A composite hose is made from a combination of materials – usually galvanised steel, stainless steel, aluminium, polymer-coated steel or a range of alloys – and carries a range of different fluids, including fuels, oils and liquid chemicals.
Composite hoses are incredibly versatile. They can be used in a number of industries for a variety of projects – such as suction and delivery in the fuel industry and ship-to-shore transfer operations in the maritime industries.
But how exactly do composite hoses benefit these kinds of projects?
Here’s everything you need to know.
Composite hoses are highly flexible
Built around the ‘Mandrel Wrapped Principle’, composite hose pipes are first made by making a spiral of strong, durable wire, then wrapping layers of polymer film or fabric over it, before finally binding the new hose in a spiral of strong wire.
It’s this spirally wound metal that makes the composite hose one of the strongest, most flexible hoses on the market.
The layers slide easily over one another, which gives the hose an excellent bend radius.
This helps it to maintain its integrity and endure great pressures – making them more than ideal for industrial use.
They’re lightweight
Composite hoses are much lighter than their metal and rubber counterparts – by about 30-40%.
Being so lightweight, they’re extremely easy to operate, which in turn will help increase work efficiency – it’s a win-win!
They allow for easy and safe handling
Because composite hoses offer excellent resistance to harsh chemicals and high temperatures and pressures, they’re the perfect choice for handling all kinds of transfers.
These hose types are also designed to be ‘fail safe’ in two specific areas:
- The hose itself
Composite hoses are made from multiple tube layers and films. Therefore, there is no direct path for liquid to follow in the event of a leak.
If a leak does occur, the liquid should serpentine its path via the multiple layers of the hose, through which it reaches the outer cover.
Once the liquid reaches the outer cover, droplets will form on the seam line – indicating that there’s a leak.
Other hose types would collapse easily, but with composite hoses being so strong, you won’t have to worry about this happening.
- The end fitting
The end fittings are designed in a way to remain safe and secure at all times.
There’s no possibility of them blowing off the hose as they’re screwed tightly in place. For them to blow out, they would need to be unscrewed manually.
These end fittings act as safety valves, which makes them the best option for industrial applications.
They’re extremely durable
Composite hoses have a great tensile strength and offer good sealing performance. They’re durable and resistant to corrosion and ageing, which in turn, leads to a long shelf life and reduces the need for repairs and replacements.
Ready to invest in a composite hose?
Now that you know how your project can benefit from a composite hose, what are you waiting for?
There are many suppliers online, like Proflex Hose Ltd, who provide the highest quality composite hoses at some of the most competitive prices around. To find our more about their composite hoses or to place an order, give them a call today – they’d be more than happy to help and offer their expertise.
