Taking Into Account the Environment for Your Clamping

Peter Coles
2020-05-29T06:54:00+02:00

Environmental conditions are one of the most important factors when choosing which material to use for your clamping solution. Here we cover your options and alternatives to help you make the best choice.

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The environment your clamp is going to be in is just about the most important consideration as you choose the correct clamp and material.

Operating at High Temperature?

Generally, Nylon 6.6, which is what we use for our Nylon Clamps, have a working temperature ceiling of 125°C (though this goes up to 150°C for Glass-filled Nylon 6.6.). For any applications where the maximum temperature will exceed 150°C, steel clamps should always be used.

Worried about Weathering?

For most plastic hose clamps, exposure to ultra-violet ('UV') radiation is the main cause of degradation over time. HCL’s black plastic clamps are enriched with UV inhibitors and heat stabilisers, giving them a working life in excess of 10 years.

For greater longevity, certainly against UV, Steel clamps are more resistant and will last in hot and sunny conditions a long way beyond 10 years.

Zinc-plated steel clamps (W1-W2) are best for dry climates, but if there is a concern with humidity, you should choose Stainless Steel (W3-W5) to protect against rainfall too.

What About the Chemicals?

Many clamps are used in corrosive environments, in particular in wet or salt water conditions. In these circumstances plastic or W4/W5 steel clamps should be used.

For highly corrosive applications, and for the longest possible life (25+ years): ultra-high grade materials must be used. This means Nylon 11 or Nylon 12 for plastic clamps, and Titanium or High Nickel/Chromium alloys for steel clamps.

Use in Sterilisation

For a medical environment, sterilisation of the clamps happens frequently before use. For the clamp, this is an aggressive process, for which only certain materials are resistant so you have to be careful to choose the right product.

Stainless Steel is rated as excellent for the following disinfecting liquids and treatments:

Ethyl Alcohol

E-Beam

Dry Heat

Formalin

Isopropyl

Alcohol