The Society of Automotive Engineers known as SAE International is a professional standards development organization composed of engineers from around the world that collaborate to produce standard specifications and approved guidelines for products (mainly) in the transportation industry.

These specifications are used around the world to ensure that materials and products are being produced to a minimum standard to ensure safe use for their intended purpose. Of the organization’s many contributions, few are as important as their guidelines for hydraulic rubber hoses.

The SAE J517 standards outline the performance guidelines for most common hydraulic hose types used on stationary and mobile equipment. Within the overall category of flexible rubber hose (100R), there are fifteen different subcategories numbered 100R1 to 100R18, each corresponding to a specific type of hose construction and pressure rating. This document will give a brief overview of each one and provide an understanding of which hose may be suitable for which application.

Hoses of the 100R series are flexible rubber hoses used in most hydraulic operations including hydraulic systems in both mobile and stationary equipment. For full details and size ranges on any of these hose types, please see the attached table.

SAE 100R1 hoses are constructed with a single wire braid reinforcement layer, oil and weather resistant synthetic cover, and an oil resistant synthetic rubber inner tube. Updated in 2006, these hoses are designed to be assembled with fittings placed over the cover, unlike previous models that required a portion of the hose cover to be removed before the fitting process. 100R1 hoses are recommended for medium pressure hydraulic lines and general industrial systems.

Working Pressure Range: 375 psi to 3,000 psi

Working Temperature Range: -40°F to +212°F

Minimum Bend Radius: 3.5 to 25 (in.)

SAE 100R2 hoses are similar to their 100R1 counterparts in that they have oil-resistant inner tubes and oil/weather resistant covers, but they feature two steel wire braids in the reinforcement layer instead of one. Suitable for use with both water and petroleum-based hydraulic fluids, 100R2 hoses can support applications that require a higher working pressure range due to the additional steel braid in its construction.

Working pressure range: 1,000 psi to 5,000 psi

Working temperature range: -40°F to +212°F

Minimum Bend Radius: 3.5 to 25 (in.)

SAE 100R3 hoses are similar to 100R2 hoses but differ on an important aspect of construction. Though 100R3 hoses feature the same oil/weather resistant cover and synthetic rubber inner tube as 100R1 & 100R2 hoses, crucially the 100R3 reinforcement layer is constructed with two braids of synthetic textile yarn instead of steel. Hoses that meet the 100R3 standard are still general-purpose hydraulic hoses, but they are designed specifically for use in applications where a steel braid is not desired (such as high temperature operations). 100R3 hoses have a lower working pressure and are ideal for low to medium pressure hydraulic systems.

Working pressure range: 375 psi to 1,500 psi

Working temperature range: -40°F to +212°F

Minimum Bend Radius: 3 to 10 (in.)

SAE 100R4 hoses are hydraulic suction hoses designed for low pressure vacuum operations involving water-based or petroleum-based hydraulic fluids. 100R4 hoses have an oil-resistant inner tube made of synthetic rubber and an oil/weather resistant synthetic rubber outer cover. The reinforcement layer consists of a ply or multiple plies of either woven or braided textile fibers, as well as a spiral of body wire.

Working Pressure Range: 35 psi to 300 psi

Working Temperature Range: -40°F to +212°F

Minimum Bend Radius: 5 to 24 (in.)

Vacuum Rating: 25 in. Hg (~12.28 psi)

SAE 100R5 hoses are constructed with an oil-resistant, synthetic rubber inner tube and a reinforcement layer made of two textile braids separated by a high tensile strength steel-wire braid. These braids are fabricated using an oil and mildew resistant rubber compound. Additionally, 100R5 hoses feature a reduced bore. These hoses are used primarily in transportation and mobile applications

Working Pressure Range: 200 psi to 3,000 psi

Working Temperature Range: -40°F to +212°F

Minimum Bend Radius: 3 to 33 (in.)

SAE 100R6 hoses feature an oil-resistant synthetic rubber inner tube, a reinforcement layer of one braided ply of textile yarn, and an oil and weather resistant synthetic rubber cover. 100R6 hoses are used primarily for low pressure hydraulic systems in mobile operations and transportation applications.

Working Pressure Range: 300 psi to 500 psi

Working Temperature Range: -40°F to +212°F

Minimum Bend Radius: 2 to 6 (in.)

Hoses that meet SAE standard 100R7 are constructed with a thermoplastic inner tube that is resistant to hydraulic fluids, a synthetic fiber braid reinforcement layer, and an all-weather thermoplastic cover. The cover is also resistant to hydraulic fluid. 100R7 hoses perform at a similar pressure range as 100R1 hoses. There are nonconductive versions of 100R7 hoses; these hoses are usually marked with an orange outer cover. 100R7 hoses can be utilized in applications involving synthetic hydraulic fluid in addition to the standard petroleum and water-based fluids.

Working Pressure Range: 1,000 psi to 3,000 psi

Working Temperature Range: -40°F to +212°F

Minimum Bend Radius: 1 to 12 (in.)

SAE 100R8 hoses are similar to 100R7 hoses in that they feature thermoplastic construction in their inner tube and a thermoplastic outer cover that is both hydraulic fluid and weather resistant. However, instead of a synthetic fiber braid reinforcement layer, 100R8 hoses have a strong synthetic fiber reinforcement layer for added support in more taxing applications. Because of their strong reinforcement layer, 100R8 hoses are ideal for high-pressure hydraulic operations. 100R8 hoses can be used with synthetic hydraulic fluid in addition to the standard petroleum and water-based fluids.

Working Pressure Range: 2,000 psi to 5,000 psi

Working Temperature Range: -40°F to +212°F

Minimum Bend Radius: 1 to 12 (in.)

*SAE 100R9, 100R10, & 100R11 discontinued for lack of demand*

SAE 100R12 hoses are heavy duty spiral hoses made for high pressure, high-impulse applications. Built with an oil resistant synthetic rubber inner tube and an oil/weather resistant synthetic rubber outer cover, SAE 100R12 hoses have a sturdy reinforcement layer made up of four spiral plies of heavy wire that are wrapped in alternating directions. A ply or braid may also be used over or within the inner tube and/or over the wire reinforcement to anchor the synthetic rubber to the wire. The overlapping spiral construction of the reinforcement layer enables these spiral hoses to manage high pressure applications exceptionally well. 100R12 are suited for use with petroleum and water based hydraulic fluids.

Working Pressure Range: 2,500 psi to 4,000 psi

Working Temperature Range: -40°F to +250°F

Minimum Bend Radius: 5 to 25 (in.)

Like100R12 hoses, SAE 100R13 spiral hoses are designed for heavy duty, high impulse applications that deal with intense pressure levels and spikes. 100R13 hoses feature an oil resistant inner tube and an oil/weather resistant outer cover, both made from synthetic rubber. The reinforcement layer of 100R13 hoses consists of either multiple spiral plies of heavy wire (usually four or six plies) wrapped in alternating directions, with an additional ply or braid constructed inside or over the inner tube and/or over the wire reinforcement so as to anchor the synthetic rubber to the wire. Designed for sustained high-pressure applications.

Working Pressure Range: 5000 psi

Working Temperature Range: -40°F to +250°F

Minimum Bend Radius: 9.5 to 25 (in.)

SAE 100R14 hoses are specially designed for use in harsh high temperature environments involving corrosive or otherwise hazardous materials. There are two types of SAE 100R14 hoses, Type A and Type B. SAE 100R14 Type A features an inner tube made of polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) and a single braid of 303xx series stainless steel that functions as the hose’s reinforcement and outer cover. SAE 100R14 Type B has the same construction as Type A but has an added component: an electrically conductive inner surface that eliminates the potential build up of electrostatic charges. SAE 100R14 hoses of both types can be used with synthetic, petroleum and water based hydraulic fluids.

Working Pressure Range: 600 psi to 1,500 psi

Working Temperature Range: -65°F to +400°F

Minimum Bend Radius: 1.5 to 16 (in.)

SAE 100R15 hoses are high-pressure, heavy duty spiral wire reinforced hoses that are used in applications that require constant and extreme pressure. The hose is constructed with an oil resistant inner tube made from synthetic rubber and a reinforcement layer of four or six spiral plies of heavy wire wrapped in alternating directions. The outer cover is an oil and weather resistant synthetic rubber. Due to the spiral braided reinforcement layer, SAE 100R15 hoses excellent impulse management. 100R15 hoses are suitable for use with petroleum based hydraulic fluid.

Working Pressure Range: 6,000 psi

Working Temperature Range: -40°F to +250°F

Minimum Bend Radius: 6 to 21 (in.)

SAE 100R16 hoses are compact wire braid hoses, meaning that they have a smaller diameter than two wire braid hoses but similar operating performance to them (regular diameter two wire braid hoses are classified as 100R2). 100R16 hoses are constructed with an oil resistant synthetic rubber inner tube, a wire braid reinforcement (can be one or two wire braids), and an oil/weather resistant synthetic rubber outer cover. Because of their smaller diameter but sturdy braided construction, SAE100R16 hoses excel in applications that require both high pressure capability and smaller bend radii. 100R16 hoses are suitable for use with petroleum and water based hydraulic fluids.

Working Pressure Range: 1,810 psi to 5,800 psi

Working Temperature Range: -40°F to 212°F

Minimum Bend Radius: 2 to 8 (in.)

SAE 100R17 hoses are compact, high-pressure hoses rated at 3000 psi and reinforced with either one or two steel wire braids. 100R17 hoses have an oil resistant inner tube, and an oil/weatherproof outer cover. Additionally, SAE 100R17 have a smaller diameter than traditional SAE 100R1 and 100R2 hoses, allowing 100R17 hoses to operate at smaller bend radii and at a lighter overall weight. 100R17 hoses are suitable for use with petroleum and water based hydraulic fluids.

Working Pressure Range: 3,000 psi

Working Temperature Range: -40°F to 212°F

Minimum Bend Radius: 2 to 6 (in.)

SAE 100R18 hoses are rated at 3,000 psi for all size and utilize a hydraulic fluid-resistant thermoplastic inner tube. 100R18 hose employs a synthetic fiber reinforcement to bolster it in high pressure applications, and it also has a hydraulic fluid and weather resistant thermoplastic outer cover. SAE 100R18 hoses are suitable for use with synthetic, water, and petroleum based hydraulic fluids.

Working Pressure Range: 3,000 psi

Working Temperature Range: -40°F to 212°F

Minimum Bend Radius: 1 to 10 (in.)