Answers to common questions about products, services, processes, and Swagelok itself.
Swagelok hand tube benders provide consistent, high‑quality bends in tubing made from most materials used with Swagelok tube fittings. Watch the video, "Using a Hand Tube Bender" to learn how to use one. Also, get the Hand Tube Bender Manual. Also see our local article, "Top takeaways from our Swagelok tube bending training". We also recommend getting the Swagelok Tube Fitter's Manual (free download).
If you've never used Swagelok's bench top tube bender, or if it's been a while since you have, check out our article, "Showtime: New Video Demonstrates Swagelok Bench Top Tube Bender" and the nine-minute video, Using the Swagelok Bench Top Tube Bender. In the video you'll see all the tools needed to use the bench top bender, what each one does and how it should be attached to the main unit. Proper alignment of each part makes the difference between a good bend and wasted tubing.
Also get the Bench Top Bender User Manual.
The bench top bender isn't hard to use, but it's important to do the right steps in the right order. Seeing a demonstration really helps make the steps clear, especially when you can pause and go back to make sure you understand the procedure.
You might also be interested in our local article, "Top takeaways from our Swagelok tube bending training class".
PTFE tape is thread sealant used on male tapered pipe threads to aid in sealing. See our blog article, "Skill: Applying PTFE Tape to Tapered Pipe Threads" for step by step info. Or watch this 3-minute clip showing how to apply PTFE tape - a thread sealant used on male tapered pipe threads.
Many of our valves can be repaired or rebuilt using standard repair kits. Watch our video, "Adjusting the Packing or Rebuilding Swagelok Valves" to learn about using rebuild kits for Swagelok’s manually actuated valves and several of our remotely actuated valves to adjust or replacing the packing in our video. View types of valves and download a comprehensive collection of information on them at our Valves page.
No. It is dangerous to mix materials or fitting components from various manufacturers—including but not limited to tubing, ferrules, nuts, and fitting bodies.
Leak-tight seals that withstand high pressure, vibration, vacuum, and temperature changes depend on close tolerances and consistent, exacting quality control in conjunction with good design principles. The critical interaction of precision parts is essential for reliability and safety. See the video "Swagelok Tube Fittings Extreme Testing" for an illustration. You might also check our article, "A Customer's Torture Test Proves Swagelok's Quality" and the associated video.
Components of other manufacturers may look like Swagelok tube fitting components, but they cannot be manufactured in accordance with Swagelok engineering standards. Nor do they benefit from innovations in design and manufacture defined by 36 active Swagelok tube fitting patents issued since 1989.
Swagelok owns the manufacturing process from start to finish so we can control the maximum number of variables, ensuring product quality. Swagelok's VP/Operations talks about that here.
We can take some of the sting out of replacement component searches by identifying product alternatives and highlighting any savings such as reduced purchase cost, maintenance, and downtime. To talk with our engineering team or ask a technical question, start here.
We've published a four-part answer to this frequently asked question in the article, "FAQ: What's the pressure rating of a Swagelok tube fitting?" Some resources we mention in the article include An Installer’s Pocket Guide for Swagelok Tube Fittings, the Tubing Data Sheet containing suggested allowable working pressure tables, our training events, and our video, "When Will It Burst? #2 - Swagelok Tubing Data Sheet, Tubing Selection Burst".
While it is dependent on various factors, standard valves are rated as low as -63 °F (-53 °C). To see numerous types of Swagelok valves and get comprehensive information, visit our Valves page and get our Swagelok Northern California Valves Resource Collection.
A lot has to do with the materials used in the tubing and the fittings. Temperature limits of most fitting and tubing materials are listed in ANSI Piping codes, including specific conditions regarding tubing materials and methods of manufacture. Steel, for instance is good up to about 375°F, while aluminum and copper top out at about 400°F. To perform under really high temperatures, it takes something like 304 stainless steel (800°F), alloy C-276 (1000°F), or 316 stainless steel (1000°F).
Our article, "FAQ - What Is the Temperature Rating of a Swagelok Tube Fitting?" goes over how tube fitting performance can be evaluated using three specific types of test criteria. These tests allow a tube fitting to be evaluated under varying dynamic conditions. Details are available in the Swagelok Tube Fittings Product Test Reports (free download).
Our article, "FAQ: Which tubing should I use with Swagelok tube fittings?" gives a refresher on the four factors that impact tube fitting choice, where to get detailed info, and what to do if you're not sure. For comprehensive info, download the Swagelok Tube Fitter's Manual (free PDF). Check the tube wall thickness charts in the Swagelok Tubing Data Sheet (free PDF) to see suggested allowable working pressure tables.
You can also watch, "Which Tubing is Right for My Application?" and "Ferrules, Fittings, and Tubing – Material Selection"
Yes. We offer backup equipment, equipment loaners, hydraulic & pneumatic tool rental, orbital weld system rental, plastic tube flaring tool rental, hand bender and bench top tube bender rental, and tube coning tool rental. There is some additional information and an option to get in touch about rentals at our Other Services page.
In addition to standard testing, we can do helium leak testing, hydrostatic testing, nitrogen pressure testing, and pressure decay testing. Learn about hose assembly testing at our Hose, My Way page.
When it comes to grab sample systems assembled, each GSM and GSL is shell tested, up to a maximum of 1000 psig/69 bar (additional testing available). Learn about grab sample system support, including testing, here.
Every assembly is backed by the same Swagelok Limited Lifetime Warranty that you receive with our individual parts. Find warranty info and other documentation at our Certifications page.
Yes. We're here when you urgently need parts or support. Call 510.933.6200 and follow prompts for “emergency service".
Yes. We offer tube coning tool rental. There is some additional information and an option to get in touch about it at our Other Services page.
Yes. We rent hand tube benders and bench top tube benders. There is some additional information and an option to get in touch about it at our Other Services page.
Yes. We get that sometimes buying doesn't cost-justify, and we do rent swaging tools. They help insure correct assembly of our tube fittings and hoses. There is some additional information and an option to get in touch about it at our Other Services page.
Yes. Sometimes you discover you need something quicker than it's scheduled to arrive. We hustle to make the need-by date. There is some additional information and an option to get in touch about it at our Other Services page.
Yes. We can cut the number of shipments you get. There is some additional information and an option to get in touch about it at our Other Services page.
Buying at website? Choose "Ship Complete" to reduce back-orders.
Yes. Please get in touch about taking advantage of this option.
The name Swagelok comes from “swaging”, which is the process that our nut and ferrule tube fittings use to clamp onto tubing. It rhymes with “aging”. We hear lots of pronunciations, from “Swedgelok” to “Swag-e-lock” to “Swag-lock”. Really, you can pronounce it however you want, as long as you know who we are. More about us →
Swagelok makes tube fittings, valves, hoses, and other products used in alternative fuels, chemical and petrochemical, power generation, oil and gas production, biopharmaceutical, research, and semiconductor manufacturing. View all product types here. Browse videos, guides, and more in our Resources section.
Overall, Swagelok makes 6,150+ standard parts, plus Engineered-to-Order, Made-to-Order, and Assembled-to-Order items... and keeps adding even more. All of our products come with Swagelok’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Just message us here at Swagelok Northern California, or give us a call at 510-933-6200 (M-F 7am-6pm). Another option is to login at swagelok.com, put item(s) in your basket, then use the "request a quote" option on the screen.
Swagelok Northern California has three locations: Fremont (headquarters and will-call), Sunnyvale (will call), Concord (will call). Get contact info, maps, and hours at our Locations page.
Swagelok Company has over 200 sales and service centers in 70 countries around the world. Check which one is nearest to you here.
View the 58 counties that Swagelok Northern California serves, at our Service Area page.
No.
The text of Swagelok Company's document MS-13-123, RevE states the following:
The Swagelok Limited Lifetime Warranty
Swagelok and its authorized distributors hereby warrant to the purchaser of their Products that the non-electrical components shall be free from defects in material and workmanship for the life of the Products. All electrical components installed in or on the Product are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for twelve months from the documented date of purchase.
The purchaser’s remedies shall be limited to replacement and, in non–ground vehicle applications, installation of any parts that fail through a defect in material or workmanship. Liability for installation is limited to reasonable costs that have been approved in advance and in writing by Swagelok. All customer-specified components carry the applicable manufacturer’s warranty. The warranty for any firmware or software Products that contain programmable logic or a microprocessor is governed by a separate Swagelok Embedded System End User License Agreement, MS-13-330, accessible from the www.swagelok.com website.
Warranty coverage hereunder only applies to Products purchased directly from either Swagelok or its authorized distributors and representatives. All other purchases are specifically excluded from any warranty coverage.
ALL OTHER EXPRESS AND IMPLIED REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, AND ALL OTHER LIABILITIES, RELATING TO THE CONDITION OR USE OF THE PRODUCT ARE SPECIFICALLY DISAVOWED, AND IN NO EVENT SHALL SWAGELOK AND ITS AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE TO PURCHASER, OR ANY THIRD PARTY, FOR ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT CONSEQUENTIAL, LIQUIDATED OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES.
For this and other documentation, see our Certifications page.
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Use our Certifications page for quick access to certifications by industry, certifications by product category, third party approvals, and related documentation.
Check here which of 200+ Swagelok Sales and Service Centers worldwide is closest to you.
See maps and details on Swagelok Northern California's service area here. Looking for our locations & hours? You'll find that here.
Yes. Swagelok Company is a global company headquartered in Ohio. Swagelok Northern California is a locally owned company headquartered in California.
Established in 1963, Swagelok Northern California is an authorized sales and service center for Swagelok. We serve 58 counties of northern California and northwestern Nevada. More about us here.
Established in 1947, Swagelok Company is a global company headquartered in Solon, Ohio. It has 20 manufacturing facilities, 6 global technical centers, and a network of 225 sales and service centers in 70 countries employing thousands of associates. More about Swagelok Company here.
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Swagelok Northern California
Swagelok Northern California is a locally owned sales and service center of Swagelok, a company celebrating 75 years in business. We have locations in Fremont and Sunnyvale, CA (USA). Phone: 510-933-6200.