Modern engines are more efficient, more powerful, and more demanding than ever before. With the introduction of Euro 6 emissions standards, cooling systems have evolved significantly, and so have the requirements for hose materials.
One of the most important developments is the widespread use of Organic Acid Technology (OAT) coolants.
OAT coolants use organic acids as corrosion inhibitors, offering extended service life, improved protection for aluminium components and greater efficiency in modern engines. However, these chemical properties also make OAT coolants more aggressive towards standard hose materials.
Traditional rubber and standard silicone hoses were not designed for prolonged exposure to OAT coolants, as, over time, this can lead to material degradation, softening or swelling, permeation and coolant loss, as well as premature failure. In high-performance engines, this is real a reliability risk.
OAT-compatible hoses are specifically engineered to resist organic acid-based coolants, maintain structural integrity under heat and pressure and deliver long-term performance in modern cooling systems. They are typically constructed using specialist silicone compounds and reinforcement layers, designed to handle the demands of Euro 6 environments.
Modern engines operate at higher temperatures, increased pressure and greater thermal cycling, and OAT hoses are designed to perform under these conditions, ensuring consistent coolant flow, reduced risk of failure and greater long-term durability.
While OAT hoses are most commonly associated with automotive systems, they are also used in commercial vehicles, rail applications, marine engines and industrial cooling systems, any system using OAT or HOAT coolants requires compatible hose materials.
Using the wrong hose material can result in increased maintenance costs, unexpected downtime, system inefficiencies and potential damage to surrounding components, for OEMs and engineers, specifying the correct hose from the outset is critical.
When selecting OAT hoses, key factors include temperature range, pressure requirements, coolant composition and system design. Working with a supplier who understands these variables ensures the hose is engineered for the application, not just supplied as a standard product.
As cooling systems become more advanced, the materials used within them must evolve accordingly. For engineers and manufacturers, the focus should be on specifying solutions that match the demands of today’s systems, not yesterday’s standards.