Hose Inspection Guide: A Critical Warning Signs of Hose Failure
HOSE INSPECTION GUIDE
Warning Signs of HOSE You Shouldn't Ignore:
Worn covers or cracked covers or Broken wires.
This reduces the hose's pressure-resistant capacity, which can lead to system damage. A common cause is friction, such as rubbing against other flexible hoses or equipment.
Areas for further inspection:
• Are there any external corrosion signs?
• Are there any cracks?
• Are there any areas causing friction?
• Are there any welding spatter marks?
• Are there any cut marks?
• Reinforcement structures are visible?
Kinking
This occurs when a flexible hose is bent beyond its specified minimum bending radius, resulting in buckling. This buckling can disrupt fluid flow and increase the risk of rupture or leakage. Buckling is most common at end connections.
Causes include:
• Improper flexible pipe laying or incorrect installation.
• The bending distance contradicts the natural gravity-induced curvature.
• System vibration means a hose should not be selected with a tight fit; a little slack is recommended.
• The hose has been stepped on or compressed.
Flexible hose deformed into an Ovality
A circular flexible hose begins to deform into an oval at the point of stress before kinking occurs. This is caused by bending at an angle too close to the hose itself or too close to the joint (over-bending) or by vacuum collapse, causing the inner core of the hose to deform.
The flexible cord separates from the collar.
The main cause is substandard or inaccurate manufacturing of the flexible cord. Sometimes, it may also occur due to the selection of a flexible cord that is not suitable for the application, causing the end connections to be constantly subjected to tensile stress, leading to separation from the collar.
Flexible hoses become stiff or hard (Sniffers or hardness).
When the surface of a flexible hose becomes hard or stiff, it can lead to cracks. This is caused by the hose's age, exposure to UV light, use at temperatures exceeding the hose's limits, or contact with certain chemicals.
Damage to the reinforcement layer.
Damage to the reinforcement layer can lead to reduced performance, leaks, and ultimately damage to the hose. This is most often caused by continuous friction on the outer cover of the hose.
Changes in color or blisters on the flexible hose.
Discoloration may be caused by chemical damage or material incompatibility.
Environmental conditions and age of the hose also play a role. Blisters on the flexible hose are an early sign of leakage, indicating that the hose is unsuitable for the fluid in the system or that fluid is seeping through the inner layers of the hose.
End connection damage.
This can be caused by several factors in the installation and operating conditions of the system. Sudden vibrations of a previously stationary cable may cause some connectors to bend or break.
These symptoms are all warning signs that your hoses may have a problem and should be properly inspected or repaired.
Get a more accurate inspection of your hoses with Hose Advisory Services (HAS) from Swagelok Thailand.
Our hose system check service covers:
- Appropriate hose selection
- Correct installation
- Maintenance to extend lifespan
- Data summaries to help you plan systematic maintenance, ensuring your hoses operate safely, efficiently, and reduce potential risks in the system. Keep your system both safe and cost-effective at the same time.