The main purpose of a flexible hydraulic hose is to allow the movement of fluid (in this case hydraulic oil) between two port locations in a hydraulic system. Often, as an added benefit, hydraulic hoses absorb vibration and noise.
The hydraulic hose is usually made from a flexible rubber or wire, while the hose fittings are often made from a corrosion-resistant metal, such as stainless steel. Hydraulic hoses are often used in high-pressure environments so are required to be flexible and strong.
These hoses feature high flexibility and a versatile range of fluid compatibility for medium pressure hydraulic applications. The lightweight, compact design of Sinopulse Hybrid hoses makes them easier to transport, route and work with than similar rubber hoses.
Hydraulic hoses are made up from several layers to help to remain flexible but are reinforced for strength. The hoses tend to be made of three layers,
Inner tube
Reinforcement layer
Outer layer
Braided wires have a criss-cross pattern that allows for flexibility (the wires sit on top of each other). The overlapping braid of this type of wire allows for flexibility in bending and significantly increases resistance to bursts.
Braided hose is the most popular type of hydraulic hose and is available in a variety of sizes and pressure ratings. It is typically designed for medium pressures. Applications such as dump trucks, log splitters, snow plows, and farm equipment often use braided hose. However, it is not ideal for applications such as rock crushers, where severe vibrations can cause the braid to stretch and separate.
Braided wire has a criss-cross pattern that allows for flexibility (the wires sit on top of each other). The overlapping braid of this type of wire allows for flexibility in bending and significantly increases burst resistance.
Braided hose is the most popular type of hydraulic hose and is available in a variety of sizes and pressure ratings. It is typically designed for medium pressures. Applications such as dump trucks, log splitters, snow plows, and farm equipment often use braided hose. However, it is not ideal for applications such as rock crushers where severe vibrations can cause the braid to stretch and separate.
Less common than 2-wire hose
Used in lower-pressure hydraulic systems
Most common braided hose
Used in medium-pressure hydraulic systems
Offers the working pressure of a 4-wire spiral hose in a more flexible, lighter-weight hose
This highly flexible, compact braided hydraulic hose has a reduced bend radius and bending forces meeting DIN EN 857 2SC AND exceeding SAE100 R16-S.
This type of hose is very flexible and its internal configuration makes it particularly useful in reconstruction and high-pulse applications. It is often used to transfer emulsions of mineral and hydraulic fluids or water and petroleum, which makes it particularly useful for construction and civil engineering, mining and quarrying, the oil industry and agriculture.
This hose is textile braided, which makes it very flexible, but not suitable for higher pressures. It is typically used in lighter applications such as anti-static conveying, air, lubrication or return lines.
Used in low-pressure hydraulic systems
Hydraulic hose assemblies consist of a hydraulic hose with fittings at the end, ready to be installed into a hydraulic system. Hydraulic hose assemblies feature a flexible hose that is used to transport fluid from one component to another within a hydraulic mechanism or machine. The pre-installed connectors make assemblies ideal for easy integration into your system.
Braided stainless steel hoses are available in smooth bore and zigzag, meet the requirements of SAE 100R14B, and are optimized for maximum flexibility. Zigzag hoses have a tighter bend radius for streamlined routing and reduced potential for stacking. All stainless PTFE is designed to convey a wide range of chemicals. Applications include food and beverage, steam, compressor exhaust, automotive and air brakes. Available in conductive and non-conductive PTFE, our stainless steel hoses are twice as hot as standard 100R14B hoses, withstand temperatures from -40°F -500°F, and are available in -6 and -8 sizes.
Our thermoplastic hydraulic hoses are engineered and designed to provide flexibility, durability, and excellent abrasion resistance, making them ideal for demanding hydraulic system applications. With bonded construction, our hoses offer outstanding reliability and performance, providing long-lasting service in even the most challenging environments.
Thermoplastic hose is lightweight, durable, versatile, and available in even the longest lengths. It has a range of pressure thresholds from moderate to very high. Applications are diverse and include specialty equipment, forklifts, construction, chemical and gas, automotive, and subsea. Conductive and non-conductive options are available, as well as dual-line hoses. Non-conductive and dual-line thermoplastic hoses are ideal for use, including with aerospace equipment such as forklifts and boom trucks, where space is limited and the potential for electric shock is high. PDI's thermoplastic hoses meet SAE 100R7, 100R8, 100R18, and J517 standards.
Corrugated flexible metal hose is ideal for hydraulic applications with higher temperature requirements. Corrugated flexible metal hose is available in stainless steel, Monel (nickel-copper alloy), and bronze. Stainless steel hoses are available in diameters from 1/4-24 inches, while Monel is ½-3" and bronze is ¼-2". Flexible metal hoses will convey hot liquids up to 2,000 degrees and absorb a lot of vibration and noise. Common applications include joining misaligned rigid pipes, connecting moving parts on machinery and equipment that is frequently disassembled. Flexible metal hoses are also ideal for conveying steam.
The flexibility of a hydraulic hose depends on the number of reinforcement layers it has and the thickness of the outer jacket. The minimum bend radius that a manufacturer specifies for a hose is the smallest radius that a hydraulic hose can be looped into without sustaining damage to the inner layers.
To ensure you are following the manufacturer's guidelines, measure the bend radius of each arc in the hydraulic hose assembly when you install it on the hydraulic system. You use the length of the arc (s) and the angle of the loop sweep (φ) to find the radius, according to the formula = Sφ. If it is below the minimum bend radius, adjustments to the hose assembly will need to be made.
Rookie engineers often make the mistake of ordering a higher bend radius hose, thinking that the relationship between flexibility and bend radius is proportional. However, this is not the case. The lower the bend radius, the smaller the diameter the hose can loop into.
In addition, you can’t tell the difference between a hose’s bend radius by just looking at it, because that characteristic depends on how the hose is constructed. It has to do with how the layers of a hydraulic hose are constructed and how many layers are in it. A braided mesh hose is generally more flexible than a spiral wound hose with the same number of layers. That’s because the thinner wires in the mesh braid allow room for movement, which increases flexibility. Therefore, two hydraulic hoses with the same thickness don’t need to have the same minimum bend radius either.
Bend radius is often overlooked when assembling a hydraulic hose installation. Time constraints, budgetary concerns, and poor knowledge of hydraulic hoses are some of the factors that lead to this oversight. However, this small oversight can lead to major safety issues if left unattended. Additionally, it can become expensive to repair the damage done rather than investing in the right hose in the first place.
Force may be required to bend a hydraulic hose beyond its minimum bend radius to bend more. However, this can cause the different materials within the reinforcement layer to exceed the recovery level. Typically, this layer is made of steel or polymer wire braid, the wires of which can damage and reduce the strength of the hydraulic hose. Over time, due to operating conditions, flexing and vibration of the hose, this layer can break down and cause leaks in the hose.
Hydraulic hose installations are part of a system where pressure is constantly changing as it moves from one component to another. This is due to the energy transfer as the change in pressure drives useful work. Therefore, depending on the load on the system, its driving mechanism will require more work. If the pressure gets too high and one of the hoses has too many bends, it can cause a constriction in a line that requires more work from the system and introduces inefficiencies.
Starting from above, if the bend is too much, the hose will weaken, and there is a contraction, the hydraulic fluid may accumulate so high that the hydraulic hose may no longer last. This may cause the hydraulic hose to rupture, which then becomes a safety issue.
Flexible hoses made from rubber are known for their elasticity and durability. There are two main types:
Natural Rubber: Highly flexible and resilient, suitable for general-purpose applications.
Synthetic Rubber: Includes EPDM, nitrile, and other synthetic rubbers that offer enhanced resistance to oils, chemicals, and weathering.
PVC is a lightweight and durable material for flexible hoses. It is resistant to abrasion, chemicals, and weathering, making it ideal for garden hoses, air hoses, and fluid transfer hoses.
Polyurethane hoses are exceptionally tough and flexible. They can handle high pressure and are resistant to kinks, abrasions, and chemicals. They are commonly used in pneumatic tools, robotics, and applications requiring repeated flexing.
Silicone hoses are flexible and can withstand extreme temperatures. They are non-reactive and suitable for food, medical, and high-temperature industrial processes.
Composite hoses combine multiple materials to provide flexibility, strength, and chemical resistance. They are often used for transferring chemicals, oil, and other hazardous materials.
Teflon hoses are flexible and have excellent chemical resistance. They can withstand high temperatures and are commonly used in chemical processing and food industries.
Nylon hoses are flexible and resistant to abrasion and chemicals. They are often used in pneumatic and hydraulic systems due to their durability and flexibility.
Hydraulic hoses are the arteries of hydraulic systems. They are used in a wide variety of equipment and industries, including oil and gas, mining, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, railroad, automotive, food and pharmaceutical production, and many more. Hydraulic hoses are used to carry fluids throughout hydraulic systems to provide a flexible connection between two fluid ports. They are often required to operate in extreme temperatures, pressures, and even vacuums. Hydraulic hoses are made of reinforced rubber or thermoplastic conduit, surrounded by a flexible metal or fiber wire winding, which is then covered with another layer of material, or Teflon® made with stainless steel braids. The wire reinforcement is braided or spiral wound and gives the hose its flexibility and strength.
As a professional hydraulic hose manufacturer, Sinopulse has its own professional hose R&D team. We can customize softer hydraulic hoses to meet your needs in any scenario. You send us your requirements for bend and softness, and we can customize softer rubber and braiding methods according to your requirements to meet your softness requirements.
Discover our wide range of hydraulic hoses designed to withstand the rigors of high-pressure applications in various environments. Whether you are looking for durable hydraulic hoses for industrial machinery, flexible hoses for mobile equipment, or specific accessories and connectors, our selection can cover it. All of our hydraulics are formulated for reliability and performance to ensure seamless operation and longevity.
Competitively priced and manufactured for excellent fluid control, our hydraulic hoses are the best choice for industries that require high-quality, reliable solutions. Dual-line and multi-line options are available upon request, providing more versatility to meet your specific needs.
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