A coupler is a machine component that connects two tubes or pipes in a mechanical system. These parts can be made out of a number of materials including rubber, plastic, metal, and silicone. Couplers are typically found on machines that feature a piping system of some sort and are a common component of most automobiles. The special properties of silicone couplers make them most appropriate for certain applications. Silicone couplers come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
Many different machines make use of silicone couplers. They are especially popular for use in connecting the pipes inside an automobile’s mechanical system. Silicone’s flexibility and durability make it especially suitable for this purpose. By using clamps, a silicone coupler can connect two pipes that are slightly different in diameter. The coupler itself can be a different diameter than either of them and can stretch to fit both appropriately.
There are many different types of silicone couplers available for purchase and use. They vary in width, length, color, and thickness according to their designed application. While most silicone couplers are shaped like a straight cylinder, there are some available in a slightly modified shape.
One popular non-cylindrical form of silicone couplers available is the hump hose coupler. These couplers feature a bulge in their center that may be as much as twice the diameter of either of the coupler’s ends. The purpose of the bulge is to allow for flexibility in the center of the coupler and to increase the strength of the bond that the coupler maintains between the two pipes. These couplers can allow pressure to build up within the coupler as needed.
Another popular variation on the shape of the standard coupler is the elbowed design. This form of coupler is like the straight coupler, but bent to the angle that best suits the user. They are useful when pipes need to be connected in an area with a limited amount of space.
While most couplers are made out of standard silicone, there are also reinforced versions of couplers available for use. Reinforced couplers generally feature thicker walls and use stainless steel as well as silicone for greater durability. They are designed to withstand higher temperatures and greater pressure than standard couplers.
Due to their durability and the fact that they are easier to clean, silicone couplers are commonly used on high performance vehicles. They are capable of handling the pressure demands associated with high horsepower vehicles and can be washed and maintained with little effort from the user. Though they are slightly more expensive than the rubber couplers that can be used in their place, silicone couplers last longer and can be installed on any standard vehicle.