Semi-conductive layer-containing reinforced pressure hose and method of making same

In a method of making a flexible reinforced hose for conveying fluids under pressure comprising a composite core tube, one or more layers of fibrous reinforcing material disposed about the core tube and a substantially electrically non-conductive polymeric protective sheath disposed about the reinforcement material, said core tube having a laminated wall with a first extruded lamina of a synthetic polymer adjacent to the fluid which resists chemical attack by the fluid and which conducts static electricity radially outwardly from the fluid and a second lamina disposed radially outwardly about the first lamina, said second lamina being a semi-conductive polymer which is in electrical contact with the first lamina, said semi-conductive polymer being a cross-linked polymer, said laminae being co-extensive throughout the length of the hose, the method including the steps of:

• (a) Extruding an inner layer of a suitable flexible synthetic polymeric material into an elongate tubular shaped form;
• (b) Forming an outer tubular shaped layer of cross-linkable semi-conductive synthetic polymeric material coextensively about and in intimate contact with the inner layer;
• (c) Exposing the outer semi-conductive layer to an amount of radiation sufficient to cross-link the material;
• (d) Disposing one or more layers of fibrous reinforcement about the outer semi-conductive layer;
• and
• (e) Forming a protective sheath about the fibrous reinforcement material.