Hoses have become a must for many industries. They are reliable and efficient ways to transport gas, fuel, and hot water streams. The standard type of hose is steel hoses, which are used worldwide. Their usage is diverse, from automotive to industrial. However, the question is: How long do steel braided hoses last?
The average lifespan of steel braided hoses ranges between 3 to 10 years. Their age and performance depend on many factors. Those include inner tube material, usage conditions, use frequency, and so on. Moreover, the PTFE (Teflon) core hose will last longer than the rubber core stainless braided hose.
Knowing the answer is crucial if you plan to buy a steel braided hose. I will explain how long you should expect a hose to last in this article. It will help you buy stronger hoses and know whether your current hose needs replacement. So, let’s get started!
Why the Lifespan of Steel Braided Hose Matters?
There are two main reasons why knowing a hose’s lifespan is important. Those are as follows:
- Buy the hose that meets your expectations in terms of its lasting and durability
- Know if your current steel braided hose needs replacement or not. (Helps avoid failure of hoses)
First, when we buy a hose, we should know its lifespan. Why? It helps in buying the right pipe for specific needs. For example, if you plan to purchase a pipe for a low-pressure condition, you may not need a conjugated stainless steel hose. Instead, a rubber core hose will be suitable for such use.
On the flip side, if your usage is harsh, you may need a high-quality pipe that lasts for 10-plus years. Knowing the lifespan helps you buy the hose that meets your needs. You might already have a steel braided hose. If you don’t know when to replace it, the chances of an accident increase.
We don’t recommend using pipes that are too old. Their chances of bursting or leakage are high. Knowing the lifespan of a used hose helps ensure its safety.
How Long Do Steel Braided Hoses Last?
The average lifespan of steel braided hoses varies between 3 to 10 years. Some high-quality hoses can go up to 15 years. However, the hoses require regular care and maintenance to achieve a life of 15 years. You should expect an average life of 5 to 8 years with some basic care.
There are different uses of steel braided hoses – each affects the lifespan. Here is a table showing different applications and estimated lifespan of hoses:
| Application | Lifespan |
| Automotive applications | 3 to 10 years |
| Household plumbing hoses | 5 to 8 years |
| Industrial & hydraulic hoses | 5 to 15 years |
| High-temperature applications | 3 to 8 years |
As I already said, the lifespan of stainless steel braided hoses depends on many factors. Interestingly, those factors are controllable. For example, if you buy a hose made of high-quality inner tube material, the hose will last longer and vice versa. Let’s discuss each of those factors in more detail.
1- Material of Hose
Stainless steel braided hoses consist of many components. The inner hose mainly consists of a rubber or Teflon core. The rubber material is generally weaker and less durable. Steel braided pipes with a rubber core last 3 to 5 years. Such hoses are only suitable for small-pressure applications.
On the flip side, the steel braided hose with PTFE (Teflon) is very durable. The average lifespan of such is around 5 to 7 years, depending on the use. Interestingly, these hoses are very capable of bearing high-pressure usage. If you need excellent durability and lifespan, I recommend using a steel braided hose with a PTFE core.
2- Reinforcement Layers
The steel braided hose consists of reinforcement layers of stainless steel wires. These layers improve the overall durability and pressure-handling capabilities. The Higher the layer, the higher the durability, and vice versa.
Those hoses that have small layers of steel wire reinforcement are very weak. First, they cannot handle high-pressure applications. Moreover, their deterioration is common when they remain under high temperatures. I recommend you buy a steel braided hose with higher reinforced layers of steel wires. This will ensure a better lifespan of the hose.
3- Frequency of Use
This is one of the most critical factors determining the life of steel braided hoses. Those who experience a high frequency of use deteriorate quickly. Why? Because they consistently face stress and pressure. As a result, wear and tear is ordinary, leading to their shorter lifespan.
On the other hand, those hoses with less frequent use are long-lasting. The pipes undergo stress and then remain unused for some time. The duration of rest allows these pipes to recover from the stress that comes with their use. Such a hose lasts longer, offering around 7 to 10 years of life.
4- Pressure and Temperature Exposure
Both pressure and temperature exposure affect the longevity of hoses. Hoses are generally very durable and robust. They are made to withstand high pressure and transport fluid efficiently. However, consistent exposure to high pressure weakens them. That’s why you see more leakage issues in old steel braided hoses.
The consistent handling of pressure makes the hose weaker. Similarly, higher temperatures also negatively impact hose durability. These two factors are uncontrollable to some extent. When the hoses are used, they are supposed to face high pressure and stress. There is little that we can do when it comes to pressure. However, you should not keep them at a higher temperature to ensure longevity.
5- Environmental Conditions
Numerous environmental factors can deteriorate the quality of steel braided hoses. For example, the exposure of the hose to UV rays makes its outer covering weaker. On the flip side, the temperature reduces the strength of the inner core, mainly if it consists of rubber. Moreover, humidity and moisture also affect those-reinforced layers. How?
The humidity causes corrosion, making the reinforced layer weaker. You might say the reinforced layer consists of stainless steel wires, which are rust-resistant. This is true, and stainless wires ensure rust protection. However, the stainless cables can also get rusty if the hose remains moist for long.
How can we ignore the vibrations that the hose experiences during its usage? Such vibrations make the hose more prone to fatigue, ultimately affecting its lifespan. All these factors can prove to be killers for steel braided hoses. Therefore, I recommend that you be wise when handling them.
How to Increase the Lifespan of Steel Braided Hoses? Maintenance Tips
In the above section, I mentioned some causes that reduce the life of hoses. Do you want to increase the life span? If so, simply avoid those factors that cause the deterioration. In the section below, I will mention some maintenance tips that will improve the life of your hoses:
- Correct Pressure: Different steel braided hoses have different pressure ratings. Using the hose against the wrong pressure will result in leakage issues. Instead, you should use the hose at the rated pressure.
- Bends & Kinking: The steel braided hoses are robust and durable. If they remain bent, their quality degrades over time. Bending and kinking are common during the installation process. I recommend avoiding bending by using clamps.
- Shield from moisture: As I said earlier, moisture and humidity cause corrosion issues. It is vital to keep the hose in dry places. Moreover, after use, you should clean them carefully. In this way, no moisture will sit on the reinforced wires.
- Compatibility with fluids: The hose’s inner tube is exposed to fluid, gas, and chemicals. Only suitable chemicals should be used for transportation. For example, using a highly acidic liquid in a rubber core hose will cause the hose to deteriorate.
- Minimize vibration stress: Hoses are used in different applications and machines. Those machines vibrate, causing consistent movement to the hoses as well. These vibrations don’t stabilize the hose, affecting their life. Remember, vibration causes fatigue issues in the hoses. Therefore, I recommend you use clamps and brackets to ensure the stability of the hoses.
One thing that you must know is the right time for hose replacement. Every hose has a specific lifespan. After that, it becomes very weak and prone to leakage and bursting. Therefore, you should keep inspecting the old hoses. If you see any signs of aging, like leakage, you should replace the hose. This will help you avoid unexpected accidents.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, Hoses have become a must-have for many industries. Their use to transport hot water streams, fluids, oil, and gases has become effortless. Different types of hoses are available, and their durability varies.
Steel braided hoses are very popular because they can easily handle high pressure. The consistent stress doesn’t cause any issues. However, they also have specific lifespans that depend on different factors. I have explained their average life and all the factors that can affect it.