Industrial and residential customers globally use hoses for a number of applications. From hydraulic hoses connected to industrial equipment to garden hoses a person will use to water their flower beds, having the right type of hose for the task at hand is essential to complete the activity.
When you are manufacturing hoses, you are looking to create the highest quality work so that the hose does not fail when in use. This means using the correct material for the hose as well as the right ferrules used to connect the hose to machinery pipes or to other lengths of hoses.
Types Of Ferrules
The most common types of ferrules you will see on the market are made from three different metals: brass, aluminum and stainless steel. These ferrules are usually found in the compression fittings or couplings for attachments of pipe work in the plumbing industry as the ferrules will have a male and female fitting to create a solid seal. For hose applications, you may find different metal ferrules on the following types of hoses:
- Steel ferrules on automotive hoses
- Brass ferrules on water heater hoses
- Aluminum ferrules on fire extinguisher hoses
You may also find brass ferrules on welding hoses and steel ferrules on hydraulic hose systems. What the hose will be used for, the length of the hose, and the size of the ferrule can help you decide on the type of metal to use when manufacturing hoses.
Brass Ferrules or Aluminum Ferrules?
The debate always crops up on which type of metal to use for ferrules. Is aluminum stronger than brass? Will brass rust? Which is the cheaper metal to use?
While pricing metals will be dependent on your company’s budget and manufacturing capabilities, you can help with the decision process by basing your choice first on the type of hose you will manufacture. Are you creating water hoses or air hoses? If the hose you are creating is for air, most manufacturers will use an aluminum ferrule for the application. For water hoses, people normally pick brass ferrules.
Why is this? While neither brass or aluminum rusts when in contact with water, it does oxidize. Oxidation is a sort of protective mechanism within these metals. It will create a type of scaling and tarnishing on the metal. When brass is properly sealed with a protective coating, it can fight off oxidation and last for a very long time. Even when oxidized, brass will still last for a long time before eroding away.
Some aluminum alloys do not have the same outcome when in contact with water, as the caked oxidation causes erosion that damages the metal permanently. If you should decide to use aluminum for ferrules, then you will need to use an anode aluminum that can handle freshwater and saltwater applications as the corrosion rate is slowed down.
Ferrule shape and length can also play a factor. Aluminum ferrules have a length ranging from 0.500″ up to 0.968″ and can come in a smooth, cylindrical shape. Brass ferrules can normally range from 0.500″ up to 1.000″ in length and come in a variety of shapes such as oval, ribbed, smooth and soaker.
Choose The Right Ferrule For The Hose Application
Again, it can’t be stressed enough that making your decision on brass or aluminum ferrules has to be based on the type of hose you are manufacturing and what the hose will be used for in an industrial or residential application. Make your decision on what will go through the hose and the type of seal you want to pick the best ferrule for your needs. welding hose manufacturers
