Specialties Company

How to Choose the Right Chemical Transfer Hose

Chemical hose failures are dangerous and expensive. Specifying the right hose comes down to four questions: what is the media, how hot, how much pressure, and what fittings.

Start With the Tube Material

The tube is the layer that touches the chemical, so it drives compatibility.

  • UHMW-PE resists the broadest range of acids, bases, and solvents and is a common all-purpose choice.
  • PTFE offers near-universal chemical resistance and high-temperature capability for the toughest media.
  • EPDM suits many acids, ketones, and hot water, but not petroleum.
  • Composite hose uses multiple films and fabrics for petroleum and aggressive chemical transfer with excellent flexibility.

Check a Compatibility Chart

Never assume. Cross-reference the specific chemical, its concentration, and temperature against a chemical resistance chart before you order. Concentration and heat can turn a compatible pairing into an incompatible one.

Confirm Temperature and Pressure

Rated pressure falls as temperature rises, so check the hose at your actual operating temperature, not just room temperature. Include a safety factor; many chemical hoses use a 4:1 burst-to-working ratio.

Do Not Forget Fittings and Grounding

Fittings and gaskets must be as compatible as the tube. For flammable solvents, use a hose with a static wire and bond and ground the assembly.

We build tested, tagged chemical assemblies with the right tube, cover, and fittings. Browse chemical hose or request a quote.