Design World

  • Home
  • Articles
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
  • 3D CAD Models
    • PARTsolutions
    • TraceParts
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • LEAP Awards
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • DIGITAL ISSUES
      • EE World Digital Issues
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • LEAP Awards
    • MC² Motion Control Classroom
    • Motion Design Guide Library
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
  • Women in Engineering
  • Ebooks / Tech Tips
  • Videos
  • COVID-19

What is the minimum bend radius for hydraulic hose?

By Paul Heney | November 2, 2016

Share

bend-radiusThe minimum bend radius of hydraulic hose represents the smallest diameter that a looped hose can achieve. A hydraulic hose is constructed of three layers, each of which adds to the stiffness of the hose; the tube, the reinforcement(s) and the cover. Depending on the nature of these layers, the bend radius changes.

Although tubes can be constructed of stiff materials, like Teflon, it is typically the reinforcement layers adding the majority of the stiffness to the hose. Reinforcement layers can be one or two layers of braided steel or six or more layers of spiral wound steel. Braided steel is typically more flexible, and has a tighter bend radius than spiral hose.

The number of braids or spirals also affects the minimum bend radius of hydraulic hose. Two layers of braided wire will add more stiffness to the hose than will one layer of wire. As well, four spiral wound wire layers will have more stiffness than just two, and six or eight layers will be that much stiffer with a large bend radius.

radiusHigher pressure hoses require more layers of reinforcement, and they have the side effect of a large bend radius. The nature of hydraulic hose construction allows smaller diameter hoses to handle pressure more easily, as their internal diameter has less perpendicular surface area for pressure to act against. A small diameter hose can operate at 3000 psi with just one layer of spiral hose, making it naturally flexible. A larger diameter hose may require four layers of spiral wire to handle 3000 psi, making it very stiff with a large bend radius.

Even with the same hose construction type, flexibility is lost as diameter increases. For example, a typical 1/4in. ID 1-wire braided hose (rated for 3200 psi) has a bend radius of 1.5 inches. The same construction hose in 1-in. ID (rated for 1300 psi) has a bend radius of 5.5 inches. If we use a spiral hose example, the same 1/4-in. ID hose (rated for 5100 psi) has a minimum bend radius of 5 inches. Stepping up to 1-in. ID (still rated for 5100 psi), the spiral wound hose has a minimum bend radius of 12 inches.

 

The post What is the minimum bend radius for hydraulic hose? appeared first on Hose Assembly Tips.

About Paul Heney

Paul J. Heney, the VP, Editorial Director for Design World magazine, has a BS in Engineering Science & Mechanics and minors in Technical Communications and Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech. He has written about fluid power, aerospace, robotics, medical, green engineering, and general manufacturing topics for nearly 25 years. He has won numerous regional and national awards for his writing from the American Society of Business Publication Editors.

MOTION DESIGN GUIDES

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Drilling rig OEM benefits from a PLC with edge computing technology: IIoT case study
  • The industry shift to smart electromechanical actuators
  • Commemorating a great entrepreneurial personality – Oskar Lapp at 100 – A pioneer for the future
  • SE motor – uncompromised motion performance
  • With virtual commissioning, commissioning time and prototype waste is reduced
  • Master Bond Supreme 10HT High strength, NASA low outgassing approved epoxy
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Tweets by @DesignWorld
Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP AWARDS

Copyright © 2021 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Articles
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
  • 3D CAD Models
    • PARTsolutions
    • TraceParts
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • LEAP Awards
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • DIGITAL ISSUES
      • EE World Digital Issues
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • LEAP Awards
    • MC² Motion Control Classroom
    • Motion Design Guide Library
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
  • Women in Engineering
  • Ebooks / Tech Tips
  • Videos
  • COVID-19