Lloyd's Register has granted Type Approval to the high-pressure Phastite tube connection system developed by the instrumentation products division of Parker Hannifin. Lloyd's Register Type Approval provides unbiased, third-party verification of a product's conformity to the producer's specification and relevant national and international standards, and is based on a design assessment and an agreed programme of performance testing to demonstrate the product's suitability for use in general marine, offshore and industrial piping systems.
This certification covers 316 stainless steel versions of Phastite connectors for use on tubing with outside diameters up to one inch/25mm.
Parker's Jim Breeze says: "Phastite introduces some highly desirable performance attributes for higher pressure marine and offshore applications, compared with the commonly-used technologies of welded or cone-and-thread connections. Advantages include much faster assembly, without any need for 'hot work' permits, and a very high tolerance of vibration. Lloyds Register Type Approval is a very important influence for offshore designers and we anticipate that it will open the doors to many new applications for Phastite."
Phastite is a very simple compression assembly concept for high-pressure connections up to 1379bar (20,000psi) that can reduce installation costs. Phastite fittings are supplied as one-piece components. To make a joint, all that is required is to slide the fitting onto the tube end, and then push the collar along the fitting body until it reaches a dead stop. This assembly operation is performed by a simple handheld hydraulic tool and takes a few seconds. The tool requires no skill to use, and assures users of right-first-time connections.
Phastite's sealing mechanism is based on a series of defined internal ridges that create a secure seal by radial compression - and without weakening the tubing surface. The ridges effectively grip in a way that retains all of the tubing's strength. These profiles also make the fitting particularly suitable for vibration-prone environments. Parker's sealing system has also been designed using a pressure safety factor rating of at least 4:1, the same level as used on the company's lower-pressure compression tube fittings.