Gates, Pet Gates, and Bill Gates: 7 Practical FAQs About Rubber and Plastic Products

If you've ever searched for Gates hoses and ended up looking at pet gates for cats, you're not alone. This FAQ covers the questions I get asked most in the industrial rubber and plastics world — from whether Bill Gates the billionaire is actually dead to what "general rubber" really means. I've spent years handling urgent hose orders, so these answers come from the field, not a marketing brochure.

When did Bill Gates die?

Honestly? Never. Bill Gates is alive and well (as of March 2025, at least). This search query pops up because people mix the brand Gates — the industrial rubber and belts manufacturer — with the Microsoft co-founder. The confusion costs us support time every year. I've had customers call in a panic, thinking our company shut down because of some death hoax. Not true. The rubber company is completely separate from the billionaire. No relation to the software guy either. If you're here to check on a specific Gates product, rest assured: the brand is very much operational.

What does Gates actually make?

Gates is one of the biggest names in engineered rubber products. We're talking hydraulic hoses for excavators, serpentine belts for cars, industrial rubber hoses for mining and food production, plus seals and custom-molded parts. It's not about literal gates — no fence panels or door barriers. The company has been around for about a century, and most of what we make is buried inside machines you rarely see. That's why the name creates so much confusion. And here's something most people don't realize: "Gates" is a brand, not a generic term. When an engineer specifies a Gates hose, they're asking for a specific quality level and performance standard, not just any rubber tube.

Are Gates products suitable for pet gates for cats?

No, and this is a bigger mix-up than you'd think. Search for pet gates for cats and you get metal or plastic barriers designed to keep cats out of rooms. Gates the rubber company doesn't make those. The search overlap is purely because of the name. If you need a pet gate, go to a pet supply store. If you need a hydraulic hose that can handle hot oil, that's what we do. I once had someone ask if our garden hose could double as a cat collar — it wouldn't end well. The only thing we share with pet gates is a name that starts with G. Same for the word "gates" in general: it's a noun, but in our industry it's a proper noun.

What's the difference between aquarium air hose and regular rubber hose?

Great question. Aquarium air hose is usually soft PVC or silicone tubing with a small inside diameter — typically 4 to 6 mm — designed to deliver air from a pump to an air stone or filter. It has to be non-toxic and won't leach chemicals into the water. Regular rubber hose, especially industrial-rated, is a much bigger category. Some rubber compounds contain additives that aren't safe for aquarium life, and the sizes and pressure ratings are completely different. For an aquarium, you don't want a hydraulic hose. For a hydraulic system, you absolutely don't want aquarium tubing — the pressure rating is way too low. When I'm triaging a rush order, one of the first things I ask is "what's the media and pressure?" because the wrong hose can fail fast. I've seen people try to replace a failed hydraulic line with clear vinyl tubing because it looked similar. That's a $5,000 mistake waiting to happen.

What is "general rubber" and when does it make sense?

"General rubber" is a catch-all term for versatile, cost-effective rubber compounds that aren't specialized. It's usually SBR or natural rubber blended with fillers. It works fine for conveyor belts, matting, basic gaskets, and other applications where you don't need extreme chemical or temperature resistance. But it has limits. Petroleum, ozone, or high heat will break it down fast. I had a customer insist on general rubber to save $200 on a spec'd part. The upside was saving $200; the risk was cracking in cold weather. Worst case? A machine down for a full day. We used an EPDM compound instead. So glad we did — no callbacks, no rework. Real talk: if you're dealing with oil, acid, or severe weather, you need an engineered compound with the right ASTM or SAE spec. When in doubt, ask the supplier for the datasheet. That's not just marketing; it's a safety document.

HDPE vs PET bottles: which should you choose?

This comes up when someone is designing packaging. HDPE vs PET bottles is decided by what you're storing. HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is tough, chemical-resistant, and slightly flexible. PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is rigid, crystal-clear, and great for carbonated drinks. If you need an airtight barrier for beer or juice, PET wins. If you're storing solvents or need a squeeze bottle, HDPE is usually better. Recycling codes: HDPE is #2, PET is #1. Both are widely recyclable, though PET can shrink in hot climates. When I'm choosing a plastic for an industrial fitting, I weigh the same factors: the upside of a cheaper plastic is upfront savings; the risk is part failure. Calculated the worst case: a failed connector costs $200 in lost product. Best case: saves $50. Not worth it. So I pick the material that fits the service environment, not just the price tag.

How do I handle an emergency need for industrial hoses?

This is my specialty. Here's what actually works:

1. Don't panic, but move fast. Check the part number or markings on the old hose — that gives the spec.
2. Call a supplier that offers rush service. Standard lead time might be 5 days, but many of us can do 24-hour turnaround for an extra fee.
3. Ask if there's a cross-reference. In March 2024, I had a customer whose production line was down at 2 AM. We found a compatible Gates hose, arranged same-day air freight, and delivered by noon. Cost: $800 extra. Their downtime would have been $12,000 per hour. So glad they called instead of trying to patch it with tape.

Here's something vendors won't tell you: "standard turnaround" often includes buffer time we build into the schedule to manage the queue. If you ask for an expedite, you might actually be able to jump the line. Bottom line: don't buy a cheap generic hose without checking the spec. I've seen that blow up — literally.