What You Need to Know About SAE vs ISO Specification

for Hydraulic Hoses

Posted by Fluid Gas Handling Team on Thursday, October 20, 2016

Why are there different hydraulic hose standards and what do they mean for you and your application? For
decades, SAE J517 has published guidelines for 100R1 through 100R12 series hydraulic hoses. These
manufacturer-driven SAE standards have been based on design, construction, and pressure ratings to ensure
that hydraulic hoses meet minimum construction requirements. SAE established minimum pressure ratings for
various hose IDs (inside diameters) and were later revised to also include constant-pressure hoses, such as
R13, R15, R17 and R19, which are hoses that maintain pressure ratings within a group regardless of size.

More recently, however, hydraulic system designers began adopting ISO specifications. Many large OEMs
switched to ISO standards in their design and manufacturing process to ensure the sale and service of their
equipment globally.

Visit our website to check out Parker’s GlobalCore hoses as well as our 43 series and 77
series fittings.

ISO Standard 18752, released in 2006, takes a different approach centered around the design practices of
users who typically design hydraulic systems based on performance and pressure requirements. The ISO
18752 Standard has nine pressure classes for maximum working pressure, ranging from 500 to 8,000 psi.
Hydraulic hoses meeting ISO 18752 specifications are classified according to their resistance to impulse
pressure in four grades: A, B, C, and D. Each grade requires a specific number of impulse cycles at a certain
temperature and impulse pressure in order to meet the standard. Additionally, the grade is then classified by
the outside diameter (O.D.) of the hose into standard types (AS, BS, CS) or compact types (AC, BC, CC, DC).
Compact types have a smaller O.D. and bend radius than the standard types.

Check out Parker’s GlobalCore hoses as well as our 43 series and 77 series fittings.
Each grade level requires a specific number of impulse cycles the hose must meet at a specified temperature
and impulse pressure. The chart below explains, in detail, the ISO 18752 performance specifications.

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It is important to note that ISO 18752:2014 does not include requirements for the connection ends. It is limited
to the performance of hoses and hose assemblies. The hose assembly maximum working pressure is governed
by the lowest maximum working pressure of the components.

Testing for Toughness

The primary concept behind ISO Standard 18752 requires constant pressure performance ratings in each class
for different hose sizes. This specification also requires spiral hose to exceed one million pressure impulse
cycles according to ISO 18752 hose grade D, type DC. This requirement is the toughest of all grades and
classes to achieve, and specifies meeting 248°F temperature and an impulse pressure of 133% of maximum
working pressure for at least one million impulse cycles. In this accelerated test, the hose is positioned into a
U shape on a test stand, and the fluid is raised to the specified working pressure. Pressure pulses are also
applied at an elevated value to stress the spiral wires and end fittings for a minimum number of required cycles.

ISO Benefits to End Customers and Engineers

The ISO 18752 standard makes it easy for end users and engineers to identify what hose should be used on
a certain piece of equipment or machinery. Strict testing requirements allow users to know exactly what the
hose is rated for and how it should perform while on hydraulic equipment. Hoses tested to higher impulse
standards are likely to have a longer hose life, which is why many users are switching to ISO standards. For

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instance, if you need a hydraulic hose for a severe application presenting many repeated pressure cycles in
short time and long continuous service, you would select either the grade C or D hose assemblies. However,
this assumption is based on the hose being correctly installed and protected from harsh environments.

An important aspect of ISO standards is that they are accepted worldwide, which means wherever your
hose is manufactured or purchased, you know it will be tested to the same standards. Global
manufacturing standards are essential for many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Manufacturers Respond to Market Trends

In response to market trends for higher-pressure hoses, Parker developed the GlobalCore family of hoses,
which also meets ISO 18752 specifications. GlobalCore includes 187 (1,000 psi), 387 (3,000 psi), 487 (4,000
psi), 722 (4,000 psi), 787 (5,000 psi), and 797 (6,000) hoses. GlobalCore is a constant working pressure family
with color-coded laylines based on pressure rating. Each GlobalCore hose can be ordered in standard,
ToughCover, or SuperTough cover to prevent abrasion and extend hose life.

Even though the testing requirements are rigorous for ISO 18752, GlobalCore not only meets the minimum 1
million cycles required in Grade D, Type DC, but has been successfully tested up to 2 million impulse cycles.
This is twice the minimum requirement at bend radii, which is even tighter than required by ISO 18752
specification.

To further ensure the longevity of GlobalCore, Parker also tested the hoses under movement. Even though this
is not required by SAE or international standards, Parker hoses are flexed while impulse pressure cycles are
applied randomly to positively demonstrate superior hose performance and longevity.

Interested in GlobalCore?
How to select the right GlobalCore hose and fittings: Simply select the GlobalCore based on the pressure
required for your application, then identify the right hydraulic fitting series needed for your GlobalCore hose
assembly.

Keep in mind that ISO 18752 hose are specified by the performance definitions below. These ISO definitions
identify the grade and type of hose required for different applications based on criteria such as temperature,
impulse pressure or cycle ratings. These performance definitions are included in the technical specifications
for each GlobalCore hose.

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To replace existing SAE specified hoses, simply find your existing hose/spec in the SAE matrix below. The
equivalent GlobalCore hoses are listed on the right of each SAE specification in order of dash size.

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Article contributed by Kyri McDonough (top), marketing services manager, and Derek Garceau (bottom),
engineering manager at Hose Products Division, Parker Hannifin.