What are Tri-Clamp fittings?
Tri-Clamp Fittings Background
Companies in the brewing, food processing, industrial, and pharmaceutical industries use a variety of sanitary fittings in order to create, process, and transport products. This is important because these companies have to maintain hygienic standards and prevent contamination.
The most popular sanitary fittings are tri-clamp fittings. Often referred to as tri-clover or clamp fittings, tri-clamp fittings are a type of quick connect fitting that can create a secure, sanitary connection between pipes, hoses, and equipment.
How do Tri-Clamps work?
A tri-clamp connection consists of two flanged ends (called ferrules), a sanitary gasket, and a clamp. The gasket is placed in between the flanged ends and then the clamp is wrapped around the ferrule gasket combination to secure the entire connection in place. The clamp is usually tightened with a wing nut, which is included when you purchase.
The “tri” part of the name refers to these three components of the fitting: the ferrules, the gasket, and the clamp.
Tri-Clamps in Use
For example, let’s say you have a stainless steel 2 inch tube that you need to turn 90 degrees and then attach another stainless steel 2 inch tube, how would you do it?
Well, assuming that both of the tubes don’t already have a flanged end, you would need seven components: two 2” Tri-Clamp Ferrules (either short or long depending on space), one 2” Tri-Clamp 90 Degree Elbow (304 or 316L depending on application), two 2” sanitary gaskets, and two 2” clamps.
You would weld the two ferrules, one onto each tube end. This securely connects them to the pipe while leaving the flanged ends for tri-clamp connection. From there, you would attach one of the flange ends of the now welded pipe to one of the flange ends of the tri-clamp elbow. The tri-clamp connection would come together with a gasket seated in the grove and the clamp wrapped around to secure it. The gif in the last section provides a high level view of the connection.
And boom! Now you have connected your two pipes and your process line can flow smoothly. That’s the power of tri-clamps.
Tri-Clamp Availability
We offer a wide range of 3-A Certified Sanitary Tri-Clamp Fittings with fast, same-day shipping. Specific to the example above, you can shop at the links below:
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at sales@sanifitdirect.com or call us at 804-214-6098.