What Is the Importance of Hoses in Aviation?
Hoses are a form of flexible, hollow tubing that allows for fluids to be transported with ease, and they are a common element of countless aircraft assemblies. With the implementation of hoses, aircraft fluid systems can operate with ease as fluids traverse distances with little impact as a result of vibration or moving parts. As aircraft hose components serve important roles in the basic functionality of aviation fluid systems, it can be beneficial to have a general understanding of their common designs and use.
While aircraft hoses are designed to be flexible enough to optimally fit in constricted spaces and avoid issues that stem from vibration, they are never made from pure rubber materials. This is due to the requirements of aircraft fluid lines, those of which necessitate high strength, durability, and workability. As such, many manufacturers take advantage of synthetics such as Buna-N, neoprene, butyl, and ethylene propylene diene (EPDM) rubber. While not a type of synthetic rubber, Teflon is another manufactured material that is commonly used for the production of aircraft hose assemblies.
As each synthetic rubber type exhibits varying performance capabilities and resistances, it is crucial that one considers their requirements to find an optimal fit. For example, Buna-N rubbers are very beneficial for transporting petroleum products due to their inherent resistance, but they are not able to handle phosphate ester base hydraulic fluids. On the other hand, Butyl is a perfect choice for transporting phosphate ester base hydraulic fluids, but cannot be used for petroleum products as a result of its construction. With a wide variety of choices, operators can find a perfect fit for handling fuel, oil coolant, and other such fluid types.
While determining the right hose materials is crucial for resistances, it is also important to consider the pressure rating that is required for an aircraft hose to handle standard operations. Hoses are offered in low, medium, and high-pressure types, each of which will differ in their performance. Low-pressure aircraft hoses are best for fluids that are under 250 psi, and they will often only have fabric braid reinforcement. Medium pressure hoses often range in their ability to handle fluids, smaller types reaching upwards of 3,000 psi while larger hoses can take on 1,500 psi. For their reinforcement, medium pressure hoses will utilize a single wire braid.
When it comes down to measuring out lengths of hose that you require, it is important to know that assemblies are always measured from seat to seat, rather than end to end. As such, if you use an aircraft hose with a flared fitting or elbow fitting, you need to be sure that you measure from the end of the flare. If you incorrectly measure each line of hose, you may accidentally end up with a length that is much too long. It is also important to ensure that the right fitting nut size is procured, and a thread gauge or hex wrench will serve as an easy way to identify sizing.
ASAP Axis is an online distributor of aircraft parts, and we are your sourcing solution for aircraft hose components that you can rely on for all your fluid system operations. With our purchasing power and market expertise, we leverage time and cost savings for our customers. Additionally, we also provide expedited shipping for domestic and international users alike through the use of our supply chain network to meet time constraints with ease. When you find items on our website that you are interested in, fill out and submit an RFQ form as provided on our website, and a dedicated account manager will reach out to you with a customized solution in just 15 minutes or less!
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