Difference Between Hoses and Pipes

Transporting fluid from one location to another is very important just the way different fluid serves different purposes. A shapeless substance that yield to a specific pressure or temperature as no ability to determine its flow but rather conforms to the leverage given by means of access through a slippery surface, hose, pipes and an unconventional roughage layer. Have you ever thought of what transporting fluid would look like if Hose and pipes never existed?

 Hose and Pipe

A hose is a flexible hollow tube designed to carry fluids from one location to another. Hoses are also sometimes called pipes (the word pipe usually refers to a rigid tube, where as a hose is usually a flexible one), or more generally tubing. The shape of a hose is usually cylindrical (having a circular cross section). Hose design is based on a combination of application and performance. Common factors are size, pressure rating, weight, length, straight hose or coil hose, and chemical compatibility. Applications mostly use nylon, polyurethane, polyethylene, PVC, or synthetic or natural rubbers, based on the environment and pressure rating needed. In recent years, hoses can also be manufactured from special grades of polyethylene (LDPE and especially LLDPE). Other hose materials include PTFE (Teflon), stainless steel and other metals. While a pipe is a tubular section or hollow cylinder, usually but not necessarily of circular cross-section, used mainly to convey substances which can flow such as liquids and gases (fluids), slurries, powders and masses of small solids. It can also be used for structural applications; hollow pipe is far stiffer per unit weight than solid members.

In common usage the words pipe and tube are usually interchangeable, but in industry and engineering, the terms are uniquely defined. Depending on the applicable standard to which it is manufactured, pipe is generally specified by a nominal diameter with a constant outside diameter (OD) and a schedule that defines the thickness.

Difference between Hose and Pipe

USES

The uses of hoses and pipes cannot be over emphasized due to the fact that they both serve as a channel for conveying water or other fluid but differs in terms of architectural production and material that travels through them. Some distinctive difference between hoses & pipes includes, hoses being flexible tubes, whereas pipes are rigid. Hoses are used for various reasons mainly for carrying fluid in cleaning instruments or watering tools. In vacuum cleaner it’s used to suck dust particles. Hoses are typically used with clamps, spigots, flanges, and nozzles to control fluid flow. Host are used for places with constricted areas while Pipes are used over large spaces and are usually used to carry heavy liquids. Hoses are also small in size than pipes. Hoses are normally made of rubber whereas pipes are made of metals and polymers. Hoses can be replaced by pipes depending on parameters like composition of fluid, temperature, space constraints, weight and pressure of the fluid or materials.

Also, hoses do differ according to their role, as mentioned above Gardening hoses are used for watering plants, whereas vacuum cleaner hoses play totally different role, when car cleaning hoses tend to handle more water pressure. So, it’s advisable to buy hoses according to their applications and from reliable seller. Also, it’s not a wise idea to replace them with pipes or vice versa. Remember hoses and pipes are two different things even though they look similar.

MANUFACTURING PROCESS

When it comes to manufacturing, tubes have a much more strict process because of tighter tolerances on diameter, wall thickness, straightness, and roundness of the cylinder. These tighter tolerances requirements lead to a higher degree of testing and inspection of tubing compared to piping products. The testing can be seen even down to the raw material used in the production process. Moreover, to wrap things up, hoses are a completely different material compared to tube and pipe, and so the process looks very different when you are manufacturing a rubber or PTFE part compared to carbon steel or stainless steel.

Hoses are designed based on their application and performance. They are customized and made different from other kinds of conveyance tubes based on pressure, weight, length, rating, and chemical compatibility. However, pipes can transport fluids utilized for structural applications, railings, and fabrication. They are used for long-term usage than hoses, and the fluid flow is supported by tees and elbows.

COMPOSITION

The composition of hoses and pipes are different constituents, and the materials make these two types of pipes entirely different from each other. Hoses are made with a powerful combination of various materials, which includes polyethylene, polyurethane, nylon, and natural or synthetic fibers. On the other hand, pipes are made up of materials like fiberglass, ceramic, plastic, metals, and concrete.

FLEXIBILITY

The basic difference in the structure of hoses and pipe arises due to the materials it is made up. Hoses are made up from different grades of polyethylene, stainless steel, Teflon, and other materials. However, pipes are made up from polyvinyl chloride, cross-linked polyethylene, and other soft materials. The pipes are more flexible due to their constituent materials, whereas hoses are constructed to give them a rigid structure.

REINFORCEMENT

Hoses are reinforced for involving high pressure whereas pipes are not reinforced. Hoses and pipes are used for the conveyance of fluids from one place to another. However, hoses and pipes are two different types of tubes. They have one major difference, i.e., in their reinforcement. The typical reinforcements of hoses are embedded, braid, wire, and twisted. They are reinforced using another material, preferably with a stiffer plastic, for incorporating different external structures. The most common external structures are dual walls and heavy walls.

So, it Is ideal to buy hose or pipe according to your need and application. Also preferably buy hoses carefully and from reliable brands.

At GZ Industrial Supplies, we offer the best products and services; As we are moving to become Nigeria's most sought-after industrial supplies and consumables supplier.

For more information on hoses and pipes, kindly contact GZ Industrial Supplies or email us at info@ gz-ind.com.