Eaton Corporation, Eden Prairie, Minn., recently introduced a new line of flexible rubber hose designed for use with biodiesel B2 to B100 in diesel engines, trucks, buses, agricultural vehicles and off-highway applications. In addition, Eaton's new GH100 ESP hose, an Eaton Green Solution, delivers performance with synthetic lubricants used in high-temperature truck transmission oil cooler applications.
GH100 hose features a hydrogenated nitrile rubber tube, wrapped with aramid/poly braid reinforcement with a polyester abrasion-resistant cover. It is qualified for underhood use with B2 to B20 up to 150�C and B100 up to 125�C and for transmission oil cooler applications using synthetic lubricants at peak temperatures up to 175�C.
“Biodiesel blends and synthetic lubricants are important aspects of the emerging sustainable energy system, and they are going to be increasingly common in the future,” said Doris Showalter, Eaton senior product manager, transportation and air conditioning products. “Unfortunately, these fluids can quickly make ordinary hose products brittle and prone to cracking, and subject them to other forms of premature failure. At temperatures above 100�C, some biodiesel blends above B20 can �bake out' the elastomers necessary to keep hoses flexible. This is a particular problem in vehicles that may see a variety of fuel blends • B5 this week, B20 and higher next week, and so on.
“Temperature is the catalyst,” she said, “and with underhood temperatures easily reaching 150� C on a hot day in the southwest, we are seeing hose damage in a short time depending on the biodioesel blend percentage and quality of the blend, on a global front. The materials used in GH100 resist �bake out' which reduces the potential for damage and early hose failure.”
Eaton GH100 is intended to fill the temperature-performance gap between conventional CPE (chlorinated polyethylene) tube hose products and premium PTFE (Teflon) hoses on these vehicles. It meets the requirements of common industry test methods including ASTM D380, 412, and 2240, and has also passed various specific customer/OE biodiesel and fuel test requirements.
”GH100 hose is fully compatible with industry-standard threaded fittings and formed tubes, as well as Eaton's threadless STC(tm) connectors,” Showalter said. “The initial product offering will include sizes 6 through 12. Other sizes can be produced to meet specific customer requirements.”
For more information, visit www.eaton.com.
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