Creating A Secure Hose Barb Connection

By Paul Priebe

Mechanical hose barb connections, which consist of the hose barb, tubing and retention device, are ubiquitous in single-use systems (SuS). They look deceptively simple, but the process of bringing all three elements together to create a reliable connection that consistently meets application requirements must be controlled based on risk assessment.

Reliable connections for your SuS start with finding the proper combination of tubing and fittings. Matched properly with tubing or hose, the gripping and sealing power of fittings with a hose barb termination offers a connection with pull‐off and blow‐off resistance for most applications. Hose barbs are an integral part of today’s fitting and coupling solutions, providing a low cost and effective means for connecting many different types of tubes and hoses. To ensure a safe and secure system, determine how these critical elements work together to provide the best grip and seal for your application.