How Triple-Lok Fittings Work

Tightening of the nut clamps the tube flare between the body nose (seat) producing a leak tight connection. This clamping on the 37° taper provides a measure of elasticity to the joint helping it to resist loosening under vibration. The clamping force results in a small radial load that tends to deform the fitting nose radially. The resistance of the nose to elastic deformation provides a constant preload (similar to a lockwasher) keeping it tight.

The clamping force provided by the nut resists the opposing force of the fluid under pressure. The joint remains leak tight as long as the clamping force is higher than the opposing pressure load. Properly assembled Triple-Lok fittings with appropriate tube will seal consistently under pressure until tube bursts.

Sealing in Triple-Lok fittings takes place between two smooth metal surfaces, the fitting nose and inside of the tube flare. Therefore, the sealing surfaces have to be smooth, free of any nicks, scratches, spiral tool marks, splits or weld beads. Seamless or welded and drawn fully annealed tube is recommended for Triple-Lok fittings for ease in flaring and bending. Certain types of harder tubes that are not fully annealed may not be suitable for flaring due to the potential for immediate or long-term cracking of the tube flare.

Triple-Lok 2

Triple-Lok 2 combines the versatility of stainless steel Triple-Lok with the added advantage of an elastomeric seal. It incorporates an O-ring that is positioned in the nose of the 37° flare so that elastomeric sealing occurs with the mating flared tube. Similar to the standard stainless steel Triple-Lok, Triple-Lok 2 consists of three pieces: the body (with O-ring), the standard Triple-Lok sleeve and standard Triple-Lok nut. The tube end is flared at a 37° angle (74° included angle) and held between the fitting nose and sleeve with the nut, providing a very effective elastomeric seal between the fitting nose and the tube flare.