We take a closer look at interchanging Swagelok components and how it can impact part performance. [Also see our newer article on this topic: Why Is Tube Fitting Intermixing & Interchanging a Problem? A New Swagelok Video Explains.]
With a seemingly endless number of tube fitting manufacturers on the market, we are often asked about the practice of “interchange” or “inter-mixing”. This practice is summarized as removing at least 1 component from a Swagelok tube fitting, and replacing the component(s) with those from a different manufacturer.
Is this a safe practice? Will the fittings perform to satisfactory standards? Who is liable if something goes wrong? What are you trying to achieve by ‘inter-mixing’ components?
Let’s look at some of the issues involved:
Swagelok fittings should never be interchanged or intermixed with parts from a different manufacturer as this will lead to voiding of the Swagelok warranty and other major risks to the components. We offer a Swagelok Fittings Resource Collection with more detail: |
Over the years, we have become aware of many manufacturers with products that purport to be interchangeable and intermixable with Swagelok-designed products. We do not believe that any manufacturer can reliably, repeatedly and uniformly replicate the products of another manufacturer. For this reason, we believe that interchanging and intermixing component parts made by different manufacturers can result in unpredictable performance and increased costs. We believe also that this is an unsound practice and can be dangerous in critical applications.
With the information above, an inter-mixed ‘hybrid’ fitting does not retain a CRN#, possesses a high likelihood of leaking or catastrophic failure, and does not carry a warranty. In other words, inter-change opens up users to high levels of risk in various aspects. Keep your Swagelok fittings in-tact and experience the benefit of our over 70 years of manufacturing the highest quality tube fitting components in the industry.
If you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to call one of our experienced reps for further advice.
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