Abstract: A hose assembly includes a brake hose and a hose bracket integrally molded around the brake hose. The hose bracket attaches the hose to a frame of a vehicle. The bracket may be made of at least one polyolefin material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, thermoplastic olefin (TPO), thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer (TPE), polypelene, santoprene, or other similar low temperature materials suitable for automotive applications. The bracket may be molded using a low pressure molding operation. Other conventional components of the hose assembly, such as rub rings and clips, can also be integrally molded to the brake hose in conjunction with the hose bracket.

Abstract: A responsive polymer network exhibiting the property of reversible gelation in response to a change in an environmental stimulus is provided. The aqueous solution of the network polymer, comprises about 0.01 to 20 wt % by weight of a responsive component and about 0.01 to 20 wt % by weight of a structural component capable of supporting and interacting with the responsive component. The aqueous composition exhibits at least a five-fold increase in viscosity upon gelation. The gelation may be triggered by a change in an environmental stimulus, such as temperature, pH and ionic strength.