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There are two types of hose clamps: traditional pipe clamps and flat clamps. Over-tightening can distort the pipe and create leaks or pinched hoses. Band clamps are best for plastic pipes, while cradle clamps are good for support. Anti-seize compound should be used on high-heat clamps.
A pipe clamp is used to connect and seal two pieces of round pipe. There are two styles of hose clamps used around the world. The first is a traditional pipe clamp, which consists of a round horseshoe-shaped piece of stock with threads on each end and a half-round piece of flat stock with holes in each end; the threaded ends of the first piece can be crossed and tightened by a pair of locknuts. The second type of hose clamp is a flat clamp. This type of clamp is mainly used on stainless steel exhaust pipes and is intended to seal the joint without distorting the shape of the pipe. The flat piece of soft stainless steel is wrapped around the connecting pipes at the joint and a bolt is tightened, securing the two ends of the pipe clamp together and sealing the connection.
When applying a hose clamp to an exhaust pipe on a vehicle or in a plumbing application, it is best never to overtighten the clamp. This can distort the pipe, often resulting in a leak that can’t be sealed. Too tight a clamp can also create a pinched hose that will not be able to be separated in the future. The key to a properly sealed clamp is to apply equal pressure to both sides of the clamp and turn the nuts one full turn with a wrench after they become finger tight.
Using plastic plumbing hoses creates another problem when choosing a hose clamp. The band clamp is the clamp of choice in this application as it will not easily crush or break the plastic pipe. If you are simply using a clamp to hang or support plastic pipe, a flat cradle clamp is usually the correct choice. It does not surround the pipe, but instead forms a cradle-like support that is suspended from a long threaded rod attached to a floor or ceiling joist.
Pipe clamps that are subject to high heat, such as vehicle exhaust pipe clamps, should be installed with an anti-seize compound applied to the threads of the clamp. This can help ensure that the clamp can be easily removed in the future should the need arise. This is especially useful on the chrome tailpipe of a show vehicle. Applying anti-seize under the clamp as well as within the mating surfaces of the exhaust pipes themselves can also aid in system removal when needed.
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