Swagelok Company—Tube Fitting Innovation
Swagelok Company developed the original two-ferrule tube fitting. The Swagelok® tube fitting was patented and brought to market in 1947, resolving problems the chemical industries were experiencing in making repeatable, reliable, leak-tight connections on process instrumentation systems. Swagelok continues to improve the leak-tight design of the tube fitting for use in thousands of diverse applications.
Low-Temperature Colossal Super-Saturation (LTCSS)
Swagelok is the only manufacturer of tube fittings to have independently developed and have international patents for commercial-scale processes to achieve LTCSS.
Low-temperature carburization of stainless steel - Developed and patented by Swagelok Company
- Technical studies published by Case Western Reserve University
- Increase the hardness of 316 SS more than 300 %
- Carbide-like hardness up to 1200 Vickers (>70 Rc)
- Improves wear resistance approximately 100 times
The patented case hardening process applied to the back ferrule of tube fittings is critical in providing the differential hardness for achieving tube grip over a broad range of specifications, which include tubing hardness, wall thickness, dimensions, material, and tube quality.
Patented Back-Ferrule Geometry
 The patented recessed and contoured geometry of the back ferrule in the tube fitting creates the hinging and colleting action that grips the tube and helps eliminate dead spots and entrapment of corrosive fluids better than other connection methods.
The live-loading, spring action, and residual elasticity of the front and back ferrules in tube fittings compensate for thermal cycling, thermal and mechanical transients [rapid changes]. The elasticity of the ferrules responds and maintains a seal through these transients.
Summary
The patented case-hardening process and back-ferrule geometry of Swagelok tube fittings produce an excellent colleting grip of the tube, minimizing the effects of vibration. Since this design uses consistent geometry instead of torque for gaugeable assembly upon initial installation, Swagelok tube fittings can be used on a range of thick- or thin-walled, hard or soft tubing, while resisting the effects of pressure and thermal cycling.
More Information
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