Rubber hoses - Page 4

The rubber hose can be found in two basic versions:

• industrial,
• domestic.

Industrial rubber hose is used in heavy-duty environments such as factories, construction sites, and other environments where they will be exposed to rapid wear and tear. Domestic rubber hose, on the other hand, is designed for private use and less demanding tasks.

Now that you know the difference between an industrial hose and a domestic hose, let's have a closer look at them.

Industrial rubber hoses

As we have already mentioned, industrial rubber hose is used for heavy-duty applications. Therefore, they are often made of thicker, more durable materials. This means they are more resistant to wear and tear, so will last longer in demanding environments.

Industrial rubber hose is also typically wider than domestic hoses, allowing for a higher flow rate.

Some common examples of industrial rubber hose include:

• air compressor hose — used to transfer air from the compressor to tools or other equipment; 
• water hose — its purpose is to transfer water for irrigation, construction site, etc. 
• steam hose — this is used to transfer steam in heating or cleaning work; 
• welding hose — used to transport welding gases from the tank to the torch.

And when it comes to domestic applications, it is usually a rubber water hose in various configurations.

How is a rubber hose made?

Rubber hose consists of three main components:

• inner layer, 
• reinforcement, 
• outer layer.

The inner layer is usually formed from synthetic or thermoplastic rubber. The reinforcement is in the middle and usually takes the form of a textile or steel braided hose (steel braided rubber hose is usually stronger). The outer layer, on the other hand, is usually made of synthetic rubber, thermoplastic rubber, or polyurethane.

There are also reinforced hoses made from rubber, e.g. with a special spiral made of plastic or metal.

The manufacturer combines the above elements in a process called vulcanization. It consists of treating the rubber with heat and chemicals to increase its strength and durability.

After vulcanisation, the rubber hose is ready for use.

What are the different types of materials used in a rubber hose?

You will find some popular rubber hose materials below:

• natural rubber — this is a popular material for hoses. Rubber hose is inexpensive and has good abrasion resistance; 
• butyl rubber — a synthetic rubber that is known for its excellent leak tightness; 
• neoprene rubber — another synthetic rubber. Neoprene hose shows resistance to heat and weather conditions; 
• EPDM rubber — another synthetic rubber. EPDM hose has excellent UV and weather resistance.

When choosing a rubber hose, be guided by the nature of the work you are doing. As hoses are made from different materials, they have different strengths and weaknesses.

How do you choose the right rubber hose for your needs?

When choosing a rubber hose, you should consider the following:

• Hose diameter, 
• Hose length, 
• Hose working pressure, 
• Hose burst pressure, 
• Temperature range of the hose.

If you are not 100% sure of the specifications for each of these requirements, please contact our expert. We will find a suitable product.

In addition to the above parameters, also consider what type of hose you will need. They are usually divided into three types:

• industrial rubber hose — these are used in industrial plants, so they are usually made of tough rubber and have a higher maximum working pressure;
• layflat rubber hose — these are used for low working pressure, so their resistance is lower and the rubber material thinner. Because of this, it is usually a soft rubber hose; 
• hydraulic rubber hose — specialized hoses for applications where there is high operating pressure. These are usually rubber hoses reinforced properly, so their pressure resistance is very high.

Choosing a suitable product is very important, as the hose must be able to cope with the medium you intend to transport. An ill-fitting hose will quickly become damaged.