Hose clamps are used to attach and seal a hose onto a fitting, such as a barb. Hose clamps are designed to ensure a tight seal between the hose and the barb, to ensure that no fluid escapes. They are designed to provide even pressure on all sides, with no gaps. To ensure a strong, close seal between the barbs and the hose clamps, the barb must be smooth and free of any kind nicks, scratches, or contamination. Hose clamps can be used on a variety of kinds of hoses, from garden hoses to hoses connected to mechanical parts of cars. The type of hose clamp that you need will likely the depend on the size of the hose and what exactly the hose is being used for.
There a variety of different kinds of hose clamps. A screw clamp consist of a screw thread pattern cut or pressed into a band. The end of band typically contains a captive screw, and when the screw is turned it pulls together the threads of the band, causing the band to tighten around the hose. Screw clamps are normally used for large hose clamps and are typically stainless hose clamps. Additionally, there are also spring clamps, wire clamps, and ear clamps. Spring clamps are typically made from a strip of spring steel. They are commonly used on automotive cooling system hoses several inches in diameter. For example they are used on most water cooled Volkswagen automobiles. Wire clamps consist of a piece of heavy wire, while ear clamps involve narrow bands.
Hose clamps are typically limited to hoses of moderate pressures, such as those found in automotive and home applications. At high pressures it is more difficult for the hose clamps to withstand the force of fluid or air, and subsequently would not adequately protect against leaks. For these kinds of high pressure hoses, compression fittings, thick crimp fittings, or other designs are typically used.