Learn how to select a silicone connector from Elasto Proxy.
Silicone connectors are molded rubber products that connect pipes and tubes in vehicles and heavy equipment. They’re typically installed on the hot side of the engine while EPDM connectors are used on the cool side. Elasto Proxy supplies different types of connectors to the transportation industry, so request a quote if you know what you need.
But what if you need help choosing a silicone connector? The first step is to determine the product type. Next, you’ll need to compare the product’s specifications to your own requirements. There are some general specifications that apply to all silicone connectors, but there are also some product-specific ones, too. This article covers them all.
Which type of silicone connector do you need?
There are six main types of silicone connectors.
- Elbows have an angled bend, typically either 45° or 90°.
- Reducers have one end that’s larger than the other to connect pipes or tubes of different sizes.
- Straight hoses support straight runs between pipes and tubes of the same size.
- Hump hoses have a raised area that supports slight intake adjustments or minor misalignments.
- Wrapped hoses provide enhanced pressure resistance.
- Other types of silicone connectors can have specialized shapes, such as convolutions.
For a resource you can take with you, download Elasto Proxy’s Custom Silicone Connectors Guide.
What are some general specifications for a silicone connector?
These specifications apply to most silicone connector products.
- Bend radius is the degree of bend (if applicable) and can include 33° or 180°.
- Reinforcement materials include multi-ply fabrics such as aramid fiber or polyester, and metal wires that span the outer diameter.
- Liner materials include fluorocarbon liners for petrochemical residues and EPDM liners for air and water.
- Pressure ratings include both the working pressure and the burst pressure. Typically, the burst pressure for a silicone connector is four times its working pressure.
- Color provides a visual indicator. Red is for hot, blue is for cold, and black is often used otherwise.
- Industry standards include SAE, TMC, MIL-SPEC, and OEM requirements.
How do you compare product specifications to your own requirements?
Elasto Proxy uses an acronym called MTAP to help you make the right choice. Here’s a breakdown.
M is for Media
- Does the connector need to transport gases or liquids?
- Is the media corrosive?
- Is there contact with coolants? If so, which ones?
- Is there contact with petroleum products? If so, which ones?
T is for Temperature
- What are the service temperatures the connector needs to withstand?
- What are the maximum temperatures, and how long do they last?
- Is the connector next to a heat source?
A is for Application
- Is your application for heating or cooling? What about gases or liquids?
- Do you need to accommodate angles, different-sized conduits, or misalignments?
- Will a standard product work, or do you need a custom solution?
P is for Pressure
- What is the working pressure?
- What is the burst pressure?
- Do you need reinforcing fabric or metal wire?
- If you need fabric, which type and how many ply?
- Does the silicone connector need to withstand high pressure or low (vacuum) pressure?
Now that you understand some general specifications and MTAP, here are some product-specific questions.
How do you select silicone elbows?
- What is the angle of the bend?
- What is the inside diameter (ID)?
- What is the outside diameter (OD)?
- What are the lengths of the two sections, or legs?
- Do you need reinforcing materials? If so, which ones?
How do you select silicone reducers?
- What is the size (ID and OD) of the larger section?
- What is the size (ID and OD) of the smaller section?
- What’s the overall length of the silicone connector, and what are the lengths of the two sections?
- Do you need a reducer for an intercooler, turbocharger, supercharger, or intake component?
- Do you need to join a throttle body or air metering assembly, or a custom compression instead?
How do you select straight silicone hoses?
- What length do you need?
- Will you cut the hose yourself, or do you need it cut to size?
- Do you need metal clamps?
- Do you need fabric reinforcements?
- Do you need a hose with stainless steel rings to reduce swell and increase strength?
How do you select silicone hump hoses?
- What is the thickness of the hump?
- What is the length of the hose?
- What is the wall thickness?
- What are the hose ID and the hose OD?
- Do you need fabric reinforcements?
How do you select silicone wrapped hoses?
- What is the working pressure?
- What is the burst pressure?
- What is the hose length?
- What’s the reinforcement material?
- What’s the liner material?
Need a Silicone Connector? Ask Elasto Proxy
Elasto Proxy is your one-stop shop for industrial rubber products. In addition to molded rubber parts like silicone connectors, we supply extrusions, finished gaskets, and thermal and acoustic insulation to the heavy equipment and transportation industries. If you’re a manufacturer, let us know what you need.
