Compression Fittings
Compression fittings are one of the most common and versatile methods of joining small diameter metal or hard plastic tubing
Particularly useful due to their extreme temperature and pressure capabilities, and their compatibility with aggressive fluids.
Compression fittings are used in various industries, such as petrochemicals, laboratories, aerospace, shipbuilding, heavy industries etc. and they are used to make leak-free pipe connections relatively easily and quickly. Swagelok and Parker are the two leading manufacturers in the compression fittings market.
Compression fittings vary in design from manufacturer to manufacturer, but all consist of the same three basic elements: a compression nut or screw, one or more compression rings (ferrules) and a compression fitting housing.
Example: Double ferrule compression fitting
The operating principle is as follows: the tube is inserted into the end of the fitting and the nut is tightened, forcing the ferrules into the fitting housing.
Image..swagelok.com
As the ferrules are pushed axially into the fitting housing, the angular shape of the housing presses the end of the ferrules radially onto the outside diameter of the tube, and a leak-free connection is guaranteed.
The video below shows a practical example of how to make a compression connection
Image..swagelok.com
Ferrules
The ferrule is the main sealing component of a compression fitting, and is manufactured in a wide range of material grades, from stainless steel to graphite.
Most commonly used ferrules, however, are made of metal. Metal ferrules are suitable for a wide temperature range, and can withstand high pressure loads, without relaxation.
One-piece vs. two-piece ferrules
Most basic compression fittings have a single ferrule. Single ferrule designs minimize the total number of components and work reliably when manufacturing softer materials (plastic or brass, for example).
With harder materials such as steel, however, torque is often transferred from the compression nut to the ferrule when the nut is tightened. The resulting rotation can cause the ferrule to compress asymmetrically or shift over time due to residual torque.
With stainless steel, rotation of the ferrule can also lead to wear and permanent leakage. Adding an additional, freely rotating rear ferrule can disconnect the nut from the front ferrule, preventing torque transfer.
Tubing
Compression fittings are most often used with "hard" grade tubing because the tubing wall must be rigid enough to withstand the compression forces applied by the ferule. Common choices are metal tubing (such as stainless steel or copper) and rigid plastic tubing (such as PEEK, nylon, Teflon®, Kynar® or polyethylene).
Some types of compression fittings
Union Straight & Red.
Male Connector
Female Connector
Long Reducer
Cap & Plug
90deg Elbow
90deg Elbow (Male)
Tee Union & Reducing
Tee (Male)
The images (Swagelok) above show commonly used compression fittings. However, many more types are available. In brochures from Swagelok and Parker, for example, you will find many more types.
You can also find dozens of videos on YouTube from e.g. Swagelok, which can tell you even more than this page displays.
Conclusion
Compression fittings are widely used in a number of industries, and can be an asset in almost any fluid power design. The biggest advantage is the ability to make connections to both metal tubes and also hard plastic tubes.
In addition, compression fittings are suitable for high pressure and high temperatures, they are corrosion resistant and most importantly, the ease with which a connection can be made.