A Guide to Stainless Steel Hose Clamps and Their Uses

Date Posted:

January 3, 2023

Post Author:

Marsh Fasteners

Categories:

Most people don’t realize how essential hose clamps are. At Marsh Fasteners, we and our wholesale customers know how the daily lives of people are made easier because of hose clamps. It allows them to wash dishes and put sheets and towels through the washer. Homes are comfortable to live in due to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. And it lets people drive to the mall safely to buy a pre-packaged salad for dinner. 

What do hose clamps have to do with these activities? They are used to connect the hoses and pipes in the plumbing system, washer, and HVAC system. Hose clamps allow food-processing companies to manufacture specific items and make vehicle brake systems work. What are hose clamps, and what other uses do they have?

What Are Hose Clamps?

Hose clamps are a joining technology that secures hose or flexible tubing to a pipe or fitting. The hose is placed over the fitting, and the clamp is positioned around the hose that covers the fitting. Then the hose clamp is tightened to clamp the inner diameter of the hose to the fitting. The purpose of hose clamps is to fix, secure, join or seal. Specialty clamps are available, but the most common hose clamp types include:

  • Band clamps
  • Spring hose clamps
  • Ear clamps
  • Snap close or ratchet clamps
  • T-bolt clamps
  • V-band clamps
  • Worm drive hose clamps

Pipes, flexible tubing, hose, and fittings are available in various diameters, and there is a hose clamp for each size. Using the correct size clamp ensures the best fit. Follow the torque specifications provided by the manufacturer when tightening the clamp, as overtightening could damage the thread and lead to early failure. Although most clamps are manufactured with carbon steel, there are aluminum, brass, and plastic clamps. Clamps manufactured with stainless steel, as sold by us at Marsh Fasteners, are used when corrosion resistance is required.

Are P-Clamps Also Hose Clamps?

P-Clamps are also hose clamps but are sometimes called cushion clamps, tube clips, cable clamps, wire loom clamps, or rubber-cushioned cable tube clips. The P-Clamps are rubber lined to absorb shocks and reduce vibrations, making them ideal for use with cables, tubes, pipes, and wires. Use them to secure lengths of flexible conduit, cable, or plastic hosing to a fixed position. Marsh Fasteners 304 Stainless Steel Rubber P-Clamps have a number 10 screw and are available in sizes ¼” diameter to 3” diameter. 

Why The Best Hose Clamps Are Stainless Steel

Why should one use stainless steel hose clamps? Stainless steel has many qualities that make it an ideal material to use where fluids, including salt water and salt spray, are present. The characteristics of stainless steel are:

  • Corrosion-resistance
  • Durability
  • High tensile strength
  • Temperature resistance
  • Non-magnetic
  • Low maintenance
  • Scratch resistance
  • Attractive appearance
  • Multiple finishing options, including beveling and polishing
  • Effortless fabrication and formability
  • Recyclable

There are many grades of stainless steel, but Marsh Fasteners sell hose clamps made from 300 series grade stainless steel, specifically 304 grade and 316 marine grade stainless steel. What additional elements do these two grades have from standard stainless steel, and where are they used?

Grade 304. This grade includes 18% chromium and 8% nickel and is the most commonly used stainless steel in the 300 series. It is utilized for various home and commercial applications, including food handling and processing equipment, machinery parts, exhaust manifolds, screws, and utensils.     

Grade 316. At least 2% molybdenum is added to this grade, substantially increasing its resistance to “salt” corrosion. Grade 316 is ideal for valve and pump parts, heat exchangers, chemical, textile, pulp, and paper processing equipment, and parts exposed to marine environments.

Industries That Use Stainless Steel Hose Clamps

As a wholesale supplier to local and national businesses, as well as city, county, and state governments, we know the industries using stainless steel hose clamps are extensive. Did you know the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) requires, in its regulation H-27, that the clamps used on seacocks should be made entirely from 300-grade stainless steel or higher? Fortunately, we can help boat manufacturers and wooden boat builders adhere to regulations with our marine-grade stainless steel hose clamps.  

Other industries that use the stainless steel hose clamps and fasteners we provide include:

  • Utility companies, whether gas, electric, water, or sewage.
  • Telecommunications
  • Pump manufacturers
  • Robotics
  • Marine fabricators
  • Marina owners
  • Coastal home building construction contractors

At Marsh Fasteners, we stock ABA and Ideal Triton stainless steel hose clamps. These highly reputable brands are used in an even wider range of industries than the ones we serve directly. 

Types Of Hose Clamps At Marsh Fasteners

Now that we know more about the multiple uses for hose clamps and the many industries utilizing them, let us discuss the types of hose clamps available at Marsh Fasteners. Besides the P-clamps mentioned above, we offer stainless steel cable ties, and hose clamps from Ideal Tridon and ABA. Ideal Tridon is a global brand offering highly engineered, critical components used to support, secure and connect air, fluid and electricity movement in critical applications. Their hose clamps are designed for retail, hardware, plumbing, industrial and marine markets.

ABA is also a global brand, with more than one hundred years of experience. Their products are created for use on industrial equipment, heavy machinery, oil and gas production, chemical plants, the bleaching industry, offshore facilities, harbor equipment, and boats. ABA Safeseal Technology™ means their clamps are designed with a clamping force reserve and will not break.      

We offer the following types of hose clamps:

Ideal Tridon Stainless Steel Worm Drive Clamps, 620 Series

  • Sizes: 7/32” to 24 7/8” 
  • Band width: 5/16” to 1/2″ 
  • Head hex screw: 5/16”
  • Use: Plumbing and underground application.

ABA Original 316 Marine Grade Stainless Steel Hose Clamps

  • Sizes:  5/16” to 11 1/8”
  • Band width: 1/2″
  • Slotted head hex screw
  • Use: Acid resistant and ideal for marine environments.

ABA Original 304 Stainless Steel Mini Hose Clamps

  • Sizes:  19/64” to 45/64”
  • Band width: 3/8”  
  • Phillips head hex screw: 9/32”
  • Use: Ideally suited for small, thin-walled hoses. 

Where Can I Shop Online For Stainless Steel Hose Clamps?

Are you wondering where you can shop for wholesale stainless steel hose clamps? Look no further than Marsh Fasteners in Jupiter. We know as an established business you want to give clients the best quality clamp at the most competitive price. We help government and municipal agencies provide quality service to the people. We, as stainless steel fastener specialists, want to make your life easier with our wholesale online store. Here you can view the extensive selection of hose clamps and other fasteners we have available, place your order, and track it online.   

Whether you are a utility company, in the building trade, marine industry, or a municipal agency, we have the hose clamps you need to complete your projects to the highest standard.

Do you want to build, rebuild or restore a classic yacht, boat or tender? When they have wooden elements, they deserve the highest quality fastener and hose clamp that is practical, while blending beautifully with the design. Although we specialize in standard and marine-grade stainless steel fastening products, we also offer silicon bronze and brass items for customers that want a superior finish for their investment.

We can satisfy all your stainless steel and marine-grade fastener needs at Marsh Fasteners, Jupiter, FL. As a proudly American company, we offer wholesale pricing to established businesses, government and municipal agencies. Do you want standard or specialty bolts, screws, nuts, washers or hose clamps? Contact us today