The Big Three Factors for Tube Fitting Performance

The Big Three Factors for Tube Fitting Performance

      

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The Big Three Factors you need to consider when evaluating tube fitting performance are Tube Grip, Gas Seal and Vibration Protection. A robust tube fitting design achieves maximized reliability in all three areas. Here’s how Swagelok achieves high performance and delivers you productivity and efficiency in your application.

Tube Grip

One of the main functions of a tube fitting is to grip the tubing sufficiently to contain system fluid. The Swagelok tube fitting hinging and colleting action provides more material of the back ferrule onto the tube adjacent to the tube grip. This extra material gives both direct axial support to the tube gripping function and colleting squeeze of the tube. This helps provides a more robust tube grip over a wide range of installations and safely contains your fluid system without leakage, even at maximum working pressure. A bite-type or bowing ferrule, by contrast and as illustrated in both the single and double ferrule design, bows when assembly occurs, which is an undesirable characteristic when considering tube fitting performance.

Gas Seal

The Swagelok tube fitting ferrules support tube grip making a reliable leak-tight seal. A gas seal is achieved by the burnishing or polishing that occurs between the front ferrule and the tube fitting body, and the front ferrule and the tubing. This burnishing or polishing action accompanies concentrated zones of contact as shown in the video below.

Vibration Protection

Any system may experience vibration during operation. Because tube fittings grip the surface of the tubing these rigid points can become points of concentrated stress. The Swagelok patented hinging and colleting action directs more material of the back ferrule in close contact with the tube adjacent to the tube grip. The protected stress riser reduces the damaging effects of system vibration. When you choose Swagelok, you’re choosing consistency of product achieved through expert design engineering, metallurgy and performance testing.

In this video, we detail the big three factors you need to consider when evaluating tube fitting performance

Learn More

We have three ways for you to learn more about the advantages of Swagelok’s patented tube fitting design. The first is to review the video (above) that covers the information in this post in more detail, accompanied by animated illustrations. For a closer look at Swagelok tube fittings and safe installation practices, sign up for our next Tube Fitting Installation Essentials training course. And third, download Swagelok’s extensive volume of tube fitting Pressure Test Reports to see why we’re the industry benchmark in quality and performance.

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