Answer: Lokring fittings can be installed without hotwork. This allows fittings to be installed in areas where solvents and other chemicals may be present. Lokring fittings offer “no heat effected zone” where a weld is susceptible to accelerated corrosion. In addition Lokring will eliminate weld slag, incomplete fusion, weld suckback, the need for passivation and x-ray. Some of the other advantages are as follows: Schedule improvements, Elimination of hot boxes, establishing fire watches, and the need for highly skilled welders which can be used in other areas such as structural steel, boiler work and high alloy steels.

Answer: Carbon Steel, MAS-3000 (micro-alloyed steels) products are qualified on matching pipe: Seamless carbon steel to ASTM A106 (grades A and B) and A53S. It is also qualified on ERW (Electric Resistant Welded) carbon steel to ASTM A53E and A587.

Stainless Steel / CRES for the SS40 and SS3300 products are qualified on matching pipe: Stainless Steel to ASTM A312, type 304/304L/316/316L.

CuNi (90/10 Copper Nickel) products are qualified on matching pipe: Copper nickel 90/10 class 200 per Mil-T-16420 250 psi and Copper per Mil T-24107 to 250 psi with 0.065” wall thickness.

SS Tube Fittings are qualified on matching tube: Stainless steel to ASTM A269 or A213.

CuNi (70/30 Copper Nickel) products are qualified on Matching tube: Copper nickel 70/30, ¼” only with 0.035” and 0.058” wall thicknesses.

Answer: The entire stainless steel fitting (coupling body and swaging rings) is manufactured from ASTM A276 or A479 Type 316/316L (UNS S31603) dual-certified austenitic stainless steel. Our Carbon steel products are made from special, high-strength, micro-alloyed carbon steel bar or drawnover- mandrel, stress relieved tubing. Bar stock conforms to ASTM A675 and tubing conforms to ASTM A513 / Din 2393, grade ST 52.3. 90/10 Copper Nickel product is made per MIL-T-16420.

Answer: The use of Lokring carbon steel product to connect stainless steel pipe is not suggested. However, Lokring stainless steel fittings can be used to connect carbon steel pipe within the pressure temperature limitations as defined by the SS fitting. See your Lokring Brochure for material-specific Pressure-Temperature Ratings.

Answer: After a Lokring installation fittings/piping, the systems must be inspected per ASME standards. The standards are located in Chapter VI Examination, Inspection and Testing. The tests for B31.1 and B31.3 vary. These standards may require various tests, some of which are as follows:

1. Visual
2. Hydro test
3. Gas leak test using air or helium etc.

A hydro test specifically calls for water or a specified fluid or test medium. In some cases due to the piping service, it may not be advisable to introduce water into the system.

Answer: Lokring fittings do not need to be x-rayed after installation. The install and inspect marks assure proper fitting installation.

Answer: In order to provide the best possible product for customer applications Lokring manufactures “shapes” such as elbows tees and flanges in a modular fashion by welding our proprietary ends to commercially available and approved components. Visual examination of these welded fittings is
performed in accordance with the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section V, article 9. In process examination is performed by personnel other than those performing the production work per ASME B31.3, paragraph 342.2. Records of visual examinations are maintained as specified in ASME B31.3 paragraph 344.7.

NOTE: Chapter VI in ASME B31.3, Examination, Inspection and Testing requires visual examination of welds and 5% spot Radiography. The requirement for spot radiography can be replaced with documented in process examination in accordance with paragraph 344.7. Chapter VI in ASME B31.1, Examination, Inspection and Testing allows for visual examination of welds only, for applications under 750° F and wall thickness below ¾” in thickness. If a customer has an application with Stainless Steel fittings for use in a temperature range above 750° F, they should specify our SS-3300 line of fittings that do undergo 100% radiographic examination

Answer: Although the Lokring fitting will “bite” through the paint. If the pipe is not sanded to bare metal, it can not be visually inspected prior to installation.

Answer: When a pipe mule is used to hold the pipe, care must be taken not to grasp the pipe within 1.5 pipe diameters of the ends. This will ensure that the pipe does not have bite marks under the Lokring sealing lands.

Answer: Do not use a grinder or sanding disc to prepare pipe for Lokring installation. The use of a grinder or disc sander may leave uneven or flat spots on the pipe. This is unacceptable for Lokring prep.

Answer: When daylight is showing in the gauge tool, it indicates that the pipe ends have not been cut square or within the 5 degrees of square required for a proper Lokring installation.

Answer: This indicates that the pipe does not meet typical size requirements. The pipe is either undersized or oval.

Answer: This indicates that the pipe does not meet typical size requirements. The pipe is either oversized or oval.

Answer: If the entire inspect oval is visible this indicates an improper installation and the fitting must be removed or backwelded.

Answer: Yes, it is not necessary for pipe ends to be flush. The Lokring install and inspect marks help to verify the proper installation.

Answer: Obviously without seeing the exact condition this would not be appropriate to answer. However, if the pipe / tubing is within specification (outside diameter), and the surface cannot be prepped to proper standards, then the use of an anaerobic sealant such as Loctite PST may be used to assist in the sealing. Due to the many variables involved, adequate performance of the assembly cannot be guaranteed by Lokring.

Answer: Once the fitting has been installed you can visually verify that the pipe is located in the correct position within the fitting by viewing the Install and Inspect marks. The purpose of the install and inspect ovals are to establish the correct positioning of the pipe within the fitting. To verify a good installation, after appropriate pipe prep, after LOK’ing the fitting you should see the full install mark and a partial inspect mark, the fitting body protruding from underneath the driver and the driver brought up to the fitting body with no more than a small gap between them.

Answer: Tool kit selection can be tailored to customer requirements depending on fitting sizes being installed. Refer to the Tool Matrix found in the Distributor Training Manual.

Answer: Any standard pump may be used as long as it meets Lokring’s requirements for installation. Lokring requires certain standards for safety. This includes certain overpressure requirements for hoses and quick disconnects. (Consult Lokring for its recommendations). Under no circumstances should a pump, rated for pressure higher than 10,000 psi, ever be used in conjunction with Lokring tooling.

Answer: Tools should be maintained on a regular basis. This regular servicing requires lubrication. Proper tension on the shoulder bolt and visual examination of all inserts and moving parts. Proper maintenance of the tools will allow for years of performance. If major repair or servicing is required consult you regional Lokring distributor or contact Lokring direct.

Answer: In order to verify the proper function of the hydraulic tooling, the equipment should be cycled once; this assures that the tool moves smoothly and that there is sufficient hydraulic fluid in the pump to complete the installation.

Answer: Reference LP-105 Installation procedure

Answer: Lokring fittings are permanent. Once they have been installed they can not be reused. Lokring does have a make-n-break design if this is something your system needs.

Answer: Lokring’s patented design assures a significant reduction in leakage when compared to welded joints (virtually nil). However, if necessary, a Lokring fitting can be cut out and replaced. With our patented design, slip-fitting another fitting of longer length or installing a “T” is no problem. In addition, Lokring fittings can be back welded. Consult Lokring for specific back welding procedures.

(NOTE: There is a specific MAS repair fitting that can be found in the drawing section of the binder).

Answer: Lokring fittings offer the performance of a welded joint. To date, the bulk of Lokring applications have been on process fluids such as solvents and gases. If an application is unknown, fill our and forward an Applications Data Form and have the factory review your requirements.

Answer: This is not necessary. Lokring fittings are installed and hanging requirements are the same as a welded system. Lokring does not require the back-off requirements of a socket welding. Because of the lack of need to leave space, Lokring design has superior flow path characteristics and still meets all hanging requirements similar to welding.

NOTE: Competitors don’t always meet the hanging
requirements thus creating leaks, sagging pipes and eventually much higher costs.

Answer: “ASME does not ‘approve’, ‘rate’ or ‘endorse’ any item, construction, proprietary device or activity.” This information can be found on the back of the title page of the B31.1 and B31.3 codes However, ASTM B31 does provide for reference, nominal guidelines and requirements for the owner, designer, manufacturer and constructor to qualify materials and piping product forms, whether proprietary or not. Under the B31 codes, the Lokring fitting would be considered a “proprietary” mechanically attached coupling. To meet the intent of the B31 codes, Lokring,

Provided a design that meets the intents of B31.1 and B31.3

Provided material and workmanship in accordance with B31.1 and B31.3

Thoroughly tested to validate the fitting to develop product form design data in accordance with the appropriate requirements of B31.1 and B31.3.

Developed an installation procedure for the fabricator to ensure that final assembly procedures and installation for which the design data apply.

Answer: See your Lokring Brochure for material-specific, size specific Pressure-Temperature Ratings and your Binder under the specific product line’s general information section. Typically, Carbon Steel is rated from -20° F to 650° F, Stainless Steel from -60° F to 800° F, 90/10 Copper Nickel from -60° F to 425° F, 70/30 Copper Nickel from -60° F to 425° F and stainless tube fittings from -60° F to 800° F.
Pressures rating vary with size.

Answer: Lokring fittings can be used on steam and condensate up to the temperature rating of the fitting. Lokring does not suggest use on superheated steam applications. Dowtherm (heat transfer oils) are acceptable through the rating of the fitting; however, at this time, Lokring does not suggest the use on Dowtherm/Syltherm vapor applications.

Answer: Because of our modular method of construction, Lokring can manufacture most piping configurations. Please consult with Lokring on special requirements.

Answer: At this time, Lokring offers only limited metric sizes. See your Regional Salesman for specific applications. Please consult Lokring for specific applications.

Answer: We should not try to answer a question about specific end usage; internal corrosion is the user’s judgment. Most products can be typically used on schedule 10 through schedule 80 (MAS is not accepted on schedule 10, but may work in certain applications).

Answer: Lokring fittings are equivalent to a weld in many ways. As is true for a weld, the Lokring offers a tamper-proof LOK that cannot be removed once installed. Lokring does provide a separable solution in our face seal o-ring fitting.

Answer: The fitting can either be returned to Lokring or the swage ring lightly tapped back in place. Swage rings are preinstalled at the factory to simplify the installation, this preinstall is a light press fit that can result in rings dislodging if the fitting is handled roughly. The swage ring may be reinstalled and the installation completed.

Answer: Prior to installation, welding can be performed within 1 pipe diameter of the joint. To prevent the ESP technology from compromise after the fitting has been LOK’ed, welding should not be performed within close proximity of a Lokring fitting (an exact distance cannot be established due to large process variations). It is important to minimize any differential heating of the fitting – pipe interface.