Applications

Applications of Lokring Pipe & Tube Fittings

Lokring fittings, engineered with proprietary Elastic Strain Preload (ESP®) technology, deliver weld-equivalent performance without heat, enabling durable, metal-to-metal seals across piping systems without the need for welding or flanges. Below is a comprehensive guide to where, why, and how Lokring fittings shine across industries.

Industrial Utility & Process Piping

Lokring connectors are trusted across a variety of major piping systems, including:

• Chemical processing, hydrocarbons, steam, gas, cryogenics, and utilities
• Applications in chemical plants, loading terminals, bulk storage, pulp & paper, food processing, refineries, and petrochemical facilities
• Compatibility with ASME B31 Codes: B31.1 (Power), B31.3 (Process), B31.4 (Liquid Hydrocarbons), B31.8 (Gas Transmission), and B31.9 (Building Services)

Installation & Repairs

Our products are ideal for MRO applications where rapid deployment and retrofitting are needed.  In these situations, Lokring:

• Eliminates hot work, fire watches, and nitrogen purging—delivering up to 40% labor savings compared to traditional welding methods
• Requires only cutting, sanding, and hydraulic tooling—enabling quick, field-friendly installations using a five-step process
• Features “thru-bore” couplings (≥ ¼ ”) that slide over pipe/tube ends effortlessly—especially beneficial for repair work

Sealing Integrity & Environmental Safety

Lokring’s metal-to-metal seal ensures:

• Exceptional reliability in both gas and liquid services
• No O-rings, gaskets, or elastomeric materials—eliminating degradation from heat, vibration, or chemical exposure
• Superior leak prevention: meets or exceeds helium leak test standards and is CARB pre-certified as weld-equivalent

Heavy-Duty Industry Credentials & Approvals

Lokring product approvals and certifications extend into rigorous sectors:

• Railroad: AAR-approved for freight car interchange use since 1997, surviving burst, vibration, thermal, torsion, fire, and corrosive tests
• Marine/Refrigeration: U.S. Coast Guard–approved for onboard HVAC systems; meets MIL‑STD‑777
• Global Industries: Proven use in shipbuilding, oil & gas (upstream/downstream), nuclear, pharmaceuticals, steel, medical gas systems, and beyond
• Partnership with Maintenance Efficiency Venture (MEV) accelerated adoption in global markets and underscored cost/safety benefits over hot work

Broad Material & Service Compatibility

Lokring supports a wide range of materials and service conditions:

• 316L Stainless Steel (SS40): Ideal for corrosive environments; temperature de-rating up to 650 °F
• MAS‑3000 (Microalloyed Carbon Steel): Durable for temperatures between −20 to 650 °F; suitable for select carbon steel pipes (ASTM A106, A53); caution in sour or caustic services
• MAS‑3000‑RCPL (Stainless body + steel drive rings): Combines corrosion resistance with strength; avoid in sour gas and chloride-rich environments
• LTCS‑333 (4130 Alloy Steel): Suitable for −50 to 800 °F; offers robust performance in high-temperature, high-pressure systems
• Copper Nickel & Brass: CN‑200 and CN‑700 rated for a wide temperature/pressure range; also brass options for medical gas and vacuum applications

Optimal Sectors & Use-Cases

Lokring excels in:

• Repair/retrofit of tight or hazardous environments (e.g., offshore platforms, refineries)
• Environments where hot work is restricted or impossible (e.g., clean rooms, medical facilities)
• Systems subject to vibration, thermal cycling, or corrosive exposure
• Fast production setups or shutdown recoveries—minimal delays and rigorous reliability