Unprotected hoses can cause all sorts of potential problems for applications, work sites, and businesses. The importance of hose protection measures should never be undersold. An unprotected hose is vulnerable to environmental damage, abrasion, chemical spills, leaks, and fire damage, among other factors. This can lead to a series of downtimes, maintenance issues, replacement of components, and other costs that can be damaging to a business. In the worst cases, an unprotected hose can cause an accident and potential injury for workers. This guide will look at different hose protection technologies for 2025 and beyond.
What are the external factors you need to consider?
Hydraulic hose systems and applications are exposed to a variety of elements that could potentially cause them harm. Understanding these is important, as it will help you to ensure that you have the correct hose protection in place to improve the lifespan of your hose system and to ensure that system performance is not compromised. External elements such as extreme heat and cold, exposure to chemicals, dust, and abrasion, can all cause potential threats to your application. Construction and industrial sites, which are high-abrasion environments, can cause issues to unprotected hose systems. High heat in the mining sector, automotive and aerospace sectors, and others, can lead to problems if protective measures are not properly installed.
What are the long-term benefits of effective hose protection?
By investing in effective hose protection, you’ll experience long-term benefits. The major benefit is that the lifespan of the hose will be extended significantly. This means that you won’t be tasked with as many maintenance and repair jobs, or the costly requirement to completely replace a hose system. The hose will work more efficiently, with minimal interruptions that lead to delays in work processes. In terms of the working environment, things will be much safer with proper and effective hose protection, with the risk of accidents linked to hose failure significantly reduced due to the protective layer.
Types of hydraulic hose protection products
There are different approaches that you can take to protect your hoses and hose systems, including:
- Hose sleeves – an extra layer of protection that encases the entire length of the hose and provides protection against abrasion, UV rays, and chemicals.
- Spring guards and coils – spiral, coiled wraps that are made to reinforce hydraulic hoses and make them more rigid, providing a barrier to sharp edges and surfaces.
- Fire sleeves – silicone-coated fiberglass fire sleeves protect hoses in extreme heat and against direct flame and fire. The extremity of temperature protection depends on each item.
- Burst protection sleeves – heavy-duty sleeves that contain energy released during a hose burst, designed to withstand high pressure and prevent liquid and chemicals from bursting out.
- Electrical insulation sleeves – protective covers that add an extra layer of safety in environments where electrical equipment, wiring, and cables require protection.
Hose protection plays an important role in a wide variety of heavy industries and work environments where there are harsh, extreme temperatures and potential for vulnerabilities relating to the presence of chemicals and other dangerous substances. It’s important that you choose the best hose protection materials for your specific application, workplace, and business. Finding a supplier that is reliable, meets strict industry standards and regulations, and understands the need to innovate and continue to push the boundaries with safer and more efficient materials and technologies will make a big difference to your success.
