Your hydraulic fitting: which should you choose and why?
It's easy to be confused by hydraulic fitting types and hydraulic hose connector types. With manufacturers always on the lookout for new and inventive ways to seal your components, it can prove a minefield to pick from.
In this guide, we focus on the seven most common end connection types and why they will work for your project.
O Ring Face Seals
With flat sealing surfaces featuring an embedded seal, O ring face seal fittings work with different hydraulic hose fitting types or flanged tubings. Helping to reduce the risk of over-torqueing, flat-sealing can prevent leakage, too. The pressure offered on this type of seal is excellent, while resistance to vibration is good. They’re also easy to install as well – but on top of that, they offer outstanding reliability, giving you the peace of mind you need for any project
Inch Compression
A bite-type fitting for hydraulic tubing, the inch compression component is another common end connection type. There are very limited hose connections in this style – and the fitting can be easily assembled onto hydraulic hard tubing. Minimal tools will be required during installation, too, meaning a seamless and stress-free job for any manufacturer.
JIC 37⁰ Flares
One of the most common hydraulic connection styles, the Joint Industrial Council, or JIC fitting, is made up of parallel, or straight, threads. With a 37⁰ flare on the fitting end, which attaches to a hose fitting or flared tube, this component offers very good pressure, seal reliability, reusability and vibration resistance.
O-Ring Boss
How does the JIC compare to the O-Ring Boss? The former seals on a metal-to-metal flare, while the latter seals on an O-ring. This means you can look forward to the best leak-free connection – but it offers other benefits, too. These include excellent pressure and seal reliability, very good vibration resistance, and easy installation.
Metric Din Hydraulic Fittings
In Europe, this is one of the most-used hydraulic fitting styles, with a huge range of compatible hose fittings. Ideal for use with metric-sized tubing, the Metric DIN 24⁰ Bite Type is a good choice when reusability is key.
NPT Pipe Threads
In existence for a century, NPT pipe thread is your classic tapered thread fitting, available in brass or low-pressure black iron. Used extensively in pneumatic and process systems, they’re also utilised in hydraulic systems and offer ease of installation.
Four-Bolt Flange
Conforming to SAE J518 and ISO 6162-1 and -2, the four-bolt flange style is a leak-free component suitable for assembly in tight quarters and for higher pressures. With excellent vibration resistance and outstanding reusability, this is a trusted flange which offers good seal reliability.
How to choose your hydraulic hose fitting:
There are lots of things to consider when selecting the right hydraulic fitting for your application, with versatility, availability and reliability being just three.
We look at four key factors to address:
- Pressure Rating
With required pressure ratings increasing, many manufacturers are looking to O-ring face seals for their projects. The reason? For high-vibration application, they work well, ensuring a job can be finished safely and on time.
- Versatility
Can the component be reused? Versatility is always a key consideration for manufacturers – and JIC fittings are some of the most versatile out there. One of the most common sealing components, the JIC offers vibration resistance and is extremely reliable.
- The Project
What is the proposed application of your component? This is important when selecting the right fitting, with temperature, media and pressure all vital considerations. You should also consider the availability of the component, with many available in great volumes and others not quite so easy to come by. O-ring face seals and DIN metric fitting styles are just two components that should be relatively easy to find.
DIN fittings reliability
The most readily-available component doesn’t always equal the most reliable. For example, the JIC has been widely used for years, but it can result in cracked flares. Consider instead DIN fittings and O ring face seal fittings, which can provide greater reliability and reduce the risk of over torqueing.
As a final note, make sure you follow safety procedures and strict assembly instructions. After all, hydraulic fittings will only perform at their best if they’ve been properly installed.
Download free CADs and try before you buy
Free CADs are available for most solutions, which you can download. You can also request free samples to make sure you’ve chosen exactly what you need. If you’re not quite sure which solution will work best for your application, our experts are always happy to advise you.
Whatever your requirements, you can depend on fast despatch. Request your free samples or download free CADs now.
Questions?
Email us at sales@essentracomponents.com or speak to one of our experts for further information on the ideal solution for your application 800-847-0486.