Hose clamps come in all shapes and sizes with each catering to a different environment, location, vehicle, project, and more!
So this plagues the question, which is right for me? How do I know the difference? What do these things even do? Well, we’ve got that covered so your dreary days of hose clamp confusion can be long gone.
We’ll start off nice and slow with the basic functions of a hose clamp. These are used in situations where a hose/pipe needs to be attached, sealed, or fitted onto another material. They need to be sturdy as they are frequently used in industries such as automotive, marine, agricultural, and more. If there was not a clamp or the clamp was to break, the hose would not be able to function properly and could potentially cause a leak.
Standard Hose Clamps
Standard clamps are pretty versatile. They are multi-purpose and can also adapt to different hose sizes. If you have a basic hose and don’t need any kind of special alteration, then this would be the clamp for you! 
What is unique about standard clamps is that there are actually two different kinds. You may be asking yourself, “How can there be two different kinds of a standard item?” The difference here is the material. Standard clamps are made with a stainless steel interior in order to provide the durability and protection that you need. What varies is what comes over the steel: more stainless steel or another finish. The main reason for this variance is price. The completely stainless steel clamps are a bit pricier, but have the increased durability. They often provide better resistance to corrosion and various chemicals.
Many people prefer the dressier look of the stainless steel, but whether or not you opt for this clamp is completely personal preference. The standard hose clamp works in most practical applications and is the clamp that you will see most often. If you project is a bit more specific, read on for other various types of hose clamps.
Shielded Hose Clamps
A Shielded Hose Clamp is most frequently used when the material of a hose or pipe is softer, for example if the hose were to be made of silicone. The outer ring of this clamp is the same
where it’s made of steel in order to provide protection and durability. The special addition to this clamp is that there is an additional layer inside the outer ring.
This additional layer does not have slits it in like the outer ring. Because of this solid center ring, the hose cannot protrude or slip out of the slits like in a standard hose clamp. The functionality is still the same as with a standard hose clamp described in the first section of this post.
Constant Tension Hose Clamps
A constant tension hose clamp does the job when you don’t want to! It provides automatic adjustments on expanding and contracting hoses. It does this by adjusting for constant torque so that the clamp will not fall off the hose. The adjustments are made possible by a spring in the hose’s design as can be seen in the photo. Because this pressure is consistent during expansion and contraction, it boasts consistent sealing.
Constant tension clamps are also a little different in their look. Like a shielded hose clamp, there is an inner ring on this clamp. This means that there are no slits on the outside, whereas the standard hose clamp does have these slits. This also protects softer hoses from damage as well. When it comes to functionality, the clamp is riveted at multiple points so it provides the added strength as well as the adaptability and adjustments.
Nylon Hose Clamps
Nylon clamps have a completely different look than others we have described. Obviously, the main reason for this is that they are made out of nylon instead of stainless steel. Why change the material when stainless steel is so strong? Nylon clamps are often seen as an easier type of clamp for insertion and removal, which appeals to many.
These nylon clamps are equipped with grooves that mimic a snapping style. This allows for manual closure and tightening of the clamp in order to get the perfect fit. The clamp then releases when snapping the groove horizontally. If you are in a situation with lower pressure, this would be the clamp for you.
These are some of the most common types, if you would like to explore a little more, check out Del City’s website. After reading about the various types of clamps and all of their uses, hopefully you will be able to find the perfect fit for your project! Still confused or have additional questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our Technical Support at 1.800.654.4757!