Modern industry relies heavily on hoses. In heavy industry, rubber hoses are the go-to choice. They can carry water, oil, chemicals, and many other mediums. Yet, rubber hoses fall short in some special applications. Take the marine field, for example. Rubber hoses struggle here. Seawater and salt mist are highly corrosive. Over time, they eat away at rubber hoses. This is where composite hoses—a new material comes in.
Many people, though, report surface cracks on composite pipes. In reality, several factors can cause these cracks. Often, poor production practices are to blame. External environmental factors also play a role. Either way, cracks harm the pipe’s performance and shorten its lifespan.
Specific reasons for cracks in flexible composite hoses
First, flaws in the finished product’s rolling stage can cause cracks. Serious defects in the composite pipe itself are a key issue. Additionally, deep scratches or heavy wear on roller grooves can lead to cracks.
Second, impurities in molten iron during rolling contribute to the problem. High oxygen levels in the molten iron form oxides. If these oxides aren’t cleaned up during production, cracks will appear.
Third, large amounts of gas in the molten iron are another culprit. As the molten iron solidifies, gas escapes and forms bubbles. Bubbles near the slab’s outer layer become subcutaneous bubbles. They sit just below the slab’s surface, arranged vertically like a honeycomb. Most bubbles from billet rolling can be welded shut. But some subcutaneous bubbles lie very close to the surface. When the steel billet heats up, its surface burns. This oxidizes the bubbles, making them impossible to weld or close. As a result, cracks form on the composite chemical hose.