Can Rubber Hoses Truly Adapt to Fluid Transfer Needs in Different Scenarios?

Why Rubber Hoses Become Common Accessories for Fluid Transfer in Multiple Scenarios

In scenarios requiring fluid transfer, such as industrial production, automobile manufacturing, and household life, rubber hoses have emerged as widely used core accessories due to their material properties and structural advantages. Their core advantage stems from the elasticity and weather resistance of rubber itself—high-quality rubber hoses can maintain stable performance within a temperature range of -40℃ to 120℃. They neither become hard and brittle at low temperatures nor soften and deform at high temperatures, making them suitable for diverse environments, from cold outdoor spaces to high-temperature equipment. Compared with metal pipes, rubber hoses are lightweight and flexible, allowing flexible bending according to installation space. This is particularly advantageous for complex pipeline layouts between equipment, avoiding the installation difficulties of metal pipes caused by high rigidity. Additionally, the inner walls of rubber hoses are smooth, resulting in low fluid resistance, which reduces pressure loss during transfer. They also possess a certain degree of impact resistance, making them less likely to crack when subjected to external collisions and lowering the risk of fluid leakage. Whether it is high-pressure oil transfer in industrial hydraulic systems, coolant circulation in automobile engines, or water inlet and drainage for household washing machines, rubber hoses can meet fluid transfer needs with reliable performance—and this is the key reason for their widespread application across multiple scenarios.

Installation and Sealing Key Points of Rubber Hoses in Industrial Hydraulic Systems

Industrial hydraulic systems have extremely high requirements for the sealing performance and installation accuracy of rubber hoses. Improper operation can easily lead to high-pressure oil leakage, affecting equipment operation and even causing safety accidents. Before installation, it is necessary to select a rubber hose suitable for the hydraulic system’s working pressure and medium type: high-pressure systems (pressure ≥16MPa) require multi-layer braided reinforced rubber hoses. The inner oil-resistant rubber layer can resist hydraulic oil corrosion, while the outer braided layer (such as steel wire braiding) enhances pressure resistance; low-pressure systems (pressure ＜10MPa) can use single-layer rubber hoses to reduce costs while meeting basic needs. During installation, the bending radius of the hose must be controlled—it should not be less than 8 times the inner diameter of the hose. Excessive bending is avoided to prevent inner wall wrinkles, which would affect oil flow or accelerate hose aging. Meanwhile, the connection between the hose and the joint should use dedicated clamps or threaded joints. Tightening should be done with a torque wrench according to the specified torque (usually 15-25N·m) to ensure the sealing surface is fully fitted and prevent high-pressure oil leakage from joint gaps. After installation, a pressure test is required: inject hydraulic oil into the system and raise the pressure to 1.2 times the rated pressure, maintaining it for 30 minutes. If there is no leakage at the joints and no expansion or deformation of the hose, the installation is deemed qualified.

Comparative Analysis of Oil Resistance Between Rubber Hoses and PVC Hoses

The difference in oil resistance between rubber hoses and PVC hoses directly determines the boundary of their application scenarios. In terms of oil-resistant material properties, the molecular structure of rubber hoses (especially nitrile rubber hoses) contains cyano groups, which can form stable bonds with hydrocarbon molecules in oil-based media, preventing swelling. When a rubber hose is immersed in 46# hydraulic oil and placed at room temperature for 72 hours, its weight change rate is usually less than 5%, volume change rate less than 3%, and there is no obvious stickiness or cracking on the surface. In contrast, the main component of PVC hoses is polyvinyl chloride, whose molecular structure easily reacts with oil-based media, causing material swelling and softening. Under the same immersion conditions, the weight change rate of PVC hoses can reach 15%-20%, with significant volume expansion, sticky and deformed surfaces, and even loss of elasticity, making them unable to withstand pressure transfer. In practical applications, rubber hoses are suitable for transferring oil-based media such as industrial hydraulic oil and engine oil, while PVC hoses are only suitable for non-oil fluids such as water and air. If mistakenly used for oil transfer, leakage may occur in as short as 1-2 months, and complete failure in 3-6 months. Therefore, it is essential to strictly distinguish application scenarios based on the transferred medium.

Aging Identification and Replacement Process of Household Rubber Hoses

Household rubber hoses (such as washing machine inlet hoses and water heater connecting hoses) are prone to aging after long-term use. Failure to replace them in a timely manner may lead to water leakage and damage to household items. Aging identification can be done from three aspects: appearance, touch, and usage status. In terms of appearance, aged rubber hoses will have cracks, discoloration (e.g., turning from black to gray-white), and spots on the surface, with bulges possibly appearing in some areas. In terms of touch, pressing the hose with hands will reveal hardening material and reduced elasticity; if powder falls off when rubbing the surface, it indicates aging. During use, if water droplets seep from the joints or the hose shows obvious deformation, replacement is necessary even without leakage. The replacement process requires standardized operation: first, close the water source valve connected to the hose (such as the washing machine inlet valve or water heater main valve) to prevent water flow during replacement; then use a wrench to loosen the joint and remove the aged hose, taking care to clean scale and impurities at the joint; when installing the new hose, ensure the joint threads are aligned, and slowly tighten clockwise without excessive force to avoid damaging the joint threads; after installation, open the valve and observe for 5-10 minutes to confirm no leakage before normal use. It is recommended to replace household rubber hoses every 2-3 years to avoid safety hazards caused by overdue use.

Heat Resistance Testing Methods of Rubber Hoses Under High-Temperature Working Conditions

In high-temperature working conditions such as automobile engine coolant hoses and industrial boiler drainage hoses, the heat resistance of rubber hoses directly affects their service life and safety, requiring scientific testing to verify their performance. A common testing method is the high-temperature aging test: cut rubber hose samples (10cm in length, 2cm in diameter) and place them in a constant-temperature aging oven set at 150℃ (simulating high-temperature conditions) for 168 hours. After removal, measure their tensile strength and elongation at break. High-quality rubber hoses should have a tensile strength retention rate of no less than 80% and an elongation at break retention rate of no less than 70%. If the indicators are below the standard, the heat resistance is insufficient, making them unsuitable for high-temperature scenarios. Another key test is the heat shrinkage test: place the hose in a 120℃ environment for 24 hours, then measure changes in its length and diameter after cooling. The heat shrinkage rate should be controlled within 3% to prevent the hose from loosening from the joint due to heat shrinkage and causing fluid leakage. In addition, a high-temperature pressure test can be conducted by connecting the hose to a test device simulating high-temperature fluid, continuously transferring the medium at 130℃ and rated pressure for 24 hours, and observing whether the hose cracks or leaks to ensure its stable performance under high temperature and pressure.

UV Protection Maintenance Methods for Rubber Hoses Used Outdoors

Rubber hoses used outdoors (such as garden irrigation hoses and outdoor equipment water pipes) are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation for a long time, making them prone to aging and embrittlement, which shortens their service life. Scientific maintenance methods can effectively extend their service cycle. In daily maintenance, avoid prolonged exposure of rubber hoses to direct sunlight; when not in use, store them in a cool, dry place or cover them with a sunshade cloth to reduce direct UV exposure. For long-term outdoor laying, select rubber hoses with an outer UV-resistant coating—UV absorbers in the coating can block more than 90% of harmful UV rays and slow down aging. During regular maintenance, apply a dedicated maintenance agent (such as a silicone-based agent) to the hose surface every 3 months. This agent forms a protective film on the hose surface, which not only enhances UV resistance but also supplements the oil needed by the rubber to prevent material hardening. If slight cracks appear on the hose surface, apply rubber repair agent to fill the cracks and enhance local UV resistance; if the crack depth exceeds 1mm or length exceeds 5cm, replace the hose in a timely manner to avoid cracking and water leakage during use. Additionally, when using outdoors, avoid long-term contact between the hose and sharp objects (such as stones and metal parts) to prevent scratches on the surface coating and loss of UV protection.