How to find the right Compression Fitting Plugs AI guide
Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.
What the AI looks for in Compression Fitting Plugs
- Plug vs cap
- A plug seals an open fitting port in place of the tube. A cap seals the end of a tube. They mount differently, and buying the wrong one will not seal.
- Same maker and size
- Match the maker, series and tube OD size of the fitting being plugged. The plug must mimic the ferrule seat geometry of that maker's fitting.
- Material and pressure
- Use the same material as the fitting, rated at least to the system pressure. The plug becomes a pressure-holding part of the system.
- Temporary vs permanent
- Plastic dust plugs are for shipping or storage only. They are not pressure-rated.
Brands that matter
- Swagelok: Offers both plugs for fitting ports and caps for tube ends.
- Parker: Plugs and caps for its compression fitting series.
- Hy-Lok: Plugs and caps for its compression fittings.
What to avoid
- Plastic protective caps used on pressurized lines
- Plugging a fitting with a short tube stub and a crimped end
- Plugs from a different maker than the fitting body