Failure of a Braided Stainless Steel Hose Connector

摘要

Flexible water hoses are used as line connections from water supply plumbing to fixtures and appliances. The design configuration of these hoses varies; however, a common design involves an elastomeric liner surrounded by an outer reinforcement of braided stainless steel wire. These hoses are subject to rupture in service, traceable to the fracture of the braided wire reinforcement. The mechanism of failure involves localized corrosion of the stainless steel wire braid, a condition arising from the presence of water exterior to the hose. The following case of a ruptured water hose demonstrates this condition.