Breaking Down Why You Should Never Interchange Swagelok Components

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:

• CRN (Canadian Registration Number) voided if intermixing components
• There is no commercial design standard for tube fittings
• Swagelok has over 200 active patents for our proprietary design
• Swagelok Warranty applies to Swagelok fittings only – intermixing voids warranty
• End Users absorb full liability if inter-mixing fittings
• Field data clearly shows inter-mixed fittings carry the highest leak %

Swagelok policy

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.

3rd-party opinion statements

• “It is certainly not ABSA’s position to suggest that it is alright to inter-mix components from different manufacturers….. The user of such a hybrid would be assuming a significant safety liability, in addition to contravening the (Safety Codes) Act.” TSSA (Canada) memo ABSA (Alberta Boiler Safety Authority), a branch of TSSA (Technical Standards & Safety Authority)

• “Experimental tests and finite element analysis has shown that the swaging and sealing mechanisms of fittings are different despite seeing geometric similarities. It was evident that no two companies produced components to the same dimensional or metallurgical specification and that pressure testing alone should not be used as the only means of validation." Intermixing Twin Ferrule Tube Fittings-Is it Safe?  Journal of Engineering Design, Mihsein and Seymour Vol. 10, No. 4, 1999

Not worth the risk

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.

Get in touch

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Also see:

• Why Is Tube Fitting Intermixing & Interchanging a Problem? A New Swagelok Video Explains
• Refurbishing & Re-Using Swagelok Tube Fittings (Photos, Video, PDF)
• Swagelok Tube Fitting Installation Class is Now Available in 2 Sizes