Hose Clamps - Installation, Types, and Applications

Hose clamps are a widely used assembly component, often finding use in plumbing, automotive, agricultural, and industrial settings where they secure hoses. These simple yet versatile devices have been prevalent for numerous decades, and they provide a proven and effective method of preventing hose failures that result from slipping, leaking, and other similar issues. While hose clamps are able to secure hoses over a fitting, they also act as a fluid seal and hose connection stabilizer. In this blog, we will discuss some of the most common forms of hose clamps on the market, ensuring you have a good idea of your options before making a purchasing decision.

Plastic Hose Clamps

Plastic hose clamps are those that feature ratcheting teeth that interlock when tightened to create a strong and secure hold. Plastic hose clamps are fairly simple to install, generally just requiring one’s hands while tools like pliers may be used for additional grip tightening. Additionally, they tend to be listed under a few names, common ones being snap grips, snappers, or herbie grips. Like their name suggests, plastic hose clamps are made from plastic materials like nylon. For their uses, these clamps tend to be found on automotive fuel lines, aircraft lines, drain lines, pumps, venting systems, and more.

Worm-Drive Hose Clamps

Worm-drive hose clamps, commonly known as jubilee clips, are hi-torque options that feature a helical-threaded screw or worm gear that is housed within the clamp. By turning this element, the threads of the clamp band will be pulled in and tightened around a hose or tube. For applications requiring strength, stainless-steel or steel hose clamps are ideal. That being said, such clamps should not be used on hoses with soft or silicone materials as damage may occur. Generally, worm-drive hose clamps find use for wire-reinforced hoses, automotive fuel lines, plumbing, and temporary repairs.

T-Bolt Hose Clamps

Featuring a unique design, the t-bolt hose clamp is one that can be used to establish an airtight seal for assemblies with large diameters, ensuring protection under the forces of vibration. While a circular band is placed over an object, tightening is made possible through a bolt that is inserted through the clamp’s body. When a nut attached to the tail-end of the bolt is tightened with a suitable tool, the clamp will simultaneously tighten around the object it is surrounding. In general, t-bolt hose clamps are a good choice for high-pressure and silicone hoses, finding implementation within specialty vehicles, swimming pool plumbing, hydroponics, irrigation, and more.

Installation of Hose Clamps

While each hose clamp will differ in the exact steps of installation, most follow a general process where tools like torque wrenches and screwdrivers are relied on for tightening. When installing hose clamps, it is essential that you follow all manufacturer specifications to ensure correct installation. As damage can quickly occur if you overtighten clamps, always adhere to any torque specification, those of which tend to be given in inches by the manufacturer. If you have to remove the clamp at any point, simply loosen any bolt or securing element with the proper tool before sliding the clamp off the hose or object.

Conclusion

If you are working with a plumbing, hose, or pipe system where you need to ensure that everything is safely and securely kept together, hose clamps of various types are a perfect solution. Here on Automated Procurement, we offer customers access to an expansive inventory containing over 2 billion new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find items. With everything readily available for purchase from our database, you are always welcome to kick off your procurement needs with the submission of a completed quote request form as provided on our website. Once our team has a chance to review your completed submission, a member of our staff will reach out to you in 15 minutes or less to provide a customized solution based on your provided details. You may also give us a call or email at any time, and we would be more than happy to assist you however we can!