Using the right hose when dealing with harsh chemicals can save your business both time and money in the long run, so it’s important to choose the right hose in the first place. For example, if you use high pressure chemical hoses, you risk leakage caused by weak spots developing in the hose over time. But if you use chemical-resistant hoses, you can reduce downtime because your hoses will be less susceptible to holes or pinholes that are easily missed during visual inspection. With these methods of testing chemical industrial hoses, you can find the right equipment for your specific application quickly and easily.
Testing Procedure
There are many tests available that can help you determine whether a hose is resistant to chemicals. What’s right for your application depends on what chemical it will be used with. We have a list of checks you should always carry out before using your chemical hoses.
Step 1. Check ID
The chemical hose should be marked with a number, usually located in one of three places: on the inner liner, near where it connects with its reel or lying flat when inactive. This is an important piece of information. The ID code will allow you to know how much pressure your hose can handle before bursting. For example, chemical hoses marked CH1 are high-pressure hoses that are able to withstand pressures greater than 1,000 PSI.
Step 2. Check Expiration Date
Prior to filling your hose with high-pressure chemicals, make sure you check your hose’s expiration date. Most hoses are good for one year after being purchased, but some are only good for 6 months. If it has been more than a year since you purchased your hose, don’t use it unless you want nasty chemicals in your eyes. Be warned that many vendors will try to sell you an older hose by claiming it is new in the package. These claims are patently false and selling an expired product is illegal.
Step 3. Inspect Material
Anytime you work with high-pressure hoses, ensure they’re in good condition. If you notice cracks or holes in the material, do not use that hose. Also, check to make sure there aren’t any kinks or sharp bends—kinks can weaken hoses and lead to cracks. With hoses made of different materials (rubber, nylon, etc.), double-check the information on chemical resistance levels before using them with chemicals.
Step 4. Calculate Burst Pressure – Hose Testing
The burst pressure is calculated based on a hose’s internal and external diameters, its length and wall thickness. A hose is most commonly rated at its 20-percent mark, or at 80 percent of its minimum burst pressure. It’s also common for high-pressure chemical hoses to have two ratings: one from 10-percent up to 80 percent of minimum burst pressure and another from 90-percent up to 100 percent of minimum burst pressure. In these cases, use 10 times that number as your maximum allowable working pressure.