Technical Article
Using Tube Fittings from Different Manufacturers May Lead to Leaks
Single sourcing tube fitting components will significantly reduce the risk of costly leaks . By Jon Kestner , Senior Product Line Manager — Swagelok Company
Using quality components is vital to keeping industrial fluid and analytical instrumentation operating at peak performance . If even one component fails , costly leaks can result , leading to potential system and employee safety concerns . Intermixing and interchanging tube fittings from different manufacturers can sometimes cause these problems .
Plant operators should strongly consider obtaining all their tube fittings from a single , trusted partner to prevent operational lapses . Although some manufacturers claim their tube fitting components are interchangeable with their competitors , taking this risk is significant . No manager wants to compromise worker safety and place their colleagues in danger ( Figure 1 ).
If intermixing and interchanging tube fitting components are standard practices at a facility , it is time for the facility manager to reconsider this process . Poor system performance will be of lower concern if tube fittings fail .
Figure 1 : Some manufacturers suggest that their tube fitting components are interchangeable with those of their competitors . Since there are no industrywide standards for this practice , such claims should be treated skeptically . Image © 2023 Swagelok Company
The Basics of Tube Fitting Intermix and Interchange
Intermix and interchange , despite the similarity in names , do not represent the same practice ( Figure 2 ):
• Intermix : Tube fitting components , including the nuts , ferrules , and bodies from two or more manufacturers are mixed and then assembled to make a completed fitting .
• Interchange : A tube fitting from one manufacturer that has been installed on a piece of tubing is disassembled , and the tubing , nut , and ferrules are then reassembled into a tube fitting body from another manufacturer .
The Problems Caused by Intermixing or Interchanging Components
Intermixing or interchanging components should be discouraged because tube fittings are not standardized industrywide . Variances in standards from manufacturer to manufacturer mean differences will exist . Sometimes the issues are incidental , but the variances can lead to substantial and significant problems .
It is not hard to understand why intermixing or interchanging tube fittings may be an appealing proposition for facility managers . If manufacturers insist there are no consequences for using their products in conjunction with other
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Figure 2 : Though the practices are similar , intermixing and interchanging tube fitting components are not the same . This illustration provides a visual representation of each and why it is potentially dangerous to do either . Image © 2023 Swagelok Company
12 Stainless Steel World Americas - June 2024 | www . ssw-americas . com