Coxreels Hose Reel Fluid Compatibility

Coxreels manufacture cable and hose reels in motorised, spring retract or manual operation. Accessories are also available and include fittings, mountings and hoses.

A customer inquiry regarding the compatibility of oil and anti-freeze with model reference 117-4-225. This unit is a series 100 hand crank hose reel rated at 4000 psi and incorporates nitrile seals in the swivel fitting.

Although other synthetic rubber hose material is available as an option, we will look closely at the nitrile rubber hose, because the swivel fitting seal is nitrile. It is described by the manufacturer as premium quality and multi-purpose oil resistant hose and is suitable for air, water and other chemical fluid applications.

It is also considered to be electrically non-conductive where resistance is 1,000,000 ohms/inch at 1000 volts dc.

Temperature rating for the nitrile hose is -20 degrees Fahrenheit to 212 degrees Fahrenheit or -29 degrees Celsius to 100 degrees Celsius.

The hose is available in several sizes from ¼” bore to ¾” bore and is limited to 300 psi working pressure which equates to approximately 20 Bar.
Anti-freeze consists primarily of distilled water and either ethylene glycol or propylene glycol.

If we take a detailed look at readily available compatibility charts of fluids with nitrile rubber, we find that:
• Mineral oil can be used with nitrile rubber
• Distilled water can be used with nitrile rubber.
• Ethylene Glycol can be used with nitrile rubber.
• Propylene glycol is not recommended to be used with nitrile rubber.

For complete verification of compatibility in any application, obtain the specification sheet for the material and the safety data sheet for the fluid, study the information and ask for confirmation from original material/fluid suppliers if required.