Is PVC Or Rubber Air Hose Better? [Does It Matter?]
A good air hose is important, but choosing the right one can be difficult. You must also ensure that the air hose you buy is the appropriate kind for the job. This article will discuss two of the common air hoses, PVC and Rubber Air Hose. So which one is better between PVC and rubber air hose?
PVC is a perfect choice if you’re only searching for an inexpensive and good-value air hose. Although these hoses aren’t as sturdy or temperature tolerant as more costly materials, and these qualities aren’t always needed.
A rubber air hose is suitable for someone with a domestic workspace or workroom, which requires long-lasting, dependable performance. Since rubber air hose gathers dirt quickly due to their sticky nature, we suggest having them coiled or fixed on a wheel.
What is the right air hose for me?
An air hose is a piece of equipment that delivers air to a device like an air tool or an air compressor. An air hose connects several mechanical instruments to the airborne compressor. Air hose is used for a variety of air tools. This allows compressed air to be used.
As many different air hoses are, an air hose could be composed of a lot of different particles. Hybrid air hoses, PVC air hoses, polyurethane air hoses, rubber air hoses, and so on are examples. They are all different from one another. It has its own set of abilities and activities it’s suitable for. You must choose the one that’s perfect for you. But first, consider what you’ll do with the hose and where you’ll need it. Whatever product you use, you’ll need to know what you’ll use for the following categories:
Length of the hose
Air hoses are usually available in lengths of 25 ft, 50 ft, or 100 ft. A longer hose will result in a slight loss of control, but it won’t be major. What counts is where you’ll be doing your job. Consider what you’ll do with the hose. When you’re on the move, a longer hose will usually allow you greater mobility, which is ideal if you’ll be operating in tight spaces or at height.
When you’re working in a garage or shop, keeping a hose so long can be difficult. Sticking for shorter models will make work even simpler because 100 feet of a coiled up hose doesn’t wrap itself into a corner.
Hose Diameter
Air hoses are often available in two diameters: 1/4′′ (6.3mm) and 3/8′′. (9.5mm). The wider 3/8′′ hose holds more compressed air, which gives you more strength, but you’ll need a decent air compressor to use it. The narrower 1/4′′ hoses are better suited for activities that require less fuel, such as pumping up a tyre or air bed. Since a decent air compressor will regulate the air pressure, you can use all kinds if you like – so unless you’re confident you’ll just be doing low-pressure activities, a 3/8′′ hose would suffice.
Weight
Here, the hose’s purpose will help you know if you need a heavy or light hose. You’ll want something light to bring with you if you’ll be outside and moving about.
Heavier hoses are less likely to kink if you’ll only be operating in one place. It’s much simpler to place them where you like, and you won’t have to worry about them. Lighter hoses are more likely to slip around and kink, but keeping them steady in a confined space can be challenging.
The Manufacturer
Air hoses are one of the things that nobody wishes to substitute. The only way to guarantee the longevity of your hose is to buy it from a well-known and reputable company. Good brands also have the finest warranties and customer support. The below are some names to keep an eye out for:
FlexZilla, Amflo, Hitachi, TekTon, and Goodyear.
PVC Versus Rubber Air Hose?
If we want to compare the PVC and rubber air hoses, we need to know a lot about PVC and rubber. So, what exactly is PVC? What is rubber? What is their method of creation? How do they function?
PVC Air Hose
Unlike rubber and other costly hoses, PVC is the most cost-effective material, with the cheapest average cost. PVC stands for PolyVinyl Chloride, the third most widely used plastic rubber, with uses and materials ranging from tubing to wires and signs and flooring and hoses. PVC is mainly used in sophisticated structural materials such as glass casings and home siding that are not reused at any stage. PVC bottles and cans, on the contrary, can be recycled into items such as sewage pipes and traffic cones.
Because it is cheap and readily available, PVC air hoses are almost always included with products. PVC hoses are lightweight and inexpensive, making them ideal for easy outdoor jobs or operating at height.
Also, we don’t recommend using these hoses in cold weather because they become hard. They kink pretty quickly as well.
Pros
- Low-cost
- Light
Cons
- It’s relatively quick to kink
- In the winter, it gets stiff.
Rubber Air Hose
The natural rubber organic compound is derived from the rubber plant as a white, dense, and gooey liquid. Malaysia and Indonesia are the two leading manufacturers of natural rubber. There are a few rubber plants in Bangladesh, but not enough to support the industry.
Rubber has a wide range of applications. All automobile manufacturers use rubber tyres and tubing. Rubber is used in various industries, including trading and household items. Rubber is very durable, which is why we use it in manufacturing many things.
Though not the cheapest option, a rubber air hose is ideal if you need a dense, capable air hose that will last for years.
A decent air hose is traditionally made of rubber. These hoses are heavy, sturdy, resilient, and long-lasting. Because of their stability and weight, they are simple to coil and pack. Operating pressures for rubber air hoses vary from 150 to 500 PSI. Rubber air hose is available in a variety of sizes and colors. You are free to choose your favorite.
Rubber hoses are suitable for use in a static area, such as a garage or workshop, due to their weight. Rubber does not kink due to its high weight, so you won’t have to think about it moving about when you work. Their flexibility also allows coiling and storing them a breeze. If you plan to use a rubber air hose when on the move, be prepared for an exercise.
Pros:
- Powerful and long-lasting
- In almost every temperature, it performs admirably (except extreme freezing)
- It is really flexible and does not kink.
- If punctured, it’s simple to repair.
Cons:
- Sticky and heavy
- Quickly gathers dirt
What can be used as an alternative for PVC and Rubber air hose?
Polyurethane Air Hose: Polyurethane air hoses are lightweight, simple to use on the go, and resistant to abrasive wear and extreme temperatures. Polyurethane hoses will make your life so much easier if you’ll be working outdoors, on the move, and in the elements. They’re also great for maritime use because they’re lightweight and quick to transport and deploy without tearing or puncturing.
Hybrid air hose: Hybrid air hoses are made up of a mix of PVC and rubber and were designed to give you the best of the two. They combine the lightweight and controllability of PVC with the flexibility of rubber. This offers excellent kink resistance, but it lacks the intense sturdiness of a truly conventional rubber hose.
How to know when to change your hose
You can change your air hose for two reasons. The first is that you want to update your ventilation system so that you can use new materials to get more from it. The second possibility is that your current air hose is defective and has to be replaced.
Finally
That is all you need to know about selecting the right air hose for you. The options explained above are the main things that matter when deciding to pick between PVC and rubber air hose. We attempted to clarify everything about PVC vs rubber air hose in this article. We can also conclude that a rubber hose is better than a PVC air hose based on the explanation mentioned above. However, it is entirely up to you to choose the one you want to use.
And If you are still confused about which air hose to use, here are other alternatives to choosing the right air hose:
- Consider the only application you’ll want to use the air hose for, as well as any other jobs you may use it to do.
- Consider how much you’re able to pay and how long you’d like the hose to work.
You can determine which of the above material types is better for you if you know these three points. Then, using the top-level parameters (length, diameter, brand, and weight), narrow down the choices to items that follow certain criteria.
