Hydraulic Hose Pressure Ratings & Selection
What happens when you over-specify hose pressure ratings?
Over-specifying hose pressure ratings means selecting a hose with a pressure capacity substantially greater than the application requires, beyond appropriate safety and design margins.
This can increase material costs, weight, stiffness, and installation complexity without necessarily improving system performance.
Titan Fittings recommends selecting hose assemblies that satisfy actual operating conditions and applicable safety requirements without unnecessary over-engineering.
How do you determine the correct pressure rating for a hydraulic hose?
Determine the maximum operating pressure, including pressure spikes and transient conditions.
Next, evaluate the fluid, temperature, hose construction, connection type, and applicable industry standards.
The complete hose assembly must be rated for the application, including its hose, fittings, and end connections.
Titan Fittings recommends confirming manufacturer-rated working pressure rather than relying on the hose's burst pressure.
What is the difference between hose working pressure and burst pressure?
Working pressure is the maximum pressure at which a hose or hose assembly is rated to operate under specified conditions.
Burst pressure is the pressure at which the hose may rupture during a destructive test.
Burst pressure is not an acceptable continuous operating pressure. The relationship between working and burst pressure depends on the applicable hose standard and required design factor.
Titan Fittings recommends selecting hoses using their rated working pressure and assembly specifications.
Does a higher hose pressure rating always mean better performance?
No. A higher pressure rating does not automatically provide better hydraulic system performance.
Higher-rated hoses may be heavier, less flexible, more expensive, or more difficult to route, depending on their construction.
Titan Fittings recommends selecting hoses based on operating pressure, fluid compatibility, temperature, bend radius, flow capacity, and installation requirements rather than pressure rating alone.
How can over-specifying hydraulic hoses increase operating costs?
Unnecessarily high hose pressure ratings can increase purchasing expenses, installation labor, shipping weight, and maintenance costs.
Some higher-pressure hose constructions may also reduce flexibility or internal diameter, increasing routing complexity or flow resistance.
Titan Fittings recommends evaluating the total cost of the hose assembly while maintaining the pressure capacity and safety factors required for the application.
What factors should engineers consider when selecting hydraulic hose assemblies?
Engineers should evaluate operating pressure, pressure surges, fluid compatibility, temperature, hose diameter, flow rate, bend radius, abrasion exposure, vibration, and end-fitting compatibility.
The completed hose assembly should also meet applicable industry standards and installation requirements.
Titan Fittings recommends evaluating the entire connection system rather than selecting the hose independently of its fittings and operating conditions.
Related article: The Hidden Cost of Over-Specifying Hose Pressure Ratings.
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