1. Light, flexible, clean: three selling points
At the same diameter and pressure rating, thermoplastic hose is noticeably lighter than rubber — several suppliers cite weight savings up to about 50% (figure varies by construction and size; treat as directional, not a universal promise). That cuts machine weight and simplifies installation, handling and routing, especially valuable in compact, bend-heavy layouts.
Smaller bend radius + stable rebound: resists cracking or deformation under repeated long-term bending, keeping flow smooth and avoiding the flow restriction and stress concentration of rigid tube.
Stable bore: thermoplastic's volumetric expansion under pressure is extremely low, so the inner diameter barely "balloons," giving faster, more accurate fluid transmission — suited to automation, machine tools and construction equipment demanding control precision.
Cleaner system: dense structure minimizes particle shedding, better protecting pumps and valves.
More weatherproof, longer life: excellent resistance to oil, acids, outdoor exposure, humidity and dust; ages slower than standard rubber in many environments.
Easier to recycle: thermoplastic is not vulcanization-crosslinked, so in principle it can be melt-reclaimed — fitting the "plastic-over-rubber" sustainability narrative.
2. The reinforcement is still the pressure backbone
A thermoplastic hose is not "soft because it's plastic." Its typical build is a plastic core + polyester (or steel wire) reinforcement + PU cover. Medium-to-high pressure still relies on high-tensile steel braid/spiral for the pressure skeleton; multi-spiral constructions are publicly rated up to about 10,000 psi (≈690 bar) continuous working pressure. In short: thermoplastic delivers "light, flexible, clean, recyclable"; steel delivers "pressure-bearing."
3. Where are its boundaries
Thermoplastic has clear limits — do not claim it is simply "better than rubber":
Historically used in low-to-medium pressure; weaker than rubber against high temperature and some fluids;
Rubber remains more reliable for high dynamic pressure spikes (rapid large swings) and direct contact with hot surfaces;
Polyamide PA12 is common in light duties like lubrication and pneumatics, with about 200 bar a reference ceiling for many standard applications (not absolute);
Ultra-high pressure (e.g. >15,000 psi downhole fracturing) still depends on steel-reinforced rubber / specialty builds; thermoplastic cover cannot yet fully displace them.
In one line: thermoplastic is not here to replace rubber, but to complement it — winning where weight, cleanliness, compact routing and recyclability decide the outcome.