Bend radius measures how much a hose can
bend without kinking and compromising its
integrity. For instance, a hose with a 3-inch bend
radius can bend around an object that is 6 inches
in diameter (or more) without kinking.
To determine bend radius, take a hose in both
hands and form a tighter and tighter circle. When
the hose kinks, measure the diameter of the circle
and divide by two to get the circle’s radius.
The properties that keep hoses from kinking
include wall thickness, reinforcement material,
and construction material. With some materials,
kinked hoses can reassume their original shapes.
For instance, rubber hoses have far more elasticity
(
bendability) than hoses made of PVC and EVA.
These semi-translucent rubber hoses are not even
assigned a bend radius.
The larger the bend radius, the less bending
it can tolerate before it kinks. Hoses with larger
outside diameters and thicker materials bend less.
If you plan to put a hose on a reel, keep bend
radius in mind.
Discharge hoses are designed to bend more
easily than more rigid, similarly sized suction
hoses. So if your discharge hose needs to bend,
substituting a suction hose may be a poor choice.
If you still want to use a suction hose on the
discharge side of the pump, you may have to
use a 45- or 90-degree fitting. However, using
fittings to create bends
may increase
friction, affect
flow rates, and
create a point
where leaks
can occur.
Make sure a hose does not go beyond its
bending radius to keep it from failing
prematurely or having its flow restricted.
Hose splices are not recommended.
The fitting used to fix this hose break
(
below) will restrict product flow.
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