JIC Hydraulic Hose Fittings

What Are JIC Hydraulic Hose Fittings?

JIC hydraulic hose fittings are hydraulic hose fittings that seal through a 37° metal-to-metal flare. The male fitting carries an external cone-shaped seat; the female end is a swivel nut with an inverted 37° cone. When the nut is tightened, the two seats are drawn together and the metal-to-metal contact creates the seal. The straight threads only pull the connection together — they do not seal.

Three facts every buyer should know:

• Dash size names the tube O.D. in 1/16-inch steps: -04 = 1/4 in, -06 = 3/8 in, -08 = 1/2 in, up to -32 = 2 in
• The thread for each dash size is fixed by SAE J514: -04 uses 7/16-20, -06 uses 9/16-18, -08 uses 3/4-16, and so on
• No O-ring and no sealant: the flare seat alone must be clean, undamaged, and matched at exactly 37°

Core value: the right JIC fitting, correctly identified and crimped, gives you a connection that will not leak and will not pull apart.

Three customer paths:

• For OEM manufacturers — standardize JIC connections across your machine range and lock in repeatable hose assembly quality.
• For end users and maintenance teams — identify the thread and seat on the failed line, then order the correct replacement the first time.
• For distributors — consolidate JIC, ORFS, and NPT ranges in one catalog, with mixed-size sample kits and private labeling.

Key Specifications

Connection-Side: SAE J514 Thread and Dash Chart

The table below lists the SAE J514 (ISO 8434-2) 37° flare connection dimensions used across our JIC hydraulic hose fittings range. Dash size corresponds to the nominal tube O.D. in sixteenths of an inch; each dash size has one fixed UNF thread.

Do not identify a fitting by thread diameter alone. ORB and other connections can share the same straight-thread dimensions. Always confirm the 37° seat with a seat gauge before ordering.

Hose-Side: Matching Hose Families

The hose tail of each JIC hydraulic hose fitting is matched to a hose family and its ferrule series. The tables below give the series for each construction.

Assembly working pressure follows the hose family: 1SN to 250 bar, 2SN to 400 bar, 4SP to 450 bar in the smallest sizes, and R12 at 4,000 psi (276 bar) constant. The JIC connection itself has no single universal pressure rating — it depends on size, material, and configuration. We confirm the rating for your exact configuration on request.

Material and Surface Finish

Material choice is a key decision when selecting hydraulic hose fittings for corrosive or hygienic service.

Key Features

• 37° flare seal per SAE J514 / ISO 8434-2: metal-to-metal, no O-rings
• Straight UNF threads: -04 (7/16-20) through -32 (2-1/2-12)
• Swivel nut design for easy alignment in tight spaces
• Configurations: straight, 45° and 90° elbows, tees, bulkhead, reducers
• Matched hose-tail and ferrule sets for leak-free crimped assemblies

Crimping and Installation

The hose end of every JIC fitting is crimped with standard hydraulic crimping machines, using the ferrule series matched to your hose. We provide reference crimp data and die selection for your machine model with every order.

Crimp-side steps:

1. Cut the hose square with a sharp hose cutter.
2. Prepare the hose end per the hose maker’s instructions (skive where required, e.g. 4SH and R12).
3. Insert the stem fully into the hose bore.
4. Slide the ferrule over the hose end and seat it against the stem shoulder.
5. Crimp with a hydraulic hose crimping machine to the target crimp diameter from your hose manufacturer’s crimp chart.
6. Verify the crimp O.D. with a caliper and record the value.

Connection-side rules for the 37° flare:

• Inspect both seats before assembly. A scratch, dent, or burr on the flare will leak.
• Start the swivel nut by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Hold the backup hex with a second wrench while tightening.
• Never apply PTFE tape or pipe sealant to the flare seat.
• Tighten to the torque recommended for the size, material, and plating; over-tightening distorts the seat.

Nomenclature: How JIC Dash Sizes Work

JIC part numbers describe both ends of the connection. A typical description reads:

CONNECTION END - HOSE END - CONFIGURATION

Take “-06 JIC male 37° flare x -06 hose, 90° elbow” as an example:

The connection dash and the hose dash are often the same number, but they describe different things: the first is a thread size, the second is a hose I.D. We assign the exact part number for your configuration on request — send us both end sizes and the hose family, and our engineers confirm the code before you order.

Matching and Identification

The most common order error is mixing connection systems that look alike. Use this table before ordering JIC hydraulic hose fittings:

JIC and SAE 45° flare fittings can sometimes thread together, but the seat angles differ and the joint will leak or damage the seats. JIC and ORB share thread diameters but seal differently and are not interchangeable. When in doubt, send us a photo or your measurements — thread O.D. and threads per inch — and we identify the connection for you free of charge.

Applications and Industries

JIC hydraulic hose fittings are the dominant flare connection across North American and export machinery:

• Agriculture: tractors, harvesters, and implements
• Construction and mobile equipment: excavators, loaders, and telehandlers
• Material handling: forklifts and lift trucks
• Machine tools and industrial automation
• Hydraulic power units and test benches
• Oil and gas and marine: stainless steel and zinc-nickel options

For corrosive, marine, and hygienic service, request hydraulic hose fittings in stainless steel or zinc-nickel plating.

Operating range follows the hose and fluid: rubber hose assemblies typically run from -40 °C to +100 °C (R12 to +121 °C), and PTFE assemblies from -70 °C to +260 °C at the core. Confirm the media compatibility of seals and hose with your hose manufacturer.

Ordering and Packaging

• Unit of measure: sold per piece (EA), packed in boxes per size
• MOQ: one box per size; mixed-size sample kits available
• Customization: configuration, material, surface finish, private labeling, special packaging
• Export packing: corrugated cartons with moisture barrier for sea freight

JIC Fittings FAQ

Can NPT and BSP threads be mixed? No. NPT is a 60° tapered pipe thread; BSP is a 55° British pipe thread. They are not interchangeable, and mixing them causes leaks or thread damage. Always match the fitting thread to the port standard.

How do I confirm a JIC fitting matches my hose? Three checks: confirm the 37° seat and thread dash on the connection end, match the hose dash to the hose I.D., and confirm the hose construction against the ferrule series table on this page. Send us both measurements and we verify the full part number.

Brass or stainless steel — which do I need? Brass fittings suit low-pressure air, water, and general service. Stainless steel fittings suit corrosive chemicals, food, pharmaceuticals, and marine environments. Our JIC range is supplied in zinc-plated carbon steel or stainless steel.

What is the difference between JIC and ORFS fittings? Both are hydraulic hose fittings with straight UNF threads, but they seal differently. JIC seals at a 37° metal-to-metal flare; ORFS seals with an O-ring compressed against a flat face. ORFS is preferred for zero-leak, high-pressure, and high-vibration service.

Can JIC and SAE 45° flare fittings be connected? No. The seat angles differ, so the seats cannot form a seal even when the threads engage. Connecting them can damage both fittings.

Do JIC fittings need sealant or PTFE tape? No. The 37° metal-to-metal flare is the seal. Sealant or tape on the flare seat causes contamination and leakage, not a better seal.

What pressure can JIC fittings handle? There is no single rating. Pressure capability depends on size, material, configuration, and the lowest-rated component in the system, including the hose. Tell us your configuration and we confirm the rating with the part number.