Anatomy of a Swagelok Hose: What's Going on Inside and Out

Understanding how a hose is built can make it easier to pick the kind you need

Swagelok offers a variety of different hose types, but do you know the qualities of each type? Download Swagelok's Hose & Flexible Tubing catalogue here to find out more.

There's a lot more to a hose than what you can see from the outside. For instance, when we talk about types of hose, we're talking about the core of the hose. You may see a braided steel cover on a particular hose, but if the core is PTFE, then it's a PTFE hose.

Different core materials give the hose different qualities. Here are the basic types of Swagelok hoses you can order from Edmonton Valve and Fitting or at either of our branches, and the qualities associated with each.

Metal hose

Metal hose is the best option for situations that produce very high or very low temperatures, up to 454C and down to -200C. They also handle pressures from 3100 psi to vacuums. On top of that, they aren't gas permeable. That's important if, say, you need to connect a bottle of gas to an analyzer and you don't want the gas to bleed off.

Metal hose isn't perfect for everything, however. It's not recommended for high vibration applications, because vibration can cause fatigue failure. They also shouldn't be subject to pressure surges or shock where the pressure is greater than 50 percent of working pressure.

PTFE hose

PTFE hose offers great flexibility, and can handle pressures up to 3500 psi. We also can supply this hose with a variety of end connections, because we make them right here in Edmonton. PTFE is a great choice for chemical compatibility. If there's any concern about static buildup, we can supply a carbon-filled PTFE core that will reduce that effect.

Hydraulic

Traditional hydraulic hose has a metal braid inside for reinforcement. It's strong, but the wires can break and puncture the core. That also makes the hose swell. Instead of wire we use nylon or Kevlar for better performance. Our thermoplastic hydraulic hose has a smooth bore nylon core that can handle pressure up to 5000 psi. We put on a polyurethane cover to resist abrasion and the cover also is perforated to prevent blistering.

Push-on

Push on hose is a nice choice for low-pressure applications, up to 350 psi. You push on the end connection up to the shoulder of the fitting, and it's ready to go. A nice benefit is that as pressure increases, it makes the hose grip the end connection harder. We offer it with a Buna N core in sizes from a quarter-inch to a full inch.

Special tagging for hoses

We also can tag your hose with a lot of information such as the date of purchase, CRN, purchase order number, part number and more.

Now when you tackle Swagelok's 88-page hose catalogue, you'll be able to navigate with a bit more skill. Download the catalogue here.

Additional resources

• How Swagelok PTFE Hose is Bringing New Flexibility to Fluid Systems
• FAQ Part 4: Answers from Your Edmonton Valve Representatives
• Meet Edmonton Valve and Fitting’s Warehouse Manager, Dan Constantin

In a hurry or have a question? Please click here to get in touch - we respond fast! Or call 780.437.0640