A hose clamp or hose clip is a device used to attach and seal a hose onto a fitting such as a barb or nipple. They are used for many purposes, including household repairs, plumbing issues, automotive repairs, and for the parts and attachments to many different types of equipment. Of course, it is important to have the right type of hose clamp for specific jobs. Check out these classifications for hose clamp types to see what kind you’ll need:
Screw Clamps
Screw clamps, also known as band clamps, are made of a stainless or galvanized steel band, which was imprinted with a thread pattern — much like a screw. A screw is held in place at the end of the band, while the clamp is then placed around whatever part it is needed on. The opposite end from the screw on the band is then fed into the the space between the band and the screw, allowing the whole thing to be tightened accordingly.
Often, screw clamps are used to attached pieces of wastewater piping, or other pipes and tubes that need a flexible connection.
Spring Clamps
In general, spring clamps are made from a spring steel band, one side cut with a narrow point on the end, and two narrow points on the other end. By bending those pieces outward, and rolling them together, the protruding pieces end up intertwining. These types of clamps are flexible, but aren’t very strong, and are often used on automotive cooling system hoses.
Wire Clamps
Made of a heavy steel band, these clamps are bent into a tight U shape, and then formed into a ring shape, with one end overlapping the other. A captive nut is attached to one end, and a captive screw to the other. Of the many hose clamp types, this design does a particularly great job at sealing the connection.
There are many types of hose clamps, which are available in a wide array of materials and sizes, but it is important that you get the right kind of clamp for the job. For larger jobs and hoses, large hose clamps are advisable, and it is also important to take into account the temperature and conditions that they would be working in.
