Hydraulic systems play an essential role in many industrial and commercial applications, and hydraulic hoses are used to help regulate the flow of chemicals and other liquids, making these hoses valuable components within your hydraulic system.

While you might think that a hydraulic hose is the most valuable component, the fittings used to attach these hoses can actually have a significant impact on the performance of your hydraulic system as a whole.

There are hydraulic fittings of many different configurations, sizes, and materials available for purchase on the market today. Selecting the right fitting for your application can be a challenge. Using the STAMP formula (size, temperature, application, media, and pressure), you can invest in the fittings best suited to enhance the performance of your hydraulic system in the future.

Size

The fittings that you use to connect your hoses can have an effect on hydraulic pressure. The right fittings should be able to main pressure while your hydraulic system is in use, which is critical to the system's overall performance.

Size matters, as larger fittings tend to allow for pressure drops, while smaller fittings help increase hydraulic pressure. Some fittings (like certain JIC fittings) can allow for expansion between sizes, which increases the versatility of your hydraulic system.

Temperature

Operating temperatures should influence your selection when it come to investing in hydraulic fittings. You will want to invest in fittings that are rated to withstand your average operating temperatures.

Matching fittings to withstand your operating temperatures ensures that the fittings will not warp or erode when placed under stress, allowing your hydraulic system to function at maximum efficiency.

Application

Each style of hydraulic fitting has limiting factors that can make them unsuitable for certain applications. You must carefully think about how you will use your hydraulic system before selecting new fittings if you want to purchase fittings that will last.

Different metals are better suited to withstand different levels of exposure to the elements and operational pressures. By knowing your application, you can select fittings made from a metal that will complement the performance of your hydraulic system.

Media

Just as the application can affect your fitting selection, the media that you use during these applications can also influence your fitting choice.

For example, many companies run chemicals (like pesticides or industrial soaps) through their hydraulic systems. These chemicals can be corrosive, so you will need to invest in fittings that are capable of withstanding exposure to chemicals on a daily basis without losing their structural integrity.

Pressure

Achieving the right pressure within your hydraulic system is essential for successful application of the chemical you are running through the system. Many chemical applications require a specific pressure range, making the fittings that you use a vital component.

Since fittings can contribute to pressure drops, you will need to invest in hydraulic fittings that are capable of withstanding exposure to high pressure without lowering that pressure. In the event that the right fitting for your application does contribute to pressure loss, you will need to adjust the pressure settings within your hydraulic system to compensate for this loss.

The fittings that you add to your hydraulic system can have a direct impact on the performance of the system as a whole. You don't want to compromise versatility or reliability by adding the wrong fittings, so you should give careful thought and consideration to the types of fittings that are best suited to meet your needs.

You can work with our knowledgeable professionals at KIMS International to explore the hydraulic fittings available on the market. We will help you identify the fittings that are safe, versatile, and efficient so that you can improve the performance of your hydraulic systems.