What Are The Different Types of Hose Clamps?
Hose clamps are used to cover the ends of hoses of varying lengths and materials to prevent leakage. They also work to secure a hose to any number of objects, ensuring it stays in place and doesn't fall out of place. While applying such measures to a hose may seem excessive, when transporting harmful materials such as gas and oil, it is entirely necessary to prevent any leaks or displacement of the assembly. In this blog, we will discuss several of the many hose clamp designs and in which applications each may be used.
Screw Clamps
These common clamps are made from a band of galvanized or stainless steel as well as a slot for a captive screw. As the screw is turned, the band surrounding the hose tightens to hold it in place. These versatile clamps come in numerous sizes and can support hoses as small as 1/2 inch in diameter. As is the case with many of the components listed, most screw clamps are produced in accordance with the standards set forth by professional societies, such as the National Aerospace Standards and Society of Automotive Engineers.
Spring Clamps
Explicitly designed for larger and high-pressure hoses, spring clamps are designed to be naturally compressed until the protruding tabs on the assembly are brought together. At this point, the clamp is slid onto the hose until it is seated in the desired place. Since the amount of force required to loosen the clamp is directly related to the diameter in which it is meant to expand, this design is typically limited to smaller, low-pressure hoses. As spring clamps do not require any bulky tools for installation, they are a popular choice for applications involving a narrow space that might be impossible to reach with such tools.
Wire Clamps
Commonly made from steel or aluminum, wire clamps are popular in several industries due to their superior ability to produce tension. Their design consists of a "U" shaped wire of material surrounded by a ring-shaped element. The peaks of the wire are threaded and allow for a tightening nut to be screwed around each to secure the assembly.
Ear Clamps
Unlike other clamps, which may be secured and released whenever necessary, fastening an ear clamp is a permanent endeavor. These clamps feature a circular design with one or raised pieces of material. After placing the clamp in place, the installer uses a specialized tool to collapse the raised element and snugly tighten the fastener around the hose. If installed correctly, the fastener should have concentrated hose compression as well as tamper resistance. Since this clamp-type is permanent, some models feature small divots in the inner diameter to allow for thermal expansion or other pressure-increasing phenomena.
Specialty Clamping Techniques
Some other non-conventional methods exist that provide the same clamping function as those listed above. For example, compression fittings, which are commonly used to join hoses together, may be considered a hose clamp. Additionally, tri-connecting push-fit fasteners are also used to secure and link hoses, creating a tight and leakproof seal around the mouth.
Conclusion
If your project calls for high-quality hose clamp components, look no further than ASAP Aviation Hub. As a leading distributor, we give customers access to our inventory of over 2 billion ready-to-purchase aerospace and industrial components, all of which may be found and procured through our website at any time. Our expert team of account managers are on standby 24/7x365 to answer questions and provide customers with quotes within 15 minutes of their request. Please let us know if you are facing an AOG situation to learn about same-day shipping options offered on many in-stock items.
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