Pro Challenge: Replace a Mystery Hose

If you don't know a worn out hose's specs, how can you replace it? 

“Too often, customers don't use hoses properly, or don’t realize that how they are routed has a significant impact on their life cycle.”

- Corey Gould, Swagelok Northern California

Say you have worn out hose that needs replacement. But you can't tell what it's rated for, or even exactly what it's made of. Same for the end connections. How can you order the right hose with right end connections—the first time?

Problems like this call for the Installer's Pocket Guide for Swagelok Hoses. It's organized to answer questions like:

• Which hoses are common in my industry?
• Which ones dissipate static charge the best?
• What is this Swagelok hose actually made of?
• Which end connections can I get on this hose?

If you're local, we'll deliver the guide to you at no charge.

Check hose types common in your industry

Most industries have figured out over the years which types of hose they prefer for various applications. In the Installer's Pocket Guide for Swagelok Hoses, we've gathered that information into more than two-dozen charts that show which series matches up with which function. The list of applications runs from Aerospace to Ultrahigh-purity.

Let's say you are in the semiconductor industry. Check out the chart on Page 23 to quickly see that the T Series PTFE hose is typically used for clean rooms. For water or water/glycol applications, you'll want PB Series rubber hose.

Or perhaps you need hose for instrumentation. You'll see that the FX Series metal hose is typically the choice for use with high-pressure bottle gas.

See which hoses conduct/dissipate static charge

Some questions cut across industry lines and applications. Perhaps you have a concern about static electricity. In that case you'll want static dissipative hose, which has the ability to conduct an electrical charge to ground. On Page 26 the pocket guide gives you an easy way to check which series of hoses fit the bill. Hoses more conductive are identified with an (Μ). Hoses that are more static dissipative are identified with an (Ω).

View materials of construction by hose series

Maybe you already have some Swagelok hose as part of your fluid system and you aren't really sure what it's made of. On Page 29 we go through a list of 20 hose series, showing the materials of construction for the core, reinforcement and (if applicable) cover. So if you wondered what's in your W Series hose, you can see that the core is smooth-bore PTFE filled with carbon black; the reinforcement is either 304 stainless steel braid or fiber braid with an insulating wrap; and the cover is silicone.

Compare working pressures with the chart

If you aren't sure that a particular series of hose will match the working pressure of your fluid system, turn to page 30. A chart shows the working pressure for 20 different types of hose at 70 degrees for five different diameters (though not every series is available in every diameter). You get the details for hose made of metal, PTFE, PFA, nylon, polyethylene and rubber.

See available end connections by hose type

How will you connect your hose to the rest of your system? Starting on Page 106 we show each hose series and the types of connectors available.

Refresh on additional tests we can do before delivery

Starting on Page 137, we go through each series of hose and explain the standard testing we give it before shipping your order. We also explain the options of helium leak testing, hydrostatic testing and nitrogen pressure testing.

Get the six numbers you need to order the right combo

Say you've looked over your options and you've decided exactly what series of hose you want. You know the type of end connection, the diameter and length, and all the options you want, such as a lanyard tag or a helium leak test. Starting on Page 32 we go through each series and show you the six numbers that will make sure you get the right combination of features. Then you can double-check the charts of technical data to make sure it meets your specs.

What's next: Request the pocket guide, then visit our Hose Assembly ("Hose My Way") page:

(Prefer to talk live? Please give us a call at 510-933-6200.)

More on this topic:

• How this OEM stopped backward hose installation (case study)
• When Will It Burst? (series of videos)
• Going to Extremes In Our Hose Cell (blog article)