Composite Hoses Vs Rubber Hoses: Which One Is The ...

Industrial hoses are flexible, reinforced tubes that are designed to transport fluids and gases across various industries. These industrial hoses are made from different materials such as rubber, PVC, polyurethane, and metal and can transfer chemicals, petroleum, steam, water, and air.

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Composite and rubber hoses are among the most commonly used and preferred hoses across most industries. Where composite hoses are suitable for transferring chemicals, petroleum, and other hazardous materials, rubber hoses are better suited for applications, such as the suction and discharge of fluids, steam, and gases.  This is just one of the difference with composite and Rubber hoses.

In this composite hoses vs rubber hoses guide, we will focus on differentiating the two and help you find the best choice for your needs.

Make an Informed Choice Between Composite and Rubber Hose

A] What are Composite Hoses?

Composite hoses are flexible, lightweight hoses that are made from multiple layers of thermoplastic fabrics and films. These layers are held together by an internal wire or helix. As we have seen before, these hoses are used in a wide range of applications, including the transfer of chemicals, petroleum, and other hazardous materials.

Let’s take a look at the multiple layer composition of the composite hose.

• Inner Layer: The inner layer of the composite hose is made from materials that are compatible with the fluid. Depending on the fluids majorly being transported with the hose, it can be made from PTFE, thermoplastic, or rubber.
• Reinforcement Layer: As the name suggests, this is an additional layer that strengthens the hose and adds more stability. It can be made from a variety of materials such as polyester, polyamide, and aramid fibres.
• Barrier Layer:A composite hose also has a barrier level, which acts as a barrier between the fluid being transported and the external environment. The purpose of this layer is to prevent contamination or leakage. It is made from materials such as aluminium foil, polyester film, or nylon.
• Outer Layer: A composite hose’s outer layer protects the hose from external damage and abrasion. It is made from materials such as polyurethane, PVC, or rubber.

B] What are Rubber Hoses?

Rubber hoses are flexible tubes made from natural or synthetic rubber. As mentioned before, these rubber hoses can be used for a wide range of applications, including suction and discharge of fluids, steam, and gases across various industries.

Let’s take a look at the multiple layer composition of the rubber hoses

• Inner Layer: The inner layer of rubber hoses is in contact with the fluid being transported. The material used for creating this layer depends on the fluid or material being transported. Typically, it is made from natural or synthetic rubber.
• Reinforcement Layer: Made from materials such as textile, wire, or a combination of both, this reinforcement layer, this layer adds strength and stability to the hose.
• Cover Layer:Lastly,  rubber hoses have a cover layer that protects the hose from external damage and abrasion. This layer is typically made from materials such as natural or synthetic rubber.

Based on the competitions of composite and rubber hoses, composite hoses have an additional barrier layer that offers extra protection to the material being transported.  Also, not all rubber hoses have a reinforcement layer. Some rubber hoses have single-layer construction with the inner layer and cover layer.

Make an Informed Choice Between Composite and Rubber Hose

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C] Features, Benefits and Application of Composite Hose

1. Features & Benefits of Composite hose

• Lightweight and Flexible:  They are lighter and more flexible, making them easy to handle and install.
• Chemical Resistance: The inner layer of composite hoses is made from materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene or PTFE, making them highly chemical resistant.
• Pressure and Temperature Resistance: Designed to handle high pressures and temperatures, they are ideal for use in demanding industrial environments.
• Abrasion Resistance: Made from either polyurethane or PVC, the outer cover of composite hoses provides excellent abrasion resistance.
• Easy to Clean:The smooth inner layer of composite hoses makes them easy to clean and sterilise, making them ideal for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
• Corrosion Resistance:Composite hoses are highly resistant to corrosion, making them suitable for use in harsh environments such as marine and offshore applications.

2. Applications of Composite Hoses

• Chemical and petrochemical industries: Their excellent chemical resistance, durability, and flexibility, makes composite hoses ideal for transferring a wide range of chemicals, acids, and solvents.
• Food and beverage industries: Composite hoses are used for transferring food and beverages, including wine, beer, juices, and milk, as they are lightweight, easy to handle, and since these hoses have a barrier layer, it protects the materials being transported from contamination.
• Oil and gas industries: They are used for transferring crude oil, gasoline, diesel, and other hydrocarbons, as they are abrasion-resistant, fireproof, and offer high flexibility and strength, making them ideal for onshore and offshore applications.
• Tank truck and railcar transfer: Composite hoses are used for transferring various liquids, chemicals, and gases from one container to another.
• Marine and offshore application: Composite hoses are used for ship-to-shore transfer of various liquids, including crude oil, petroleum products, and chemicals.

If you are interested in learning more about composite hoses, read our dedicated composite hose guide: What Is A Composite Hose: Benefits, Types & Applications.

D] Features, Benefits, and Application of Rubber Hose

1. Features & Benefits of Rubber hose

• Flexibility: They are highly flexible and can bend and conform to a variety of shapes and angles, making them ideal for use in tight spaces.
• Durability: Resistant to abrasion, impact, and most chemicals, rubber hoses can withstand harsh environments and heavy use over a long period of time.
• Temperature resistance: Rubber hoses can be designed to withstand high or low temperatures, depending on the specific application.
• Pressure resistance: When reinforcement layers are added to rubber hoses, it improves their pressure resistance.
• Electrical conductivity: Some rubber hoses can be designed to be electrically conductive, which makes them useful in applications where static electricity buildup is a concern.

2. Applications of Rubber Hoses

• Agriculture and irrigation: Rubber hoses are commonly used in agriculture and irrigation industry to transfer water and fertilisers to crops.
• Automotive and transportation: In the automotive and transportation industry, rubber hoses are used for various applications, including fuel and brake line systems, air conditioning systems, and cooling systems, as they offer high heat and pressure resistance, flexibility, and durability.
• Chemical and petrochemical industries: They are extensively used in chemical and petrochemical industries for transferring various chemicals, acids, and solvents, as they offer excellent chemical resistance and durability.
• Food and beverage industries: Rubber hoses are used for transferring food and beverage products, including milk, beer, wine, and juices, as they are hygienic, odourless, and tasteless.
• Marine and offshore applications: They are used for various applications, including ship-to-shore transfer of crude oil, petroleum products, and chemicals, as they offer excellent resistance to saltwater, weathering, and UV radiation.

E] Final Comparison Between Composite Vs Rubber Hoses

Composite hoses are lightweight, flexible, and highly resistant to a wide range of chemicals. They are suitable for use in applications where a high level of chemical resistance is required, such as in the chemical and petrochemical industries. Composite hoses also have excellent pressure and temperature resistance, making them ideal for use in high-pressure applications. They are also anti-static, making them suitable for use in explosive environments.

On the other hand, rubber hoses are durable, flexible, and versatile. They can withstand high temperatures, making them ideal for use in high-temperature applications such as steam transfer. Rubber hoses are also resistant to abrasion and external damage, making them suitable for use in harsh environments such as mining and construction. Additionally, rubber hoses are weather-resistant, making them ideal for use in outdoor applications.

Make an Informed Choice Between Composite and Rubber Hose

Conclusion

With this composite hoses vs rubber hoses comparison, we have established that both composite and rubber hoses have their own unique features and advantages that make them suitable for different industrial applications. The choice between composite hoses and rubber hoses ultimately depends on the specific needs and requirements of the application. By understanding the key differences between these hoses, you can make an informed decision and choose the one that is best suited for your industrial needs.

If you are in need of a hose that offers exceptional chemical resistance, flexibility, and anti-static properties, then composite hoses are the ideal solution for you. You can contact a reliable and high-quality composite pipe manufacturer in India, to learn more about our high-quality composite hoses and how they can help meet your industrial need.

As the foremost flexible hose company, we offer a wide range of composite hoses, stainless steel hoses, and flexible hoses, you can explore our collection of products to find the ones that best meets your requirements. We encourage you to contact us without any hesitation.

To hose industry insiders, the term ‘industrial hose’ is a broad term encompassing everything that isn’t metal, Teflon, hydraulic, and composite hose. Others say it’s all hose except for hydraulic hose. For people outside of the hose industry, ‘industrial hose’ seems to refer to any and every hose: a heavy-duty 4-wire hydraulic hose, a large-bore stainless hose; these could easily be referred to as an industrial hose from someone who doesn’t directly deal with hose for industry on a consistent basis.  

When someone is in need of industrial hoses, the specific application is generally what drives the title of the type of hose that is requested. They need a brewery hose, a chemical hose, steam hose, or an air hose. Oftentimes, the end-user of hoses isn’t necessarily using the term ‘industrial hose,’ but the specific use the hose was designed for.  

For most manufacturers, if you crack open their catalogue, you’ll typically find a remarkably similar layout of their industrial hose offering. Though this can make things easier when comparing manufacturers, we’re still talking about catalogues that are oftentimes four- to five-hundred pages long. There are tons of options.  

We’re going to make understanding the options easier to chew. 

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