ISO 9001:2015 Certified

'SHAPING INDUSTRIES WITH THE FINEST STEEL'

Instrumentation Tube Fitting Manufacturer

TES-LOK instrumentation tube fittings — precision twin-ferrule (double-ferrule) compression fittings for leak-tight, gaugeable, vibration-resistant connection of instrument and process tube. A complete range of connectors, unions, elbows, tees, crosses, and bulkhead fittings. SS 316, SS 304, Brass, Monel, Inconel, Hastelloy. Tube 1/16" to 2" OD and 2 mm to 50 mm. Up to 6000 PSI. −196°C to 649°C. ISO 9001:2015 certified. Made in India.

Twin-Ferrule Design SS 316 / 304 / Brass Monel / Inconel / Hastelloy 1/16" to 2" & 2–50 mm Up to 6000 PSI −196°C to 649°C NPT / BSP / BSPT / SAE ISO 9001:2015
Instrumentation Twin-Ferrule Tube Fittings

TES-LOK Instrumentation Tube Fittings

Double-Ferrule Compression Tube Fitting

Twin-Ferrule Compression

Male Connector Tube Fitting

Male Connector

What Is an Instrumentation Tube Fitting?


Definition: An Instrumentation Tube Fitting is a precision twin-ferrule (double-ferrule) compression fitting used to connect small-bore instrument and process tube to instruments, valves, manifolds, and equipment — leak-tight, without welding, flaring, or special tools. Each fitting has four parts: a body, a front ferrule, a back ferrule, and a nut. As the nut is tightened, the front ferrule swages onto the tube and seals against the body cone, while the back ferrule grips the tube OD and hinges to anchor it. The two-ferrule action separates the two jobs — sealing and gripping — giving a reliable, gaugeable, vibration-resistant, reusable connection that is the standard for instrumentation and process-measurement tube worldwide.

Instrumentation tube fittings are used wherever clean, leak-free small-bore tube connections are required: pressure and temperature instruments, analyser sample systems, gas panels, hydraulic and pneumatic control, and process tapping points. TES-LOK manufactures the full range of fitting shapes and connection ends, in materials from Brass to Hastelloy, all to a consistent twin-ferrule design.

How the Twin-Ferrule Mechanism Works


1
Insert the tube: The tube passes through the nut, back ferrule, and front ferrule, and bottoms in the fitting body.
2
Front ferrule seals: As the nut is tightened, the front ferrule is driven into the body's cone, swaging down onto the tube OD and forming the primary seal against both the tube and the body.
3
Back ferrule grips: The back ferrule is driven forward and radially inward, biting lightly into the tube OD and hinging — anchoring the tube against pressure and vibration pull-out.
4
Separated functions: Because one ferrule seals and the other grips, each does its job optimally — a key advantage over single-ferrule and bite-type designs, giving better vibration fatigue resistance and consistent make-up.
5
Gaugeable & reusable: Final make-up is 1¼ turns from finger-tight (for common sizes), and a gap-inspection gauge confirms correct pull-up. The joint can be disconnected and remade many times.

Instrumentation Tube Fitting Range


TES-LOK manufactures the complete range of twin-ferrule fitting shapes and connection ends. Explore each product:

CategoryFittings
Connectors Male ConnectorFemale ConnectorBulkhead Male ConnectorGauge ConnectorPort ConnectorThermocouple Connector
Unions UnionReducing UnionBulkhead UnionSocket Weld Union
Elbows Male Elbow (90°)45° Male ElbowFemale ElbowUnion Elbow
Tees & Crosses Union TeeMale Run TeeFemale Run TeeUnion Cross
Adapters Male AdapterFemale AdapterSAE MS Male AdapterO-Seal Straight Thread AdapterWeld Adapter

Tube Connection Standards We Manufacture


Connection TypeStandardSeal / GripBest For
Twin-Ferrule CompressionInstrument tube fitting standardFront ferrule seals, back ferrule gripsInstrumentation, analyser, gas, process tube
Bite-Type DIN 2353DIN 2353 / ISO 8434-1Single cutting ring bites tube ODEuropean hydraulics
Bite-Type JIS B2351JIS B2351Single cutting ring bites tube ODJapanese-built equipment
37° Flared (JIC)SAE J51437° flared tube cone, metal-to-metalHydraulic, fuel, fluid-power tube

Technical Specifications


ParameterDetails
BrandTES-LOK (Tesco Steel & Engineering)
DesignTwin-ferrule (double-ferrule) compression
Tube OD Range1/16" to 2" OD  |  2 mm to 50 mm OD
Working PressureUp to 6000 PSI for Stainless Steel  |  300 / 1000 / 3000 PSI for Brass (size dependent)
Working Temperature−196°C to 649°C (−320°F to 1200°F) — material dependent
Thread OptionsNPT, BSP (BSPP), BSPT, UNF, ISO metric, SAE
Body MaterialSS 316 / 316L, SS 304, Brass, Monel, Inconel, Hastelloy, special alloys
Ferrule MaterialMatched to body — case-hardened SS for SS fittings
Make-Up1¼ turns from finger-tight (common sizes); gaugeable pull-up
StandardsManufactured to recognised instrument tube fitting standards; ASTM material specs
CertificationsISO 9001:2015  |  EN 10204 3.1 MTC on request

Material Selection Guide


MaterialMax TempCorrosion ResistanceTypical Service
SS 316 / 316L649°CExcellent — chloride resistantGeneral instrumentation, offshore, chemical, marine
SS 304 / 304L649°CGood — general serviceFood, pharma, water, mild process
Brass150°CModerate — no ammonia/acidsPneumatics, compressed air, low-pressure water
Monel 400480°CExcellent — HF, seawaterHF service, desalination, marine
Inconel 625650°C+Outstanding — high-temp & sourFurnace, sour gas, high-temperature lines
Hastelloy C-276500°CSuperior — strong acidsChemical reactors, acid & halogen service

Why Choose TES-LOK Instrumentation Tube Fittings?


🔍 Twin-Ferrule Reliability

The two-ferrule design separates sealing from gripping, giving leak-tight performance and excellent resistance to vibration fatigue and pressure cycling — the proven mechanism for critical instrument and process tube connections.

📏 Gaugeable Make-Up

Consistent 1¼-turn pull-up with gap-gauge verification means every joint can be checked for correct assembly — no guesswork, repeatable quality across thousands of connections on a plant.

♻ Reusable & Serviceable

Connections can be disconnected and remade many times without losing seal integrity — ideal for instruments that need periodic calibration, replacement, or loop testing.

🧪 Full Material Range

From Brass and SS 304 for general service to SS 316, Monel, Inconel, and Hastelloy for corrosive, sour, marine, and high-temperature media — one fitting design across the entire material spectrum.

📦 Complete Shape Range

Connectors, unions, elbows, tees, crosses, bulkheads, and adapters — plus bite-type and 37° flare standards — all from one source, simplifying procurement of the whole tube-fitting bill of material.

🌟 ISO 9001:2015 & MTC

Manufactured under ISO 9001:2015 with EN 10204 3.1 material test certificates available on request — full traceability for instrumentation, offshore, and process-plant QA requirements.

Assembly Guide (Twin-Ferrule)


1
Cut & deburr tube: Cut the tube square with a tube cutter and deburr inside and out. Use tube of the correct OD, wall, and hardness for the fitting and pressure.
2
Insert fully: Push the tube through the nut and ferrules into the fitting body until it bottoms firmly on the body shoulder.
3
Finger-tighten: Tighten the nut by hand until snug. Mark the nut at the 6 o'clock position as a reference.
4
1¼ turns: Hold the body with a back-up wrench and tighten the nut 1¼ turns (to the 9 o'clock mark) for common sizes. For 1/16"–3/16" and small metric, use ¾ turn per the size table.
5
Gauge & test: Verify pull-up with a gap-inspection gauge, then pressure test to 1.5× working pressure. Re-make of a previously assembled joint needs only snug-up plus a slight nip.
⚠ Use matched components & correct tube: Use the fitting maker's own nut and ferrules with its body for certified leak-tight performance, and use tube of the correct OD, wall thickness, and hardness — soft or oversized tube will not seal or grip correctly. Always hold the body with a back-up wrench during make-up to avoid twisting the tube.

Industry Applications


IndustryTypical Use PointWhy Twin-Ferrule Preferred
Oil & Gas / OffshoreInstrument impulse lines, hydraulic control, wellhead tapping pointsSS 316 corrosion resistance; vibration-proof, gaugeable, leak-tight
Refinery & PetrochemicalAnalyser sample systems, transmitter connections, process tapsReliable seal on critical small-bore lines; reusable for maintenance
Power GenerationTurbine and boiler instrument lines, lube oil control tubeWide temperature range; high-pressure leak-tight connections
Pharmaceutical / BiotechClean instrument connections on CIP/SIP and bioreactor systemsSS 316L, crevice-minimised, cleanable, no welding required
Chemical ProcessingCorrosive and acid-service instrument and sample tubeHastelloy / Monel options for aggressive media
Semiconductor & GasHigh-purity gas panels and mass-flow connectionsLeak-tight, low dead-volume, no tape contamination
Hydraulics & PneumaticsControl and signal tube on machines and skidsFast, tool-light make-up; vibration-resistant
Shipbuilding & MarineEngine and control instrument tubeSS 316 salt resistance; reliable under vibration

Frequently Asked Questions


Q1. What is an instrumentation tube fitting?

It is a precision twin-ferrule (double-ferrule) compression fitting that connects small-bore instrument and process tube to instruments, valves, and equipment without welding or flaring. Tightening the nut drives a front ferrule that seals and a back ferrule that grips the tube. The result is a leak-tight, gaugeable, vibration-resistant, reusable connection — the standard for instrumentation tube worldwide.

Q2. Why does it use two ferrules instead of one?

The twin-ferrule design separates the two jobs: the front ferrule seals against the tube and body cone, while the back ferrule grips the tube OD and hinges to resist pull-out. Letting each ferrule specialise gives better vibration-fatigue resistance, more consistent make-up, and more reliable sealing than single-ferrule or bite-type fittings — which is why it dominates critical instrumentation.

Q3. What is the difference between an instrumentation (twin-ferrule) fitting and a bite-type or 37° flare fitting?

A twin-ferrule fitting grips the tube OD with two ferrules and needs only a cut, deburred tube — it dominates instrumentation and process. A bite-type (DIN 2353 / JIS B2351) fitting uses a single cutting ring that bites into the tube OD and dominates hydraulics. A 37° flare (JIC / SAE J514) fitting seals on a flared tube cone and dominates fluid power and fuel systems. TES-LOK manufactures all of these — see the connection-standards table above.

Q4. What is meant by "gaugeable" make-up?

Gaugeable means the correct pull-up of the fitting can be verified with a simple gap-inspection gauge after assembly. The fitting is tightened 1¼ turns from finger-tight (for common sizes), and the gauge confirms the nut has been advanced the correct amount. This removes guesswork and gives repeatable, inspectable quality across many connections.

Q5. What materials are available?

SS 316/316L and SS 304 for general and corrosive service; Brass for pneumatics and low-pressure water; and Monel, Inconel, and Hastelloy for HF, sour, high-temperature, and strong-acid service. The same twin-ferrule design is offered across the full material range, with EN 10204 3.1 MTC available on request.

Q6. What tube should I use with instrumentation tube fittings?

Use fully annealed, high-quality seamless instrument tube of the correct OD and wall thickness, within tolerance, and softer than the ferrules so the ferrules can seal and grip. SS 316 instrument tube to ASTM A269 / A213 is typical. Avoid hardened, oversized, scratched, or out-of-round tube — it will compromise the seal and grip. Match the tube material to the fitting material.

Q7. Are instrumentation tube fittings reusable?

Yes. Once the ferrules are set on the tube, the connection can be disconnected and remade many times — on re-make, the nut is simply turned to the previously pulled-up position plus a slight nip. This makes twin-ferrule fittings ideal for instruments that require periodic calibration, replacement, or loop testing.

Q8. Do you supply the full range of fitting shapes?

Yes. TES-LOK manufactures the complete range — male and female connectors, unions, reducing unions, bulkhead fittings, 90° and 45° elbows, run and union tees, crosses, gauge and port connectors, thermocouple connectors, and adapters — plus the bite-type and 37° flare connection standards. See the range table above and the sidebar for links to each product.