What is hydraulic rubber hose
Hydraulic hoses are the arteries of a hydraulic system.
They are used in a wide range of equipment and industries, including oil and gas, mining, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, railways, automotive, food, and pharmaceutical production.
Hydraulic hoses transport fluid throughout the hydraulic system, providing a flexible connection between two fluid ports. They often need to operate under extreme temperatures, high pressure, and even in vacuum conditions.
Hydraulic hoses are made of reinforced rubber or thermoplastic tubing, wrapped with a layer of flexible steel wire or fiber braiding, and then covered with a protective material.
Some hoses are made of Teflon® with a stainless steel braided layer.
The metal wire reinforcement is either braided or spiral, giving the hose both flexibility and strength.
Components of a High-Pressure Hydraulic Rubber Hose
Inner Tube
- Usually flexible
- Allows fluid transfer
Reinforcement Layer
- Three types: braided, spiral, and helical (commonly used for suction/vacuum)
Outer Cover
- Designed to withstand harsh weather, abrasion, or chemicals
How Are Hydraulic Rubber Hoses Classified by Pressure Rating?
Hydraulic hoses are classified by their designed pressure under normal operating conditions into low pressure, medium pressure, and high pressure. They can also be categorized based on structure/reinforcement type, temperature range, and other performance characteristics.
- Low Pressure: Below 250 PSI, most commonly reinforced with textile/fabric braid.
- Medium Pressure: Up to 3,000 PSI, typically reinforced with steel wire braid.
- High Pressure: 3,000–6,000 PSI, reinforced with a combination of wire braid and spiral winding.
How to Properly choose a Hydraulic Rubber Hose
Just like choosing other components in a hydraulic system (such as fittings), selecting the right hose follows the STAMPED method:
- Size
- Temperature
- Application
- Media/Material
- Pressure
- End fittings
- Delivery method
1. Understanding Hose Specifications
Manufacturers use a wide range of specifications to classify hoses. There are 19 SAE 100R specifications and numerous European EN specifications. While specific applications require specific standards, hose selection generally comes down to three material and structural choices:
- Rubber with wire reinforcement
- Thermoplastic with textile reinforcement
- Teflon (PTFE) with stainless steel braiding
2. Key Considerations for Selection
-
Hose Size (Inner Diameter - ID)
Hydraulic hose part numbers indicate ID in 1/16-inch increments:- -6 → 3/8 inch ID
- -8 → 1/2 inch ID
- -10 → 5/8 inch ID
- -16 → 1 inch ID
- Example: H28006 represents H280 hose series with 3/8-inch ID.
- H280 is a double-wire braided hydraulic hose, widely used in hydraulic applications.
-
Pressure Ratings & Safety Factor
- Most hydraulic hoses have a 4:1 safety factor.
- A 3,000 PSI hose must have a minimum burst pressure of 12,000 PSI.
-
Hose Construction
- Inner Tube: Made of reinforced rubber or thermoplastic to transport hydraulic fluid.
- Reinforcement Layer: Wire or fiber braiding enhances strength and pressure resistance.
- Outer Cover: Protects reinforcement from corrosion and abrasion.
By understanding these key factors, selecting the right hydraulic hose becomes a straightforward process.
Hydraulic Rubber Hose Standards
Hydraulic hose standards ensure safety, performance, and compatibility in various applications. Different regions follow specific standards:
1. North American Standards
- The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) defines the most commonly used hydraulic hose standards.
- The SAE 100R series is regulated under SAE J517, which specifies hose construction, pressure ratings, and performance criteria.
- Muncie Power Products and other manufacturers provide hoses that comply with these SAE standards.
2. European & International Standards
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and European Norm (EN) set the primary standards in Europe.
- These ISO and EN standards are becoming increasingly popular in North America due to their stringent performance requirements.
By following these recognized standards, hydraulic hose manufacturers ensure reliability, safety, and compatibility across global industries.
Types of Hydraulic Rubber Hoses
In most hydraulic system pressure-side applications, there are three main types of hose materials and constructions. On the return side, there is one common type.
1 – Nitrile Rubber Hydraulic Hoses
Rubber hydraulic hoses are typically made of nitrile rubber (NBR) because it is compatible with most hydraulic fluids. These hoses come in two reinforcement types:
- Textile braid – Used for lower pressure applications (<1,000 PSI).
- High-tensile steel wire reinforcement – Used for pressures up to 7,000 PSI and beyond.
Common Steel Reinforced Hose Types
| Hose Type | Construction | Pressure Range | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-wire braided | Single-layer steel wire | Low pressure | Less common, used for light-duty hydraulic systems. |
| 2-wire braided | Two layers of steel wire | Medium pressure | Most widely used due to balanced cost and performance. |
| 4-wire spiral | Four layers of spiral steel wire | 4,000–6,000 PSI | Heavy-duty equipment, frequent pressure pulses. |
| 6-wire spiral | Six layers of spiral steel wire | Up to 7,000 PSI | Ultra-high pressure, large-diameter hoses. |
Some manufacturers provide hoses with extra-durable outer covers for applications requiring extreme impact and abrasion resistance.
- Common outer cover material: Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE)
- UHMWPE provides exceptional abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, and low friction.
2 – Thermoplastic Hydraulic Hoses
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) is another common material for hydraulic hoses. These hoses are typically constructed with:
- Nylon inner tube
- Synthetic fiber reinforcement
- Polyurethane outer cover
Key Features & Applications
- Low conductivity → Ideal for electrical applications (e.g., bucket lifts for power line maintenance).
- Pressure rating → Similar to 1-wire and 2-wire braided steel hoses.
- Abrasion-resistant outer cover → Often used near forklift chain rollers.
- Temperature resistance → Can handle temperatures up to 275°F (135°C).
- Versatile applications → Common in high-pressure hydraulic systems, chemical gas handling, and pressurized gas transfer.
3 – PTFE (Teflon®) Hydraulic Hoses
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), also known as Teflon®, is a fluoropolymer with exceptional chemical and temperature resistance.
Construction & Features
- Inner tube: PTFE
- Reinforcement: Stainless steel wire braid
- No outer cover required → Stainless steel provides natural corrosion resistance.
- High temperature resistance → Operates up to 450°F (232°C).
- Best for applications requiring chemical compatibility and corrosion resistance.
Special Considerations for PTFE Hoses
- Size measurement differs → The actual inner diameter (ID) is 1/16 inch smaller than standard hoses.
- Example: A -6 PTFE hose has a 5/16-inch ID, while other materials have 3/8-inch ID.
- Larger bending radius → PTFE is rigid and prone to kinking, which weakens the hose structure.
Hydraulic Return Hoses
Hydraulic return hoses handle fluid suction and return to the system.
- Typically made of rubber with textile braid reinforcement.
- Spiral wire reinforcement may be used to maintain positive pressure for suction applications.
By selecting the right hose type based on pressure, temperature, application, and durability needs, you can ensure optimal hydraulic system performance and longevity.
Conclusion
Choosing the right hydraulic rubber hose is critical for ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of a hydraulic system. Selecting a hose that meets the correct pressure, temperature, material, and application requirements helps prevent failures, leaks, and downtime.
Equally important is choosing a reliable hydraulic hose manufacturer that provides high-quality, industry-compliant hoses. A trusted supplier ensures the hose meets safety standards and application demands, delivering long-lasting performance and operational security.
Sinopulse - Hydraulic Rubber Hose Manufacturer
Sinopulse offers a wide range of industrial hydraulic rubber hoses and hose products designed specifically for high-pressure applications. These hoses are made with rubber tubes compatible with oil-based products, and in some cases, water-based products as well. Our multipurpose hoses are interchangeable with hoses from Weatherhead, Aeroquip, and Parker, making them an excellent choice for hydraulic equipment applications.
These flexible rubber hoses maintain their strength through reinforcement layers made from high-tensile steel wire. The synthetic rubber outer layer provides excellent oil resistance, abrasion resistance, and weather resistance. You can pair bulk hydraulic hoses and accessories with our braided hose crimp fittings to create your own replacement hoses.
Rubber hydraulic hoses are the most commonly used in hydraulic systems, primarily for transporting oil-based fluids, but can also be used in water systems. Due to their rubber and steel components, they are able to maintain internal pressure effectively, making them ideal for applications such as power transmission from generators to nozzles.
All of our rubber hydraulic hoses comply with SAE standards and are made from the highest quality materials. Choose from a variety of diameters and lengths to meet your specific needs.
Explore our rubber hydraulic hoses