When it comes to investing in a high-quality pyrojacket sleeve for your industrial hoses, your critical lines are still going to be exposed to 500°F heat and toxic liquids if the ends are not properly sealed from the start. Although unsealed ends might look unsuspecting, it only takes a handful of loose threads to spark a wicking nightmare. This is because even just a few loose threads can directly pull both oil and moisture into the hose’s core, which contributes to detrimental impacts on both the safety and budget of your facility. At JW Roberts, we strive to provide our clients with long-term end sealing solutions for your pyrojacket sleeves – ensuring your industrial facility stays safe and secure. Use this blog as your guide to our sealing techniques and what makes them so integral for safety.
The Anatomy of a Pyrojacket Sleeve
Many people may wonder, “What is a pyrojacket sleeve?” A pyrojacket sleeve is much more than just a simple rubber tube. It is actually a highly technical hybrid of high-bulk braided fiberglass that is coated in a thick, compounded silicone hose rubber. The most common applications for this type of hose are found in the following types of applications:
- Steel mills: An environment where molten splashes happen frequently, making a pyrojacket sleeve an integral aspect of steel manufacturing facilities.
- Aerospace and aviation: When it comes to flights, nothing is more essential than reliability and safety, and pyrojackets help prevent dangerous fires from the engine heat.
- Oil and gas: On both offshore oil rigs and land-based refineries, hoses are frequently exposed to high pressure on both the external and internal walls, making a pyrojacket sleeve an essential barrier against flammable fluids.
- Heavy equipment and mining: Large-scale mines need heavy-duty engines for mining and hauling equipment. These often generate large amounts of heat in small compartments. By sleeving these lines, you can prevent dry rot and hose failure.
- Glass manufacturing: Glass production requires consistent, high-intensity heat. Protective sleeves can help on cooling lines in order to prevent intense infrared radiation from degrading the delicate rubber components of the hose.
What makes this combination special is its ability to shed molten, toxic splash from the liquid chemicals that pass through the tube, while still remaining flexible enough for the dynamic hose movement required. This is often called a “sandwich” construction technique when it comes to industrial hoses; however, because the process requires using a porous inner layer of fiberglass braids, sometimes fluids can be absorbed, or the braid can unravel.
Why Unsealed Pyrojacket Sleeve Ends Fail
Industrial environments are relentlessly demanding; as a result, unsealed pyrojacket sleeves are a ticking time bomb. The three primary reasons they fail include:
- The wicking effect
- Abrasive fraying
- Contamination and irritation
Exposed fiberglass threads wick away fluids—such as oil, hydraulic fluid, or cleaning agents—through a process called the wicking effect. When this occurs, the flammable fluids become wicked into the heat-shielded jacket, leading to a major fire hazard. While pyrojackets primarily prevent fires, unsealed ends can actually increase the fire risk within your facility.
Abrasive fraying occurs primarily due to mechanical vibration, causing the unsealed ends to gradually break apart and unravel. As the braid continuously loses its shape and its integrity, the entire pyrojacket sleeve can slowly begin to slide and bunch. This exposure leaves the hose and its vulnerable, soft rubber open to the harsh industrial elements.
Lastly, contamination and irritation can pose a massive threat to your facilities’ industrial hoses due to the loose fiberglass fibers that can break away from the ends as they break down. When this happens, it can quickly break down sensitive equipment. Not only does this put expensive equipment in danger, but it also puts the integrity of your products at risk as the fiberglass fibers work deeper into the system. Because of these common problems with unsealed pyrojacket sleeve ends, working with an industrial hose professional like our team at JW Roberts is not just recommended, it’s essential for protecting the integrity and safety of your system.
Professional Methods for Finishing a Pyrojacket Sleeve
In order to stop fraying and contamination, there must be a solution that can withstand the extreme temperatures and chemical exposure within an industrial setting. Properly integrating pyrojacket sleeves into your entire system does more than just close the ends; it preserves the integrity of the total design. Regardless of the technique used, the goal remains the same: take the vulnerable, raw-cut edge and turn it into an impenetrable seal that protects the inner hose from all of the intense industrial elements they may encounter.
The most common technique for sealing pyrojacket sleeves is a silicone end sealant to the raw end of the sleeve. This is a high-temperature liquid silicone, most commonly a Pyrosil. By doing this, our technicians at JW Roberts can create a completely permanent, moisture-proof chemical bond that fully protects the inner layer of the hose. Not only is it simple, but it is fast, efficient, and cost-effective.
Secondly, we can also use a heat-shrinking sleeve to seal the raw end. This technique requires using a heavy-duty, adhesive-lined polyolefin or silicone heat shrink over the exposed end. In addition to fully sealing the hose end, it can provide extra support. This helps the hose maintain its integrity as it flexes and moves, helping improve the longevity of your system.
Lastly, fireproof tape is a great way to seal the end in a pinch. In an emergency, wrap the ends with self-fusing silicone tape as a temporary fix. This is essential for field repairs and while waiting for more long-term solutions, like heat-shrinking sleeves, or silicone end sealant.
The Cost of a Hose Fray: Why Choose Pyrojacket Sleeve Sealing
While it may be easy to see finishing the ends of your pyrojacket sleeve as a minor expense, or simply a cosmetic touch-up, the truth is that it is much more imperative than that. When you avoid upfront expenses and opt for reactive maintenance and touch-ups throughout the year, you are greatly abusing your budget. Instead, opt for preventative maintenance, such as end sealing, in order to protect your system and improve its longevity.
Inspecting and Preserving Pyrojacket Sleeve Seals
You must also notice when a pyrojacket end seal fails; although highly reliable, these seals require careful monitoring and inspection like all industrial system components. Here are the primary signs your seals need immediate maintenance:
- Ballooning or softening
- Discoloration
- Tape disintegration
- Fibers sticking out of the seal
Knowing the key signs equips you to call for emergency help from your JW Roberts team at the first sign of a problem.
Secure Safety and Performance With Hose End Seals
A pyrojacket sleeve can offer your industrial facility improved safety and reliability, but it is still only as strong as the seal on the end of the hose. In order to maintain your system’s success and durability, working with JW Roberts for a proper pyrojacket sleeve seal is paramount. Contact us today for a free pyrojacket sleeve seal estimate.