The article gives you the details of construction of hoses used for hydraulic service and it also gives you tips for increasing their service life.

Flexible yet Firm – The Hydraulic Hoses The flexible hoses are an important part of the hydraulic system. The hydraulic systems are used for movement and as such there is also a relative movement between various parts of hydraulic systems. Providing rigid connections although preferable can not always be done and the flexible hoses have to be provided many times to cater to the demands of work.

Material for Hydraulic Hoses

The hydraulic hoses have to be manufactured to exacting standards required for hydraulic service. The hoses are not expected to react with the oil and are required to be stable over a long period dimensionally. The hoses are generally a combination of rubber or compatible synthetic material and metal braiding (either inside or inside & outside). Material used for the hydraulic hoses is Chloro Sulfonated polyethylene (Hypalon), Nylon, Braided nylon hose, Polyvinyl chloride, cotton or nylon braided hoses, Thermoplastics, Teflon, Chlorinated polyethylene, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM), Terpolymer etc. These materials do not react with hydraulic oils used and are safe when used for used hydraulic industry.

Construction of Hydraulic Hoses

The hoses have an inner braiding and outside the braiding the there is a covering of any of the above materials. The flexible nature of hoses emanates from the braiding. The outer cover may be additionally strengthened so as to provide abrasion resistance. This protects the pipe against pulling and can handle some rough treatment on work shop floor.

Precautions While using Hydraulic Hoses

Hydraulic hoses may be used for oil, air or some other gas. While selecting a particular hose, please keep in mind

·        The minimum length required for the work to be done. If the hose is to be fitted on a machine, use the minimum length consistent with work involved. Do not use longer lengths. This will ensure that the extra length does not get entangled with other parts of machines. The hose should also not be too taut.

·        Make sure that the material of hose is compatible with the fluid being conveyed.

·        Wherever possible, use only the hoses with end connections so that fitting the hose is easy. Sometimes the end connections come off due pressure of fluid and if the air or gas from the hose is not stopped immediately, the hose becomes a whiplash can injure persons or even cause death. This generally happens when someone rigs up a hydraulic hose without proper end connections and with substitute materials.

·        The working fluid inside the hose should not be too hot for hose to handle. If this happens, there is a possibility of reduction of life of the hose and consequent premature failure.

·        Clamps should be used where there is a possibility of hoses getting in the way of moving parts.

·        The hoses used for air and other fluids should be protected against abrasion kinking, twisting, getting crimped and getting cut be.

If these simple precautions are taken, the hydraulic hoses not only have an extended life, but it also ensures that the accidents due to hoses flying off and material spills on floor are minimized.