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Master Guide to Hydraulic Hose Types

The SAE 100R and EN/ISO hydraulic hose families, how their reinforcement differs and where each is normally used. Pressure ratings are not given here; use the manufacturer's catalog and the governing standard for the exact hose and size.

Ref HY-0001SAE J517ISO 18752EN 853EN 856EN 857

Safety-critical sheet, not yet signed off by an expert reviewer. Use it to understand the topic, then take every value and decision from the governing standard, the manufacturer’s instructions and a qualified person.

What it is

A hydraulic hose has three layers: an inner tube compatible with the fluid, a reinforcement of textile braid, wire braid or spiral-wound wire that holds the pressure, and an outer cover that resists abrasion, weather and ozone. Hose families are defined by SAE J517 (the "100R" series), the European EN 853/856/857 standards and the pressure-class system of ISO 18752. A family sets the construction and minimum performance. Each manufacturer publishes the actual working pressure, temperature range and bend radius for each size.

How to identify

Read the layline printed along the hose. It shows the manufacturer, the product name, the standard (e.g. SAE 100R2AT, EN 853 2SN), the size, the maximum working pressure and often a date code.
Look at a cut end. Braided hose has a crisscross weave. Spiral hose has layers of parallel wires laid at alternating angles. Textile hose has fabric reinforcement only.
Compact hoses (EN 857 SC, SAE 100R16/R17) have a smaller OD than standard hoses of the same ID.

Hose families

Family	Reinforcement	Typical use
SAE 100R1 / EN 853 1SN	One steel wire braid	Medium-pressure hydraulic lines
SAE 100R2 / EN 853 2SN	Two steel wire braids	Higher-pressure mobile and industrial lines
SAE 100R16 / EN 857 1SC, 2SC	One or two wire braids, compact	Tight routing on mobile equipment
SAE 100R17	Wire braid, compact, one pressure across sizes	Lines where one rating for all sizes simplifies stocking
SAE 100R12 / EN 856 4SP, 4SH	Four spiral wire layers	High-pressure, high-impulse service
SAE 100R13, R15 / EN 856 R13, R15	Four or six spiral layers	Very high pressure, severe impulse
SAE 100R3, R6	Textile braid	Low-pressure return and pilot lines
SAE 100R4	Textile with a wire helix	Suction and low-pressure return
SAE 100R5	Textile and single wire braid, textile cover	Truck air brake, fuel and hydraulic lines; sized differently from other R types
SAE 100R7, R8, R18	Thermoplastic with synthetic fiber	Lightweight lines, nonconductive versions for utility equipment
SAE 100R14	PTFE tube with stainless braid	High temperature and chemically aggressive fluids

Key points

Matched systems: hose, fittings and crimp specifications must come from one manufacturer's tested combination (SAE J1273; ISO 17165-2). Mixing brands is a leading cause of blow-offs.
Same family does not mean same rating. Two R2 hoses from different makers can have different ratings and bend radii. Check the catalog page for the exact part.
Pressure is not the only factor. Impulse cycles, temperature, fluid compatibility, bend radius and abrasion all affect hose life (STAMPED method).
Substitution: a higher-rated hose usually needs different fittings and crimp settings.
Hazards: a pin-hole leak can inject fluid through skin. Never locate leaks by hand. Fluid injection is a medical emergency.

Common mistakes

Replacing hose by "same OD" without reading the layline.
Using a compact hose with standard fittings or the wrong crimp diameter.
Applying an EN or SAE name from one hose to another brand's "equivalent" without checking ratings.

Governing standards: SAE J517 (hydraulic hose); SAE J1273 (selection, installation and maintenance); EN 853, EN 856, EN 857; ISO 18752; ISO 17165-2.

Reference only. Verify against the current governing code or standard, the manufacturer's data and the project documents before use. Apps for Distributors disclaims liability arising from reliance on this reference.

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