Flex Hoses: What To Look For Before And During Installation

Flex hoses are common components of industrial cleaning and testing systems. They conduct fluid, gas, or vapor safely from one system to another.

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Choosing the right flex hose is a science in itself, as there are different types of flex hoses. It&#;s also important to know what areas of concern to look for before and during installation. If the cover, body, or fittings of the flex hose are damaged, it could lead to disaster once the system is turned on and the process media begins to flow through it.

In this article, we&#;ll help you understand flex hoses, their differences, and what to look for to determine if a flex hose is safe to use.

What Are The Types Of Flex Hoses And Their Differences?

Flex hoses come in two basic varieties: nonmetallic and metallic.

Nonmetallic Hose

A nonmetallic hose consists of a polytetrafluoroethylene (or some other flexible elastomeric material) pressure carrier tube. The tube is reinforced by fabric or wire braiding, with metal end fittings that are attached by mechanical means such as swaging or crimping.

An elastomeric material is simply a material that has rubber-like properties and is somewhat elastic. This allows it to flex without losing its shape. It also comes with a high tear resistance, which is ideal for flex hoses since it ensures that the hose won&#;t come apart easily.

Finally, elastomeric materials are highly resistant to water and corrosion - two qualities that you want to see in a hose, particularly if fluid passes through it.

Metallic Hose

A metal hose consists of a flexible metal pressure carrier tube surrounded by an outer layer of wire braid (some low pressure metal hoses don&#;t utilize an outer layer of wire braid). The flexible metal pressure carrier tube and the wire braid are attached to the hose end fittings by welding, silver soldering, or brazing.

Some metal hoses used for cryogenic applications are constructed with an inner and outer flexible metal tube, with a vacuum in the space between.

Which One Should You Use?

The nature of the application will determine whether you need a nonmetallic or metallic flex hose. For example, if the application involves extreme temperatures or aggressive chemicals, a metal hose will generally hold up better than any other kind. An expert in this field, like Precision Fabricating & Cleaning (PFC), will be able to recommend the appropriate type.

Areas Of Concern When Using Flex Hoses

Whenever you&#;re planning to use flex hoses, there are three main areas of concern that you should be aware of and that a cleaning and testing company will look for before the installation process. These three areas are pressure rating, inspection, and restraint.

Pressure Rating

PFC looks at the pressure ratings of flex hoses to ensure that they will stand up to the rigorous pressures demanded by the application.

There are three types of pressure ratings that must be checked.

• Maximum Working Pressure: Also referred to as &#;maximum allowable working pressure&#; or &#;MAWP,&#; this rating indicates the maximum operating pressure to which the hose should be subjected.
• Maximum Proof (Hydrostat) Pressure: This rating is the maximum test pressure to which the hose should be subjected. It is established at 150% of the Maximum Working Pressure with the hose installed straight.
• Nominal Design Burst Pressure: This is the pressure at which the hose can be expected to rupture, based on the minimum annealed ultimate tensile strength of the braid wire and corrugated hose alloys at 70˚ F with the hose installed straight.

Inspection

Next, the flex hoses must undergo an inspection. In general, the inspection involves the following steps:

1. Visually inspect sealing surfaces for damage.
2. Manually check mechanical connections for freedom of movement.
3. Visually inspect the entire outer surface for damaged fittings, kinks, broken braid, flattened areas, soft spots, cover cracks, or other areas of degradation.

Inspecting the flex hose is extremely important. Performing this step allows the inspector to discover defects or damage that could impair the hose&#;s ability to function properly. Finding these problem areas also helps protect the humans who work near the flex hose from getting hurt, as it preempts a potential tear or rupture from occurring.

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During our inspection, PFC will look for defects such as kinks or flat areas in the hose, damage to the hose cover, and cover blisters. Cover blisters can rupture over time as they are exposed to environmental factors, such as heat and pressure, thus creating a leak.

Below are some of the other conditions we inspect for.

• Damaged Fittings: This includes any damage to the fittings that could prevent it from operating as intended (threads damaged, swivel does not work, excessive corrosion, etc.)
• Stiffness or Hardness of the Hose: As a hose ages and is exposed to sunlight, ozone, extreme temperatures, or chemicals, it can lose some of its resiliency and become stiff and hard. When flexed, a stiffened hose can crack, leading to a catastrophic failure. To check for stiffness, we flex the hose throughout its entire length.
• Changes in Color: Changes in the color of the hose may indicate chemical attack. They could also be the result of ozone exposure or simply age. We examine the entire hose length for any evidence of changes in color.

Restraint

Finally, flex hoses that are over 2 ft in length and pressurized at 150 psi or higher must be restrained at either end with an approved restraining device. They shouldn&#;t just be wrapped around a pipe or tied into a knot.

This is an area where hiring an expert comes in particularly handy, as they will know the proper method for securing the flex hose.

PFC Inspects All Flex Hoses During Cleaning and Testing Services

To ensure that your flex hose is free of damage or defects, fully functional, and safely restrained, it&#;s wise to hire an expert like PFC.

Hydraulic and industrial hoses come in a variety of specifications to suit various applications. Choosing the right hose for your project requires a consideration of the best hose material, size, pressure rating, and other factors. This guide will help you choose the ideal hose based on your requirements.

Choosing from Jason Industrial&#;s Portfolio of Hoses

Depending on your individual needs, the following are the main types of hoses you might choose.

Industrial Hoses

This type of hose moves process materials through an industrial setting or can with the right choice of hose, be used with steam, pneumatics, or other process functions. Industrial hoses are engineered to resist environmental factors like abrasion and corrosion and come in many sizes to meet the requirements of various applications.

At Jason Industrial, you can find top-quality industrial hoses and accessories for air, water, food handling, petroleum, oil, chemical, and other industrial applications. Designed for longevity and durability in harsh industrial conditions, these hoses have features tailored to specific use cases.

Hydraulic Hoses

If you need to convey fluids under pressure and connect components in a hydraulic system, select an appropriate hydraulic hose. These hoses comprise elastomeric or rubber material inner tube, with layers of reinforcing textiles, metals, or other materials and covered by an external protective layer. This durable design holds up under pressure while remaining suitably flexible to fit into confined spaces, making them suitable specifically for hydraulic applications.

Like industrial hoses, hydraulic hoses are available in multiple material and size options to meet different application requirements, with a wide variety offered fitting connector ends on Jason-approved couplings.

Considerations for Selecting Your Hose

When choosing a hose for your application, it&#;s best to follow the STAMPED guideline for selection, which stands for &#;size, temperature, application, medium, pressure, ends, and delivery.&#; The right blend of these features will help you make the right choice for your needs.

• Size: Find a hose size with the right length as well as inner and outer diameters. Improper sizing can lead to reduced flow rates, pressure drop, and excessive stress.
• Temperature: In addition to size, consider the ambient and fluid temperatures that the hose will need to withstand. Fluid temperature can affect the flow properties of the material being conveyed, so the hose must remain resilient under these conditions.
• Application: Choose a hose compliant with all environmental and industry regulatory requirements, including any local and federal regulations.
• Medium: The type of media your hose pumps will also influence the hose type. For instance, you may need to convey specialized chemicals or oils. Depending on the liquid, you&#;ll need to select the right components for your hose, including covers, tubes, O-rings, and couplings.
• Pressure: The hose&#;s material and construction will impact its pressure rating, which will help determine if the hose is right for a given application. The pressure rating also influences the cost, maintenance needs, bend radius, and overall flexibility of the hose.
• Ends: Choose hose ends with an inner diameter and design compatible with your application. End materials should also work with the media you intend to pump, preventing leaks and potentially dangerous chemical contaminations.
• Delivery: When selecting a new hose system, you&#;ll benefit from working with a partner that can provide quick delivery from stock of the needed hoses and fittings/couplings for your needs.

Find the Right Hose for Your Application at Jason Industrial

Based on your specifications, you can choose from a variety of industrial and hydraulic hoses at Jason Industrial. Our hoses offer reliable, long-lasting performance conveying chemicals, food and beverages, steam, air, petroleum, oil, water, and more. We also offer various accessories, such as hose saws, crimpers, and armor guards.

Contact us with any questions or concerns. For more information about our solutions, request a quote today.

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