Hose clamps are important devices that can be used in a number of settings for a wide array of purposes. Lumley Robinson, a Royal Naval Commander, invented the hose clamp in 1921. Since then, there has been some diversification and they now come in a wide variety of sizes to be able to be used with hoses of different sizes. One thing that can be said of all of the types of hose clamps is that they work best in situations where moderate pressure is needed. These include home and automotive applications.
The hose clamp itself attaches a hose to some sort of fitting. Most often the fitting is a nipple or a barb. Its design makes it very useful when working on plumbing problems, car and household repairs. They can be used on hoses of different sizes and a variety of equipment and appliances. The key is to look at the different types of hose clamps and determine which one is needed for the job at hand. Different hose clamps are made from different materials and that can impact which kind of clamp will work for the different jobs. It is important to note that it is important to match the hose clamp to the job at hand. When the wrong size and quality, the clamp can be prone to leaking of the liquid, gas or whatever substance is going through the hose in question.
The different types of hose clamps are screw clamps, spring clamps, wire clamps and worm clamps. Here is an overview of each:
The Screw Clamp:
This is often referred to as a “band clamp.” They are made from either a galvanized steel or stainless steel band, which has been developed with a thread pattern imprinted upon it so that it is very similar to a screw. At the tail end of the band, a screw is placed when the hose clamp is in position. The steel band is fed into the apparatus from the opposite end to allow the clamp to be tightened or loosened as is needed. These types of hose clamps are often used for pipes that have been damaged in an emergency as a temporary fix, this is a very common reason these hose clamps are used. They are also often good to use on wastewater piping and anywhere flexible connections are needed.
The Spring Clamp:
In the case of the spring clamp, manufacturers take a spring steel band and cut one side so that there is a narrow point on one end and two similar points on the other. When these two pieces are bent outward and then rolled back towards each other, they can wind up becoming intertwined. Of the different types of hose clamps that are available, these are more flexible. As a consequence, they are not as strong as some of the other types of hose clamps. The most common use for spring clamps is in automotive cooling systems.
The Wire Clamp:
In this kind of hose clamp, a tight U shape is made by bending a heavy steel band. The band is then bent further into the shape of a ring as one flap of the band is pressed over the other. A nut and a screw apparatus is used to keep the band in the proper position. This kind of clamp can be very strong but is not the best at making a tight seal.
The Worm Clamp:
This is considered to be a general purpose clamp. It has an interlocking device for the steel band. These are used in a wide variety of hoses and are very useful for exhaust and pneumatic hoses. There are no holes on these clamps and they are good to prevent any fumes from escaping. They work very well in damp conditions.
There are really a number of hose clamp types. They are often used in places where duct tape would be an option but they work better and can withstand more than the tape. You can get hose clamps that are made from materials other than steel and there are different hose clamp sizes to match the hose in question. The real key to the success of the hose clamp is finding the right kind for the job at hand.