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by Katie Reid on Wed, Sep 11, 2013 @ 16:09 PM
Important selection considerations and tips on correctly installing your Swagelok hose
Previously on the blog, we talked about how there is a lot more to selecting a hose than most people realize. There is also a lot more to installing a hose. Here are seven installation tips that will help extend the life of your hose and prevent premature hose failure. (View examples of hose damage we see in the field.)
Be sure to allow sufficient hose length to accommodate changing system pressures. Dive into details with our free Hose Selection Resource Collection.
Hose length
Take into consideration hose movement, system pressurization, and thermal expansion when determining hose length. Installing hose that does not have sufficient length to accommodate these factors may reduce hose life.
Minimum bend radius
Follow minimum bend radius requirements for your hose. The Swagelok hose catalogue and most other hose manufacturers' catalogues list the minimum bend radius for each hose. Installing hose with smaller bends may kink hose and reduce hose life.
Hose rupture or leakage
Hose rupture or leakage may result from bending too close to the hose fitting end connection.
Hose strain
Elbows and adapters can be used to relieve hose strain.
Motion absorption
Distribute movement and prevent bends smaller than the hose's minimum bend radius by providing sufficient hose length.
Machine tolerance
Allow for changes in length resulting from machine motion and tolerances.
Bending in one plane
Avoid twisting the hose by bending it in one plane only. For a compound bend, use multiple hose pieces or other isolation methods.
However, the two most important considerations are length and minimum bend radius. It's a good idea to ensure that both elements are appropriate for the application prior to ordering or installing them in your system.
How we can help
Hose Fabrication
We build hose for customers in our Fremont shop—sometimes with same-day turnaround. Combine any of 22 types of hose/flexible tubing with any of 89 end connections, in almost any length, in small or large quantities. Includes testing. Clean room assembly and custom kitting are also available.
Hose Advisory
Swagelok Hose Advisors are trained to identify ways to enhance your hose selection, installation, inspection, and maintenance procedures to improve hose life and performance. We go beyond surface examinations to discover the underlying cause of failures or issues like kinking, selection, materials compatibility, length, and connectors.
Hose Resource Collection
This collection includes a Hose Selection & Troubleshooting Technical Briefing Video, our Hose & Flexible Tubing Quicklook, Hose Advisory Services (HAS) Literature, Locally Built Hoses: Introducing Our Hose Cell; links to articles by our local team, more technical briefings, and more.
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