Study of an alternative material to manufacture layered hydraulic hoses

Hydraulic hoses are components of umbilical cables and others subsea equipments. They are manufactured from thermoplastic polymers and are susceptible to collapse under external pressure, which can cause plastic strains around the circumference, leading to failure under internal pressure (bursting). This work studies an alternative hydraulic hose liner capable of support such load history, even after long time exposure to the hydraulic fluid. It is based on the comparison between the material currently used (Polyamide 11) and a fluorinated elastomer, Viton®. Mechanical characterization, ageing tests as well as nonlinear finite elements simulations were accomplished to issue both performances. The results obtained showed that Viton® liners are mechanically more suitable than Polyamide 11 liners to such hoses. The ageing tests showed compatibility between Viton® and the hydraulic fluid. Considering that the external aramid layer is responsible to withstand the internal pressure in both cases, Viton® can successfully replace Polyamide 11 for this application as well as others involving layered hoses under combined internal and external pressure.