SAE J517 100R6 · Single Textile Braid

SAE 100R6 Hydraulic Hose Manufacturer

Lightweight, highly flexible textile-braided hydraulic hose for low-to-medium pressure circuits. The go-to hose for power steering systems, lubrication lines, return lines, and agricultural equipment — available in full size range from 3/16″ to 1″. ISO-certified factory, OEM available.

Max Pressure

35 bar

Temp. Range

−40/+100°C

Reinforcement

1× Textile

SAE 100R6 Full Specifications & Pressure Ratings

General Technical Specifications

Standard	SAE J517 100R6 · EN854 R3 · ISO 4079 Type 3 · DIN 20023 R3
Inner Tube Material	Black oil-resistant synthetic rubber (NBR / Nitrile)
Reinforcement	One braid of high-tenacity synthetic textile fiber (polyester / rayon)
Cover Material	Black abrasion-, ozone-, and weather-resistant synthetic rubber
Cover Finish	Smooth (standard) or Wrapped — specify on order
Temperature Range	−40°C to +100°C (−40°F to +212°F) · Intermittent peak: +120°C
Electrical Conductivity	Non-conductive — textile reinforcement has no electrical path
Fluid Compatibility	Petroleum-based hydraulic fluid · ATF / Power steering fluid · Diesel · Mineral oil · Water-glycol · Compressed air · Water
Fitting Type	Swaged crimp fittings · Field-attachable (reusable) fittings
Coil / Reel Length	30 m · 50 m · 100 m standard; custom cut lengths available

All values comply with SAE J517 100R6. Pressures are continuous-duty ratings at 20°C.

Size				Inside (mm)		Outside (mm)		Working Pressure		Burst Pressure		Bend Radius	Weight	Length
DN	inch	mm	Dash	Min	Max	Min	Max	Bar	Psi	Bar	Psi	mm	kg/m	M
5	3/16″	4.8	-3	4.4	5.2	10.3	11.9	35	508	140	2030	50	0.10	50
6	1/4″	6.4	-4	5.9	6.9	11.9	13.5	28	400	112	1620	64	0.11	50
8	5/16″	7.9	-5	7.4	8.4	13.5	15.1	28	400	112	1620	76	0.13	50
10	3/8″	9.5	-6	9.0	10.0	15.1	16.7	28	400	112	1620	76	0.16	50
13	1/2″	12.7	-8	12.1	13.3	17.7	19.7	28	400	112	1620	102	0.22	50
16	5/8″	15.9	-10	15.3	16.5	22.2	23.8	24	350	96	1400	107	0.27	50
19	3/4”	19.0	-12	18.2	19.8	25.4	27.8	21	300	84	1200	152	0.37	50
25	1″	25.4	-16	24.6	26.2	32.2	34.6	17	250	70	1000	203	0.48	50

Fluid Media

Fluid Compatibility Guide

Standard SAE 100R6 hose uses an NBR inner tube, offering broad compatibility with petroleum and water-based media.

🛢

Petroleum Hydraulic Fluid

✓ Primary application

💧

Water-Glycol (HFC)

✓ Compatible

🚗

ATF / Power Steering Fluid

✓ SAE J188 compliant use

⛽

Diesel & Mineral Oil

✓ Compatible

🌊

Water / Coolant

✓ Compatible up to 60°C

💨

Compressed Air

✓ Within rated pressure

Where It's Used

Applications of SAE 100R6 Hydraulic Hose

SAE 100R6’s combination of flexibility, light weight, and electrical non-conductivity makes it the standard choice across a distinct set of applications where steel-wire hose is unsuitable or unnecessary.

🚗

Automotive Power Steering

The defining application for R6. Factory-installed in millions of passenger cars, trucks, and vans as the pressure and return hose for hydraulic power steering racks and pumps. Satisfies SAE J188 requirements.

Power Steering Pressure Hose Return Line Rack & Pinion Systems

🔩

Lubrication & Return Lines

Widely used for hydraulic tank return lines, case drain hoses, and lubrication circuits where pressure is low but routing flexibility is important. Replaces rigid pipe at lower installed cost.

Tank Return Lines Case Drain Hose Lube Circuits Drain Manifolds

🚜

Agricultural Machinery

Used for low-pressure service circuits on tractors, harvesters, and sprayers. The flexibility and light weight simplify routing around complex driveline components, and the UV-resistant cover handles prolonged outdoor exposure.

Tractors Combine Harvesters Sprayers Balers

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Aerial Work Platforms & Lifts

Non-conductive textile reinforcement is a safety requirement for any hydraulic hose routed near live electrical components. R6 is specified in aerial platforms, scissor lifts, and boom lifts to eliminate arc-flash risk near 48V–600V systems.

Scissor Lifts Boom Lifts Vehicle-Mounted Cranes

⚙️

Industrial Low-Pressure Circuits

Suitable for compressed air lines, coolant hoses, and low-pressure pneumatic or hydraulic circuits in manufacturing plants, assembly lines, and process equipment where routing space is limited.

Compressed Air Lines Coolant Returns Pneumatic Tools Process Equipment

🌿

Irrigation & Spray Equipment

Compatible with water-glycol and water media, used in agricultural irrigation pumping systems, pesticide spray rigs, and turf maintenance equipment where lightweight, flexible low-pressure hose is required.

Irrigation Pumps Spray Rigs Turf Equipment Garden Machinery

Product Strengths

Why SAE 100R6 Is the Right Hose for Your Circuit

R6’s textile construction solves specific engineering challenges that steel-wire hoses cannot address as effectively.

30–50% Lighter Than Steel-Wire Hose

Textile reinforcement eliminates the weight of steel wire braids entirely. For long hose runs in mobile equipment — or applications where total vehicle weight matters — R6 delivers a measurable mass advantage over R1AT or R2AT hoses of the same bore size.

Tightest Bend Radius in Its Class

A 1/4″ R6 hose bends to a 65 mm minimum radius — compared to 100 mm for an equivalent R1AT. In automotive engine bays, machinery cabinets, and tight hydraulic panel layouts, this smaller bend radius simplifies routing and allows hose runs that would otherwise require additional fittings or elbows.

Electrically Non-Conductive

The synthetic textile braid carries no electrical conductivity. This is a mandatory safety requirement for hoses routed near high-voltage components in aerial work platforms, electric vehicles, hybrid machinery, and utility equipment — where a steel-reinforced hose would pose an arc-flash or shock risk.

Purpose-Built for Power Steering

SAE 100R6 is specified in SAE J188 for automotive power steering hose applications. Its NBR inner tube is fully compatible with ATF and power steering fluid chemistry; its flexibility handles the constant movement of steering rack connections; and its pressure rating covers the 80–120 bar typical of power steering circuits.

Lower Material Cost Than Wire-Braid Hose

For low-pressure return lines, lubrication circuits, and drain lines — which make up a large proportion of hose runs in most machines — using a steel-wire hose is over-engineering. R6 delivers the correct pressure rating at a lower per-meter cost, freeing budget for high-pressure lines where steel reinforcement is genuinely needed.

Easier Field Assembly & Maintenance

Without steel wire, R6 hose is softer to cut, easier to push onto reusable field-attachable fittings, and simpler to handle in confined spaces. For service technicians working on-site — on agricultural equipment in a field, or on vehicles in a workshop — this translates directly into faster repair times.

Sourcing Confidence

What Separates Kingdaflex 100R6 From Generic Alternatives

Premium-Grade Rubber Compound — Verified by Batch Testing
We source NBR rubber compound from qualified suppliers and conduct compound hardness, tensile strength, and fluid-swell testing on every production batch. Low-cost hose manufacturers skip this step, resulting in covers that crack prematurely in UV exposure or inner tubes that swell and soften in ATF service. Our test records are available for customer review on request.

Controlled Braid Tension for Consistent Pressure Rating
Textile braid angle and tension directly determine working pressure capacity. Our braiding machines are set and verified to exact SAE J517 specifications. Loose or inconsistent braiding — common in unaudited factories — produces hose that meets the dimensional spec but fails below the rated pressure. We conduct periodic burst-pressure sampling at a minimum of 4× working pressure.

Automotive-Proven in Power Steering Applications
Our SAE 100R6 / SAE J188 hose is supplied to automotive aftermarket distributors in Europe, North America, and Australia for power steering replacement applications. This means our hose has been validated in the most demanding R6 application — thermal cycling, ATF immersion, and continuous flexing — before you use it in less demanding circuits.

Explore More

FAQs

What is SAE 100R6 hydraulic hose?

SAE 100R6 is a low-to-medium pressure hydraulic hose defined under SAE J517. It has three layers: a synthetic rubber inner tube compatible with petroleum and water-based fluids, a single braid of high-tenacity synthetic textile fiber for reinforcement, and a rubber outer cover for abrasion and weather resistance. The textile reinforcement makes it significantly more flexible and lighter than steel-wire hoses, and electrically non-conductive — making it the standard hose for power steering systems, return lines, lubrication circuits, and any low-pressure application where flexibility and weight matter.

What is the difference between SAE 100R6 and SAE 100R3?

Both hoses use textile fiber reinforcement rather than steel wire, but SAE 100R3 has two textile braid layers while SAE 100R6 has one. This gives R3 a higher working pressure rating. However, R6 is more flexible with a tighter minimum bend radius, and is lighter. For power steering applications and return lines where pressure is typically under 28 bar, R6 is the preferred choice. Choose R3 when the circuit pressure exceeds the R6 rating for the required bore size.

Is SAE 100R6 the same as EN854 R3?

Yes — SAE 100R6 (North American) and EN854 R3 (European) are cross-equivalent standards specifying essentially the same hose construction, dimensional tolerances, and pressure performance. Kingdaflex manufactures its 100R6 hose to satisfy both standards simultaneously, so it can be specified under either designation on engineering drawings and purchase orders.

What pressure can SAE 100R6 handle?

Working pressure ranges from 17.5 bar (254 psi) for 3/4″ and 1″ bore sizes, to 28 bar (406 psi) for 3/16″ through 5/16″ bores. The minimum burst pressure is 4× working pressure in all sizes. For hydraulic circuits above these pressure levels, a steel-reinforced hose such as SAE 100R1AT (up to 225 bar) or SAE 100R2AT (up to 400 bar) is required.

Why is SAE 100R6 used in power steering systems?

SAE 100R6 is the industry-standard hose for automotive power steering systems for three main reasons: (1) its extreme flexibility and small bend radius allow it to route around complex engine bay geometry and accommodate steering rack movement; (2) its NBR inner tube is fully compatible with ATF and power steering fluid; and (3) its pressure rating comfortably covers the 80–120 bar typical of power steering pumps. It is referenced specifically in SAE J188, the standard that governs automotive power steering hose requirements.

Is SAE 100R6 hose electrically non-conductive?

Yes. Because the reinforcement layer is synthetic textile fiber — not steel wire — SAE 100R6 hose does not form an electrical path through the hose wall. This makes it safe to use near live electrical components and is a key reason it is specified for aerial work platforms, scissor lifts, and increasingly in hybrid or electric vehicle hydraulic circuits where steel-braided hose would pose an arc-flash hazard.

Can SAE 100R6 be used for water, air, or fuel lines?

Yes, within the appropriate pressure limits. SAE 100R6 is compatible with water, water-glycol, compressed air, and petroleum-based fuels including diesel. It is used in agricultural spray systems, low-pressure compressed air lines, and fuel transfer applications. Always verify that the operating pressure does not exceed the rated working pressure for the bore size in use.

What is the minimum order quantity for Kingdaflex 100R6 hose?

Our standard MOQ for SAE 100R6 bulk hose is 200 meters per size. For OEM or private label orders with custom cover printing, MOQ is discussed at the quotation stage and depends on the configuration. Mixed-size orders and trial sample requests are welcome. Use the form below to submit your specific requirements and receive a response within 24 business hours.