As an engineer, you’re always looking for ways to improve safety and efficiency in your hydraulic systems. One way to achieve this is by using protective wrapping for your hydraulic hoses. Protective wrapping can help preserve the life of your hoses while also preventing potential fluid leaks and accidents. Read on as we discuss the four main benefits of using protective wraps on your hydraulic hoses.
1) Helps Extend The Life Of Hydraulic Hoses
Hydraulic hoses are subject to many forms of abuse and wear. They can become abraded, cut, or damaged by heat. The worst part is that you may not notice these issues until they have already caused irreparable damage to the hose. That’s why you always need a layer of protective wrapping around your hydraulic hoses. It helps protect your hoses against common forms of operational wear and tear while also adding some structural integrity to the assembly as a whole.
In addition, some types of protective wraps are specially designed to resist heat and flames, which can be helpful if your hoses are exposed to high temperatures.
2) Prevents Cracking And Corrosion On Hoses
One of the biggest problems with hydraulic hoses is cracking and corrosion that extends out from the fittings. This occurs when moisture and other corrosive elements (e.g. soluble salts) get into the hose and corrode the metal fittings. Over time, this can cause the hose itself to crack and fail. Protective wrapping can help prevent this by keeping out harmful elements and moisture.
In addition, these wraps help protect your rubber and polymer hoses against UV damage, from the sun and artificial light sources, which can lead to cracking of the hose material over time. If you use a polymeric wrap on your hose, make sure that it is specifically designed for use in challenging or corrosive environments like these.
3) Helps Keep Hoses Cool
Many hydraulic systems operate at high pressures and generate a lot of waste heat, so hydraulic hoses can become very hot in use, especially if they run at high pressures for long periods. If the temperature gets too high, it can cause the hose to burst and fail catastrophically. Wrapping your hydraulic hoses with protective material helps keep them cool by reflecting heat away from the assembly, reducing this risk considerably.
4) Stabilises The Hose And Prevents It From Twisting Or Kinking
Unprotected hydraulic hoses are prone to twisting and kinking. This can not only damage the hose but also leads to a loss of pressure and reduced performance. Protective wrapping helps prevent this by keeping the hose stable and preventing it from moving around too much while in operation.
In addition, wrapping can help protect against vibration damage, another common cause of hose failure. You may also add a stiffener to provide extra stability and stop the hose from warping or bending under pressure.
What Next?
Wrapping vulnerable hydraulic hoses in protective sleeves is an effective way to extend their life and avoid costly repairs. If you have any questions about how we can help with this process, please contact us for more information.
