Industrial hoses play a pivotal role across several branches of industry. They’re flexible and versatile and necessary for transferring not only liquids but also gases and solids. Indeed, an industrial hose can be used to transfer food, beverages, chemicals, water, oil and much more. This means that this common yet essential item is crucial in many situations.
Unlike garden hoses, industrial hoses are meant to be resistant to corrosion and heat and should be able to operate under extreme conditions. They’re also very easy to customise according to different needs, which also makes them cost-effective.
Different Types of Industrial Hoses
Industrial hoses must be safe, reliable and durable. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution: different purposes require different materials and technologies. Here are the main types of hoses, what they’re made of, and what they’re used for.
Chemical Hoses
Specially designed for handling corrosive materials, most chemical hoses are made of fluoropolymers, EPDM rubber and polypropylene. The material of a chemical hose may vary according to the chemical it’s transporting, ensuring safety and environmental protection. Caustic solutions, solvents, and acids are some of the components this kind of hose can handle.
Petroleum Hoses
Due to their corrosive properties, petroleum-based fuels require special materials for transferring and transportation. These materials include PVC, urethane and nitrile rubber. Typically, a convoluted hose is the best option for this task, as it has reinforcement layers that increase its durability.
Heavy-Duty Hoses
Some hoses need to be heavy-duty to handle abrasive components like cement, sand and gravel. These must be very resistant and that’s why the first heavy-duty model used gum rubber only. Nowadays, they’re made of lighter and more flexible materials like urethane, which makes it much easier to move them around. Still, this type of hose doesn’t last long and must be rotated after every use.
Steam Hoses
While most industrial hoses must resist corrosive or abrasive material, steam hoses must endure high temperatures. The most common materials for these hoses are silicone, rubber, EPDM and PTFE. While wires can reinforce them, there are also wire-braid options. Different types of steam hoses handle wet, dry and superheated conditions.
Air Hoses
Machines that work with compressed air and pneumatic tools need to use air hoses. They’re also crucial in the automotive industry and they are used with nailers, sprayers and torque wrenches. They must be lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, so most are made of polyurethane, plastic or rubber. There are also hybrid options that mix these materials for extra strength and durability.
Electrically Conductive/Antistatic Hoses
In many cases, the buildup of static electricity is a threat, so companies often resort to antistatic and electrically conductive tubes. Uncontrolled static electricity can lead to the combustion of flammable components, damage sensitive equipment and potentially cause accidents on the factory floor.
Technology
Given the importance of industrial hoses for several applications, it’s not surprising that they have such a big global market. According to recent forecasts, this industry should cross the USD $16 billion mark by the end of 2025. The technology involved in manufacturing industrial hoses has also evolved a lot over the decades.
Smart hoses with electronic monitoring systems have brought a number of innovations. This technology allows operators to track real-time flow rate, pressure and physical conditions of the hoses. More importantly, it tells operators when a part needs maintenance, preventing failures and accidents. Here is a closer look at some of the main tech trends in this industry.
Bespoke Solutions
Market specialists forecast an increasing demand for custom solutions for specific materials and needs. The main industries driving this trend are chemicals, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage. Unsurprisingly, their needs are vastly different. While tubes for the food industry must meet stringent hygiene standards, those transporting abrasive chemicals need to focus on their durability and safety.
Improved Design
There’s an increasing demand for lighter and more flexible designs. The main focus here is to reduce installation time and improve manoeuvrability. Moreover, they must be easy to connect and disconnect. Hybrid polymers and thermoplastics are considerably lighter than traditional materials and are becoming prevalent across several industries.
Sustainability
All industries are being pushed to reduce their carbon footprint and monitor other environmental impacts. It’s already possible to find hoses made of recycled materials using environmentally friendly production techniques and more are on the way.
Regulatory Standards
Compliance with regulatory standards is mandatory for any company. That’s why so many companies strive to obtain ISO certification, which is widely accepted as proof of quality and reliability. Manufacturers work continuously to adapt their products to industry-specific regulations.
Conclusion
While robotic arms and automated systems steal the spotlight in the technology debate, hoses remain a core component of industrial progress. Despite their simplicity of purpose and functioning, hoses have become much better and more reliable with the application of modern technologies, regardless of their use.
