Hoses are hollow tubes that are used to carry fluids from one location to another. Sometimes they are also referred to as tubes or pipes and there shape is always cylindrical or have a circular cross section. Pipe refers to a rigid tube whereas hose normally means a more flexible tube.

Hoses are designed based on a combination of application and performance. Certain common factors that are considered while designing hoses are size, weight, length, pressure rating and chemical compatibility. Hoses are made using different combinations of materials including nylon, polyurethane, polyethylene or synthetic as well as natural rubbers. The material with which the hose is to be made is decided by taking into consideration, the pressure rating as well as the environment in which the hose is used.

There have been some recent innovations which have made it possible to manufacture hoses using materials like special grades of polyethylene, Teflon, stainless steel and other materials. Based on the materials that are used in the manufacturing of hoses, its physical as well as chemical properties will change. Hose can be used for carrying water, other types of fluids or to transmit air or other gases. Clamps and nozzles are generally used with hoses to control and manage fluid flow through them.

Hoses have a lot of applications including domestic, commercial as well as industrial. They are used as garden hoses in gardens and lawns for watering plants, used as fire hoses by fire-fighters to convey water to the fire site, used as air hoses by underwater divers, used in automobiles as automotive hoses to move fluids around for the purpose of cooling, lubrication and hydraulics.