Overview
EN ISO 3949:2020 - "Plastics hoses and hose assemblies - Textile-reinforced types for hydraulic applications" - is a CEN-endorsed ISO specification that defines performance requirements for textile-reinforced thermoplastic hoses and hose assemblies. The standard covers three hose types, each split into two electrical-conductivity classes, for nominal sizes from 3,2 to 25 (as specified in the document). It is focused on hose performance (not end fittings) and applies to use with oil-based hydraulic fluids, water-based hydraulic fluids and water within defined temperature ranges.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Types and classification: Three textile-reinforced thermoplastics hose types; two classes per type based on electrical conductivity requirements.
- Fluid compatibility and temperature limits:
- Oil-based fluids (ISO 6743‑4: HH, HL, HM, HR, HV): −40 °C to +93 °C
- Water-based fluids (ISO 6743‑4: HFC, HFAE, HFAS, HFB): 0 °C to +60 °C
- Water: 0 °C to +60 °C
- Performance testing and physical properties: hydrostatic testing, change in length, minimum bend radius, hydraulic-pressure impulse resistance, leakage of hose assemblies, cold flexibility, ozone resistance, electrical conductivity, fluid resistance and visual examination.
- Dimensional controls: diameter tolerances and concentricity requirements.
- Quality, marking and documentation: designation, marking of hoses and assemblies, recommendations for packing, storage, supplied lengths and test certificate requirements.
- Testing regimes: type, routine and production testing defined; Annex D includes a normative method for electrical conductivity testing.
- Limitation: the standard explicitly excludes requirements for end fittings; users must confirm hose/fluid compatibility with manufacturers.
Applications and who uses this standard
- Manufacturers of textile-reinforced thermoplastic hydraulic hoses and hose assemblies use EN ISO 3949:2020 to specify product performance, testing, marking and documentation.
- Design engineers and system integrators in mobile and industrial hydraulic systems - where oil‑based or water‑based hydraulic fluids (or water) are used - reference the standard to select hoses suitable for temperature, pressure and electrical-conductivity needs.
- Purchasing, quality and compliance teams rely on the standard for procurement specifications, conformity checks and supplier audits.
- Test laboratories apply the specified test methods and acceptance criteria for certification and batch testing.
Related standards
- ISO 6743‑4 (hydraulic fluid classification)
- ISO 1402 (hydrostatic testing)
- ISO 6803 (impulse testing)
- ISO 10619‑1/2 (flexibility and stiffness tests)
- ISO 8330 (hose vocabulary)
Refer to the standard’s normative references for the full list of related ISO documents.
Keywords: EN ISO 3949:2020, textile-reinforced hoses, thermoplastics hoses, hydraulic hose standard, hose assemblies, electrical conductivity, hydraulic fluid hoses, hose performance.
