TPT July 2008

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J uly 2008 40
Technology Update
›
European official distributor
impeder cores
U.S.M. Mazzucchelli S.r.l.
USM provides top quality products
and services to the Tube and Pipe
industries worldwide. We have a
wide range of top quality items
and devices for tube
manufacturers’ requirements.
Once our products have been
chosen, we can immediately
deliver them from our stock.
Ferrite cores Impeders
Carbide inserts
HSS blades Guillotine blades Other....
Ceramic rolls Inside tube scarfing Cutting rings
Tool holder Copper inductors
Fibreglass tubes
V.le Lombardia,4 - 20052 Monza - MI - Italy
Tel. +39/039.387282 - 2301687 Fax +39/039.387633
Selection of fitting technology depends
on pressures, temperatures and media.
However, when applications demand very
high reliability, or involve pressures beyond
the scope of other industry-standard fittings,
choice becomes limited and the cost of the
fitting itself can be a small fraction compared
to the cost of installation.
Phastite®, from Parker, is a new type of
tube connector system for permanent
connections and high pressures (up to
20,000 Psi).
Designed as an
alternative to
welded fittings,
the technology
uses a patented
method of
sealing with
four internal
ridges that grip
the tubing and
ensure 100 per
cent leak-tight
p e r f o r ma n c e ,
providing the
means to reduce
assembly times
by up to 100 fold
compared with
welding.
Welded connections are used for long-
term permanency. Effectively, when the
fittings are in the same material as the
tubing, they become an integral part of the
system. Drawbacks are the considerable
cost in labour and equipment, and the time
required to fabricate each joint.
Installers of welded fittings also face
extra difficulties. When working in many
environments, such as oil and gas
platforms, ‘hot work’ permits are often
needed, involving administration and safety
procedure work, all of which adds to the cost
of the field work. If testing is also required –
using dye penetrant or X-ray techniques –
then the costs can escalate substantially.
Phastite is designed to reduce assembly
time by using compact, hydraulically
operated tools. This approach allows fittings
to be positioned closely against panels and
bulkheads, avoiding having to bend the
tubing to engage the tool.
After sliding each tube end into the fitting,
the tooling jaws are positioned around the
loose assembly. The tool applies hydraulic
Eliminating welded tube connections
 The new Phastite fitting brings simplified assembly to permanent-connection and
high-pressure applications currently served by welded technologies