Gas-Tight, Permanent Seal:
The unique metal-to-metal seal of the LOKRING® connection provides extraordinary sealing
integrity in both liquid and gas services. Unlike other mechanically attached fittings, there are no elastomeric or rubber seals, O-rings or gaskets which can degrade and leak over time from chemical attack, fire, vibration, temperature cycling, cold flow or loss of elasticity.
As a result, fugitive emissions typical of leak-prone screwed or flanged connectors are eliminated.
Helium Leak Tight:
No other connector (flanged or threaded) is capable of passing helium leak testing anywhere close to the level of a LOKRING® fitting. In fact, the fitting meets all criteria of a welded connection, except that heat is not required to make the connection. The quality of a LOKRING® connection has been recognized by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) by granting LOKRING® pre-certification status through executive order G-096-029-033 which gives LOKRING® equivalent to welded status.
ANSI B31 Qualifications and Testing
Both stainless and carbon steel LOKRING® fittings are qualified to the requirements of the ANSI/ASME B31 pressure piping codes for pressure and fatigue design and materials of construction. Extensive mechanical and environmental testing has demonstrated the mechanical and sealing integrity of the LOKRING® connection in a wide range of applications and environmental conditions.
Fire testing
The metal-to-metal LOKRING® seal remains intact when subjected to extreme thermal loads, including fire (above). Both stainless and carbon steel LOKRING® fittings are qualified to the Exxon API-607 Rev 4, fire test standards. Stainless steel fittings are also qualified to F1387 (U.S. Navy) fire test standards. Both are widely used on volatile and flammable services.
Pressure-torsion testing
The 1/2″ NPS stainless steel test fitting was subjected to torsional loading high enough to twist the pipe in a spiral without leakage of the joint. Afterwards during hydraulic testing, the pipe ruptured at 22,000 psi (1,497 bar).
Flexural testing
The 2″ NPS carbon steel coupling above has been deflected to 3x the yield strength of the matching pipe without leaking. The performance of this fitting in severe bending, fatigue and vibration loads are comparable or superior to a socket weld fitting.