Types of Stainless Steel Hose Fittings

In plumbing and other hydraulic systems, hose fittings are used to connect hydraulic hoses, pipes, and tubes to other components of a hydraulic system, including valves, pumps, and cylinders. Hose fittings come in many different materials and types. With regards to materials, hose fittings can be made out of plastic, steel, brass, or stainless steel.

While the material of a hose fitting determines its properties, the type of hose fitting determines its specific application. In other words, different types of stainless steel hose fittings are used in different plumbing or hydraulic systems. Furthermore, making sure you use the right type of hose fitting is essential to avoid leakages and potential damage in the long run.

If you are trying to choose between different types of stainless steel hose fittings, our short guide will help clear up some of your confusion.

When choosing a certain type, or material, of hydraulic hose fitting, it is important to use the S.T.A.M.P (size, temperature, application, material, pressure) method of determining the right hose fitting to use.

Stainless steel hose fittings are generally the best choice when it comes to highly corrosive environments and applications. These are used when the temperature range for the relevant application is -425°F to 1200°F.

Generally speaking, stainless steel hose fittings are rated up to 10,000 psi, although one could even find special stainless steel hose fittings that are rated up to 20,000 psi. For applications with these specifications, stainless steel hose fittings are generally considered to be the most optimal, despite their higher cost when compared with alternative materials.

Here are the most commonly used types of stainless steel hose fittings, along with brief descriptions of each one:

Stainless steel O-ring fittings are designed to cope with high-pressure fluid applications. These types of stainless steel hose fittings have an O-ring face seal style fitting that provides a secure connection between the O-ring ports and the steel tubing.

JIC Stainless Hydraulic Hose Fittings are some of the most commonly used hose fittings in hydraulic applications. This is because JIC fittings are made using the best quality materials and are designed to cope with the most demanding of environments.

Series 43 Stainless Steel Crimp Fittings are a very secure bite to the wire (B.W.) hose fittings. This means that the serrations on the ferrule bite into the wire reinforcement of the hose, making the connection as strong as possible. This type of stainless steel hose fitting is normally used with braided hydraulic hoses.

Hose Barbs and Push-Ons are typically used in low-pressure hydraulic applications. While Hose barbs are normally used in conjunction with clamps, push-on fittings are used in conjunction with a push-on type hose and do not need a clamp.

Choosing the right type of stainless steel fitting for your hydraulic application is necessary for the overall efficiency of the system, as well as to avoid leakages as damages. Our guide has outlined some of the most common types of stainless steel hose fittings along with their common applications so that you can go through less trouble when choosing the hose fitting that is right for your application.