Are Silicone Hoses Fuel Resistant?

One of the things we find gets asked often is can your silicone hoses for used for fuel? The simple answer is no, standard silicone hoses are porous and therefore not suitable for oil or fuel. We do supply a range of fluorolined silicone hoses, which are made for the sole purpose of preventing fuel and oil penetrating the wall of the hose, however we would not recommend these for Fuel lines, or heavy use of Fuel Filling. Occasional fuel usage and vapour is ok however we recommend rubber for constant contact with fuel.

So what are my options?

The main material which is better suited for use with fuel is rubber, specifically specification SAEJ30R6, please see a list below of our fuel safe rubber products:

Rubber Multi Purpose Fuel & Oil Hose

SAEJ30R6

This premium quality multi purpose hose is fully compliant with the international BSAU108/2 and SAE J30R6 specifications for fuel hose, and is suitable for the conveyance of petroleum products with up to 50% aromatic content, including unleaded petrol.

Rubber NBR material is specially designed for automotive and engine applications. The hose is suitable for petrol, diesel, ethanol, gasoline and is very flexible for easy routing. The smooth outer is resistant to oils and fuels, heat, ozone and weather.

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Rubber Stainless Steel Braided Fuel Hose

SAEJ30R6/BS 5118/2

Stainless steel braided high performance racing hose to meet any plumbing need for all kind of car, truck and boat. Flexible and durable with maximum pressure capability, manufactured with precision to provide superior fluid handling.

This fuel hose features a stainless steel outer braiding which not only looks good, it also protects the hose from heat and abrasion damage. For use with either swaged unions, push-on fittings or standard hose clips

NBR fuel and oil rubber inner hose with a textile reinforcement make this hose perfect for commercial fuel and oil mixtures.

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Rubber Marine Fuel & Oil Hose

ISO 7840

Rubber marine fuel hose is suitable for delivery of diesel and petrol marine fuel. The tube is composed of a black nitrile rubber, with a smooth black chloroprene rubber cover. High tensile polyester fibres are weaved between the layers to provide the hose with reinforcement. Sizes above 19mm also have an embedded steel wire helix reinforcement.

Our marine hose is abrasion, ozone, weather, heat and oil resistant, also resistant to flame and sea conditions.

ISO 7840 Type A1 (5mm > 19mm), ISO 7840 Type A2 (25mm > 51mm)

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What do these specs mean?

SAEJ30R6 - This SAE Standard covers fuel and oil hose, coupled and uncoupled, for use with gasoline, oil, diesel fuel, lubrication oil, or the vapor present in either the fuel system or in the crankcase of internal combustion engines in mobile, stationary, and marine applications. Section 6 covers Low-Pressure Coupled and Uncoupled Synthetic Rubber Tube and Cover (SAE 30R6)

ISO 7840 - This document specifies general requirements and physical tests for fire-resistant hoses for conveying petrol or petrol blended with ethanol, and diesel fuel or diesel fuel blended with FAME, designed for a working pressure not exceeding 0,34 MPa for hoses with inner diameter up to and including 10 mm, and 0,25 MPa for hoses up to 63 mm inner diameter in small craft.
It applies to hoses for small craft with permanently installed fuel systems. It does not apply to hoses entirely within the splash well at the stern of the craft connected directly to an outboard engine.