Shelf-life is often misunderstood. Sometimes, people throw away perfectly good hoses before they reach their expiry date. However, the hose’s actual life expectancy is much longer. The hose’s shelf life is determined by the date it was treated, which is the only date printed on the hose. The manufacturer has eight years to deliver the product and four years to store it. This gives the hose a shelf-life of 12 years (48 quarters) following the cure date.
how to save rubber EPDM hoses
If you want to extend the life of your rubber EPDM hoses, it is vital to make the necessary adjustments before using them. Depending on their design, EPDM hoses can withstand temperatures from -40 degrees to 260 degrees Fahrenheit. If you use the wrong clamps, cold temperatures can cause hose cracking. Luckily, Flexfabs clamps feature a band that runs along the inside of the hose.
EPDM hose can be used in many applications. These include window and door seals as well as trunk and hood seals and cooling system circuits hoses. These hoses connect various components of a car’s cooling system, including water pumps and thermostats. They can also be used to connect oil coolers or radiators.
How to prolong the service life EPDM hoses
There are many ways to prolong the life of EPDM rubber hoses. The hoses can be used for a variety of different purposes in vehicles. They can be used for window and trunk seals as well as connecting air conditioning equipment, radiators and brake systems. Depending on their application, they may last as long as the car itself.
The first step is to ensure that the hose is not exposed to cold temperatures. EPDM hoses are not very resilient to cold temperatures, and they can degrade over time. Depending on the material used, a hose’s shelf life can vary from a few to 20 years. The hose will lose its flexibility over time and become stiffer, making it more susceptible to failure at low pressures. It is also important to avoid twisting the hose during installation. Twisting a hose reduces its life by 90 percent, especially if it is used for a permanent installation.
EPDM hoses can also be extended with regular maintenance. Make sure that your hoses are free of dirt and debris. Leakage can be caused by excess dirt and oil. To avoid this, you can spray down the engine with a degreaser recommended by the manufacturer. This will allow you to identify problem areas and fix them accordingly.
how to choose EPDM hoses
There are many factors to consider when choosing a hydraulic hose. The first is the maximum working pressure. When this pressure is too high, it may damage the liner. The temperature range is another consideration. Silicone hoses can withstand temperatures up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, for example. In comparison, EPDM rubber hoses can withstand temperatures of up to 257 degrees Fahrenheit. EPDM hoses are made from a synthetic rubber, which performs better than its organic counterparts. In addition, organic rubber may soften irreversibly at high temperatures.
Another factor that determines a hose’s service life is its design. A poorly designed hose will fail prematurely and may cause equipment and/or personal injury. This problem can be avoided by choosing a hose that is specifically designed for the job it will be used.
In addition, the working pressure should match or exceed the maximum pressure of the system. It is important to choose the correct working pressure for the hoses and fittings. This is crucial because the pressure from the hoses and fittings in the system can often exceed the hose’s maximum working pressure. If this occurs frequently, it can significantly reduce the lifespan of the hose assembly. It is also important to note that routing can also affect the pressure requirements of a hose. For example, some hoses hold vacuum when straight but collapse when bent.
The coupling is another important factor to consider when selecting an EPDM hose. There are two types of couplings: permanently attached couplings or field attachable couplings. Permanent couplings are made with powered machinery and can be easily installed. They are also reliable and cost-effective.
