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Five reasons why hose clamps are superior to nut and bolt clamps

Features
1 min read

JCS Hi-torque explains the pros of hose clips.

Whenever you get behind the wheel, other than getting to wherever you are going, your primary concern is getting there safely. And to make sure you get there without a hitch, you need to check that your vehicle is working as it should. So, before you set off, have you checked your hose clamps today?

Chances are, you haven’t or you might not even know what they are. What are hose clamps?

Hose clamps secure hoses over fittings. The clamp prevents fluid from leaking at the connection, which is crucial for the smooth operation of a motor vehicle, pipe or water hose. And while nut and bolt clamps are often used for the same job, a hose clamp does a much better job.

If your vehicle uses nut and bolt clamps to secure hose fittings, here are five reasons why you should switch to hose clamps:

  1. They have higher clamping forces. Hose clamps can handle a higher clamping force than their nut and bolt counterparts. And importantly, at a hose clamp torque of, for example, 15 Nm, it produces a higher clamping force than a nut and bolt torque of 20 Nm.
  2. They’re more efficient. There’s a common misconception that the wider the clamp, the stronger the force. In reality, the opposite is true. Nut and bolt clamps are not only wider than hose clamps, but when screwed on, they leave gaps at the top of the clamp, allowing water to escape. Hose clamps fix to the hose neater, leaving less gapping to ensure water doesn’t escape.
  3. They’re the only approved clamps for wet diesel exhaust systems. JCS hose clamps are Lloyds registered type approved for marine and offshore use. And they’re the only clamp with specific approval for wet diesel exhaust systems.
  4. They don’t cut or damage the hose. All JCS hose clamps use band material with a fully rounded edge. Most clamps have a sharp or raised edge which risks cutting the hose.
  5. They’re cheaper and easier to store. Hose clamps have a 30mm adjustment range, compared to the 3mm to 5mm adjustment range of nut and bolt clamps. This means hose clamps can be reduced in size for storing – and they’re cheaper too.

Although nut and bolt clamps look and feel stronger, they’re not. Hose clamps are superior and offer a higher clamping force, greater hose sealing ability at high pressure, better storage capabilities and hose protection.