12.
Will I Need
Fittings
?
The fittings on your application equipment need
to be compatible with the material being applied
and the pressures used. Fittings can be made of
PVC, polypropylene, nylon, brass, mild steel,
stainless steel, and even special alloys. Make
sure fittings are not only compatible with the
material being applied, but that they have
pressure ratings to meet the specific application.
Fittings come with or without barbs. Barbed
fittings provide extra protection by helping to
keep the hoses on the fittings. Barbs have low
profiles for low-pressure uses, or rather
substantial profiles for high-pressure uses.
Barbs protrude into the interior of the hose
material. In some cases, crimp fittings force
barbs to extend through the rubber and into
the nylon braid, holding the hose more securely
onto the barb during use. The only way to
remove hoses from crimped fittings is to cut
off its sides of the fitting and barb.
Don’t forget that hose fittings require extra
hose length — so account for fittings when
measuring and cutting hoses.
13.
What Will the Hose
Cost
?
It’s very likely you will have a good, better, and
best option when buying a hose. It makes sense
for you to invest in your most critical applications.
When weighing cost and quality, consider how
much it will cost to clean up any spill, as well as
the effects such spills would have on people and
the environment. Spending a little extra money
on better hoses, clamps, and fittings can be a good
investment — cheap insurance against potential
catastrophes. In some cases (like filling nurse
tanks with water), buying a top-of-the-line
product might not be worth the investment
when a less expensive hose will work well.
Aggressive Crimp Fittings
In the photo below, the crimp fitting on
the right is more aggressive than the
other. More aggressive fittings “bite”
into the hose cover and hold the hose in
place. Consider using more aggressive
fittings in high-pressure applications.
It’s important to know whether you will
use steel or plastic fittings when selecting
a hose. Placing a clamp between barbs
helps strengthen the seal.
29