What is the difference between thermoplastic and rubber hoses?

1. Overview of Thermoplastic Hose pipe and Rubber Hoses

In daily life and industrial applications, hoses are widely used to transport fluids, gases and other media. There are many types of hoses, with thermoplastic hose pipe and rubber hoses being the two most common. Although they both accomplish similar tasks, there are significant differences between the two. Understanding the differences between thermoplastic hoses and rubber hoses can help users choose the most appropriate hose type according to different application needs.
Thermoplastic hose pipe is usually made of thermoplastic materials such as polyurethane (PU) and polyethylene (PE). These materials have excellent durability and chemical stability. Rubber hoses are made of natural rubber or synthetic rubber, and these materials have advantages in elasticity and flexibility. This article will compare these two hoses in detail from many aspects to help you gain an in-depth understanding of their characteristics, performance, applicable fields and other information.

2. Material differences: comparison between thermoplastic materials and rubber materials

Material properties of thermoplastic hose pipe

Thermoplastic hose pipe use a class of materials that soften when heated and harden when cooled. Common thermoplastic materials include polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (PE), nylon (PA), etc. These materials have high wear resistance and tensile resistance, suitable for use in a variety of high-intensity environments. Another advantage of thermoplastic hoses is their high chemical resistance, which enables them to be used in environments with a variety of chemicals and solvents.
The material properties of thermoplastic hoses make them flexible, transparent (visualizing the transmission medium) and have low production costs, making them the material of choice in many industrial and construction fields.

Material properties of rubber hose

Rubber hoses are made of natural rubber or synthetic rubber (such as styrene-butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, etc.). The characteristics of rubber materials are extremely high elasticity and flexibility, which enables rubber hoses to maintain good performance at extremely low or high temperatures. Rubber hoses have strong pressure resistance and are particularly suitable for environments that require frequent bending or withstand high pressure.
However, one disadvantage of rubber is that its chemical resistance is relatively weak, especially under the action of some special chemicals or oils, it is easy to age and corrode. In addition, the production cost of rubber hose is usually higher than that of thermoplastic hose pipe.

3. Performance differences: comparison of pressure resistance, temperature resistance and chemical resistance

Pressure and temperature resistance of thermoplastic hose pipe

Thermoplastic hose pipe have excellent pressure resistance, especially thermoplastic hoses made of materials such as polyurethane (PU) and polyethylene (PE), which can maintain stable performance under high pressure conditions. The pressure resistance of thermoplastic hoses makes them suitable for hydraulic systems, industrial equipment and applications that require high pressure delivery.
In terms of temperature resistance, thermoplastic hoses also perform very well. Generally, thermoplastic hose pipe can operate in a wide temperature range, usually able to withstand temperatures from -40°C to +100°C, and some high-performance thermoplastic hoses (such as polyurethane) can even be used at higher temperatures. Although compared with rubber hoses, thermoplastic hoses have a gap in performance under extreme temperatures, their relatively low cost and high pressure resistance make them perform well in most applications.

Pressure and temperature resistance of rubber hose

Rubber hoses usually have strong pressure resistance and are particularly suitable for use in high pressure, strong pressure and vibration environments. Rubber hoses can effectively resist physical stress such as impact and stretching, and maintain their shape and function.
In terms of temperature resistance, rubber hoses generally have better high temperature resistance than thermoplastic hose pipe. Natural rubber and synthetic rubber can maintain stable performance in high temperature environments, with a high temperature resistance of up to +120°C or higher, suitable for extreme working environments. However, rubber hoses perform poorly under low temperature conditions, tend to harden, and reduce flexibility, which may affect their service life.

Chemical resistance comparison

Due to its material properties, thermoplastic hose pipe have excellent chemical resistance, especially materials such as polyurethane and polyethylene can resist corrosion from chemicals such as oils, solvents, acids and alkalis, which makes thermoplastic hoses widely used in chemical, petroleum, natural gas and other industries.
In contrast, rubber hoses have limited chemical resistance, and will age faster and may crack and break, especially when exposed to strong acids or certain chemical solvents. Therefore, rubber hoses are not suitable for environments that require long-term exposure to chemicals.
 

4. Flexibility and durability: service life and adaptability

Thermoplastic hose flexibility and durability

Thermoplastic hoses usually have good flexibility, especially in low temperature environments, and can still maintain a certain degree of softness, which is suitable for use in narrow spaces. However, thermoplastic hoses are relatively resistant to wear and tear and can withstand long-term use without being easily damaged during work. Even if exposed to high-intensity friction or vibration for a long time, the service life of thermoplastic hoses is also long.
However, thermoplastic hoses have poor aging resistance and are prone to hardening and cracking when exposed to ultraviolet rays and high temperatures for a long time. Therefore, additional protective measures are required when used outdoors for a long time.

Flexibility and durability of rubber hose

Rubber hoses are extremely flexible due to their natural elasticity and can maintain good performance even in extreme high and low temperature environments. Especially in applications with frequent bending, rubber hoses can show unparalleled durability and are widely used in the automotive, industrial and construction industries.
However, the wear resistance of rubber hose is poor, especially in high friction environment, and the service life is short. Therefore, rubber hose needs to be inspected and replaced regularly to ensure its performance.
 

5. Cost-effectiveness and selection recommendations

Cost advantages and economics of thermoplastic hose pipe

Compared with rubber hoses, thermoplastic hose pipe have lower production costs. The manufacturing process of thermoplastic hoses is relatively simple, and a large number of hoses can be produced in a shorter time. Therefore, thermoplastic hoses have obvious cost advantages in large-scale procurement and use. In addition, thermoplastic hoses have lower maintenance costs because their wear resistance and chemical resistance make them have a longer service life, reducing the frequency of replacement and repair.

Cost-effectiveness and applicability of rubber hoses

Although the production cost of rubber hoses is relatively high, they are still cost-effective in some special applications. Rubber hoses are particularly suitable for areas that require high flexibility, high temperature resistance and pressure resistance, such as heavy industries such as oil and mining. Therefore, in these applications, although the price of rubber hoses is higher, their superior performance and durability make them relatively cost-effective in long-term use.
 

6. Application areas: Best use scenarios for thermoplastic hoses and rubber hoses

Application areas of thermoplastic hose pipe

Due to its excellent chemical resistance, pressure resistance and lightness, thermoplastic hose pipe is widely used in many industries and fields. Here are some typical applications:
· Hydraulic system : Thermoplastic hydraulic hoses are widely used in hydraulic systems, especially in situations where lightness, high pressure and strong chemical resistance are required, such as construction machinery, construction equipment, etc.
· Automobile industry : Thermoplastic hoses are used in automobile cooling systems, fuel systems, and brake systems because of their high pressure resistance, temperature resistance, and good chemical stability.
· Agriculture : In agricultural irrigation and agricultural spray equipment, thermoplastic hoses are an ideal choice due to their corrosion resistance and flexibility.
· Chemical and Petroleum Industries : The chemical resistance of thermoplastic hoses makes them a common choice in the oil, gas, and chemical industries, especially when corrosive liquids or gases need to be transferred.

Application areas of rubber hose

Rubber hoses are widely used in the following industries due to their superior temperature resistance, elasticity and flexibility:
· Automotive Industry : Rubber hoses are widely used in the automotive industry in areas such as fuel delivery, hydraulic systems, cooling systems and exhaust systems.
· Construction and Mining : Due to the high wear resistance and pressure resistance of rubber hoses, they are often used in construction and mining equipment, such as concrete delivery, mining operations and oil field drilling.
· Firefighting industry : Rubber hoses also play an important role in the firefighting industry, especially in high temperature environments. The high temperature resistance of rubber hoses can ensure their normal use in fires.
· Food industry : Rubber hoses are suitable for liquid transportation in food processing because they can withstand high temperature steam and mechanical stress and meet hygiene requirements.
 

7. Maintenance and installation: Differences in maintenance between thermoplastic hoses and rubber hoses

Maintenance and installation of thermoplastic hose pipe

The installation process of thermoplastic hose pipe is relatively simple, and they can usually be matched with equipment through standard connectors. Due to their low friction coefficient and light weight, thermoplastic hoses can reduce unnecessary friction and pressure loss during installation, and have high installation efficiency.
However, since thermoplastic hoses are susceptible to aging under ultraviolet and high temperature environments, appropriate protective measures need to be taken. When exposed to sunlight for a long time, it is best to wrap them in a protective cover or use a UV protective coating to extend their service life. In addition, regularly check the interfaces and joints of the hoses to avoid oil or gas leaks.

Maintenance and installation of rubber hose

Rubber hoses are often difficult to maintain, especially when they are frequently bent or subjected to high pressure, where they are prone to wear and tear. To extend the life of rubber hoses, it is recommended to inspect them regularly and ensure that they are not exposed to chemicals or extreme temperatures.
When installing a rubber hose, you need to make sure that there are no leaks at the hose connection and that the joints are securely installed. Especially in automobiles or heavy machinery, rubber hoses need to be checked regularly to ensure that they do not crack or age, which could affect overall performance.
 

8. Recommendations for choosing thermoplastic hose pipe and rubber hoses

When choosing between thermoplastic hose pipe and rubber hoses, you should first decide based on actual needs. Thermoplastic hoses are suitable for many cost-sensitive applications that require good chemical properties due to their lower production costs, good chemical stability and longer service life. They are especially suitable for applications in hydraulics, automobiles and agriculture.
Rubber hoses, due to their excellent high temperature resistance and flexibility, are suitable for use in environments with high temperature, high pressure and high friction intensity, such as mining, fire fighting, automobile and food industries.
Whether you choose a thermoplastic hose pipe or a rubber hose, you need to fully consider the temperature of the working environment, the type of chemical medium, and the pressure requirements to ensure that the hose can operate stably in the most demanding environment.
 
If you are looking for high-performance hoses that suit your industry needs, we offer various types of thermoplastic hoses and rubber hoses to meet your different application requirements. Contact us to learn more about the technical parameters and product selection of hoses to help you make the best choice!