of the hose

How is a hose made up?

A hose often has an inner tube that transports the media it comes into contact with. The material of the inner tube must withstand wear, corrosion and other attacks. To stabilize the hose, a reinforcement is often used outside the inner tube, and the outer tube protects the hose from the external environment

What is reinforcement?

In case of over- or underpressure, the hose is often reinforced. The reinforcement can be in the form of metal braid, textile or polyester reinforcement, steel spiral or a hard spot reinforcement of the outer tube. Reinforcement is available in many different materials and forms.

How do you measure the bending radius? 

The bending radius is measured from the inside bend. To measure this radius, unfold the hose and measure the diameter. Then divide it by two to get the bending radius of the hose. The larger the bending radius, the less flexibility the hose has and the more gently it is affected by bending.