SS-Lok stainless steel tube fittings
We are pleased to offer you our SS-Lok stainless steel tube fittings for stainless steel lines. These are made of 316 Stainless steel, they are a 4 piece fitting consisting of the body, the front ferrule, the back ferrule and the nut. These fittings will work great for plumbing your custom vehicle air suspension hardlines, hydraulic lines, transmission fluid lines etc. Using these fittings and stainless steel tube will give you a professional look that is above and beyond, if used properly you will get years of leak free systems.
The pressure rating for these fittings, in the 1/4" to 1/2" range is 4800-8400psi. Once the ferrules are set on to the tube the tube can be removed and reinstalled.
We recommend a 304 or 316 stainless steel tube. 316 stainless tube typically has the additional feature of 2% molybdenum and is more resistant to corrosion from chlorides, so typically on a custom vehicle 316 isn't necessary. For wall thickness in 1/4", 3/8" or 1/2" stainless tube, 0.028" and 0.035" are common, they are strong enough to maintain straightness and bend nicely with a quality tube bender. 1/4" 0.028" wall tube is typically rated for 4000psi, 3/8" 0.035" wall tube is rated for 3300psi, 1/2" 0.035" wall tube is rated for 2400psi. Make sure your tube is handled carefully and is free of scratches, nicks, out-of-roundness and unnecessary degradation of the finish on the tube to prevent leaks at the fittings.
We have the common sizes and styles listed on our website, if you don't see what you need, please send us an email and we will let you know if we can get it. We can offer them for tube sizes 1/16" to 2".
For assembly you will need a quality tube cutter that has a blade for stainless steel tube and a de-burring tool that will cleaning remove the burrs from the inside and the outside of the tube.
The fittings come assembled with the front and back ferrule in place so removing the nut is not necessary. Make sure the end of your tube has a clean straight 90 degree cut and all burrs have been removed from the inside and outside of the tube. it is also a good idea to make sure the inside of the tube and fitting is clean. Insert the tube in to the fitting until the tube bottoms out on the shoulder of the fitting. Do not force the tube in to the fitting it may be out of round and damage the fitting. If you have a bend close to the fitting, make sure the start of the bend is away from the nut, if it is too close it may prevent the tube from bottoming out in the fitting which may result in leaks. Bend the tube before installing the fitting.
Make sure the nut is finger tight. ( for high pressure systems over 500psi, wrench tighten the nut until the tube does not rotate by hand or move in the fitting and proceed to next step)
Make a reference mark on the nut and the fitting body inline with each other. For 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" fittings, hold the body of the fitting with a wrench or socket and turn the nut with a wrench 1 and 1/4 turns (1-1/4)
Re-assembly instructions: The fittings may be reused, make sure the fitting and tube is clean, insert the tube in to the fitting until the tube bottoms out and hand tighten the nut. Wrench tighten the nut to the previous position, at this point a sharp rise in torque will be felt. Tighten slightly more.
Good luck, happy hardlining and don't forget to tag us in your pictures with our fittings @specialty_autofab_supply.