3 Best Ways to Test Chemical Resistant Hoses
What are the best ways to test industrial hoses to make sure they’re going to be able to stand up to pressure in an industrial environment? You don’t want to put your business in danger by using equipment that isn’t going to last, so it’s important to be able to verify that you’re using good products. Here are three of the best ways for doing so, as well as why they are effective at testing your hoses and what makes them different from one another.
1) Nitrogen Hose Testing
Nitrogen hose testing has gained popularity in recent years because it is both accurate and cost-effective. Nitrogen gas is used as a medium for testing, much like in a car tire, because nitrogen doesn’t react with rubber—even if it has been vulcanized. To test your hoses, simply fill them with pressurized nitrogen gas (the same gas that fills shocks), stretch them out until they are completely extended (this will reveal cracks or damaged areas), inflate them to 150% of their recommended pressure (to simulate normal use) and look for leaks. As you would expect, the more pressure you put into your system, the faster any leaks become apparent.
Nitrogen is not commonly found in our atmosphere, so this is why it is used for this test.
2) Visual Inspection
Simply look at your hose and see if there are signs of wear or damage. If so, replace it. If not, move on to step two! Chemical resistant hoses should be able to hold up to certain chemicals without showing visible signs of damage for a period of time (usually 30 days). No matter what test you do, chemical resistance is a huge factor in keeping your business running smoothly. The longer your hoses can resist exposure to harsh chemicals, solvents, and acids without needing replacement, the more money you save – even if it’s only pennies per day!
3) Hydrostatic Pressure Test
This test is used to determine whether a hose will perform well under different water pressures. It’s also useful for finding out if a hose is faulty or has issues with it. To complete this test, you’ll need special equipment that can force water through an industrial hose at high pressures, so most people won’t be able to do it on their own. However, if you have access to such equipment, hydrostatic pressure testing provides comprehensive results about a hose’s capabilities and long-term durability.
You can contact a hose testing company to organise a hydrostatic test for your business.
