Airline Hoses
What Type Air Hose Is Best?
Air supply hoses are industrial-grade tubes used to transfer gases from a compressor to a different location, including pressurized air. An air supply hose must be strong and flexible in delivering a consistent pressure or power level without breaking or tearing the seals.
Flexibility is also a crucial factor that ensures the elements within the tube aren't restricted unnecessarily. The flexibility allows the user to quickly install the hose around working areas with relative ease, without the need for corner connectors or brackets.
You're probably reading this because you're looking for the best air hose. Premier Safety is home to the best air hoses, and we will take you through what you need to know about them.
What Does An Air Hose Do?
Hoses for compressed air and gases are used in industrial, medical, construction, and agricultural applications to transport compressed air and gases from one location to another. NBR (Nitrile Rubber), PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer), PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), Silicone, and other materials are commonly used in these hoses. To enhance safety and lifespan, these hoses are usually reinforced with stainless steel or polyester fabric braiding. They must also adhere to different ISO, EU, and US air and gas safety requirements. Figure 1 shows an air and gas pipe with an inner and outer layer of NBR.
Best Air Hoses: Choosing the Right Airline Hose
Different air hose material and size can accommodate different pressures, purposes, and flow rates. The most common materials used in air supply hoses are:
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Rubber air hoses
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PVC hoses
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Hybrid material
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Polyurethane air hose
Other categories of airline hoses are:
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Standard air hose: It comprises a straight tube without coils or twists, making it the best for easy layout on flat surfaces and storage. It works well with hand-operated tools like paint guns for non-resistance when pulled.
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Retractable air hose: Its easily distinguishable by its tensile coils, making it resemble a traditional telephone wire
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High-pressure air hose: Made from reinforced rubber to withstand extended air pressures of bar 20 and upwards
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Heat-resistant air hose: It can withstand anything upwards of 40 degrees Celsius to about 260 degrees Celsius. These are the most suitable for tough industrial work situations.
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Recoil air hose: Recoil hoses are pre-formed like a spring so they bounce back after use.
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Hybrid air hose: Hybrid hoses are very flexible and resilient, even in freezing temperatures, attributable to its hybrid blend of polyurethane, PVC, and rubber.
When looking for the best air supply hose, consider its durability, flexibility, abrasion resistance, and ease of storage. We also recommend keeping these factors in mind:
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The minimum and maximum air pressure a project requires
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The model that would be best in each application
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The most suitable material to meet the needs at hand, for example, when looking for a food-safe air hose.
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The length of the hose and the internal and external diameters.
Which is Better, Hybrid or Rubber Air Hose?
The most common material variation types of air hoses are rubber and PVC. Rubber airline hoses are more flexible, although they weigh more than others made from other materials. Such hoses lay on the ground better and are less likely to cause tripping accidents. air compressor hose, best air compressor hose, hybrid air hoses, polyurethane air hose.
PVC is more lightweight but gets stiffer in cold weather, hence being more abrasion-resistant. It's also easier to pull or jerk around than its rubber hose counterpart.
The hybrid air hose is a blend of rubber and PVC that attempts to provide the best of both worlds. It features a high-performance polymer that leverages the lightweight and abrasion-resistance of PVC and the flexibility of rubber hose.
The blend of two materials makes the hybrid type extremely durable and flexible, even when the temperatures are frigid. Some factors that make a hybrid air hose better than a rubber one are:
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A wide range of applications in pneumatic tools, air supply, air purifying, automated airline, air compressors, construction equipment, and cleaning equipment
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The material is highly reinforced to deliver high tensile polyester braiding.
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Extreme weather flexibility, abrasion-resistant, UV and ozone-resistant, lightweight, and non-kinking.
What is the Most Common Air Hose Fitting?
There's a wide range of products when it comes to air fittings. Their role is crucial in the overall performance of air tools and compressors they are paired with while working. Two crucial elements to consider when choosing an air hose fitting are:
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Style: Two basic types of fittings are automotive and industrial. They don't have much difference in performance or longevity, hence they are both common in various applications.
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Size: A question we commonly ask is the best size of air hose fitting one should choose. The most common size is ¼ inch for the 3/8 and ¼ inch air hoses. Most 3/8 inch hoses come with a ¼ inch end, hence why a ¼ inch fitting works.
Final Thoughts
When looking for an air supply hose, several factors come into play. You want to choose a product that will perform at its best while keeping you safe. That's where the input of an expert comes in to help you make the right choice.
Premier Safety is your leading resource in providing technical safety products throughout North America. Our team of experts is available to keep you up-to-date with workplace safety tips. Contact us today for more information.