Differences Between Hydraulic Hose and Industrial Hose

In the field of industrial fluid transmission, selecting the right hose is crucial to ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the system. To help you make accurate purchasing decisions, we will systematically analyze both types of hoses from six dimensions: materials and structure, sizes, pressure range, temperature range, transported media, and applications.

1. Materials and Structure

Hydraulic hose: Designed specifically for power transmission, its structure is the most robust. It typically employs a multi-layered reinforced design:

Tube: Oil-resistant synthetic rubber (such as NBR)

Reinforcement: One or more layers of high-strength steel wire braided or spiral, which is the core that withstands high pressure

Cover: Wear-resistant, weather-resistant, and oil-resistant synthetic rubber, usually with spiral stripes to enhance wear resistance

Core Design Concept: Strength and resistance to pulse fatigue

Industrial hose: This is a broad category, with structures varying depending on the application, focusing more on media compatibility and application flexibility.

Tube: Diverse materials, including PVC, PU, NBR, EPDM, Teflon, etc., to match different transported media

Reinforcement: Typically uses braided textile fibers (polyester, nylon) or a single layer of lightweight steel wire spiral support. Its primary purpose is to prevent hose collapse or deformation, not to withstand extremely high pressure

Cover: Depending on the operating conditions, it may emphasize properties such as abrasion resistance (e.g., PU), ozone resistance (e.g., EPDM), or antistatic properties

2. Size

Hydraulic hoses: Sizes typically follow strict international standards (e.g., SAE), based on the inner diameter (ID). The range is relatively concentrated, commonly from 3/16" to 2". This ensures interchangeability with hydraulic components worldwide.

Industrial Hoses: Sizes range extremely widely, from small diameters (e.g., 1/4") for pneumatic tools to extra-large diameters (e.g., 12" or larger) for material handling or drainage. Size standards are also more diverse.

3. Pressure Range

Hydraulic Hoses: Operate in extremely high-pressure environments. Operating pressure ranges typically from 1,000 PSI to 10,000 PSI (70 to 700 Bar) or even higher.

Industrial hoses: Typically used for low to medium pressure applications. The pressure range is wide, but generally lower than hydraulic hoses, commonly ranging from 150 PSI to 1,000 PSI (10 to 70 Bar).

4. Temperature Range

Hydraulic hoses: Typically have a temperature range of -40oC to +100oC (except for PTFE hoses, which have a temperature range of -55oC to +210oC).

Industrial hoses: Have a wider temperature range, typically -50oC to +260oC. Depending on the medium (air, water, oil, chemicals, steam, etc.), appropriate materials are selected, such as EPDM, silicone, or PTFE, to adapt to more complex high or low temperature environments.

5. Transport Media

Hydraulic hoses: Specifically designed for transporting hydraulic oil, lubricating oil, water-glycol solutions, and other petroleum-based power transmission media. Excellent oil resistance is a core requirement.

Industrial hoses: Transmit a wide variety of media, including: air, water, chemicals (acids, alkalis, solvents), fuels (gasoline, diesel), solid materials (powders, granules, sand), food, and pharmaceuticals.

6. Applications

Hydraulic hoses: Used in machinery requiring power transmission.

Typical scenarios: Construction machinery (excavators, loaders), injection molding machines, agricultural equipment (tractors, harvesters), mining machinery, and industrial hydraulic power units.

Industrial hoses: Used for material transfer, supply, and discharge.

Typical scenarios: Pneumatic tool power sources, factory water supply and drainage, port chemical transport, gas station fuel filling, grain pellet suction and discharge, and industrial dust removal.