Differences

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--- equipment:vacuum:fittings [2013/08/10 21:11] – mcmaster
+++ equipment:vacuum:fittings [2013/11/23 06:09] (current) – mcmaster
@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 Various male fittings used in vacuum applications.  Upper left: Swagelok tube fitting, upper right: NPT, lower left: VCR, lower right, VCO
+====== Connector comparison ======
+Swagelok tubing postfix codes [Vacuum Tubing Products]
+^ End Connection(s) ^ Designator ^
+| VCR female one end only | FR |
+| VCR female both ends | DFR |
+| VCR female one end, VCR male other end  | FMR |
+| VCR female one end, XBA adapter other end  | FRB |
+| VCR male one end only  | MR |
+| VCR male both ends | DMR |
+| VCR male one end, XBA adapter other end | MRB |
+| VCO female one end only | FO |
+| VCO female both ends | DFO |
+| VCO female one end, VCO male other end  | FMO |
+| VCO female one end, XBA adapter other end  | FOB |
+| VCO male one end only | MO |
+| VCO male both ends | DMO |
+| XBA adapter one end only | -B1 |
+| XBA adapter both ends | -B2 |
+===== Installation =====
+Tube fittings require simple hand tools as do VCR fittings.  VCO are probably just as easy if not easier than VCR
+===== Seal =====
+My guess is that VCR fittings seal best.  Tube fittings probably seal pretty good the first time used but may lose their seal if not carefully re-installed.
+VCO likely doesn't seal as well as VCR but probably worse than a properly installed tube fitting as well.
+===== Reusability =====
+VCR gaskets should be used fresh for each install but you can probalby get away with reusing the same gasket a few times for most applications.  Swagelok tube fittings can be re-installed to the same location as long as they are installed in the same orientation.  However, to get a proper tube fitting seal on a new surface with used fittings I imagine you'd have to replace the ferrule which is probably more expensive and labor intensive than replacing a simple VCR gasket.
+VCO gaskets/fittings can be reused many times.  Gaskets are inexpensive to replace if damaged.
+===== Pressure =====
+Didn't see ratings specific to particular connector types.  However, [Vacuum Tubing Products]:
+  * "1/4 in. outside diameter tube—ultrahigh vacuum (10 –9 torr) to 100 psig (6.8 bar)
+  * 3/8 in. through 1 1/2 in. outside diameter tube—ultrahigh vacuum (10 –9 torr) to 25 psig (1.7 bar)"
+===== Temperature =====
+[Vacuum Tubing Products]:
+  * "VCR end connections—70 to 1000°F (20 to 537°C)
+  * VCO end connections—70 to 400°F (20 to 204°C), based on standard fluorocarbon FKM O-ring material
+  * XBA end connections—70 to 1000°F (20 to 537°C)
+    * When used with Ultra-Torr fittings—70 to 400°F (20 to 204°C)"
+===== Custom builds =====
+Tube fittings are relatively easy to cut and crimp on new fittings.
+Unfortuntaley, because VCR glands are special ends larger than the tube itself, they must be TIG welded in place as needed.  TIG welding requires equipment and a reasonable amount of skill.  I'm guessing that pro shops use orbital welders
@@ Line 46: / Line 112: @@
 Do not use gap inspection gauge [STFI]
+===== Sourcing =====
+Include:
+  * Swagelok
+  * Tubelok
+    * Friend says these don't go through same QA process that Swagelok does and so hes not allowed to use them at work.  It may simply due to traceability for critical applications and unclear what actual quality difference is
@@ Line 54: / Line 128: @@
 Above: male VCR fitting (no gasket installed)
-Uses a knife edge on consumable metal gaskets to achieve seal.
+Uses a knife edge on consumable metal gaskets to achieve seal.  Most of the part numbers user 1/16's of an inch to indicate size.
 Components of a connection [Installing VCR]:
@@ Line 75: / Line 149: @@
 Above: used retainer gasket
-Look like washers.  Ex: stainless steel silver plated 0.25": SS-4-VCR-2
+Look like washers.  Ex:
+  * Stainless steel silver plated 0.25" non-retaining: SS-4-VCR-2
+  * Stainless steel silver plated 0.25" side load retainer: SS-4-VCR-2-ZC-VS
+  * Stainless steel silver plated 0.25" retaining: SS-4-VCR-2-GR
+    * What is difference to SS-4-VCR-2-GR-VS?
 Types [Installing VCR]:
-  * Retainer gasket
+  * Retainer gasket conveniently snaps in place
+    * Nearly 3 times as expensive as non-retain gasket
   * Side load retainer gasket
     * Can be installed in tight spaces
@@ Line 112: / Line 191: @@
   - Tighten female nut finger tight.  Should engage to last thread if installed properly
   - Use pair of wrenches to tighten
+==== Flexible tubing ====
+Part numbers:
+  * 321-4-X-12DFR: "321 Stainless Steel Flexible Tubing, 1/4 in. OD, 12 in. Nominal Produced Flexible Length, Female VCR Both Ends"
+  * 321-4-X-12DMR: "321 Stainless Steel Flexible Tubing, 1/4 in. OD, 12 in. Nominal Produced Flexible Length, Male VCR Both Ends"
+  * 321-4-X-12FMR: "321 Stainless Steel Flexible Tubing, 1/4 in. OD, 12 in. Nominal Produced Flexible Length, Female VCR x Male VCR"
+  * 321-4-X-24DFR: "321 Stainless Steel Flexible Tubing, 1/4 in. OD, 24 in. Nominal Produced Flexible Length, Female VCR Both Ends"
+  * 321-4-X-24DMR: "321 Stainless Steel Flexible Tubing, 1/4 in. OD, 24 in. Nominal Produced Flexible Length, Male VCR Both Ends"
+  * 321-4-X-24FMR: "321 Stainless Steel Flexible Tubing, 1/4 in. OD, 24 in. Nominal Produced Flexible Length, Female VCR x Male VCR"
+  * 321-4-X-36DFR: "321 Stainless Steel Flexible Tubing, 1/4 in. OD, 36 in. Nominal Produced Flexible Length, Male VCR Both Ends"
+  * 321-4-X-4FMR: "321 Stainless Steel Flexible Tubing, 1/4 in. OD, 4 in. Nominal Produced Flexible Length, Female VCR x Male VCR"
+  * 321-4-X-6DFR: "321 Stainless Steel Flexible Tubing, 1/4 in. OD, 6 in. Nominal Produced Flexible Length, Female VCR Both Ends"
+  * 321-4-X-6FMR "321 Stainless Steel Flexible Tubing, 1/4 in. OD, 6 in. Nominal Produced Flexible Length, Female VCR x Male VCR"
+Because of the gland nature it would seem hard to convert the more readily availble Swagelok tube adapters to VCR fittings without using a separate tube fitting to VCR adapter
+Naming seems to follow MAT-OD-X-LENPFX
+  * MAT: 321 for 321 stainless steel
+  * OD: outer diamter of tubing as 16ths of an inch (4/16 = 1/4)
+  * X: flexible convoluted tubing?
+  * LEN: length in inches (which part exactly?)
+  * PFX: postfix
+Naming  examples:
+  * 321-4-X-2FR: 321 SS, 1/4" OD tubing,  with VCR female on one end
+  * 321-4-X-2DFR for convoluted tubing with VCR female on both ends
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   * Installing a VCR Metal Gasket Face Seal Fitting (Installing VCR): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z_ZRt51sqo
   * VCR fittings: http://www.swagelok.com/downloads/webcatalogs/EN/MS-01-24.PDF
+  * Swagelok flexible tubing: http://www.fiting.sk/catalog/pdf_en/0131.pdf