This hose clamp glossary defines the words buyers meet on drawings, catalogues and quotes: the parts of a hose clamp (band, housing, screw, trunnion, liner), the main clamp types, the standards (SAE J1508, DIN 3017, W1 to W5), stainless grades, measuring terms, and trade language such as MOQ, AQL and Incoterms. Every entry is short and written for people who specify or order clamps.
One part can carry three names depending on whether the catalogue is American, German or British, so a shared hose clamp glossary saves a round of emails on almost every RFQ.
How to use this hose clamp glossary
Terms run A to Z, with stainless grade numbers first. Key hose clamp terms get a subheading; the rest are short bold entries, linked to deeper articles where they exist. Jump by letter or use your browser’s find function.
Jump to: Grades · A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · J · L · M · N · O · P · R · S · T · U · V · W · Z
First, the parts of a hose clamp and their regional aliases.
| Part (term used here) | Other names you will see | Found on |
|---|---|---|
| Band | Strap, strip, belt | Every band-type clamp |
| Housing | Screw housing, buckle, worm housing | Worm gear, constant torque, hi-torque |
| Screw | Worm, worm screw, tightening screw | Worm gear family |
| Trunnion | Barrel, cross pin, bolt block | T-bolt clamps |
| Bridge | Saddle, shield, underbridge | T-bolt, spiral, some ear clamps |
| Liner | Shield, hose protector | Lined worm gear clamps |
| Tail | Free end, overhang | Worm gear, T-bolt |
Stainless grade numbers
201: An austenitic grade in which some nickel is replaced by manganese and nitrogen. Cheaper than 304 and found on budget clamps, with weaker resistance to chlorides.
301: An austenitic grade with slightly less chromium and nickel than 304 that work-hardens strongly when cold rolled, making it a popular band and housing material. OneTouch 4SS, 4CT and T-bolt pages list a 301 band.
304: The general-purpose “18/8” stainless steel (about 18% chromium, 8% nickel). Corresponds to DIN W4 and to “all 300 series” in many US catalogues.
316: Austenitic stainless with roughly 2 to 3% molybdenum, which improves resistance to chloride pitting. The full comparison is in our 304 vs 316 stainless steel guide.
410: A hardenable martensitic stainless used for clamp screws, because a harder thread resists wear and galling against the band. Magnetic, and less corrosion resistant than 304.
430: A ferritic stainless with about 16 to 18% chromium and almost no nickel. Magnetic and cheaper than 304; the usual band steel in DIN W2 and W3 clamps.
A
AQL (acceptable quality limit)
The worst average defect rate a buyer agrees to tolerate in a lot, used to choose a sampling plan. An AQL of 1.0 for major defects means the plan is built to pass lots averaging about 1% majors. Our bulk hose clamp buying guide shows how to apply it to a shipment.
Annealed: Heated and slowly cooled to soften the metal and relieve rolling stress. Annealed strip forms easily but is weaker, so clamp bands usually come in a harder temper.
Austenitic: The stainless family (201, 301, 304, 316) that is non-magnetic when annealed. Cold forming can make it slightly magnetic, so a magnet does not prove a grade.
Axial load: Force along the pipe that tries to push a joint apart. Hose clamps resist it by friction plus the barb or bead; V-band clamps carry it through their flanges.
B
Band
The metal strip that wraps the hose and carries the load. Width, thickness, grade and edge finish decide most of a clamp’s behaviour: wider spreads pressure, thicker takes more torque.
Band width: The axial width of the band, quoted in inches (5/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8) or millimetres (9, 12). One of the first specs to match when cross-referencing.
Barb: A fitting end with sharp ridges that bite into the hose bore. The clamp sits just behind the last ridge.
Bead: A smooth raised ring formed near a tube end. The clamp goes on the hose side of it, never on top.
Belleville washer
A cone-shaped spring washer. Stacked on the screw of a constant torque clamp, Belleville washers flex as the hose shrinks or swells with temperature, keeping clamping force steadier than a plain screw can.
Blow-off: When pressure or vibration pushes a hose off its fitting. Typical causes are low clamping force, a clamp sitting on the bead, or a fitting with no retention feature.
Bolt: On a T-bolt clamp, the threaded shank that pulls the band ends together as the nut is tightened.
Bridge: A curved plate under the gap where band ends meet, supporting the hose where it would otherwise bulge or pinch. Also called a saddle or underbridge.
Buckle: UK and Asian catalogue word for a worm gear housing, or for the separate fastener used with strapping.
Burr: A sharp edge left by cutting or punching. Burrs on band edges or slots cut hose covers and fingers alike.
C
Captive screw: A screw retained in its housing so it cannot drop out when the band is fully opened.
Carbon steel: Plain iron-carbon steel. Strong and cheap but it rusts, so clamp screws and bolts made from it are almost always zinc plated.
Chloride pitting: Deep local corrosion pits caused by chlorides from seawater, road salt or cleaners. The main reason marine buyers specify 316.
Clamping force
The inward force the band puts on the hose, which is what actually seals the joint. It depends on torque, thread friction, band stiffness and hose hardness, so two clamps at the same torque can grip quite differently.
Clamping range
The smallest and largest diameters a clamp can close onto, such as 0.81 to 1.50 in. Pick a clamp whose range brackets the installed hose OD, ideally away from either end. Standard ranges are listed in our hose clamp size chart in mm and inches.
CoC (certificate of conformance): A supplier’s signed statement that a lot meets the order. It is a declaration, not a test report.
Cold flow
The slow creep of hose material away from steady pressure, worst when hot. As the wall thins under the band, clamping force drops and the joint may weep. Silicone and soft rubber suffer most.
Compression set
The permanent thickness an elastomer loses after long compression. A hose with high compression set no longer springs back, one reason joints leak after a cold night or a long shutdown.
Constant torque clamp
A worm gear clamp with a spring element, usually a Belleville stack, that takes up hose movement on its own; also sold as constant tension. The OneTouch 4CT0016 constant torque clamp has a 9/16 in 301 band, a 410 screw and a 70 in-lb rating.
Coupling: Any device joining two pipe or hose ends; in clamp catalogues, usually a V-band or no-hub coupling.
Crevice corrosion: Attack inside a tight, stagnant gap, such as under a band or liner, where oxygen cannot renew the passive film.
Cross-reference
A table matching one maker’s part number to another’s by range, band width, material and type. It is only as reliable as the specs behind each line.
D
Dash number: The SAE-style size code on worm gear clamps (4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16 and so on). Treat it as a label and always check the stated range.
Deburred edge: A band edge smoothed or rolled after slitting so it will not cut the hose cover.
DIN 3017
The German standard for worm gear hose clamps and the basis of the “German type” clamp. Part 1, dated September 2021 according to DIN Media, covers worm gear clamps in shapes A and B. Our DIN 3017 explainer covers dimensions and codes.
Double ear clamp: A one-piece band with two ears crimped closed by pincers. Cheap, tamper-evident and single use.
Double wire clamp: A loop of heavy wire doubled round the hose and drawn tight by a screw and swivel nut. Common on reinforced suction hose.
E
Ear
A raised loop formed in the band of an ear clamp. Crimping it shortens the band and puts it under tension, and the deformed ear then acts as a small spring.
Ear clamp: Any clamp closed by crimping ears: single, double or stepless. OneTouch does not stock ear clamps, so ask for the nearest alternative.
EGR: Exhaust gas recirculation. EGR pipework uses V-band and other heat-tolerant clamps.
Embossed band: A band with thread impressions pressed in rather than punched through, as on DIN 3017 clamps. Its closed inner face is kinder to soft hose.
EN 10204
The European standard for inspection documents on metal products. Types 2.1 and 2.2 are general maker statements; a 3.1 certificate gives actual test results for the delivered lot, signed by an inspector independent of production.
Endless band: A roll of band sold with loose housings for cutting clamps to any length. A stopgap, not for pressurised lines.
Exhaust clamp: A clamp for exhaust joints: U-bolt, lap or butt band, or V-band. Heat and thermal cycling drive the choice.
F
Ferritic: The magnetic, low-nickel stainless family that includes 430.
First article inspection: A full dimensional and material check of the first parts from a new tool, supplier or order before production is released.
Flange: The ring on each pipe end that a V-band clamp grips. Its profile must match the clamp.
FOB, CIF, DAP: Three common Incoterms. FOB: seller loads the vessel. CIF: seller also pays freight and insurance to the destination port. DAP: delivered to a named place, ready for unloading but not import-cleared.
Free diameter: The size of a spring or ear clamp as supplied. On spring band clamps it is below hose OD so the clamp grips when released.
Full hard: A cold-rolled temper with very high strength and little ductility, used for springy 301 bands.
G
Galling: Wear in which two metal surfaces cold-weld and tear under load. Stainless-on-stainless threads are prone to it, hence harder 410 screws or lubricated threads.
German type clamp: A worm gear clamp in the DIN 3017 style, with an embossed band, usually 9 or 12 mm wide.
Grade: The named composition of a steel, such as 304 (AISI/ASTM) or 1.4301 (EN). One grade can carry several numbers.
H
HD (heavy duty): A loose label for clamps with a wider or thicker band, bigger screw and higher torque rating. There is no single definition, so compare actual specs.
Hex head: The six-sided screw head. Its size (1/4, 5/16, 3/8 in, or 7 or 8 mm) tells you which driver the line needs.
Hi-torque clamp: A heavy-duty worm-drive design with a wider band and stronger housing that accepts more installation torque.
Housing
The formed box on a worm gear clamp that holds the screw and guides the band past it. It is riveted, welded or crimped to the band, and it is a common failure point when a clamp is over-tightened.
HS code: The Harmonized System tariff number customs uses. Steel hose clamps are often entered under 7326.90, but national codes differ, so confirm with your broker.
I
ID (inside diameter): The bore of a hose or pipe, which matches the fitting size. Do not size a clamp to it.
Incoterms
Three-letter trade terms from the International Chamber of Commerce that set who pays for, and bears the risk of, each leg of a shipment. The current edition, Incoterms 2020, has eleven rules. Always state the edition and named place.
Inner box: The small carton holding a set count of clamps (often 10, 25, 50 or 100) inside the master carton.
Installed OD: The hose outside diameter once it is on the fitting. The fitting stretches the hose, so this is larger than the free OD, and it is the figure to size the clamp to.
Interlocking clamp: A heavy two-piece clamp whose halves hook together, used on steam hose with matching fittings. Not stocked by OneTouch.
ISO 2859-1
The ISO standard for sampling inspection by attributes, indexed by AQL. From lot size and inspection level it gives how many clamps to pull and how many defects are allowed. ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 is the closely related US document.
J
Jubilee clip: The everyday British name for a worm drive clamp. It is a trademark of L. Robinson & Co., which marketed the design from 1921, as the Wikipedia hose clamp article records.
L
Lap joint: An exhaust joint where one pipe slides inside the other; lap-joint band clamps are stepped to suit.
LCL / FCL: Less than container load (shared container) versus full container load. LCL suits small orders but involves more handling.
Lead time: Time from purchase order to goods ready or delivered. Ask which of the two a quote means.
Liner
A smooth metal strip between band and hose that stops slots and the housing gap from digging into soft hose. Lined clamps suit silicone and thin-wall hose; our hose clamp liner explainer covers when one is worth it.
Lot number: A code tracing clamps back to a production run and steel coil. Essential for recalls and for matching certificates to goods.
M
Magnetic: Ferritic and martensitic grades are; austenitic grades are not when annealed but may become slightly magnetic after forming.
Marman clamp: The original name of the V-band coupling, after Marman Products, which first made it for aircraft.
Martensitic: The hardenable, magnetic stainless family that includes 410.
Mill test certificate (MTC): The steel mill’s report of chemistry and mechanical properties for a heat or coil.
Mini clamp: A small worm gear clamp with a narrow band (often 5/16 in) for fuel, vacuum and small coolant lines.
Molybdenum: The alloying element that separates 316 from 304 and strengthens its passive film against chlorides.
MOQ (minimum order quantity)
The smallest quantity a supplier accepts per order, size or line. It reflects setup and packing cost, so it is usually lower for stock sizes than for custom widths, special grades or private-label packs.
N
Nominal size: A headline size such as “2 inch” that is a label, not a measurement. Size clamps from measured OD.
Non-perforated band: A band with no through-holes; see embossed band.
Nut: The threaded part tightened onto a T-bolt, often a locknut to resist vibration.
O
OD (outside diameter): The outer diameter of a hose or pipe; clamp ranges are compared against it.
OEM: Original equipment manufacturer. OEM specs often name a clamp standard, grade and torque.
OTIF (on time in full)
A supplier scorecard measure: the share of orders delivered by the agreed date and in full quantity. A late complete shipment and an on-time short one both count as misses.
Over-torque: Tightening past the rating. It strips band threads, distorts the housing or cuts the hose without adding useful seal.
P
Passivation
An acid treatment (nitric or citric) that removes free iron and surface contamination from stainless so its chromium oxide film forms evenly. It improves corrosion behaviour but does not upgrade the grade.
Perforated band: A band with slots punched through for the screw thread, the standard American style. The slots can mark soft hose.
Pi tape
A steel tape graduated to read diameter directly when wrapped around a round object. The most reliable way to measure installed OD on larger hoses; our guide on how to measure hose clamp size compares it with calipers.
Pincers: The tool that crimps ear clamps. Jaw shape must suit the ear; pneumatic versions control force on production lines.
Plating: A thin protective metal coat, typically zinc on carbon steel screws and bolts.
PREN
Pitting resistance equivalent number, an index of chloride pitting resistance calculated from chemistry. The usual formula, per this PREN reference, is %Cr + 3.3 × %Mo + 16 × %N. Typical 304 lands around 18 to 20 and 316 around 23 to 28, varying by heat.
Private label: Packaging carrying the buyer’s brand and part numbers; usually at a higher MOQ.
R
Radial pressure: Clamping force spread over the band’s contact area. Even pressure all round is what seals well.
Range: Short for clamping range. Some catalogues quote it as hose OD, others as clamp diameter, which are not quite the same.
Retorque: Tightening again after the first heat cycle to recover force lost to cold flow.
Rivet / spot weld: The two usual ways of fixing a housing or trunnion to the band. Either is fine if the joint is clean and crack-free.
S
SAE J1508
The SAE document titled Hose Clamp Specifications, covering clamp types used on coolant, fuel, oil, vacuum and emission systems. North American OEMs reference it for dimensions, torque and testing; our SAE J1508 guide explains how to read it.
Saddle
A curved support that spreads load where a bolt, rod or band gap meets the hose. On T-bolt clamps it is another word for the bridge; on spiral clamps it is the block that holds the rod.
Salt spray test: An accelerated corrosion test in salt fog (for example ASTM B117 or ISO 9227). Good for comparing coatings, poor at predicting service life.
Screw
The threaded worm that turns in the housing and drives the band. Grade (410, 300 series or zinc-plated steel), head type and hex size all belong in a spec, and a plated screw is often the first part to rust on a “stainless” clamp.
Silicone hose: Soft, heat-resistant hose for turbo and coolant lines. Prone to cold flow, so it pairs with lined or constant torque clamps.
SKU: Stock keeping unit. Each size, grade and pack quantity is its own SKU.
Slot: An opening in a perforated band that the screw engages. Elongated slots mean the clamp should not be reused.
Spigot: The pipe stub a hose pushes onto. Spigot OD plus twice the hose wall gives a first estimate of installed OD.
Spiral clamp: A heavy wire or rod clamp shaped to sit between the helical ridges of suction hose.
Spring band clamp
A one-piece spring steel ring with two tabs: squeeze to open, release to grip. It follows hose expansion by itself, which is why carmakers fit it widely on coolant lines. OneTouch does not stock spring band clamps.
Stepless ear clamp: An ear clamp with no step or gap on its inner surface, giving even pressure all round. The design is credited to Hans Oetiker.
Swivel nut: A nut that pivots in its seat so a double wire clamp’s screw stays aligned as it tightens.
T
Tail: The free band end that sticks out past the housing. A long tail snags; trim it or choose a smaller size.
Take-up
How much diameter a clamp can close through: its maximum minus its minimum. Worm gear clamps have generous take-up; T-bolt and V-band clamps have little, so they must be sized closely.
Tamper-evident: Cannot be loosened without visible damage, as with ear clamps.
T-bolt clamp
A heavy clamp with a wide solid band drawn together by a bolt and nut through a trunnion, for high, even force on large hoses. The OneTouch 4TB0175 T-bolt clamp has a 3/4 in 301 band, a zinc-plated carbon steel screw and a 150 in-lb rating. Spring-loaded versions add a coil spring.
Thread pitch: The spacing of screw threads. On worm gear clamps it must match the band’s slot pitch, so parts from different makers rarely mix.
Tongue: The shaped band end that leads into the housing, or the inner tab that bridges the gap on some ear and German type clamps.
Torque
Turning effort on a screw or nut, in in-lb or N·m. Installation torque is what you apply; rated torque is what the clamp is designed to take. Values by type are in our hose clamp torque chart.
Trunnion
The rounded block or barrel on a T-bolt clamp that the bolt passes through. It lets the bolt pivot so it pulls in line with the band, and its joint to the band is a key strength point.
U
U-bolt clamp: An exhaust clamp of U-shaped threaded rod, saddle and two nuts. Strong and cheap, but it crushes the pipe.
V
V-band clamp
A clamp with a V-section channel that draws two flanged pipe ends together, sealing face to face rather than over a hose. Used on turbo, exhaust, EGR and DPF systems; see OneTouch’s V-band clamp range, sized by flange diameter.
Vibration loosening: Gradual loss of preload under vibration, reduced by locknuts, spring elements and correct torque.
W
W1 to W5
The DIN 3017 material codes. Broadly: W1 is zinc-plated steel throughout; W2 has a ferritic stainless band and housing with a plated screw; W3 is ferritic stainless throughout; W4 is 304-type throughout; W5 is 316-type throughout. Details are in our W-code guide.
Worm: Another name for the screw, after the worm-and-wheel gear it resembles.
Worm gear clamp
The most common hose clamp: a slotted or embossed band, a housing and a worm screw, also called worm drive or screw clamp. The OneTouch 4SS0016 all-stainless clamp is typical: 1/2 in 301 band and housing, 410 screw, 5/16 in hex, 45 in-lb rating.
Z
Zinc plating: An electroplated zinc layer that protects carbon steel by corroding first, often with a clear, yellow or black passivate. It wears through in salt and heat, so plated screws are the weak point in marine use.
Zinc-nickel: A plating alloy that outlasts plain zinc in corrosion tests and is increasingly specified for vehicle fasteners.
Hose clamp abbreviations at a glance
| Abbreviation | Stands for | Where it shows up |
|---|---|---|
| AQL | Acceptable quality limit | Inspection clause of a PO |
| CoC | Certificate of conformance | Shipping documents |
| DAP / CIF / FOB | Incoterms 2020 delivery rules | Quote and invoice |
| EGR / DPF | Exhaust gas recirculation / diesel particulate filter | V-band and exhaust listings |
| HD | Heavy duty | Part names |
| HS | Harmonized System tariff code | Commercial invoice |
| ID / OD | Inside / outside diameter | Hose and clamp specs |
| MOQ | Minimum order quantity | Price list, quote |
| MTC | Mill test certificate | Material certification |
| OTIF | On time in full | Supplier scorecard |
| PREN | Pitting resistance equivalent number | Material comparison |
Hose clamp terminology questions buyers ask
What are the main parts of a hose clamp called?
On a worm gear clamp: band, housing, screw and tail. T-bolt clamps add a trunnion, bolt, nut and often a bridge; lined clamps add a liner; ear clamps use ears instead of a screw.
Is a hose clip the same as a hose clamp?
Yes. “Hose clip” is the usual British term and “hose clamp” the American one. “Jubilee clip” is a brand name often used for any worm drive clip in the UK.
What is the difference between clamping range and take-up?
Clamping range is the pair of numbers (minimum and maximum diameter); take-up is the gap between them. A 0.81 to 1.50 in clamp has about 0.69 in of take-up.
Does “stainless” on a clamp mean every part is stainless?
Not always. Many clamps pair a stainless band with a zinc-plated carbon steel screw or bolt. Look for “all stainless”, a W4 or W5 code, or a per-part material list.
Which certificate should I ask a clamp supplier for?
For routine stock a certificate of conformance is often enough. For OEM or critical service, ask for an EN 10204 3.1 certificate tied to the lot number, which reports measured chemistry and properties.
Turning the right words into the right clamp
With the hose clamp glossary covering the words, the next step is the part number. Holding another maker’s code? Look it up in the OneTouch clamp cross-reference index. If your spec names a band width, grade, W-code or torque we have not covered, send the drawing or list through our contact page and we will come back with the closest match and a quote.