Industrial & Hydraulic Hoses

Industrial Hose Materials

Click to Expand

At Fournier, we offer industrial hoses from a variety of materials, such as:

• Rubber
• PTFE
• PVC/Plastic
• UHMW
• XLPE
• Metal

When choosing the right hose for your project, chemical compatibility, cost, erosion, pressure and flexibility are all important considerations.  

Applications of Industrial Hoses

Many industries rely on industrial hoses for a variety of purposes. Here are a few of the most common applications for industrial hoses:

• Chemical hoses. Specifically designed to transport and deliver acids, chemicals, and solvents, these hoses typically contain formulated polyethylene tubing to prevent the contamination of materials flowing through the tube.
• Food and beverage hoses. These hoses are most commonly used to transport and deliver food, water, and other beverages between various stages of manufacturing and packaging. The hose typically contains a microbe-resistant liner that does not affect product taste or odor, and are made with only FDA approved materials, a high tensile textile cords with embedded helix wires, and a smooth abrasion and ozone resistant cover.
• Oil and gas exploration hoses. Hoses used in oil and gas environments typically must handle crude oil, petroleum waste, slurries, or other harsh materials. Pressure jetting, hot oilers, and fracking all require highly durable industrial hose assemblies. 
• Specialty hoses. Custom designed hoses are commonly developed for specific tasks or applications that other traditional industrial hoses cannot achieve.
• Water hoses. Water and wastewater applications rely on hoses for the suction and discharge of water, slurries, alkalis, glycols, and other mild chemicals. High-pressure hoses are also required for pressure washing, waterjet cutting, cleaning, stripping, and various other high-pressure stream applications.
• Gaseous hoses. Industrial hoses are used to safely transfer and deliver propane, butane, natural gas, and other commonly used gases.
• Material handling hoses. Apt at handling abrasive materials such as concrete, plaster, grout, and dry cement, these hoses contain thick inner tubing made of rubber to minimize abrasion and resist weathering and scuffing.
• Petroleum hoses. Large petroleum hoses transport fuel or LPG (Liquid Propane Gas) from dispensers to aircraft and large commercial vehicles. Smaller petroleum hoses may be used within fuel systems, on gas pumps, and more. LPG must be used with hoses that meet UL 21 Approved LP-Gas/Natural Gas standards, which include a vinyl nitrile cover that has been pinpricked to release gas pressure and a fiber braid for reinforcement.
• Steam hoses. Steams hoses are developed to withstand high temperatures and moisture from superheated steam. They contain a tube designed to resist heat and popcorning. Likewise, its cover is resistant to cracking and hardening. Use extreme caution when operating steam hoses. It can be very dangerous as it can reach over 400° F.

Hydraulic Hoses

Hydraulic hoses fall into their own category and are specially designed to convey hydraulic fluid under pressure to various hydraulic components such as valves, pumps, motors, cylinders, actuators, and other tools. At Fournier, our hydraulic hose catalog includes:

• Braided hose (standard and premium)
• Spiral hose (standard and premium)
• Suction hose
• Textile-reinforced hose
• Wire-reinforced hose
• Thermoplastic hose
• Air conditioning hose
• Ultra-high pressure (UHP) hose

Hose Assemblies vs. Tube Assemblies

When comparing hose versus tube it is most commonly understood to mean a hydraulic hose assembly versus a hydraulic metal tube assembly. While hose assemblies are well-suited for a broad range of working conditions and applications, metal hydraulic tube assemblies are generally preferred when routed near a heat source. Both are commonly found on one piece of hydraulic equipment.

Hoses are better suited for attachment to moving parts or in equipment with significant vibration. In general, they can be cut into a longer continuous length, feature superior flexibility, and are quick to manufacture. Hoses can also be made with field-attachable fittings that do not require special equipment on site to replace or repair.

When comparing hose versus other types of tubing such as rubber and plastic tubing. Hoses are generally reinforced and can handle high pressure while tubing is most generally non-reinforced and is used more for gravity flow or low pressure applications. When ordering tubing, it is important to know all three dimensions; inside diameter, outside diameter, and the wall thickness of the tubing. 

Selecting the Proper Hose

Choosing the proper hose for your business is made easy by following the S.T.A.M.P.E.D. method to evaluate these factors:

1. Size: What is the dimension of the inside diameter and the overall length needed?
2. Temperature: What is the temperature of the internal fluid running through the hose        and the conditions of the external ambient temperature?
3. Application: What is the hose being used for? (environment, space, connections, etc.)
4. Media (Material): What is running through it and at what flow rate? (air, water, gas, liquid, steam)
5. Pressure tolerances: How much pressure will the hose be under? If the system pressure exceeds the working pressure of the hose, the life of the hose will be reduced.
6. Ends (Fittings): What type of ends do you need on your hose?
7. Delivery (Availability): Do you need special delivery requirements, special packaging, pressure testing, tagged for traceability?

If all of these factors are weighed when selecting an industrial hose, you’re sure to get the right hose for your needs. If you have questions on proper hose selection, our team will work with you to ensure your product meets your specifications.

Industrial Hoses at Fournier

At Fournier, we have been supplying industrial hoses since 1933. We provide hoses and fittings in bulk, as well as completed hose assemblies. We distribute industrial and hydraulic hoses in a variety of sizes and lengths. For more information on our capabilities or products, please request a quote today!