THE HOSE GUIDE

How to choose the right hose 

Hose characteristics

A hose assembly, unlike a pipe installation, is flexible and does not require the same precision in placement. A hose assembly can be either on the floor or suspended in the air. To achieve the best possible results and maximum reliability in your installation, you need to define what factors are important for your particular choice of hose.

There are a large number of hose variants specifically designed to meet the different needs of industries. Hoses can be divided into pressure hose, suction hose, transport hose, but it is common to divide the hoses according to their use depending on the media to be transported in the hose. For example, food, chemicals, gases, etc.

Before buying a hose, you should therefore consider the following questions:

1. What should the hose transport? 
When choosing a hose, the material is influenced by what is transported inside the hose and therefore the hose should be chosen with the media in mind. Examples of media transported through hose solutions are food, chemicals, gas, wood chips, milk, oil, fuel, water, concrete, granules and alcohol etc. A media is therefore the material to be transported in the hose.

2. What material should I choose for the hose?
The choice of hose material is entirely determined by internal and external factors. This is because some materials are suitable for cold and heat, others for chemicals and gases, etc. However, the choice of hose material is crucial for a safe and durable hose solution. We have developed a simplified breakdown when choosing hose materials.

3. Will the hose be subjected to pressure?
When choosing a hose, it is important to know if the hose will transport media that are under pressure. High pressure requires that the hose has the right kind of reinforcement. All hoses have two pressure ratings: working pressure and burst pressure. Working pressure corresponds to the pressure the hose is subjected to during normal use and burst pressure is the maximum pressure a hose can withstand before it bursts. The working and burst pressures given apply to factory new hoses. As the hose ages, the working and burst pressures will gradually decrease. Working pressure is given at room temperature.

4. Will the temperature inside the hose affect the hose?
Each hose has different characteristics, one of which is temperature resistance. The design temperature of the hose indicates the temperature range within which the hose is suitable for use. There are hoses designed for a temperature range of -273° to +1000° C to withstand the transport of anything from hot oil to chemicals.

5. What is the environment like where the hose will be used?
Whether your hose will be used indoors in small spaces or outdoors in demanding natural environments, the physical environment will affect the hose. Heat, abrasion, vibration, ozone, temperature and sunlight all stress the material of the hose.

6. Which inner diameter of hose should I choose?
When determining the dimension of the hose, it is the inner diameter of the hose that is of primary interest. The inner diameter determines what type of coupling the hose can be equipped with. Large flow rates require large inner diameters to minimise hose friction losses and pressure limitations. The aim in sizing is to select a hose that can deliver the required flow at the lowest possible pressure.

7. Does the hose need to be flexible?
Depending on where you are going to use your hose, the need for flexibility can be great. The design of a hose affects its flexibility, also called bending radius. Depending on factors such as material thickness, reinforcement, what material the hose is made of and how it is ultimately constructed makes it more or less flexible. Some hoses can withstand being kinked and then kinked again, while others lose considerable life by being repeatedly uncoiled and kinked. The larger the bend radius, the less bending the hose can withstand before it is unfolded. So if you intend to uncoil the hose, it is particularly important to keep the bending radius in mind.

Hose construction

How is a hose constructed?
The hose is usually made up of an inner tube that is in contact with the media being transported. The inner tube is thus influenced by the material and requirements are made for the material in the inner tube to withstand wear, corrosion and other attacks. In order to provide stability to the hose, we usually find a reinforcement on the outside of the inner tube and it is then protected by the outer tube which is adapted to cope with the external environments.

What is reinforcement?
A hose subjected to overpressure or underpressure is often reinforced. The reinforcement can be in the form of metallic fleece, textile or polyester reinforcement, steel spiral or a hard place reinforcement of the outer tube. Reinforcement is available in many different materials and shapes.

How do you measure the radius of curvature?
The radius of curvature is measured from the inside curvature. When the hose is kinked, measure the diameter and divide by two to get the result, i.e. the bend radius of your hose. The larger the bend radius, the less flexibility the hose has.

Selection from the assortment

Silicone hose with helix 76 MM

With helix Polyester reinforcement Stainless steel helix Silicone rubber
Silicone hose with helix 76 MM
Orderable item
Create list
Add to shopping list
  • My favorites
  • {{ list.name }}

Silicone hose abrasil | 1205

With helix Polyester reinforcement Stainless steel helix Silicone rubber
Silicone hose abrasil | 1205
Orderable item
Create list
Add to shopping list
  • My favorites
  • {{ list.name }}

Silicone hose with helix 10 MM

With helix Polyester reinforcement Stainless steel helix Silicone rubber
Silicone hose with helix 10 MM
Orderable item
Create list
Add to shopping list
  • My favorites
  • {{ list.name }}

Abrasil corrugated | 1208

With helix Plastic helix Polyester reinforcement Polymer
Abrasil corrugated	| 1208
Orderable item
Create list
Add to shopping list
  • My favorites
  • {{ list.name }}

Want to learn more about hoses?

Image of a measured hose

Measure the hose length

When measuring hose, it should always be borne in mind that temperature changes...


Read more 

image of a stored hose

How to store your hose 

A hose that remains unaffected at room temperature can fail very quickly at higher temperatures.

Read more 

image of hose assembly

Hose assemble

It is important that the hose is installed correctly with sufficient slack, optimal bends...


Read more

image of a metal hose

Why choose a metal hose? 

The metal hose's completely sealed construction is based on a corrugated...

Read more