How Are Radiator Hoses Made?

Radiator hoses carry hot coolant from the engine to the radiator.

Radiator hoses are rubber tubes employed to transfer heated coolant between the engine and radiator. The process by which rubber hoses are manufactured is called extrusion and the composition can be either synthetic or a compound of natural and synthetic rubbers.

Extrusion

Extrusion of rubber refers to the process by which one version or a mixture of natural and synthetic rubber are melted and forced into a mold.

Curing and Molding

After the rubber is extruded, it is pushed out with the shape of the extruder's die. It must then be cured in an autoclave, microwave or salt bath.

Types

A single rubber compound is extruded: a mixture is co-extruded. Radiator hoses are made through a process called cold feed extrusion, the rubber is not preheated before being melted and forced into a die. Hot feed extrusion refers to the process of preheating the materials prior to extruding them.

References

• IQS Directory: Rubber Extrusions