Glossary
Our glossary provides quick, convenient explanations for a wide range of technical terms and abbreviations used in the field of hose and connection systems. This reference list is regularly updated and expanded.
Abrasion
The undesirable degradation of a surface caused by the detachment of small particles due to mechanical stress. In plastics and many other materials, these wear mechanisms are generally defined as material degradation or wear.
The undesirable degradation of a surface caused by the detachment of small particles due to mechanical stress. In plastics and many other materials, these wear mechanisms are generally defined as material degradation or wear.
Abrasion Resistance
A hose’s ability to resist surface wear. Abrasion-resistant hoses prevent premature degradation and are primarily utilized for conveying highly abrasive solids such as granules, wood chips, metal shavings, or sand.
A hose’s ability to resist surface wear. Abrasion-resistant hoses prevent premature degradation and are primarily utilized for conveying highly abrasive solids such as granules, wood chips, metal shavings, or sand.
Additive
Additives—also referred to as auxiliary agents or admixtures—are substances incorporated into a material (such as plastic) in small quantities to achieve, modify, or enhance specific material properties.
Flame-retardant additives, for example, are fire retardants integrated into combustible materials to significantly lower their flammability.
Additives—also referred to as auxiliary agents or admixtures—are substances incorporated into a material (such as plastic) in small quantities to achieve, modify, or enhance specific material properties.
Flame-retardant additives, for example, are fire retardants integrated into combustible materials to significantly lower their flammability.
Adhesive
A substance that bonds surfaces together through surface adhesion without fusing or melting into the substrate.
A substance that bonds surfaces together through surface adhesion without fusing or melting into the substrate.
Aging
The time-dependent alteration of a material’s properties under specified environmental conditions, typically resulting in degradation (or, in rare cases, improvement). Common catalysts include heat, light, high-energy radiation, chemical exposure, weathering, oxygen/ozone, and plasticizer migration in PVC.
The time-dependent alteration of a material’s properties under specified environmental conditions, typically resulting in degradation (or, in rare cases, improvement). Common catalysts include heat, light, high-energy radiation, chemical exposure, weathering, oxygen/ozone, and plasticizer migration in PVC.
Antistatic Agent
An agent incorporated into a molding compound or applied directly to a product’s surface to reduce electrostatic accumulation by improving conductivity.
An agent incorporated into a molding compound or applied directly to a product’s surface to reduce electrostatic accumulation by improving conductivity.
A distinction is made between:
Temporary antistatic agents: These are surface-active substances that gradually migrate from the plastic core to the surface over time. Utilizing atmospheric moisture, they form a conductive hydrophilic film that accelerates the dissipation of electrostatic charges, which are primarily generated by friction.
Permanent antistatic agents: Unlike temporary alternatives, these agents exhibit no tendency to migrate. The antistatic performance is maintained throughout the entire product lifecycle and cannot be mechanically removed (e.g., by wiping). They form a self-organizing, dynamic, and ordered network (dissipative structure) to continuously discharge static. Furthermore, their antistatic effectiveness operates independently of ambient humidity levels.
Working Pressure
The maximum internal pressure to which a hose is subjected during standard operations, factoring in short-term pressure spikes that may naturally occur within the system.
The maximum internal pressure to which a hose is subjected during standard operations, factoring in short-term pressure spikes that may naturally occur within the system.
Working Temperature
The designated operational temperature range of an application. This parameter can refer specifically to the temperature of the conveyed medium or to the ambient environmental conditions surrounding the hose assembly.
The designated operational temperature range of an application. This parameter can refer specifically to the temperature of the conveyed medium or to the ambient environmental conditions surrounding the hose assembly.
Bursting Pressure
The critical pressure threshold at which a hose assembly ruptures or its reinforcing braid fails. This absolute threshold is determined under straight-line laboratory conditions at 21 °C. The maximum burst pressure defines the ultimate safety ceiling, which must account for all operational peak pressures, whereas the nominal burst pressure serves as the standardized laboratory baseline.
The critical pressure threshold at which a hose assembly ruptures or its reinforcing braid fails. This absolute threshold is determined under straight-line laboratory conditions at 21 °C. The maximum burst pressure defines the ultimate safety ceiling, which must account for all operational peak pressures, whereas the nominal burst pressure serves as the standardized laboratory baseline.
Operating Pressure
The maximum continuous pressure a hose is engineered to withstand, including any transient, short-term pressure surges encountered during active service.
The maximum continuous pressure a hose is engineered to withstand, including any transient, short-term pressure surges encountered during active service.
Bending Force
The specific force required to bend a hose around a designated radius, serving as a direct metric for measuring its structural stiffness.
The specific force required to bend a hose around a designated radius, serving as a direct metric for measuring its structural stiffness.
Bending Radius
The minimum radius to which a hose can be bent without causing kinking, structural damage, or a reduction in its operational lifespan. This radius is measured precisely from the centerline (R) of the curved section and is specified in millimeters (mm).
The minimum radius to which a hose can be bent without causing kinking, structural damage, or a reduction in its operational lifespan. This radius is measured precisely from the centerline (R) of the curved section and is specified in millimeters (mm).
Bending Radius, Dynamic
The smallest allowable radius at which a hose can operate smoothly without kinking when subjected to continuous, repetitive bending motions.
The smallest allowable radius at which a hose can operate smoothly without kinking when subjected to continuous, repetitive bending motions.
Bending Radius, Static
The smallest allowable radius at which a hose can be permanently installed or held in a fixed, continuous curve without kinking.
The smallest allowable radius at which a hose can be permanently installed or held in a fixed, continuous curve without kinking.
Halogens
The halogen group comprises fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, astatine, and tennessine. In their elemental state, these non-metals are highly reactive (fluorine, for instance, can react combustibly), distinctly colored, and readily bond with metals to form salts, as well as with hydrogen under standard conditions to form hydrogen halides (gaseous, monoprotic acids). In the event of a fire, halogen-containing products release highly corrosive gases that combine with moisture to form hydrochloric acid. As an electrically conductive substance, this acid can trigger short circuits and severely damage or destroy equipment.
The halogen group comprises fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, astatine, and tennessine. In their elemental state, these non-metals are highly reactive (fluorine, for instance, can react combustibly), distinctly colored, and readily bond with metals to form salts, as well as with hydrogen under standard conditions to form hydrogen halides (gaseous, monoprotic acids). In the event of a fire, halogen-containing products release highly corrosive gases that combine with moisture to form hydrochloric acid. As an electrically conductive substance, this acid can trigger short circuits and severely damage or destroy equipment.
Hardness
Hardness is a critical material property for hoses, defining a material’s mechanical resistance to penetration by a harder object. It is quantified by measuring the material’s relative resistance against a standardized indenter; a higher numerical value denotes a harder material. Various testing methodologies exist; for rubber-like materials, Shore hardness is determined in accordance with DIN 53 505, where an indenter needle (a truncated cone for Shore A and a sharp cone for Shore D) is pressed into the sample under specific spring tension. The resulting penetration depth determines the hardness value on a scale from 0 to 100 Shore.
Hardness is a critical material property for hoses, defining a material’s mechanical resistance to penetration by a harder object. It is quantified by measuring the material’s relative resistance against a standardized indenter; a higher numerical value denotes a harder material. Various testing methodologies exist; for rubber-like materials, Shore hardness is determined in accordance with DIN 53 505, where an indenter needle (a truncated cone for Shore A and a sharp cone for Shore D) is pressed into the sample under specific spring tension. The resulting penetration depth determines the hardness value on a scale from 0 to 100 Shore.
Back Migration
When utilizing clamp connections, ensuring sufficient and uniform contact pressure on the seal is critical. Excessive compression or incorrect assembly risks a sealing failure where the conveyed medium bypasses the sealing barrier, a phenomenon known as back migration.
When utilizing clamp connections, ensuring sufficient and uniform contact pressure on the seal is critical. Excessive compression or incorrect assembly risks a sealing failure where the conveyed medium bypasses the sealing barrier, a phenomenon known as back migration.
Hydrolysis Resistance
Hydrolysis is a frequently underestimated degradation process that causes irreversible structural damage to non-resistant plastics. The degradation occurs via the permanent splitting of polymer chains, typically triggered by prolonged exposure to warm water, saturated steam, or tropical climates. However, under specific conditions, hydrolysis can occur even in temperate climates. Similar to microbial infestation, this chain scission rapidly degrades the material’s mechanical strength, leading to embrittlement, premature failure, and ultimate destruction of the product.
Hydrolysis is a frequently underestimated degradation process that causes irreversible structural damage to non-resistant plastics. The degradation occurs via the permanent splitting of polymer chains, typically triggered by prolonged exposure to warm water, saturated steam, or tropical climates. However, under specific conditions, hydrolysis can occur even in temperate climates. Similar to microbial infestation, this chain scission rapidly degrades the material’s mechanical strength, leading to embrittlement, premature failure, and ultimate destruction of the product.
Lamination
Lamination refers to the application of a specialized functional top layer onto films or sheets, as well as the bonding of protective or reinforcing films onto fabric webs.
Lamination refers to the application of a specialized functional top layer onto films or sheets, as well as the bonding of protective or reinforcing films onto fabric webs.
Kinking Sensitivity
It is imperative to ensure that the tightest bending radius encountered during operation always remains above the specified minimum bending radius of the respective hose. If the bending radius falls below this threshold, the hose is highly susceptible to kinking, causing cross-sectional narrowing or flattening. This structural distortion can lead to excessive mechanical stress, twisting, or failure of the internal reinforcing inserts.
It is imperative to ensure that the tightest bending radius encountered during operation always remains above the specified minimum bending radius of the respective hose. If the bending radius falls below this threshold, the hose is highly susceptible to kinking, causing cross-sectional narrowing or flattening. This structural distortion can lead to excessive mechanical stress, twisting, or failure of the internal reinforcing inserts.
Conductivity
Conductivity describes the electrical properties of the materials constituting the hose, typically referring to the hose core, intermediate layers, and/or the outer cover. Measured in megaohms (MΩ), conductive hoses are critical in applications where the friction of the transported medium generates electrostatic charges. These hoses safely dissipate static electricity through the rubber or compound material to the hose couplings, provided that properly grounded coupling hardware is installed.
Conductivity describes the electrical properties of the materials constituting the hose, typically referring to the hose core, intermediate layers, and/or the outer cover. Measured in megaohms (MΩ), conductive hoses are critical in applications where the friction of the transported medium generates electrostatic charges. These hoses safely dissipate static electricity through the rubber or compound material to the hose couplings, provided that properly grounded coupling hardware is installed.