Hose Clamp FAQs
A hose clamp is a fastener that is used to secure a hose or tubing to a fitting such as a barb or beaded tube. As the clamp tightens, it clamps the inner diameter of the hose to the outside diameter of the fitting, barb or tube. The primary purpose of most hose clamps is to ensure a tight, even seal between the materials fastened together, thus preventing fluid from escaping.
A self-compensating hose clamp never needs to be manually adjusted. This type of clamp expands and contracts with the hose in response to temperature changes and, as a result, cannot be over- or under-tightened, maintaining the integrity of the seal they are designed to provide. Rotor Clamp self-compensating hose clamps can also be installed automatically, which saves production time and assembly costs.
- Single Wire (HC): Single wire clamps have the most effective holding force and clamping strength. With Rotor Clamp single wire hose clamps, the clamping force is concentrated in one specific area around the hose.
- Slim Wire (HW): Slim wire clamps are essentially the same as single wire clamps with the exception being that they are manufactured from a thinner wire.
- Double Wire (DW): Double wire clamps are used when a lower clamping force than offered by single wire clamps is sufficient and aesthetics are important. The double wound wire spreads out the clamping force around the hose, and are more cost effective than single wire clamps.
- Constant Tension Band (CTB): Constant tension band clamps are used in applications where a lower clamping force than that offered by single wire clamps is sufficient, but a higher clamping force than produced by double wire clamps is needed.
- Constant Tension Band Light (CTL): Without any compromise in quality or reliability, constant tension band light clamps are a cost effective alternative to other series of band clamps for light duty applications.
Self-compensating hose clamps offer several advantages to traditional screw/band hose clamps. Installing self-compensating hose clamps are much easier as they cannot be over or under-tightened as traditional banded hose clamps can. Additionally, due to simple installation requirements, self-compensating hose clamps can be fit to be installed automatically and in less time than screw/band clamps.
Rotor Clamp Self-Compensating Hose Clamps are used in a wide variety of applications from securing radiator and heater hoses in automobiles to facilitating the flow of beverages in vending machines and attaching hoses to water jets in spas. Self-compensating hose clamps feature a number of benefits over worm/screw clamps including ease of assembly and eliminating the need for re-torqueing due to temperature changes, giving the customer a low cost alternative to the screw clamp in low-pressure applications.
Rotor Clamp is proud to be an American manufacturer with global capabilities. All Rotor Clamp Self-Compensating Hose Clamps are manufactured on-site at our 238,000 sf. World Headquarters facility in Somerset, New Jersey USA.
- HC, HW Single wire clamps and DW double wire clamps are manufactured from specially processed premium grade spring wire, hardened and austempered to meet the performance requirements specified in the Rotor Clamp catalog.
- CTB and CTL Constant Tension Band Hose Clamps are manufactured from SAE 1060-1090 steel, austempered.
- HC and HW single wire clamps as well as DW double wire clamps are finished with peen-plate zinc treatment which offers up to 240 hours of salt spray corrosion protection.
- CTB constant tension band hose clamps have a Magni 511 finish offering 480 hours of salt spray protection.
- CTL constant tension light band clamps have a phosphate, mechanical zinc plate finish.
Our Technical Sales Engineers can assist if a custom finish is required per your specifications.
Care should be taken to ensure that the clamp is not expanded beyond the intended operating diameter as this will diminish the force that the clamp can apply when properly installed. Rotor Clamp self-compensating hose clamps should be installed with specific pliers available from Rotor Clamp that are recommended for the type of clamp being used.
Rotor Clamp is your source for assembly/disassembly tools. We supply both pneumatic and manual tools for every series and size clamp that we manufacture. Our Pneumatic Hose Clamp Tools use 90 psi of compressed air and are actuated by one lever reducing stress on the hand of the operator and helping to eliminate carpal tunnel syndrome brought on by repeated motions. The tangs of the clamp fit in the jaws of the tool and are compressed for installation or removal. Pneumatic tools are available for all series of Self-Compensating Hose clamps manufactured by Rotor Clamp. Manual Hose Clamp installation tools, which are essentially pliers designed for a specific application, are also available for all series of Self-Compensating Hose Clamps including Single Wire, Single Wire-Heavy Duty, and Constant tension Band Hose Clamps.
Assembling a hose over a fitting involves a characteristic know as interference, referring to the fit between the inside diameter (ID) of the hose and the outside diameter (OD) of the fitting. The more interference, the better the seal. Some lubricants will make the installation of the clamp onto a mandrel or fitting easier. It is not recommended that the clamps be put in contact with water based lubricants as this will potentially cause stress corrosion cracking. It is recommended that only oil based lubricants be used to aid in the assembly process of Rotor Clamp self-compensating hose clamps.
Self-Compensating hose clamps are ideal for low-pressure applications and in addition to the fact that self-compensating hose clamps never have to be manually adjusted once installed, this type of clamp also simplifies assembly and disassembly which reduces production time and lowers costs. Time is money, and with Rotor Clamp Self-Compensating Hose Clamps, you will not waste either. Rotor Clamp self-compensating clamps are also an excellent alternative to gluing hoses to fittings and manifolds, providing extremely effective clamping without the use of adhesives that may potentially clog the hose line.
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