Key Takeaways
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Hydraulic hoses offer advantages over rigid pipe including flexibility, lower cost, shock absorption, corrosion resistance, and accommodation of movement and vibration.
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Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) hose standards classify hoses by pressure rating, construction type, and application.
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Extremely high-pressure hoses (6,000 to 10,000 pounds per square inch, or PSI) include SAE 100R15, 100R13, and 100R12 types with multi-spiral wire construction.
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High-pressure hoses (3,000 to 6,000 PSI) include SAE 100R2AT, 100R16, 100R17, and 100R19 types.
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Medium-pressure hoses (300 to 3,000 PSI) and low-pressure hoses (up to 300 PSI) cover the majority of general hydraulic applications.
Selecting the right hydraulic hose for a system's pressure requirements is essential for safe and reliable operation. This guide covers the four main hydraulic hose pressure categories, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) hose types that apply to each, and the relevant industry standards.
What Are the Advantages of Hydraulic Hoses Over Rigid Pipe?
Hydraulic hoses offer several advantages over rigid pipe in fluid power systems:
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Lower cost compared to rigid pipe fabrication and installation
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Reduced weight in routing and support hardware
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Absorption of shock and vibration from system components
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Ease of installation in tight or complex routing paths
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Corrosion resistance from compatible inner tube and cover materials
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Accommodation of movement between connected components
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Noise reduction from dampening of pressure surges in the system
Which Hoses Are Rated for Extremely High Pressure (6,000 to 10,000 PSI)?
Extremely high-pressure hoses are built with multiple layers of spiral wire reinforcement to withstand working pressures from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds per square inch (PSI). Common SAE types in this category include:
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SAE 100R15: Multi-spiral wire construction for extremely high-pressure applications
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SAE 100R13: Heavy-duty spiral wire hose for high-impulse, high-pressure service
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SAE 100R12: Four-spiral wire hose for extremely high-pressure hydraulic service
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Jack Hose: Designed specifically for hydraulic jack and press applications
Relevant Standards
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International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 18752
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European Norm (EN) 857
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SAE 100R15
Which Hoses Are Rated for High Pressure (3,000 to 6,000 PSI)?
High-pressure hoses use wire braid or spiral wire reinforcement rated for working pressures from 3,000 to 6,000 PSI. Common SAE types include:
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SAE 100R2AT: Two-wire braid construction for high-pressure hydraulic service
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SAE 100R16: Compact, high-pressure hose with two-wire braid construction
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SAE 100R17: High-pressure hose with tight bend radius capability
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SAE 100R19: High-pressure compact hose with four-wire spiral construction
Relevant Standards
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ISO 1436
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ISO 3862
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EN 286
Which Hoses Are Rated for Medium Pressure (300 to 3,000 PSI)?
Medium-pressure hoses cover the majority of general hydraulic applications, with working pressures from 300 to 3,000 PSI. Common SAE types include:
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SAE 100R1: Single wire braid construction for medium-pressure hydraulic service
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SAE 100R3: Two-fiber braid construction for medium-pressure petroleum-based fluids
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SAE 100R6: Single fiber braid construction for medium-pressure applications
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SAE 100R5: Textile braid construction for medium-pressure hydraulic and air applications
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Marine-rated hose: Suitable for medium-pressure marine hydraulic applications
Relevant Standards
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ISO 1436
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SAE J517
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EN 853
Which Hoses Are Rated for Low Pressure (Up to 300 PSI)?
Low-pressure hoses are used for suction, return, and low-pressure transfer applications up to 300 PSI. Common SAE types include:
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SAE 100R4: Fabric and wire helix construction for suction and return line service
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SAE 30R2: Braided construction for low-pressure fuel and hydraulic fluid applications
Relevant Standards
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ISO 4079
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EN 854
Browse hydraulic hose options from Royal Brass & Hose: spiral wire hoses, wire braid hoses, and suction and return hoses. Browse the full hydraulics catalog or the industrial products catalog for additional products.
Matching the correct hydraulic hose to the system pressure category, SAE type, and applicable standard ensures safe operation and long service life. Use this guide to narrow the selection, then confirm specifications with the product data sheet for the chosen hose.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hydraulic Hose Pressure Ratings
Consult the hydraulic system design documentation or the equipment manufacturer specifications for the maximum working pressure. Select a hose rated for at least that pressure, accounting for pressure spikes and surge conditions that may exceed the steady-state working pressure.
Wire braid hoses use one or more layers of braided steel wire for reinforcement and are typically rated for medium to high-pressure applications. Spiral wire hoses use multiple layers of helically wrapped steel wire and are rated for the highest pressure and impulse conditions, including extremely high-pressure service above 6,000 PSI.
High-pressure hydraulic hose types commonly referenced in Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards include SAE 100R2AT, SAE 100R16, SAE 100R17, and SAE 100R19. Relevant International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards include ISO 1436 and ISO 3862.
Using a hose with a higher pressure rating than the application requires is generally acceptable from a safety standpoint, though it may add cost or reduce flexibility. Ensure the hose is compatible with the fluid type, temperature range, and end fitting requirements for the application.
SAE 100R is a hydraulic hose classification system defined by Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standard J517. The number following 100R identifies the specific hose type, with each number designating a particular combination of construction, pressure rating, and application category.
