The term “700 PSI” refers to a pressure measurement, or Pounds per Square Inch. This unit defines a force of one pound distributed over a single square inch of area. Therefore, 700 PSI describes a powerful force: 700 pounds of pressure acting on every square inch of surface it contacts. This measurement is the foundation for engineering safety and performance across various industrial systems.
Establishing Context Where 700 PSI Sits on the Pressure Scale
To appreciate the force of 700 PSI, it helps to compare it with more common pressures. Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is approximately 14.7 PSI, meaning 700 PSI is nearly 48 times greater than the air pressing against you right now. For comparison, the air pressure in a typical automobile tire is around 30 to 35 PSI, and even high-performance road bicycle tires rarely exceed 130 PSI.
This pressure level sits squarely in the mid-to-high range of industrial applications. While standard industrial hydraulic systems often operate in the 2,500 to 3,000 PSI range, specialized ultra-high pressure applications like water jet cutting can reach 50,000 PSI. Seven hundred PSI is a significant industrial pressure, falling below extreme requirements but far exceeding everyday pressures.
To visualize this force, 700 PSI is roughly the pressure exerted by a column of freshwater over 1,600 feet deep. This equates to the hydrostatic pressure found deep within the ocean. This difference demonstrates why specialized materials and safety precautions are necessary to contain this level of force.
Practical Applications Utilizing 700 PSI
Seven hundred PSI is a standard operating pressure for specific, high-force industrial tools and specialized equipment. This pressure level is too high for most residential cleaning tasks but is often the baseline for heavy-duty professional hydraulic tools. In the high-pressure tool industry, 700 PSI is commonly used in certain applications, though 700 bar (approximately 10,000 PSI) is the international standard for maximum working pressure.
One of the most common applications for equipment operating near this pressure is high-force work holding and jacking. Small, portable hydraulic jacks and tensioning tools utilize this pressure to generate immense linear force from a compact cylinder. By applying 700 pounds of force to every square inch of the piston area, these tools can lift, press, or clamp heavy components in construction and maintenance fields.
While commercial pressure washing units often operate higher, specialized fluid transfer systems can utilize 700 PSI for specific purposes. This pressure allows for the rapid and efficient transfer of viscous fluids, such as industrial oils or chemicals, over long distances or against high resistance. This ensures a consistent flow rate through the system.
Equipment and Material Rating for 700 PSI
Designing equipment to safely contain 700 PSI involves rigorous engineering to ensure the integrity of the system components. The pressure rating of a component, like a hose or pipe, is typically expressed as a working pressure, which is the maximum pressure it can handle during continuous, normal operation. Industrial hoses and fittings designed for 700 PSI must be constructed from materials like high-tensile steel wire-reinforced rubber or specialized alloys to prevent expansion or rupture under load.
Engineers use a safety margin to determine the difference between the operating pressure and the point of catastrophic failure. This margin is defined by the burst pressure, the maximum pressure a component can withstand before physically failing. For most industrial hydraulic components, the standard safety factor is 4:1, meaning a hose rated for a 700 PSI working pressure must have a minimum burst pressure of 2,800 PSI.
This safety factor accounts for unexpected pressure spikes, temperature fluctuations that can weaken materials, and wear over time. Therefore, a component rated for 700 PSI is engineered not to fail until the pressure reaches four times that amount, providing a substantial buffer against dangerous system failure. The choice of material is paramount to maintaining this safety margin.