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Industrial rubber air hose is specifically designed to convey compressed air to or among pneumatic components, valves, actuators, and tools. It is typically flexible and often reinforced. Construction features such as coiling or corrugations can be used to minimize storage space required and to allow positioning flexibility among components.
Industrial rubber air hose can be specified in English or metric units. Some may be supplied with both types of units defined. Important specifications to consider for air hoses include inside diameter, outside diameter and minimum bend radius. Minimum bend radius is based on a combination of acceptable hose cross-section deformation and mechanical bending limit of any reinforcement.
Typical applications are given per manufacturers' catalog listing; some industrial rubber air hoses product may be suitable for specialty or manufacturer-approved applications. Applications for rubber air hose include pneumatic, fresh air, suction or vacuum, and exhaust. Industrial pneumatic rubber air hose is rated for compressed air and designed for use in pneumatic systems. Fresh industrial rubber air hose is designed and rated for delivery of fresh breathable air.
Suction or vacuum industrial rubber air hose is rated for air at less than atmospheric pressure or designed for suction applications. Exhaust air hose is rated for the removal of unwanted particles or gases from an environment or system.
Important performance specifications for air hose include working pressure, maximum vacuum, and temperature range. The working pressure is the maximum service design pressure. Maximum rated vacuum is most frequently given in inches or mm of mercury referenced below one standard atmosphere. The full-required range of ambient operating temperature is specified in Fahrenheit for English air hose and Celsius for metric air hose.
Construction options for air hose include reinforced, coiled, corrugated or convoluted, articulated, and multi-element. Reinforced air hose is constructed with some element of reinforcement; styles include textile braid, wire braid, wire helix, and many other designs in many ply or layer configurations. Air hose can be coiled for flexibility and elasticity; this feature often makes it expandable and easy to store. Air hose may contain corrugations, pleats, or spiral convolutions to increase flexibility and capacity for compression and elongation. Articulated air hose has rigid hose sections that are constructed with "joints" that can be swiveled, positioned, or articulated; often used in cases where hose discharge must be aimed, such as coolant delivery to a work piece. A multi-element air hose has more than one hose formed or adhered together in a flat, ribbon, or bundled configuration. |